Event: Mongolian Sumo Friendly Games

 Frinedship games of Mongolian Sumo is held in Niigata city in 7th Jun and in Shibata city in the following day. Niigata Friendship Exchange Association of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region organize it.Because Japan's famous traditional sport Sumo has recently dominated by Monolian Yokozunas(top ranking of Sumo wrestlers) who used to play Mongolian Sumo in their country, It has gradually known in Japan.

 It is very rare opportunity to watch it live in Niigata.

 At the venue, Mongolian distinctive portable house called "Ger" is set up and Tradional Mongolian music like Batoukin is played. You can enjoy various Mongolian culture.

Event Info.
Mongolian Sumo Friendly Games

7th Jun 12:00-
At Niigata Prefectural Sports Park(Southern Area), Niigata city Chuo-ku

8th Jun 11:00-
At Shibata Jo Castle Park , Shibata city Ote-machi

Fee:Free

ゲル - yurt / muratama

Free Entrance to Cultural Facilities

Third of November is a national holiday called "Bunkano Hi(Culture Day)". On the day, city of Niigata offers everyone free entrance to its cultural facilities listed below.
Enjoy your Culutral experience!

Minatopia, Niigata City Histry Museum
Entrance for the Exhibition Room wil be free. Minatopia
Web Site(English)
http://www.nchm.jp/contents15_english/15index.html

Niigata City Art Museum
 Permanent Exhibition will be free.
Web Site(Engilish)
http://www.ncam.jp/english/

The Fukushimagata Lagoon water park
Entrance to paid area of the water station View Fukushimagata will be free.
Web Site(Engilish)
http://www.pavc.ne.jp/~hishikui/index-e.html

Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum (會津八一記念館）
Aizu Yaichi is multi-talented artist born in Niigata. He was a poet and a chirographer as well as an oriental art historian. You can see his art work and study himself in the museum.
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japnaese Only)
http://aizuyaichi.or.jp/index.html

The Saito family summer villa （旧斎藤家別邸）
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Information PDFs by English, Chinese, Korean and Russian)
http://saitouke.jp/foreign-languege/

Ex.Ozawa family Manor house (旧小澤家住宅）
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.nchm.jp/ozawake/index.html

Nihon Kai(Japan Sea) Tower （日本海タワー)
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.niigata-ss.jp/tower/

Shirone Kite and History Museum（しろね大凧と歴史の館/Shirone Otako to Rekishi no Yakata） Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.dbn6.net/nvcb/map/infomap_data.asp?ed=39

Old Sasakawa Manor（旧笹川家住宅/Kyu Sasagawake Jyutaku)
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.city.niigata.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/bunkazai/shokai/sasagawatei.html

Soga Hirasawa Memorial Museum(曽我・平澤記念館/Soga-Hirasawa Kinen Kan)
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.city.niigata.lg.jp/minami/shisetsu/yoka/bunka/sogahirasawa.html

Kata Higashi Higuchi Memorial Art Museum　（潟東樋口記念美術館/Kata Higashi Higuchi Kinen Bijyutsukan)
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.dbn6.net/nvcb/map/infomap_data.asp?ed=88

Kata Higashi （潟東歴史民俗資料館/Kata Higashi Rekishi Minzoku Shiryo Kan）
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.dbn6.net/nvcb/map/infomap_data.asp?ed=89

Sawa Shogen no Yakata（澤将監の館/Sawa Shogen no Yakata）
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only) http://www.dbn6.net/nvcb/map/infomap_data.asp?ed=89

Nakanokuchi Senjin Kan（中之口先人館/Nakanokuchi Senjin Kan)
Entrance will be free.
Web Site(Japanese Only)
http://www.dbn6.net/nvcb/map/infomap_data.asp?ed=40

Enjoy racecourse

Yesterday I went to Niigata racecourse with my family. But not to bet the race. Just to watch the TV hero show at the outside stage in the site. So many families were there to see it.  My little son enjoyed it so much. 

 The site has playground equipment for kids and unregular events for families like  it in the weekends. Also, It has an indoor kid room inclding beds to change diapers and nursing room. So it is the place not only for those who enjoy betting horse race but also for the family.

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Three month weather forcast(Jul. to Sep.)

Niigata Local Meteological Observatory announced three month weather forcast in Hokuriku region from July to September.
 It has a 50% chance that an average temperature in the term gets higher than average year.

They forcast monthly as follows,

 July It gets a lot of cloudy or rainy days like an average year. It has a 80% chance that a temperature get the same as an average year or higher.

 August It gets more sunny days. It has a 80% chance that a temperature get the same or higher than an average year. It has a 80% chance that a precipitation get the same or less than an average year.

 September Wether are changed with a period of sevrel days. It has a 80% chance that a temperature get the same or higher than an average year.

Japan Meteorological Agency Seasonal Forecast(All Japan)
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/longfcst/000_1_10.html

Train info. Echigo Line 30th June

 JR East Niigata announced they would change their train schedule of Echigo line in this Sunday due to the construction to raise rails around the station of Niigata. Concerned trains are from the first train to about 11:30 AM in 30th June.    Especially, between Niigata station and Hakusan station the train services are suspended so JR will prepare alternative buses. The buses runs every 10 minutes and takes approx. 15 to 20 minutes between two stations. 

Please check the details at the station.

Here is a direct link to the announcement PDF(Japanese only)

http://www.jrniigata.co.jp/press/20130530niigataekikouji.pdf

Signs:Heights

The board says a height above sea level. With the boards You learn how you run away from disasters like floods just in case. They are set to signals and power poles at main intersections of trunk routes.

Aruku, free rest space at Bandai

 Photos are taken at a free rest spot named "Aruku". It is located at the third floor of Bandai Bus center building near "Lovela Bandai", shopping complex building and "Isetan", department store.

  It provides you not only rest space but also nursing room s for babies and playing space for kids.  It is free of charge to use.

 It is a very useful,  especially for families with small children. for them, it's boring to accompany their parents to shopping so you can use them for thier switch.

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