Noteworthy Festivals

Joetsu Matsuri （Joetsu Festival）（上越祭り）
With a long history, the Gion Matsuri in Joetsu, spread over a week, is truly Joetsu's Big Summer Event. Portable Shrine （Mikoshi）parades, a huge fireworks display, and a traditional dance with more than 2000 participants are just some of the highlights.

Lerch Matsuri（Lerch Festival）（レルヒ祭） In honor of Major Lerch, the founder of Japanese Skiing, a winter festival, including fireworks, is held in the beginning of February.	Kenshin Matsuri（Kenshin Festival）（謙信公祭） In held in honor of Uesugi Kenshin, a legendary general of the Warring States Period, every year the 16th and 17th of August give way to a festival that seems to plunge area 400 years into the past.
Candle Road （キャンドルロード） As the sun sets,along the streets over 50,000 candkes are lit during this Februarycerebration.The soft candle light helps to highlight the complex winter wonderland that is Joetsu.