The nice places and food around Nagaoka.

Well, I haven't been writing for a long time.

It's time to pick up writing again since I need something to do with my "free time".
You see, I used to spend my free time with my girlfriend, but now that we're no longer together, and everything else that I can do just reminds me of her(anime, manga, movies, taking a walk...everything), I figured that I might as well pick up writing again.

So, I would like to share the nice places and food in the otherwise "boring" Nagaoka.

The park near the Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital


The statue of an old man pointing to a beautiful girl across the river.

I have been to this place more often than I can remember. This park is free and accessible at any time of the day, be it noon or midnight. It's a really nice place for walking your dog, jogging or just to hang out. There's plenty of people around at day time but it is mostly empty at nights.
Beautiful flowers of all kinds are on display most of the time. The department store Apita, the Nagaoka Art Museum and the cinema T-Joy are all within walking distance from the park. What's really nice is that there's a path along the Shinano River that connects my apartment directly to this park. You can usually enjoy the sight of ducks frolicking in the water...and did I mention the breeze? Well, there's always a nice breeze to go along with your walks. Oh, by the way, Shinano River is the longest river in Japan.
I used to jog here and back, just sit on the bench at night staring at the stars, strolling while enjoying the variety of flowers...I even went with my in-line skates here.

Italian - A curious mix of yakisoba and meat sauce


I call this "what??" noodle...

Now, this is indeed a mysterious kind of food called Italian. Now, when one mention Italian, we automatically expect pasta, spaghetti, pizza...you know, "real Italian food". But no, this is instead a mix of yakisoba and meat sauce(the one meant for spaghetti).
The taste? I...I don't know how to describe it. It's not bad...but it certainly wasn't that good either. I guess you can call it...strange.

How this came to be?? Well, my guess is that many many years ago, some Japanese dude was about to eat his dinner, yakisoba, when he realised that he have leftover meat sauce from the previous night's dinner. Not wanting to waste the sauce, he poured it over his yakisoba. He must have thought "Hey...this is not bad!!". He quit his job and opened a restaurant selling "Italian", the name as a tribute to the meat sauce.

Anyway, Italian is only available in Niigata prefecture. In Nagaoka, you can get them from shops named "Friend" at either Jusco or in Harashin supermarket near Musashi Home Center.

Echigo Park


Pictures taken during Summer Illuminations

This park is also one of the park which I visit quite frequent. It's really a nice park with a huge area of lawn grass for you to do practically anything you want on it. A picnic, roll around, kick a ball, kick 2 balls, badminton, lie down...you get the idea.
There's a flower bed around but it's quite small compared to the other parks(that collects money) but it's beautiful nonetheless. There's also a hill which you can climb either by stairs or up a grassy slope. Quite a nice view from up the hill. Oh, on the way down, you can try rolling down...it's really quite fun!!!

Me and Maureen preparing to roll down the hill....

There are quite a few notable events at this park, to name a few; tulips festival, rose festival, Summer Illumination Night. They also have various days where entrance is free of charge.
There are also various attractions at this park, for example, foot-pedaled car that goes round the park, Frisbee golf, playground with a rubber dome to bounce on, mini water park with stepping stones...all kinds of stuff.

As far as I know, it is the only park around Nagaoka that collects entrance fee.

Eguchi dango

Dango, rice dumpling.

I have to say...the dumplings here are delicious!!! My favourite is soy sauce flavored dango.
The green tea is quite nice too...and if you are lucky, you'll get to see Japanese tea preparation ceremony as well.
Not to forget that you'll get a very nice view of the nature from the window.

Soleine


Tasty Colours...

They've got all kinds of gelato...you name it, they've got it. Pumpkin, strawberry, vanilla, green peas, tofu, cherry, dark berry, black sesame, yam....they've even got beer gelato!! Haven't tried beer but I absolutely love their vanilla gelato...

New Town Park

Sorry, don't have(can't find) a better picture.

Needless to say, another park. Not much different from other parks except that its got a lake.
A decent park...enjoyed it.

Bushiya- Ramen Shop

Tsukemen...personal recommendation on this one.

Yeah, Japan's famous for ramen and they've got thousands of shops....
So, what's special with this one? The soup's base is katsuobushi....and it's very nicely done!!
A treat for your taste buds if you are looking for something other than the usual salt, soy sauce or tonkotsu(pork bone).

Higashiyama Family Land

Ponies...cute as they are, the sight of them urinating and defecating is disgusting nonetheless.

This is yet another park...but it's a park with ponies!!! Kids or adults who is very much shorter than me can ride on it. You can even feed the ponies if you want to.
Not only ponies, they even have bunnies!!! Bunnies and ponies!!! what else can you ask for?? Goats and chicken?? yeah...they've got them too.
They also have a course for extreme mountain biking...along with ramps for jumping. Cool huh? They've even got summer-ski as well!! FYI, summer-ski here means shoes with two big ass wheels on it.

Alpaca Farm

Alpacas are cute. Nuff' said.

Momiji-en


One of the reason why I'm staying in Japan; I'm a sucker for autumn leaves.

Well, this brilliantly taken picture says it all. Bright red leaves that will bleed your heart of passion...
This place once belong to someone...you can see the house in the background. That person took into the art of Japanese Garden, and this wonderful garden was later donated to the city and it has been a popular spot ever since.
This place is also open at nights and there will be spotlights around to highlight the gorgeous red.

That's all that I have in mind at the moment...think I may have covered all the places I've been to. Well, for folks who are planning to visit Nagaoka and see this post, you're welcome!!