Niigata Tulip Festival 2007 Dates

Does anyone know the dates for Niigata Tulip Festival 2007.This festival takes place in Gosen(Nissu) in Niigata prefecture.
Also I am thinking of going there in Late April (25th to 30th).Do Tulips have any effect of warm temperatures as Sakura?Will it be earlier than usual because of warm winter this year.Please help.

I checked the Gosen city web site, and it appears that last year's festival took place on April 22-23. They don't give dates for this year's festival, but I would expect it to be April 21-22. The web site does say that they expect the tulips to be in bloom around mid-April, and that last year's blooming season went from April 17-30.

Here's the site: http://www.city.gosen.lg.jp/7/126/000159.html

Here's a parallel Japan Forum thread on how to get to the festival: http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+31509

Thanks a million!!

The site has put up the dates for 2007 year festival as well.
It's 21st and 22nd april(w/e)

Hi Uji
Please help me with the following Questions.

1)Where can I find the timetable for moonlight Echigo Train?(I think it departs at 23:09 from shinjuku stn and reaches Niigata at 04:56 in the morning)But I want to confirm.
2)If I reach Niigata station at 5 in the morning?Is it safe?Are there any facilities where I can freshen up and have some breakfast?
3)I understand that there are no non reserved seats..so where can I make the reservation?
4)How many days in advance can I make the reservations?

Thanks in advance.

Alexandra,

Sorry I'm not Uji, but I can help with some of your questions.

1)Where can I find the timetable for moonlight Echigo Train?(I think it departs at 23:09 from shinjuku stn and reaches Niigata at 04:56 in the morning)But I want to confirm.

http://grace.hyperdia.com/

The times you have are correct.

2)If I reach Niigata station at 5 in the morning?Is it safe?Are there any facilities where I can freshen up and have some breakfast?

It's safe, but there won't be many places open at that time of day.

3)I understand that there are no non reserved seats..so where can I make the reservation?

At any major JR station.

4)How many days in advance can I make the reservations?

Up to one month in advance.

Dave, Thanks a lot.
Generally Uji answers these questions so promptly..so I made an attempt..
But thanks for your response.
I guess I need to make my reservations asap.

Hi!!
Sorry to bother you for so many times..
I was trying to find information about timings and fares on the internet.But couldn't find the fares.
Can someone guide me about the fares for
Moonlight Echigofrom niigata to shinjuku.
Shinkansen Max toki from Niigata to tokyo?

Also is it possible to cover the tulip festival in one day using Shinkansen instead of night train?

Thanks

Alexandra,

You can look up train times and fares using the Hyperdia site I posted in my earlier reply...

http://grace.hyperdia.com/

I don't know where exactly in Niigata the festival is held, but since it takes only about 2 hours from Tokyo to Niigata by shinkansen, I would have thought a day trip was possible.

Yes, you can visit Niigata as a day excursion from Tokyo. The first shinkansen in the morning leaves Tokyo 06.08 h arrival Niigata 08.16 h, later ones about every 30 to 60 minutes. The last shinkansen leaves Niigata 21.29 arrival Tokyo 23.40 h.
It is around Yen 20 000 return. The night train is Yen 6000 one way and leaves Niigata at 23.35 h to arrive Shinjuku 05.10 h next day. Does not run daily.

Anyone know what happened to the Moonlight Echigo?

It is listed on the JR site http://www.japanrail.com/pdf/timetable/Timetable49-54.pdf but does not show up on http://www.hyperdia.com

Anyone know what happened to the Moonlight Echigo?

Nothing. It runs just as usual.

but does not show up on http://www.hyperdia.com

Hyperdia seems to consider the Moonlight Echigo too unattractive (probably because of the long trave duration) and does not properly include it into results unless you de-select the shinkansen and other express options.

Alternatively, use Jorudan:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/