Sights of Uonuma-shi

Temple

Eirinji(永林寺）tel 025-794-2266; 1765 Negoya Uonuma-shi; admission 300yen; open 9:00-17:00 from March to November, 10:00-16:00 from December to February; map; http://www.eirinji.jp/

This is a zen temple founded 500 years ago and renowned for its magnificent carving by Ishikawa Unchow, a famous carver in the middle and late 19th century.

Enpukuji(円福寺）tel 025-792-0871; 433 Sanashi Uonuma-shi; admission 300yen; open 9:00-17:00 from mid May through Octobor; map; It houses a Amidanyorai statue of national importance and its Kokeniwa, moss garden is charming.　

Saifukuji Kaizando(西福寺・開山堂）tel025-792-3032;　Ooura Uonuma-shi; map; admission 300yen; open 9:00-16:00 from April to November, 9:30-15:00 from December to March; It is a Soto-sect Zen Buddhist temple which boasts beautiful ceiling carved by Uncho. http://www.saihukuji.com

Echigo Yukikurakan Tamagawa Sake Brewery

（越後ゆきくら館　玉川酒造） tel 025-797-2777; 1643 Suhara Uonuma-shi; This is a good place to sample different types of sake, you won't find a sake over 40% alcohol content in another place! ; open 9:00-16:00; map

Festivals & Events of Uonuma-shi

Setchu Hanamizu-iwai（雪中花水祝）：takes place in Horinouchi district on February 11. Bridegrooms are splashed with icy cold water, which is said to bring good lucks to the couples.

You tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3lBmvKNF8U

Jyuugoya Matsuri（十五夜まつり）is held in Horinouchi for three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Keiro-no-hi(Respect-for-the-aged day in September);tel025-794-2111

You tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qUpzsuhERI

Shineribenten Tatakijizou Festival（しねり弁天・たたき地蔵祭り）：This festival is unique because men are allowed to pinch  women in the precinct of shrine, while the women are encouraged to slap the men on their backs.  What lies inside the shrine is a huge lingam represents child births, happy marriages, etc. Newly wed couples would get on the lingam and be taken to the streets.

You tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1QYyHKo3S0

Other interesting places to visit in Niigata

In spirng cherry blossoms make its way northward  in Japan. In Niigata you can see beautiful Sakura (Cherry trees) in mid April. Jyouetsu-shi（上越市） is close to Toyama prefecture and takes about one and half hours  from Uonuma-shi by car. Jyouetsu Takada is famous for its Cherry festival. 

Jyouetsu tourism site http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/kankou/inter/english/index.html