Ojiya

Ojiya sits in the mountains of central Niigata Prefecture, experiencing some of Japan's heaviest snowfall. This city of around 35,000 people developed traditions like breeding Nishikigoi ornamental carp and crafting Ojiya chijimi ramie textiles. You can visit Nishikigoi no Sato to see these fish, explore textile museums detailing old techniques, and eat pure buckwheat soba noodles in local eateries.

Seeing Nishikigoi Koi Fish

Ojiya is known globally as the place where Nishikigoi ornamental carp breeding began in the early 19th century. Farmers first raised carp for food during hard winters. Later, they selectively bred fish with color changes, creating living art. Nishikigoi no Sato gives you the best introduction. It displays more than 200 koi across 15 types in garden ponds with waterfalls and bridges. You pay 520 yen for adult admission to see the indoor and outdoor viewing areas. You can observe the fish moving in groups. You can also buy pellets to feed them. Many koi farms work in the nearby mountains. You can book private tours through specialized agencies to meet breeders and see their ponds directly. You must book these tours ahead of time.

Learning About Ojiya Chijimi Textiles

Ojiya chijimi is the city's other important cultural craft, recognized by UNESCO. Artisans have perfected this ramie textile over 350 years. Making it depends on Niigata's snowy weather. Workers lay finished cloth on snowfields so sunlight bleaches it naturally. You see this detailed process at Ojiya Dento Sangyo Kaikan Sunplaza. Displays explain steps like hand-dyeing threads with splash patterns. They also show weaving on old-style looms. The finished fabric has a noticeable wrinkled feel. It stays cool against the skin, good for summer kimono. Several shops in town let you try on Ojiya chijimi clothes. You can also rent garments for a day. Museums show historical silkworm raising and antique weaving tools.

Eating Soba Noodles and Local Food

Ojiya's special food experience is its soba noodles. They are made only from local buckwheat, without wheat. This gives them a nutty taste and firm feel. Eat them fresh at restaurants near the station or in the covered shopping streets. After eating, look around these streets for other area foods. Find hegi-soba, served on wooden plates. Look for seasonal items like mochi rice cakes. Many food places run soba-making workshops. You learn to knead, cut, and boil your own noodles with an instructor. This gives you direct experience with local food culture.

Attending Seasonal Events and Festivals

Ojiya holds active events all year. The Ojiya Balloon Revolt in October fills the night sky with lit hot air balloons. Summer has the Katakai Fireworks Festival. It shows complex fireworks over the Shinano River. Winter includes traditional bullfighting matches inside special arenas. Snow covers the land from December to March. This allows snowshoeing across terraced rice fields. You can join locals in yukimuro snow rooms. These store food for natural keeping. Check the city's tourism site for exact dates. Many festivals match farming cycles or historical events.

Visiting Temples, Shrines, and the Countryside

Beyond its well-known crafts, Ojiya has many old sites often missed. Uonuma Shrine has a large wooden torii gate. It holds yearly rituals connected to rice planting. Smaller temples like Raiko-ji give space for thought under old trees. The nearby countryside shows working farms. It has terraced rice fields like the visually striking Yamakoshi Rice Terraces. Hiking paths follow the Shinano River. Public buses link main areas. Renting a car gives more freedom to reach spread-out places. Visit the Hoshitoge Rice Terraces viewpoint. Find small lacquerware workshops practicing Niigata's other old crafts.

Getting Practical Information for Your Trip

Reach Ojiya on the JR Joetsu Line from Nagaoka Station. The train ride takes 20 minutes, ending at Ojiya Station. From there, inner-loop buses go to main sites like Nishikigoi no Sato or Sunplaza. Bus trips happen less often in winter. Download translation apps for help. Contact Ojiya Study Abroad, a local nonprofit. They offer homestays and cultural activities for visitors wanting more contact with local life. Places to stay include business hotels near the station. There are also family-run ryokan inns with onsen baths. Many take online bookings. Visit from May to November for milder weather and festival chances. Winter draws people for snow activities and textile shows.