Tops 17 places to go in Niigata

Niigata is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Honshu main island of Japan. It lies on the northwest coast of the Chūbu region and faces the Japanese Sea and Sado Island.

Has been used to be a port town for a long history, Niigata became a free port following the Meiji Restoration (since 1866). The city has become the first government-designated city on the Japan Sea coast of Honshu in 2007. Visiting NIigata, tourists cannot skip the skiing area Yuzawa or the peaceful Sado Island, etc. Today, Planetyze will list you the best 17 places to go in Niigata.

Yahiko Shrine

Yahiko Shrine, with a beautiful and authoritative presence, stands in Yahiko Village in the middle of nature. Many people from all over the country flock to the shrine, a power spot granting wishes.

Ponshukan, Niigata Station

Niigata is famous not only for Sake but also for rice, miso, and soy sauce, the main ingredients for all Japanese cuisine! Taste and compare the amazing 91 brands of sake from this prefecture. There are plenty of restaurants to enjoy the food and plenty of ingredients to purchase.

Myoko Highland

Myoko Highland is famous for its 8 unique ski resorts. Spreading out at the foot of Mount Myoko is a resort area that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. You can also enjoy soaking in the hot springs and hiking in the summertime.

Old Saito Villa

A renowned Place of Scenic Beauty and a masterpiece of modern Japanese architecture. The garden seen from the huge 100 “tatami” mat hall is an exceptionally beautiful scene. Spend a luxurious afternoon serenely drinking matcha tea while viewing the garden.

Teradomari Fish Market

Fresh fish of good quality, caught in the local Teradomari Bay and Izumozaki Bay, can be purchased at reasonable prices here. Enjoy the famous “hamayaki” (fresh seafood grilled on the beach), crab dishes and “kaisen don” (fresh raw fish on rice).

Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort

You can get to Gala Yuzawa from JR Tokyo Station by Shinkansen in as quickly as 75 minutes. This is the only facility in the world which merges a train station and a ski resort. Along with skiing down genuine slopes at an altitude of 800m, you can also enjoy snow tubing and a walking tour while wearing kanjiki, traditional Japanese snowshoes.

Niigata Manga Animation Museum

This is a prominent “manga” and “anime” museum in Niigata, the hometown of a large number of “manga” artists and “anime” creators. You can see a display of works by local artists and even try your own hand at creating a “manga” or “anime”.

Okome no Gakkou (Rice School)

A rice museum only possible in Niigata because this prefecture boasts Japan’s largest yield of rice crops and has many different brands of rice as well. You can experience the food culture of rice through educational displays, tasting different rice products, making “mochi” (rice cake), etc.

Niigata Senbei Kingdom

Niigata Prefecture, famed for rice production, is also famous for “senbei”(rice crackers). Enjoy hand roasting high quality “senbei” made of 100% Niigata rice, drawing pictures on them, and creating your own original “senbei”.

Northern Culture Museum

The Northern Culture Museum was once the home of the Ito family of Niigata Prefecture who started out as farmers and prospered into wealthy landowners. The garden, beautiful throughout the four seasons, and the collection amassed over 250 years by the head of the family are on display.

Sake Museum Ponshu-kan in Echigo-Yuzawa

All of the famous brands of sake from the breweries are amassed here representing Niigata Prefecture which is known for its high-grade sake. The sake tasting where you can sample a variety of these famous brands is popular. Along with a shop with local specialty brands, you can also try out the sake bath.

Yahiko Park

The lush green Yahiko Park is very close to Yahiko Station. The impressive red Kangetsu-kyo Bridge is located within the park, and in November, visitors can view the splendid autumn leaves. Plenty of other attractions can be found including precious cultural assets such as Yu Jinja Shrine which is considered to be the birthplace for Yahiko Onsen.

Pier Bandai

Not only freshly-harvested seafood but meat and vegetables as well as local brands of sake and coffee beans indispensable for daily life are all available here as the pride of Niigata Prefecture. There are also plenty of restaurants including ramen shops, cafés and conveyor-belt sushi restaurants using the rice and fish that are the hallmarks of Niigata.

Kaikake Onsen

Kaikake Onsen has had a reputation to be beneficial for the eyes since the Edo Era, and has become famous nationally as the “Eye Onsen”. It is an ancient hot springs location that was mentioned in a document dating back to 1488. You can enjoy a bath amid the serene surroundings of the mountains.

Taiken Kobo Daigenta

At the foot of scenic Mt. Daigenta which has been dubbed the Matterhorn of East Asia, this interactive facility offers visitors the opportunity to cook the local dishes of Niigata Prefecture. Using local ingredients, you can try making soba and the traditional dish of anbo buns.

Untouan Temple

A revered temple which has existed for more than 1200 years and is known as the No. 1 temple in the Echigo area. Hidden on each of the stones lining the sando path from the red gate, there is a Chinese character from the Lotus Sutra. As you walk over the stones, it is said that you will accumulate virtue.

Furumachi District

Once a flourishing geisha quarter in the Edo Era, Furumachi is now alive as a commercial district with a shopping area and department stores. Still, the area retains temples and houses with a sense of history, and at the special ryotei restaurants, geisha continue to relate 200 years of tradition.

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