Whatever the faith or whoever they're dedicated to, shrines have a way of making you contemplative. Check out Hotokusan Inaritaisha Shrine and share a peaceful moment with the locals.
You'll have no end of sightseeing choices when spending time in Nagaoka. Hotokusan Inaritaisha Shrine is a good place to begin here, but there are loads of other worthwhile attractions to experience. Echigo Hillside Park, Niigata Prefectural Museum of History, and Yukiguni Garden Park are not far from the sacred place and will round out your day nicely.