Sado City

Sado City, the largest remote island in the Sea of Japan, is a fascinating region where rich nature and historical culture coexist. It's known for its scenic beauty that changes with the seasons, traditional culture such as tub boats and Noh theaters that give a glimpse into the islanders' lives, and the habitat of the Japanese crested ibis. In 2024, the Sado Island Gold Mine will be registered as a World Heritage Site, conveying to the present day the history of advanced handicraft gold production techniques that continued throughout the Edo period. Numerous historical and cultural treasures remain along the Golden Road, which transported gold and silver produced in Sado to Edo. Through the Golden Road, Sado City is rediscovering the cultural resources and attractions of each region along the road and working together to disseminate information.

Izumozaki Town

Facing the Sea of Japan, Izumozaki Town is a scenic town with a coastline of approximately 10km, boasting both sea and mountains.
During the Edo period, it was under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate (Tenryo), and thrived as a post town on the Hokkoku Kaido road, where gold and silver was unloaded and Kitamaebune ships called.
It is said that the town had a population of approximately 20,000 at the time, making it the most densely populated town in Echigo. To accommodate this large number of people, and due to the tax imposed on the width of their frontage at the time, narrow, long-deep gabled houses measuring two or three and a half ken (approx. 2.5 ken) lined the streets, forming a gabled townscape stretching for approximately 4km.
While primary industry is the main thriving industry, paper balloon making (a prefecturally designated traditional craft) began in 1919 as an alternative source of income to fishing during the rough winter seas, and today most of these are made in this town.

上越市

Joetsu City is a historic city that has long prospered as the political, economic, and cultural center of Echigo Province. The ruins of Kasugayama Castle are known as the residence of Uesugi Kenshin, and Takada Castle Ruins Park was developed on the site of Takada Castle, which was built as the residence of Matsudaira Tadateru, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. An extensive transportation network, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, supports exchanges and tourism both within and outside the region.

Ojiya City

Ojiya City is located where the majestic river terraces formed by the Shinano River meet the Echigo Plain, with Yamamotoyama as the boundary. Since ancient times, it has been a crossroads for accessing the mountains, rivers, and sea, and has flourished as a base for major roads such as the Mikuni Kaido. During the Edo period, the production and distribution of Ojiya-chijimi silk fabric led to extensive exchanges with the rest of the country and brought great wealth. Furthermore, as cultures from around the country came to intermingle through this wide-ranging exchange, unique local cultures such as shrine maiden puppetry, paper decorations, and bull horn butting became established and are still enjoyed today. In modern times, the city has created new tourist attractions such as the Ojiya Festival, Katakai Festival, and Ojiya Balloon Rebellion, and is known as a bustling town that actively interacts with people from all over the country.