50-Year-Old Unagi, Handmade Shaved Ice, 12th Fireworks Festival, Water-Splashing Festival: Gosen's Summer Packed with Events and Gourmet Delights — 'GO! GO! Gosen NEWS' August–September 2026 Issue Released

The Gosen City Tourism Association (Gosen City, Niigata Prefecture) has released the August–September 2026 issue of its tourism newsletter 'GO! GO! Gosen NEWS,' showcasing seasonal highlights from Gosen City.

This issue features a comprehensive lineup of summer gourmet and event highlights. From a 50-year-old unagi specialty restaurant and fluffy shaved ice made with local spring water — unique summer delicacies only found in Gosen — to the 12th annual fireworks festival, the 3rd water-splashing festival, the inaugural launch of a film creator workshop with instructors from ROBOT, the studio behind hit films like 'Godzilla Minus One,' and a packed summer event schedule at Raporte Gosen, this edition has it all.

PDF download here ('GO! GO! Gosen NEWS' August–September 2026 issue)

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Summer Gourmet in Gosen

Sugi Robata-Yaki | Celebrating 50 years of craftsmanship with in-house eel preparation. Enjoy plump, tender unagi

Marking exactly 50 years since its founding this year, Sugi is a traditional unagi restaurant that sources domestic eels live and prepares them in-house by the master chef. The eel is steamed for about 40 minutes, resulting in a plump texture and an irresistible flavor enhanced by house-made tare sauce. In addition to unaju, kabayaki, and shira-yaki, the restaurant offers a wide and affordable menu including set meals, tamagoyaki, and appetizers, beloved by locals. The friendly chef has many fans, and the cozy atmosphere is another highlight.

Sugi Robata-Yaki

Unaju (whole eel) 4,200 yen, (half eel) 2,200 yen / Kabayaki (whole) 4,000 yen / Shira-yaki (whole) 4,000 yen (all prices include tax) *Except for Unaju (half eel)

Contact Sugi Robata-Yaki 1-2-7 Baba-cho, Gosen City TEL. 0250-43-2786 Business hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:00–22:00 Closed: Mondays

Tri-colore | Fluffy shaved ice made with homemade Echigo Hime syrup and local spring water

A shop specializing in handmade crepes and shaved ice. The homemade ice, made using Yoshimizu (Yoshimi Spring Water) sourced locally, has a soft, fluffy texture. The 'homemade strawberry syrup,' developed about three years ago, uses locally grown Echigo Hime strawberries and is generously applied. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness, subtle tartness, and the texture of real strawberry bits. In addition to 'Azuki Milk' and 'Rainbow Mix,' a new item 'Banana Milk Chocolate Special' topped with chocolate banana is now available!

Tri-colore Yoshimizu (Yoshimizu)

Homemade Strawberry Syrup (large) 650 yen, (small) 500 yen / Banana Milk Chocolate Special 700 yen / Azuki Milk 600 yen / Rainbow Mix 450 yen (all prices include tax)

Contact Tri-colore 631 Muramatsu-Otsu, Gosen City TEL. 0250-58-6386 Business hours: Weekdays 15:00–18:00, Weekends & Holidays 12:00–18:00 Closed: Wednesdays

Another hot summer in Gosen! Summer Events

Gosen Hannde Fireworks Festival | 12th edition this year. Around 250 heartfelt message fireworks light up the night sky

Launched with the hopes of bringing 'energy and vitality to Gosen' and 'creating a vibrant town,' this fireworks festival celebrates its 12th edition this year. 'Hannde' means 'amazing' in the local Gosen dialect. This community-driven fireworks festival is made possible through sponsorships and cooperation from individuals, companies, and organizations. The highlight is the 'message fireworks,' where around 250 heartfelt messages light up the night sky. On the same day, Raporte Gosen will also host a 'SUMMER FESTIVAL.'

Date & Time

August 15, 2026 (Sat) Launch begins at 19:15 (Postponed in case of bad weather)

Viewing Location

Right bank riverbed upstream of Hayade River Sanbongi Bridge

Contact Gosen Hannde Fireworks Festival Executive Committee TEL. 0250-47-7518 (Gosen City Tourism Association)

Gosen Mizukake Matsuri | 3rd edition this year. Showcasing the charm of water across a 400-meter stretch of Honcho Shopping Street

Now in its 3rd year, this festival closes off approximately 400 meters of Honcho Shopping Street to traffic, highlighting Gosen's high-quality and abundant water resources. The event features Yosakoi group performances, water play games, and various activities. This year, a mini water slide will make its debut! Numerous food trucks will also be on site. The finale features everyone dancing together to the 'Mizukake Matsuri Song.' Free shuttle buses will run from Raporte Gosen. *Open to all, but please wear clothes suitable for getting wet.

Date & Time

August 16, 2026 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 (Held rain or shine)

Venue

Honcho Shopping Street, Gosen City (from Honcho 1-chome intersection to 3-chome intersection)

Contact Gosen Mizukake Matsuri Executive Committee TEL. 090-4819-3784 (Watanabe)

GO! GO! Gosen Creator Workshop Launches!

Gosen launches its first-ever creator workshop, inviting instructors from ROBOT, the studio behind hit films like 'Godzilla Minus One.' This program aims to train local citizens to promote Gosen's charm. The course consists of 12 lessons from August to December. An open house session (information session) will be held on July 19 (Sun).

Course

Dates

August 22, 2026 (Sat) – December 12, 2026 (Sat) | 12 lessons over 9 days (including 3 in-person sessions, plus online lectures)

Instructor

Ryoji Shimizu (Director / ROBOT)

Eligibility

Middle school students and above interested in learning video production

Participants

30 people

Fee

20,000 yen / Students 15,000 yen (all prices include tax)

Note

Smartphone required for some lessons

Open House (Information Session)

Date

July 19, 2026 (Sun) 14:00–

Location

Raporte Gosen Multipurpose Room 1

Fee

Free

How to Apply

Via QR code below (*LINE registration required)

Talk Topics: 3 Key Points to Know About Video Production / Graduates Share: 'This Class is Amazing!!' / Highlights of This Year's Course

Contact Gosen City Tourism Association 1-5-4 Ekimae, Gosen City TEL. 0250-47-7518 Email: [email protected]

Raporte Gosen's Summer is Packed with Events!

Music Concert for All Ages from 0 Years Old | August 30 (Sun)

A family-friendly classical concert featuring beloved classics from Mozart to Ghibli, performed by professional musicians. It's like a musical toy box! Violin performances by Ai Okumura, Satoru Nishimura, and Hiroshi Oshikawa — all from Niigata City — with piano by Hiroko Kono. Since children from 0 years old are welcome, it's perfect for a child's concert debut.

Date

August 30, 2026 (Sun)

Venue

Raporte Gosen Multipurpose Hall

Doors Open

13:30 / Start 14:00

Fee

Free, all seats unreserved

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026 | Advance registration required (*Up to 4 people per application)

Mac Suzuki Lecture | August 24 (Mon) Training Methods to Improve Pitching Speed Starting Tomorrow

Mac Suzuki

Former Major Leaguer Mac Suzuki will explain the mechanics behind faster pitching and practical training methods. With on-site coaching and a Q&A session, he'll share actionable tips you can use starting tomorrow.

Date

August 24, 2026 (Mon)

Venue

Raporte Gosen Multipurpose Hall

Doors Open

18:00 / Start 18:30

Fee

1,000 yen (tax included) *500 yen for elementary, middle, and high school students