Yukyuzan Park

Yukyuzan Park in Nagaoka traces its origins to Edo-period lord Makino Tadatoki, who planted cherry trees here in the 1600s. The park opened formally in 1918, and today draws visitors for spring blossoms and autumn color. Inside, the City Museum of Local History occupies a striking multi-story building styled after feudal-era castles, with exhibits covering the Makino family's 13-generation rule and Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, a Nagaoka native. A small zoo, a shrine dedicated to a loyal dog named Shiro, and a winding path through mature woodland round out the visit.