Niigata is a large city of about 2.22 million, located about two hours from Tokyo via Shinkansen.

The most convenient way to get to the main Niigata sightseeing spots is to take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station. If traveling from Niigata Airport, take the bus to Niigata Station (about 25 minutes).

Niigata City, the prefecture center, is home to many modern commercial facilities and historic buildings, including a museum opened to preserve an old mansion built in 1887.

There are plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops, making it an ideal area for food and shopping. The suburbs are dotted with markets that handle fresh seafood, as well as superb scenic views spots with beautiful natural landscapes.

There is also a remote island nearby called Sado Island, where you can enjoy even more unique sightseeing spots including the Kanayama Ruins and the “tarai-bune” (tub-boat).

The Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train is the most convenient way to get from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station, the gateway to sightseeing in Niigata. From Niigata Airport, it takes about 25 minutes to get to Niigata Station by bus.

Most areas in Niigata Prefecture can be reached by train from Niigata Station, but many tourist spots require a cab or bus to get there from the nearest station, so check the accessibility beforehand. Rental cars can be found in the area around Niigata Station.

To get to Sado Island, take a bus from Niigata Station to Niigata Port, and then take a boat to Ryotsu Port. Buses or cabs are recommended for transportation around the island. Okesa Kanko Taxi, a cab company on the island, has Wi-Fi in its vehicles and offers smartphone payment for fares.

Kiyotsu Gorge is known as one of Japan's Three Great Canyons, along with Kurobe Gorge in Toyama and Osugi Valley in Mie Prefecture. In 1941, it was also selected as the most beautiful scenic spot in Niigata. The huge V-shaped canyon expresses the beauty of the four seasons, with fresh greenery in the spring and red-dyed trees in autumn.

It is recommended to take a walk through the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel. There are three observatories located along the 750-meter long tunnel, as well as spots where you can learn about the nature of Kiyotsu Gorge through images.

The Panorama Station at the end of the tunnel is one of this spot’s main attractions. Stretched across the floor is an artistic image designed to resemble the surface of the water in the gorge reflecting the surrounding natural landscape.

Paddies and terraced rice fields (called tanada) are carved into the mountains and valleys like staircases. The Hoshitoge Rice Terraces, located in Tokamachi, is is said to have one of the best views in the city.

Tourists from both inside and outside the country visit to see the nearly 200 rice paddies that make up these amazing views.

The best time to come see them is from around the end of March to June (after the snow melts), and from October to November. These times are when the rice fields are filled with water, reflecting a mysteriously beautiful views of the rising and setting sun, and even the early morning sea of clouds, depending on the day’s weather.

Keep in mind, rice terraces are privately owned, so please be considerate, don't trespass, and take any trash with you.

Sado Island is a remote island located in the western part of Niigata Prefecture. There are various sightseeing spots on the island, including Toki-no-Mori Park, where you can see the “toki” (Japanese crested ibis), a bird which has been designated as a natural monument of Japan, as well as the Sado Kinzan gold mine ruins, which was discovered in 1601.

Sado is also known for its unique activities, such as riding the “tarai-bune,” a wooden, tub-like boat once used for fishing.

You can get to Sado Island from Niigata Port via jetfoil (approx 1 hr) or car ferry (approx 2 hr 30 min) to Ryotsu Port. You can use the regularly-scheduled sightseeing bus, Niigata Kotsu Sado, to get around the large island.

Toki Forest Park, on Sado Island, is a sanctuary that protects and breeds Toki birds, a national natural monument, with the aim of allowing them back into the wild. At the Toki Fureai Plaza in the park, you can watch the crested ibis flying freely around from up close.

Also, there are many attractions like the Observation corridor, where you can admire the crested ibis in the adjacent enclosure Sado Toki Conservation Center, in the Toki Material Exhibition Hall, where you’ll find exhibits related to the conservation, breeding, and eventually returning to the wild of the ibis are displayed.

We recommend trying the edamame soft cream (sold at the shop in the park) made from Sado edamame.

Niigata City Aquarium Marinepia Nihonkai, in the city of Niigata, is an aquarium that breeds and displays 30,000 animals of about 600 species.

The most popular attraction is the dolphin show held at the dolphin stadium in the complex. You can observe from up close the charms of the life of many sea creatures through many viewing points, like the Marine Tunnel.

Also, the Sea of Japan Main Tank opens a door on many fish species, and the Marine Safari allows you to see sea lions from up close.

Niigata Prefecture is blessed with good quality rice and water, making it a thriving place for sake brewing. Since ancient times, there have been many sake breweries, and the number of the current ones in the prefecture is the highest in Japan.

The prefecture has a history of 470 years with breweries like Yoshinogawa Sake Brewery in Nagaoka City, and Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery in Niigata City, which can be toured with guides in English as well.

From November to March, which is the time of preparation, every sake brewery is busy. Even if it’s not required to make a reservation, we recommend you do, by phone or email.

For the best local Niigata seafood, we recommend checking out Teradomari Fish Market Street. Their lineup of fresh fish draws in crowds of shoppers every day.

The cafeteria has many shops that offer seafood bowls and set meals, all made with fresh seafood. Shops tend to get particularly crowded on weekends, so be sure to consider that when planning a time to visit.

For take-out, our recommendation is “Hama-yaki,” a skewer dish of squid, scallops, and fish. They are cooked right on the spot, so enjoy the warmth as you wait.

Red snow crab is one of the specialty products of Niigata. The crimson snow crab, a dish with miso is a must-try item if you visit Niigata. You can taste it at sushi restaurants in the prefecture and restaurants in the markets, but we especially recommend Roadside Station Marine Dream Nou, in Itoigawa City.

At Kanaya Yokocho there are a lot of stands where you can buy snow crab from local fishermen, and you can taste it right there at the roadside station. From January to February the fishing season for red snow crab is closed, so keep that in mind when visiting.

Niigata's specialty Hegi soba is a kind of noodle that has been made popular by Uonuma City a long time ago. The noodles are rolled up in a square bowl called hegi and funori is used to connect the noodles. In Japan, it’s popular to use wheat flour to connect buckwheat noodles, but since Uonuma City is big on textile production, they started using gloiopeltis. The noodles are firm and flavorful.

Hegi soba can be tasted in various parts of the prefecture. There are many popular shops in Uonuma City and Tokamachi City, so make sure to stop by.

In Niigata Prefecture, one of the areas in Japan with the heaviest snowfalls, there are plenty of snow festivals and winter activities. Visit in winter and enjoy the unique experience of Niigata with its spectacular snowy scenery.

A recommended event is the Tokamachi Snow Festival, held in Tokamachi City from the third Friday to Sunday of February every year. During that period, snow sculptures handmade by citizens will be exhibited throughout the city. And don't miss the show performed on a huge snow stage.

The ski resort is full of popular spots visited by international and local skiers. Choose accordingly to your preferences. Maybe you’ll like the Maiko Snow resort, which has a long run with a maximum gliding distance of 6,000 meters, or maybe you'll prefer the Kagura Ski Resort, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Joetsu Border, or perhaps you’ll like the popular Naeba Ski Resort.

Recommended Ski Resorts in Niigata Prefecture

If you like sake, you should definitely stop by Ponshukan in JR Echigo Yuzawa station. This is a unique spot with a sake gallery and bathing facilities where you can enjoy a sake bath.

For sake tasting, we recommend Kikizake Gallery Koshinomuro, where you can enjoy sake at a reasonable price. You will find 117 types of representative brands for all sake breweries in the prefecture. If you find a sake you like, buy it at the Station Sake Brewery right next to it.

In the Sake Bath Yunosawa, you can soak in a natural hot spring with a special liquor. The admission fee includes towels and large lockers, so you won’t need to prepare ahead.

Ponshukan is also located at Niigata Station and Nagaoka Station.

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, held by the Shinano River in Nagaoka City, is a popular fireworks festival visited by tourists from all over Japan. It takes place on August 2 and 3 every year, and about 20,000 fireworks are set off in two days.

Among them, the fireworks shot in commemoration of the Great Chuetsu Earthquake are particularly beautiful with their wide flowering pattern. Enjoy the spectacular sight.

*Please check the official website for the latest event information.

A train ride using the resort train Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka, running in the Joetsu region of Nigata is also recommended for sightseeing.

There is also an open-view deck inside the train and a lounge where you can relax and enjoy a fantastically luxurious time on the train. After departure, you can also enjoy the original sparkling wine as a welcome drink.
Lunch boxes are different in the morning and in the afternoon and are particularly popular.

There are several 15-minute stops. Enjoy a luxurious experience on the train while shopping and interacting with locals.

Train Information
Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka
Phone: 025-543-8988 (Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka Reservation Center)
Reservation time: 10am-5pm (reception only Monday-Friday)

Niigata's Tsubamesanjo area boasts excellent metal processing technology. The name is a combination of Tsubame City and Sanjo City, which are located in the center of Niigata Prefecture. The area has been long known as a manufacturing town where the production of cutlery, hardware, and Western tableware thrives.

At Tsubamesanjo Station Tourist Product Center Tsubamesanjo wing, and at Roadside Station Tsubamesanjo Local Product Center in Sanjo City, there are a wide variety of metal products made in Tsubamesanjo.

These are great items that you will want to use for a long time, like the horie tumbler from a manufacturer that specializes in titanium objects, or the Ichiryo Metal ladle, which combines ease of use with aesthetics.

Sasa-dango is a Japanese confectionery, and one of Niigata’s signature dishes, made from dango (Japanese rice flour dumpling) mixed with wild grass and mugwort, wrapped in bamboo leaves, also known for its pleasant aroma.

The dango filling is made with a mildly sweet red bean paste. Niigata city is dotted with dango shops where you can try these local sasa-dango. They are also available at Tanakaya Honten Minato Kobo, so be sure to stop by during your visit and try them out!

Sansa dango demonstration sales are also held at Tanaka Main Store Minato Kobo, in Niigata City, and Eguchi Dango Main Store, in Nagaoka City, where you will find plenty of sweets shops.

Admire the colors of nature from the comfort of a cruise on Lake Okutadami.

Every year in spring and autumn, boats peruse these waters with a choice of three different sightseeing courses, each revealing beautiful scenery, lush mountains, waterfalls, and even a volcano.

You can walk from the parking lot to the boating area, or better yet, ride the cute two-cabin 'Slope Car' which drops you off there.

The incredible roar of water falling from 55 meters above has given this attraction the nickname "Earthquake Falls." Naena Falls is listed as one of Japan's 100 Great Waterfalls, and for a good reason – the scenic valley leading to the falls is beautiful year-round as the seasons change, and the view from the nearby suspension bridge is fantastic.

Where the Japanese Alps suddenly descend into the sea lie the Oyashirazu and Koshirazu Beaches. With the mountains towering 400 meters above and the sheer cliff's surroundings, these beaches are found below the most treacherous part of the Hokuriku Road.

Also known as Niigata’s Mt. Fuji, the 2,454 meter high Mt. Myoko is counted as one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains.

Reflecting this grand peak is the beautiful Lake Imori, surrounded by a white birch forest. Known for its approximately 100,000 flowering water plants, it is said that Lake Imori is the most beautiful place to view Mt. Myoko.

Connected directly to the train station, Gala Yuzawa couldn't be more convenient to get to. Its long season means you can ski all the way through the string of holidays in late April and early May, known in Japan as 'Golden Week.'

Seventeen different courses vary in difficulty from beginner to expert, making Gala Yuzawa an excellent choice for all levels. Ski and snowboard lessons are available in English, and Chinese and Thai interpreters are available for ski lessons. Snowmobile sleigh tours and snowshoe tours are also offered. After fun on the slopes, you can relax at Spa Gala-no-Yu.

This ski resort offers unparalleled support and the many charms of the Naeba Prince Hotel. The location faces northeast and is blessed with high-quality powder snow. The trails vary widely and include a dynamic 4km downhill course. For those with families, multiple snow parks for kids provide a range of fun activities. Lift ticket prices vary by season.

The ski slopes of Akakura Kanko Resort and Spa were the first slopes in Japan to be designated an international ski resort.

Receiving over 13m of snow annually, Akakura just about guarantees great skiing.

The 4km-long cruising trail runs from the top of the 1500m hill, and a terrain park with jumps is perfect for thrill-seeking skiers and snowboarders. A special snow play area called the Chibikko Hiroba is ideal for children too young to hit the slopes.

Tsukioka Onsen is more than just a hot spring – it's a town unto itself with lots of things to see and do.

The high sulfur content in the water gives it a unique emerald green color and is said to have beautifying powers. You can stroll through the town and sample Niigata specialties such as local sake, sweets, and snacks, such as rice crackers.

What makes this onsen unique is that 30 geisha work here, and give classical performances. This is a great place for couples to enjoy the day together, with tandem bikes, private onsen areas, and romantic photo spots.

The Furumachi district of Niigata is considered one of the three most prestigious areas in Japan for geisha, along with Gion in Kyoto and Shinbashi in Tokyo.

Furumachi means “old city,” and the spirit of the old entertainment district is still much alive here, where even today geisha continue to charm visitors with their hospitality and traditional arts.

Geisha have been active in Furumachi since the Edo period, when Niigata was bustling as the most frequented port on the Sea of Japan coast, and it is said they numbered over 300 at their peak.

Niigata is proud to be one of the top rice production areas in Japan, and the most delicious type of rice from here is called koshihikari.

Grown using pure water from melted snow from the Echigo Mountains, koshihikari rice is known for its high quality and excellent flavor. When visiting Niigata Prefecture, be sure to enjoy some of the best rice in the country.

A Niigata specialty, Kiwami Sushi is a 10-piece platter of the prefecture's finest sushi, served at only a select list of restaurants.

The Kiwami platter consists of local seasonal offerings and the catch of the day, along with favorites like uni (sea urchin roe), toro (medium-fat tuna), and ikura (salmon roe). As the sushi varies depending on season, you can always be sure you are eating the freshest sushi around. Enjoy!

Check out the amazing food, events, and key spots for sightseeing in Niigata and plan the perfect trip for you.

Text by: Shoepress

The information in this article is current as of January 2021. Please check the official website for the latest information.