Echigo Hillside Park

Echigo Hillside Park is one of my favorite parks to visit, especially on hot and humid days.  The park itself is massive and has lots to do, but what really makes it special for me is the water area.  One corner of the park is a large space with shallow (ankle-deep) water, fountains, bridges, and many other structures to play on.  It's the perfect place for kids (and adults) to cool off.

After having fun in the water, you can explore the rest of the park, which has many playgrounds with slides, zip-lines, trampolines, and climbing structures.  There is also a hill with sleds to slide down on, pedal-powered cars for rent, a large flower garden, and some hiking paths.  In the winter the park is beautifully decorated and illuminated for Christmas, and there are events all throughout the year, so it's always a good time to visit.

I was surprised when I found that you have to pay to enter the park (410 yen for adults, 80 yen for children, and you also pay to use the parking lot), but it's clear that the fee is used to keep the park spotless and perfectly maintained.

Echigo Hillside Park (English page): https://echigo-park.jp/en/

Yamanoshita Wave Pool

The Yamanoshita Wave Pool is a wonderful place to take younger children on a hot Niigata summer day.  The facility has three shallow pools that are kept cool and clean, and all are watched over by multiple lifeguards.  All younger children are provided with an orange swimming cap that they must wear so as to be easily visible to staff members.

One of the pools creates waves several times a day, which is a lot of fun for kids to ride on and splash in, so don't forget to bring a pool tube.  The price to enter the Yamanoshita Wave Pool is 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children up to junior high school age.  The pool is open only in the summer time, from July 9 until September 4.

Website: https://niigata-kaikou.jp/facility/418/