A Touch of China in Niigata? Exploring Nishiyama Furusato Park and a Warm Welcome at Nishizawa Sake Shop
Trip Date: June 2022 (Bright sunny day 
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"Wait, why is there a Chinese palace here?"
That was my honest reaction when I arrived at Nishiyama Furusato Park in Kashiwazaki, Niigata.
Surrounded by architecture that screams “China!”, I ended up buying Japanese sake here too.
Yes, this is going to be an unexpectedly fun and curious little adventure♡
A Chinese-style white gate, right in front of me?
Once I passed the main road and entered the park, this stunning white triple-arched gate immediately caught my eye.
The orange tiled roof, the stone lion statues—everything felt like a scene from Journey to the West. But nope, this is real… and it's amazing.
Inside the building: A flood of vibrant color!
Inside the park stands Saiyu-kan, a stunning building that reminded me of Beijing’s Forbidden City.
The vivid red, green, and gold colors are absolutely striking.
There’s also a historical exhibit inside, featuring photos and stories about the normalization of Japan-China relations—a treat for history lovers.
Finishing the trip with local sake at Nishizawa Sake Shop♡
On my way back, I made a spontaneous stop at Nishizawa Sake Shop.
The retro wooden storefront was too charming to resist—and I’m so glad I went in, because the owner was incredibly warm and welcoming!
And oh my gosh—the shop had a massive collection of nostalgic Japanese dagashi (old-school snacks). My inner child was screaming with joy 
After picking out a bottle of sake, the owner casually asked,
“Would you like to try on a traditional shop happi coat?”
So yes—I got to wear a sake seller’s happi for the first time ever and snap a photo!
This moment totally made my day.
(And yes, the lovely shop owner took the photo for me 
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Final Thoughts: Nishiyama is a strange, wonderful “Journey to the West”
From Chinese-style gardens and history exhibits to friendly local sake sellers—this place has charm, character, and unexpected warmth.
It’s one of those rare spots where “there’s nothing” becomes the best thing ever.
A truly special, low-key destination.