Major city · Japan
Minami-Uonuma南魚沼市
Visit Minami-Uonuma for the Naked Man Festival in early March; otherwise a day trip from Niigata for rice fields and rural life.
Minami-Uonuma is a small city in Niigata known for top‑grade koshihikari rice and the March Naked Man Festival near Urasa Station. A single day is enough for the festival or a quick rural visit; two days allow a farm stay or hands‑on agriculture school.
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More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar (festival), Dec–Feb (snow activities)
- avoid Jun–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- KIJ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Minami-Uonuma110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Minami-Uonuma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay aware of festival crowds and winter road conditions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKIJ Niigata Airport (Bus or train to Minami-Uonuma about 1½ h).
- Getting aroundJoetsu Shinkansen stops at Urasa Station; local buses connect town centres.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus ride within city¥200–¥300 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedHotel in Niigata, a night, per room¥8,000 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedHotel in Niigata, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedHotel in Niigata, a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KIJ Niigata Airport (Bus or train to Minami-Uonuma about 1½ h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest May (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Minami-Uonuma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Joetsu Shinkansen stops at Urasa Station; local buses connect town centres. Walk or rent a bike for rice‑field tours.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Urasa Naked Man Festival
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Shinkansen to Urasa, 5‑min walk to Bukoji Temple
Early March; no ticket fee, watch for crowd safety.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Niigata city hotels
Closest major accommodation; 1 h train to Minami-Uonuma.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–7,000 (≈ US$35–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥13,000 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel in Niigata1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥8,000 | ¥16,000 |
| Joetsu Shinkansen round trip Niigata‑Urasa2 × ¥3,000 · check | ¥6,000 |
| Festival local food stalls2 × ¥1,500 · approximate | ¥3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,800 |
| Trip total≈ ¥20,900 per person per day, bed included | ¥41,800≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights, Shinkansen pass excluded.
Prices of common things
| Rice bowl (koshihikari) | ¥500–¥800 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Local sake (festival) | ¥300–¥600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bus ride within city | ¥200–¥300 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Festival crowds can be chaotic; keep personal items secure.
- Winter roads may be icy; use proper footwear.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Minami-Uonuma南魚沼市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Niigata (check address); other embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Niigata → Urasa (Shinkansen): about ¥3,000 (≈ US$25) one‑way, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 駅はどこですか？ — Where is the station? (eki wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Minami-Uonuma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar (festival), Dec–Feb (snow activities) · avoid Jun–Aug (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Take Joetsu Shinkansen from Niigata to Urasa (check schedule).
- Consider a farm‑stay package via local tourism office (check availability).
Sources
Ask about Minami-Uonuma
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