Ojiya City - Niigata

 2022 is Shinkansen year; This is the anniversary year since the opening of the railroad in Japan.

JR East launched various campaigns, so I decided to go to Ojiya city in Niigata Prefecture to take advantage of them!

I took the Shinkansen to Urasa and then a local train to Ojiya.

It was the first time for me to take the Joetsu Shinkansen, but it took about an hour and a half to arrive there. Surprisingly near.

I dozed off and arrived at Niigata in no time.

Ojiya is famous for Nishikigoi. 

The ambassadorial Pokémon is Magikarp!

The entrance to the underground passageway, visible as soon as you exit Ojiya Station, was made in the motif of a Nishikigoi's mouth, so I knew right away that this city was a Nishikigoi city.

I found the first pokefuta by the entrance.

I wish I had taken a full view of the entrance ...!

I thought it was a very unique and good idea to promote the city.

There are four pokefuta in Ojiya city.

First, I decided to head to Nishikigoi no Sato.

Walking further across the Shinano River from the station, I could saw a corner lined with tourist facilities.

Tourist buses were parked here, and there was a collection of buildings where I could shop and dine.

Nishikigoi no Sato was in them.

Nishikigoi no Sato is an exhibition facility that introduces the history and varieties of Nishikigoi and allows visitors to actually see and feed many Nishikigoi.

I found a second pokefuta by its entrance!

I paid 520 yen and entered the Nishikigoi no Sato.

Next to the entrance, there is a small Nishikigoi tank, and when I put my finger in the tank, the Nishikigoi pecked it :)

So cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute ...!

I purchased Pokefuta goods at the reception.

After passing through the zone where the history and types of Nishikigoi are explained, I was able to see many Nishikigoi in a space with a large aquarium.

I recommend that you buy some food at the reception and try the feeding experience.

When I threw in the bait, they came so close to me, and it was more interesting than I expected.

The outdoor area was like a Japanese garden. It was beautiful.

I stayed at Nishikigoi no Sato longer than I planned.

In addition, across the street, there is a facility where you can buy souvenirs and specialties such as hegisoba (buckwheat noodles) and dyed fabrics, so I stayed here for a long time!

I left for the next pokefuta

A short walk from Nishikigoi no Sato, I went to Ojiya City Hall.

The third pokefuta was located by a stone monument near the entrance.

Since it was a holiday, there were almost no people in the city hall, so I was able to take my time to take pokefuta photos.

The last pokefuta was near the city gymnasium.

Before that, it was just time for lunch, so I looked for a soba restaurant to have the famous hegisoba.

We decided to have lunch at Kadoya on the way to the gymnasium.

I ordered hegisoba and hegiudon.

They tasted so good on the way down.:*+.(( °ω° )).:+

After filling my stomach, I went to the city gymnasium.

As I walked along, I saw a magnificent waterslide.

A fine swimming pool！

At the back of it, I found the last pokefuta by the entrance of the gymnasium.

Why Pidgeotto ...?

I found out that an event called the Ojiya Balloon Revolt is held around the end of February.

I want to experience it, but I hesitate because of the deep snow in Niigata in winter.

Having visited all the poke lids, I decided to return to Tokyo.

Back at Urasa station, I did some sightseeing until it was time for the bullet train.

There are unexpectedly many things to see and do in the vicinity of Urasa Station.

I visited Agricore Echigo Winery and Gelato Kobo Yummy, which sells sake gelato.

After returning home, I wrapped a tenugui, a cloth dyed with plants and trees that I bought in Ojiya to my Snorlax.