ken's Reviews

Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display

It is one of the three major fireworks festivals in Japan and a colorful summer tradition in Niigata.

• Niigata
• Summer festivals & Events

Both the fireworks and the event organization itself are fantastic.
The fireworks from the viewing seats are truly impressive, and the event is run so well that you can enjoy them in relative comfort.

There are a lot of spectators, but I think going by Shinkansen or train is very smooth and convenient.
Between Nagaoka Station and the viewing area, there are plenty of places to buy food and drinks, including shops, food stalls, and local supermarkets. It’s fun to walk while imagining how you’ll spend the evening watching the fireworks.

The viewing areas are divided into many large sections, but there are plenty of signs, guidance, and staff directing people, so even if you get a little lost, you’ll definitely make it to your seat. There are many people, but they’ve put a lot of thought into keeping everyone moving smoothly, so there is less confusion and heavy crowding than you might expect.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter

This entirely new walk-through attraction lets you experience how the "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" films were made. It is the first of its kind in Asia and the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world.

• Nakano, Koenji, Ogikubo, Nerima
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

This was a place where you could fully immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter.
You can comfortably follow along and see scenes and settings from the movies, as well as behind-the-scenes details about the production. Since it’s mostly indoors, you can enjoy it anytime without worrying about the season.

When you enter, there’s a museum shop and a cafe. The museum shop has all kinds of Harry Potter-related items, so I think it’s a good idea to first look for things to enjoy during your visit, then stop by again at the end for souvenirs or keepsakes.

Once the tour starts, you follow the staff at first, but after that you’re free to explore on your own. If you take your time, it takes about 3–4 hours. There are also places along the way where you can eat or try Butterbeer, so you could easily spend a relaxing full day there. There was one smoking area inside.

Ho-Park / Ho-Koen

The site of Nagahama Castle, which was abandoned in the Edo period, was developed into a park in 1909 (Meiji-era 42). The park is named after Toyotomi Hideyoshi, also known as Ho-Taiko, who was the lord of Nagahama Castle.

• Shiga
• Parks & Gardens

There were food trucks and stalls near the parking lot.
Depending on the timing, it seems like they hold events in the park.
It was a nice park for a quiet walk.

Harbor Boo Niigata Ekimae Honten

Opened in March 2026, this specialty restaurant for shabu-shabu and yakiton, grilled pork skewers, is located a 4-minute walk from Niigata Station. It serves dishes that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients, including its signature pork shabu-shabu made with Junpaku no Bianca, a branded pork variety from Niigata.

• Niigata
• Hotpot Restaurants

I got to enjoy delicious branded pork and plenty of vegetables in a light, refreshing way! Since there are so many veggies, it feels really healthy.

The grilled pork skewers were juicy and fantastic. I’m usually not a fan of liver, but their liver skewer was made with fresh meat and was really tasty. The skirt steak was great too.

The shabu-shabu comes with a special yuzu pepper, and the grilled pork skewers come with a homemade spicy miso with a nice garlic kick. You can switch up the flavors, which makes the meal fun and delicious.

They also adjust the side vegetables, ponzu, and spicy miso blends depending on the season and what’s fresh, like during hot summers or cold winters. You can really feel the owner’s care in making the food tasty and easy to enjoy, which is wonderful.

They have an amazing selection of sake, but also beer and chuhai, so it’s a great spot to enjoy your favorite drinks with delicious food!

There’s counter seating too, so it seems like a nice place to enjoy even on your own.