Jōetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Jōetsu is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Jōetsu borders the Sea of Japan and is renowned for its abundance of snow, the annual cherry-blossom festival, sake and Koshihikari rice.

Economy Jōetsu is a regional commercial and industrial centre, with heavy industry concentrated around the port of former Naoetsu, and light manufacturing and commerce around the former Takada area. The Jōetsu Thermal Power Station is an LNG-fired thermal power station operated by JERA in the city.

Education Colleges and universities • Joetsu University of Education is a national university established on October 1, 1978, and specializes in pedagogical training for prospective roles in elementary and secondary education, as well as a focus on child growth and development. Although the university accepts international students, the admission rate hovers between 20 and 30%, making it a selective institution. • Niigata College of Nursing ◦ Niigata Junior College of Nursing.

Railway – Hokuriku Shinkansen • Jōetsumyōkō JR East - Shin'etsu Main Line • Naoetsu - Kuroi - Saigata - Dosokohama - Katamachi - Jōgehama - Kakizaki Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line • Hokuhoku-Ōshima - Mushigawa-Ōsugi - Uragawara - Ōike-Ikoi-no-mori - Saigata Echigo Tokimeki Railway - Myōkō Haneuma Line • Nihongi -< Arai - Kita-Arai > - Jōetsumyōkō - Minami-Takada - Takada - Kasugayama - Naoetsu Echigo Tokimeki Railway - Nihonkai Hisui Line • Nadachi - Arimagawa - Tanihama - Naoetsu.

Highway • Hokuriku Expressway • Jōshin-etsu Expressway • National Route 8 • National Route 18 • National Route 253 • National Route 350 • National Route 403 • National Route 404 • National Route 405 • National Route 460.

Ferry The port of Ogi, on Sado Island, can be accessed by a jetfoil that runs 1-3 times a day from March 1 until November 15.

Local attractions Places of Interest: • Takada Castle: Three-story turret located in Takada Park • Kasugayama Castle: A castle ruin, main castle of Uesugi clan • Samegao Castle : A castle ruin of Uesugi clan. • Hida Sites, Yayoi period settlement ruins, National Historic Site • Takahashi Magozaemon Shouten: oldest running candy store in Japan • Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari • Iwanohara Vineyard Co., Ltd.: one of the oldest wineries in Japan and birthplace of the grape Muscat Bailey A • Gangi Dori: 16 km alleyway of wooden eaves built to shelter pedestrians during heavy snowfall • Izumi Jomon Park: home to ruins from Japan's Jōmon Period.

Cultural Events • Takada Castle Million-Visitor Cherry Blossom Festival • Joetsu Lotus Festival • Joetsu Festival • Kenshin Festival • Echigo Kenshin Sake Festival • Lerch Festival • Candle Road.