| Learn the local customs of Niigata. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Niigata locals. Niigata Map |
 | Niigata Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 12 |  |
 Niigata Sashimi by KevinMichaelLeave a Comment
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 My wife: Putting Good luck on
the tree by KevinMichael
Shinto custom is to buy a special prayer for good luck, add the names of all those concerned and attach it to one of the designated trees at the shrine.
(This is one of the ways in which the temples rake it in). Leave a Comment
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 The New Uoroku by KevinMichael
We wouldn't go around calling superman 'supa' if he couldn't fly!
To be fair, some 'supas' are a little more deserving of the title. (There are some good sized 'supas' located in Dekki 401, Josco in Aoyama, and in the basement of Daie Department store in Bandai.) Leave a Comment
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 Moving in mass with a purpose by KevinMichael
It goes something like this,... first, throw your money into one of the big boxes (one with all the other millions of yen coins and bills pilling into them) then quickly step as close as you can and say something like `Kami sama (God) thank you and please give me good luck this year.'
As the rules go, there are about 4 prayers from which you can choose from:
PrayerChoice #1 `Let me pass the entrance exams`
PrayerChoice #2 `Win me the Lottery`
PrayerChoice #3 `May my family be healthy`
PrayerChoice #4 `Give me a husband` (some people choose a wife)`
If your prayer actually falls into another area, then it`s best to simply choose PrayerChoice#1 as other people are waiting behind you. This way at least, your prayer may go to someone else who really needs it whom probably forgot to pray in the first place. PrayerChoice #1 has been the top prayer for 5 consecutive years now.
This is also the day for heaping a dead squid on the gigantic bonfire. As this fire reaches several meters into the sky it is best not to walk through it. This is great fun for the kids and its also a good place to pick up some popcorn for snack time later. Leave a Comment
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 People lining up to get
Popoyaki even in the cold. by KevinMichael, 1 more photos
However, it's quite popular whenever there's a festival at Hakusan Shrine.
Go to Hakusan Shrine during one of these festivals for a taste of Popoyaki. Leave a Comment
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 Hanami Party near Hakusan
Shrine by KevinMichael
cherry trees (Sakuraki). You can also enjoy
eating local food such as popoyagi (only in Niigata). The best place to buy this is at Hakusan Shrine (Hakusan Jinja). There are plenty of Japanese Sakura trees in full bloom at this time. Walk along the Shinano
River to see the crowds of people enjoying the weekend, the beautiful tulips, and the cheery blossoms.
Niigata Fact: Niigita's official flower is the Tulip. Leave a Comment
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 Me as an Aka-Oni (Red
Ogre) for Halloween2001 by KevinMichael
soybeans at an Oni in the house. Usually,
the father dresses up as the Oni.
The Oni has been a large part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years and many folktails include stories about Oni.
One of the most famous is the story of Momotarou (Peach boy). Momotarou was born in a giant peach. An elderly woman found his giant peach floating down a river. After pulling the peach from the river she showed her discover to her husband. Suddenly the peach popped open and there was Momotarou.
When Momotarou grew up to be a young man he left his 'parents' and went off to find treasure. On his way, he befreinded a monkey, a dog, and a bird. He and his companions went to Oni Island. There they slew some of the ogres and stole their fortunes. They then returned home with the goods.
If you get a chance, you can participate in Sestubun at a Buddhist temple. There you can get a chance to dress up as an Oni yourself and throw candy and gifts to children.
It's fun. I've done it twice. The Oni for this particular ceremony don't look scary.
I dressed as a Red Ogre (Aka-Oni) for Halloween 2001. I wanted to be the scariest looking Oni people had ever seen. What do you think? Leave a Comment
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 by Kartann
In Sado, Niigata Leave a Comment
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 Rice Fields outside Niigata by kiwigal_1
Where there is good rice there is bound to be good sake ! Sake, rice wine, is probably the national drink of Japan so the Japanese appreciate a good quality sake.
Sasadango is a sweet snack made from glutinous white rice filled with sweet bean paste. I normally don't like bean paste but this is pretty good stuff! They wrap up the whole thing in bamboo leaves.
Of course we can't forget seafood ! Niigata has a wide-range of fresh seafood year round that can be tried in most restaurants or you can buy it fresh and cook it yourself. The best places to get fish are Honcho and Hakusan markets. Leave a Comment
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 by kiwigal_1
The telephone code for Niigata is: 025
When dialing from overseas dial +81-25 for any number in Niigata. Leave a Comment
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