Top tips for starting out your 2020 in Niigata's winter wonderland

Welcoming the new year is often a time for reflecting on the way you want the next twelve months ahead to pan out. If traveling more is one of those goals or resolutions you're setting for yourself, how about a winter trip to Niigata Prefecture? My personal bias will see me telling you that this part of Japan has some of the country's most spectacular landscapes, fun (and not crowded) festivals, and friendly people - but why not start 2020 by finding that out yourself!

If you're visiting this fantastic part of Japan, here are four things to check out in the first quarter of the new year.

Urasa's Naked Pushing Festival

Japan has a number of quirky festivals year-round, and one here in my town is known as the Naked Pushing Festival. We've attended every year we've lived here, as it's probably Minamiuonuma's biggest annual event - and we've had such a blast each time. The main event takes place once the sun has gone down, where men dressed in loincloths (yes - only loincloths, and there's still usually a ton of snow on the ground!) push and jostle their way to be first in line to worship Bishamon, the God of the local Bishamondo Temple.

Before the main event, there are plenty of activities taking place during the day in the streets surrounding the temple. We like heading there early and enjoying some of the tasty festival food that is served in abundance. One you should try if you haven't been to Niigata before is poppoyaki, a steamed bread flavored with brown sugar. They're perfect to warm up with when the weather is chilly!

The event takes place on March the 3rd each year, so unfortunately the 2020 event falls on a Tuesday. It may be tough for people outside the local area to attend, but if you can manage it, it's worth the trip!

Koide's International Snowball Fight

In a part of Japan which often gets record amounts of snowfall, it's probably a given that snowball throwing is woven into the culture of the town. Teams register in groups of five to be part of the competition, and on the day it's a case of game-on, no holds barred, snowball throwing action. Now, I've never participated myself, only attended as a spectator - but it's so much fun to watch! Some of the teams dress up in all kinds of crazy costumes, and it's a really lighthearted atmosphere. They take the snowball throwing seriously, though!

From kids to adults, there's loads of snowball throwing fun at the Koide International Snowball Fight.

There are plenty of food vendors at the event, which takes place at Koide's Hibikinomori Park. You'll also find lots of opportunities to sample some local sake, too. The park is about a ten minute cab ride from the JR Koide Station, or alternatively if you drive to the venue take the Koide IC from the Kanetsu Expressway. The park is virtually right at the expressway exit, and free on-site parking is available.

Tokamachi Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is probably the most well-known event on Japan's winter schedule, but if you don't have the time to head all the way up to Hokkaido, why not try Tokamachi's winter event? The 2020 festival takes place from Friday, February 14th (take Valentine's Day off, and visit with your significant other!) through to Sunday, February 16th. There are a whole host of incredible snow sculptures that have to be seen to be believed, a kimono queen event, fireworks, festival food, and more. The sight of fireworks exploding over the main stage of the event is something that will take your breath away.

More details about the event can be found on the official website here (in Japanese).

A ski or snowboarding trip (numerous venues!)

Other spots in Japan may be more well known than some of Niigata's skiing and boarding gems (looking at you, Hakuba and Niseko), but that doesn't mean there aren't world-class facilities here in Niigata. For ease of access, Gala Yuzawa is a brilliant starting point - it's a straight shot, single shinkansen trip from Tokyo. The Gala Yuzawa shinkansen stop is a seasonal one, just one stop further down the line from Echigo Yuzawa, and you can literally walk out the ticketing gates and into the resort area to purchase a pass.

Crowds...what crowds? Niigata's Hakkaisanroku Ski area makes you feel like you've got the slopes to yourself. Sometimes, you literally do.

A little closer to my town of Urasa is the Hakkaisanroku Ski Resort, and it's very popular with local families. There are beginner to advanced slopes, so no matter your skill level there's something to have a try at. For the kids, there's a great spot for sledding here too, so even if you have young ones who may not be ski or snowboard ready, you can still have an enjoyable day out at the snow.

Have you been to Niigata Prefecture in winter? Any upcoming plans to visit out here in 2020?