NiigataLeisure

Pay respect at Naoetsu's tutelary shrine and pray for safe travels at this ancient temple connected to Saint Shinran

About this spot

Ita Shrine is honored as the First Shrine of Echigo Province and has long been cherished by local people as the tutelary deity of Naoetsu. The principal deities are Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto and three others, known for blessings of good fortune and prosperity. Legend has it that Saint Shinran, who was exiled to Echigo in 1207 (Shōgen 1), landed at this location, and the shrine grounds preserve the legend of the "single-leafed reed" (Kataha-no-ashi) connected to the saint. The approach to the shrine, enveloped in lush grove trees, provides shaded areas that soften the summer sun, allowing for leisurely worship even during the hottest afternoon hours. The Naoetsu Gion Festival has taken root as a summer festival of this area, and offering a brief prayer to the tutelary deity before beginning your day will greatly elevate your travel spirit.

Fireworks details

Name: 直江津祇園祭大花火大会

Date & time: 7/26 (Sun) Time TBA

Venue: 上越市・直江津地区（関川河口周辺）

Shells: approx. 5,000

直江津祇園祭大花火大会は、直江津の夏を締めくくる祇園祭のクライマックスとして地元に深く根付いた花火大会です。関川河口から日本海に向けて打ち上げられる約5,000発は、海の上の開けた空間で大きく開き、その迫力は格別です。海面に映る花火の光、潮の香り、波の音とともに楽しむ花火は、内陸の大会とはひと味違う雄大さがあります。祇園祭の屋台や神輿のにぎわいとともに盛り上がる夜は、夏の上越を代表する風物詩です。この1日のすべての時間が、このフィナーレに向けて積み重なっていく感覚をぜひ味わってください。

Tips

開催時間は大会公式の最新情報で必ず確認してください(時間未定のため)。荒天の場合は中止または延期となる可能性があります。終了後は周辺道路と直江津駅が大変混雑するため、花火終了後はその場でしばらく余韻を楽しんでから帰路につく時間差帰宅がおすすめです。車利用の場合は事前に駐車場の場所と満車状況を確認しておきましょう。

Food stalls

Where: 海浜公園・直江津屋台会館周辺（うみまちフェスティバル会場）

※Based on previous years. Stall lineups change year to year. Please check the official site for the latest details.

Turn this into a day plan with stall time included

Source: niigata-kankou.or.jp

Tips

About 20 minutes on foot from Naoetsu Station, or about 5 minutes by car or taxi. Entry to the shrine grounds is free. Parking is available within the shrine grounds, making it convenient for families traveling by car. If you wish to receive a shrine stamp (goshuin), please check the office hours in advance.