Travel / Tourism Spots in Niigata Area

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Niigata
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Category

Travel / Tourism

Tokimesse Niigata Convention Center

4.0

259 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Bandaijima 6-1

This convention center complex is about a 20-minute walk from JR Niigata Station and is comprised of two buildings: the Niigata Convention Center with exhibition halls and meeting rooms and Bandaijima Building with a hotel. From meetings to parties to lodging everything can be conveniently served by this one space. On the fifth floor of the Bandaijima Building is the Niigata Bandaijima Art Museum focusing on modern art and on the 31st floor is the Befco Bakauke Observation Room from which you can the Sea of Japan, Sado Island, and the Gozu Mountain Range.

Have a free access of top floor for bird eye view of ocean and the city. Nikko hotel is also the best hotel in NIIGATA. Near by is a fish market and access to Sado ferry. They offer a 60 min free...
Shiseki Sado Kinzan

4.0

303 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Shimoaikawa 1305

As Japan’s largest gold mine this was under the Tokugawa shogunate’s direct control and was engaged in the production of koban (small former Japanese oval gold coins). Operations ceased in 1989 due to an exhaustion of its resources, which brought to a close 400 years of history. The mining and refining facilities on the grounds have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties. Currently visitors can see exhibits of model exhibits of the Sado Kinzan during the Edo period based on drawings from Sado Kinzan Emaki (picture scrolls) as well as the remains of actual tunnels that were used.

I was told by multiple trusted sources that the Sado Gold Mine was really worth visiting, and I am so glad I did. Inside the mines you can really imagine previous eras, the historical, technical...
Kiyotsu Gorge

4.0

136 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Koide

In 1862, local people built a hot springs bath at Kiyotsu Gorge; in 1941, the Gorge was officially designated a Natural Monument, and in 1949 it was included as part of the newly-established Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park. It is well worth seeing, both for the beauty of the Gorge and for the spectacular columnar joint rock formations. Kiyotsu Gorge is beautiful at any time of year, but visitors should note that the tunnel that gives access to the Gorge is closed between mid-January and late March.

Not very impressive unless you like walking in the dark. The public bus service from Echigo-Yuzawa station will get you to different drop off areas. One drop off is approximately 3 miles from the...
Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery

4.5

169 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Kagamigaoka 1-1

This well-established brewery was founded in 1764. It is located east of Niigata Station, along National Route 2, and is said to have been built on the site of a rice granary once owned by the Shibata clan. The current building was built at the end of the 19th century. The brewery is open to visitors all days of the week, and reservations are only necessary for groups of more than seven people. Tools used in the past to make sake are displayed here, and visitors can taste over ten kinds of pure rice wine. Thanks to the detailed explanations of the workers, even the most inexperienced can enjoy tasting the differences between the various types of sake. The brewery also offers non-alcoholic amazake for non-drinkers.

Well worth doing. The tour was great, very interesting and not too long. You might want to check when the English speaking tours are as it is not available with all tours. The Sake was lovely.
Toki Forest Park

4.0

191 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Nibonagaune 383-2

The Toki Forest Park is situated next to the Sado Toki Conservation Center in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture. There are a number of different facilities dotted about the place relating to the crested ibis, or “toki”, designated a National Natural Monument. The Toki Rapport Plaza, complete with large breeding cages, enables visitors to see the toki up close. The Toki Materials Exhibition Hall highlights the conservation work surrounding toki through the use of panels, audio-visual materials and specimens, and the Observation Gallery enables visitors to observe the crested ibises in the Sado Toki Conservation Center through the windows.

The toki (crested ibis) are making a comeback on Sado thanks to this preservation and breeding program. These endangered creatures are a rare sight, so being able to see some of the breeding pairs up...
Roadside Station Arai

4.0

92 Reviews

Transportation

Nigata Pref. Myoukoushi Inoyama 58-1

The Michinoeki Arai roadside station incorporates a business hotel, so that travelers can have somewhere to stop for the night without needing to come off the expressway. This is a very convenient rest area which, besides restaurants, shops selling local specialty products, and an information center, even has a laundry. Michinoeki Arai hosts a variety of exciting special events throughout the year, including the Kubiki Fair in June and the Yamashiro no Jin event in July, which often feature Taiko drum performances, etc.

笹串だんごをお土産に頂きました。ミニサイズなのでお味はそれなりかなと思っていましたが、意外と美味しい。柔らかいお餅に、しっかり餡が入っています。きな粉もかかっていて風味が良いです。御土産にお勧めできます。
Northern Culture Museum

4.0

102 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Kounan-ku Soumi 2-15-25

The Northern Culture Museum utilizes a residence of the Ito family, which was a large scale farming family in Echigo, and its construction was completed in 1889 after some eight years. The large residence has 65 rooms in a property of 8,800 tsubo (29,040 square meters). There are many sightseeing areas such as the Sanrakutei which has a large hall with 100 tatami mats facing a beautiful garden, a tea room, which was also used an office, and a two-storey earthen gate storehouse built around 1885. In the residence, there are displays of artistic crafts and archaeological documents as well. It is also a well-known place for wisteria, and the beautiful wisteria flowers in the courtyard bloom around late April to early May.

This a Great place to learn about the history and lifestyle of the people of Niigata.I was fascinated by the ethnobotany and how the people of this area utilized the plants not only for aesthetics...
Cave d'Occi Winery

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Nishikan-ku Kakudahama 1661

This is a winery located along the hilly coastal area in Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. In the vast vineyard there are various kinds of facilities such as a wine shop, a wine cellar, a restaurant, a bakery, a day-trip hot spring facility, an accommodation facility and an English garden. Wine is made from grapes grown in a climate where there is almost no snowfall and has low rainfall, where high heat is accumulated after the rainy-season, unique to the region. Wine tours, reservations required, are also held.

A stretch located in Niigata where all the wineries are concentrated. It’s a pity that when we visit, the season is already over for grapes and all we see is fruitless vines. But we visited the...
National Site of Scenic Beauty, Niigata Old Saito Villa

4.5

102 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Nishiohatachou 576

Just a 15-minute drive from JR Niigata Station. This giant villa measuring 1,300 tsubo (approximately 4,300 square meters) was built in 1918 by Saito Kijurou, a wealthy merchant in one of Niigata's three largest financial conglomerates. The sand-dune topography and heavy use of local stones and product gives the strolling garden a very natural feeling and the building is said to be an excellent example of modern Japanese style construction. These together have led the former Saito family vacation house and garden to have been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. They hold seasonal events including evening illuminations in the fall and you can enjoy the view of the garden while relaxing with tea and sweets.

A lovely place to see. We were there in April. The house is well worth the wander around and although not a lot in English you were able to get the gist of everything. The gardens are beautifully...
Niigata City History Museum (Minatopia)

4.0

93 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Yanagishimachou 2-10

At this history museum in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, you’ll find materials illuminating the history and folk culture of Niigata, which developed along with the sea. The main building adopts a modern Western design used by the second-generation Niigata city hall. Inside, you’ll find a permanent exhibit with the theme “The local sea and locals’ lives,” along with a theater, planned exhibitions, and more. Onsite, there’s also the Former Niigata Customhouse building in the Meiji period, a National Treasure, and the Former Daishi Bank Sumiyoshi-cho Branch, which was completed in 1927. Visitors are allowed entry.

The buildings are beautiful! Kind of a colonial European vibe, and (for me) they’re especially pretty in the evening. If I remember rightly, the entry fee was ¥300, which is perfectly reasonable...
Kiyotsu Valley Tunnel

4.0

40 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Koide

This walking tunnel is in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Tokamachi. It opened as a tourist location in October of 1996 as a place where you can safely see Kiyotsu Gorge, one of Japan's three largest gorges. There are three viewing platforms along the 750-meter long tunnel with a panorama station at the deepest part. Here you can appreciate the country's beautiful natural gorges and columnar jointing topography designated as a National Natural Monument. No matter the season, be it the new sprouting leaves of spring, the verdant greens of summer, the crimson colors of fall, or the fresh snow of winter, lots of tourists come to enjoy the ever-changing beauty of the gorge. The tunnel is closed from mid-January to late March.

越後妻有「大地の芸術祭」の折に訪ねた。清津川を挟んで切りたった岸壁が続く大峡谷「清津峡」、日本三大峡谷の一つに数えられているそうだ。そこに穿たれた遊歩道トンネルがアートスペースになっている。途中に見晴し所や説明パネルに加え、見応えのあるアート作品も展示されているが、圧巻はトンネルの終点となるパノラマステーション。半鏡面仕上げのステンレスがトンネルの壁面天井に貼られ、足元は水が張られて鏡のように外の...
Fossa Magna Museum

4.0

75 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Itoigawa City Niigata Prefecture Ichinomiya 1313

The Fossa Magna Museum opened 1994 is a museum about rocks for learning about our natural environment and resources, as provided by the Earth across ages and geological eras. In the six-room exhibition area, you can see fossils and beautiful ores (jade) of Itoigawa River. Approximately 10 minutes by car via Itoigawa Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Excellent presentation of the nature and formation of jade, with a number of interactive exhibits that you could turn wheels to see things happen. Great educational value. Highlight was the AV...
Mount Yahiko Ropeway

4.0

88 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nishikambaragunyahikomura Yahiko 2898

This ropeway runs approximately one kilometer from behind Yahiko Shrine to the summit of Mt. Yahiko. It is a ten-minute walk from Yahiko Shrine to the base station, and there is also a free shuttle bus between the two. The ropeway was opened in 1958. The summit station can be reached in approximately five minutes, and a majestic view of the Echigo Plains and the mountains can be seen in the distance as you climb the mountain. Additionally, in the summer, there is a Yakei and Hoshizora Cruise (Night View and Starry Sky Cruise) available for people to enjoy watching the sun set over the Sea of Japan and to see the vast Echigo Plains at night. The ropeway is the perfect place to watch the sun setting beyond the Japanese sea and also to see the night view of the Echigo Plains. And in the fall, the autumn leaves cover the mountains, giving the ropeway gorgeous scenery in every season.

We took the bus in the park to the ropeway kiosk, bought our tickets just in time to catch the next carriage up to the top. Spectacular views across Yahiko and beyond. We didn’t stay to long at the...
Roadside Station Oyashirazu Pier Park

3.5

79 Reviews

Transportation

Nigata Pref. Itoigawashi Tonami 903-1

The Roadside Station Oyashirazu Pier Park is very popular, with the world’s largest bronze statue of a sea turtle (six meters long, five tons in weight) as its symbol, and it sits adjacent to the Jade Furusato Center with a display of enormous jade ores designated as Natural Monuments. Also, there are two excellent restaurants—Restopia with its famous cod soup meal and Oyashirazu mozuku soba, and Gyoka, with fresh food from the ocean and a great view of the Sea of Japan. Two minutes by car via Oyashirazu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Driving down the coast today we needed to stretch our legs and have a quick bit to eat. We had a bit of a run around on the beach and looked at the view. Good for a toilet stop
Saifukuji Temple (Kaisando)

4.5

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Oura 174

Sekijyozan Saifukuji Temple is a temple opened during the late Muromachi period in 1534. The Kaisando for worshipping images of Kaisan and Dogen Zenji—founder of Soto sect—is famous for its numerous wonderful sculptures, paintings, and lacquerware that can be called great works of Uncho Ishikawa, a famous craftsman from the end of the Shogunate. It is often called “Echigo Nikko” for its similarity to the collection of works at Toshogu in Nikko. About five minutes by car via Koide Interchange on the Kan-etsu Expressway.

石川雲蝶の作品を見に、年配の親と行きました。杖はダメとの事でしたが、お寺の杖を貸してくださいます。開山堂は、本堂から渡り廊下で行きました。外見も独特ですが、内側も凄い迫力ですね、音声ガイドを聞きながら、イスに座って天井の彫刻を鑑賞しました。因みに寝転び禁止です。写真では何やらゴテゴテした感じに見えましたが、実物は、とても生き生きとした景色て魅力的です。技術的に上手なのはもちろんですが...
Iyoboya Hall

4.0

85 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Murakamishi Shiomachi 13-34

In this museum in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, themed material regarding Murakami’s specialty product salmon, is on display. In the Murakami dialect, “Iyoboya” means salmon. Visitors can see how the salmon were fished in the Miomote River as well as an introduction to Murakami’s history and culture etc. in the museum. Visitors can also see under water from the observation window made in the distributary of the Miomote River. According to the season, you may encounter the scene of salmon swimming upstream or eggs hatching.

村上の三面川沿いにあります。会館の前には車は停められず、普通車はちょっと離れた所に駐車場があるので、冬は辛いです。ここは鮭の博物館。江戸時代、ここを鮭の名産地にした、青砥武平治が顕彰されています。他にも、人工孵化をしている鮭の稚魚や、三面川の分流である「種川」をガラス越しで観察できたり、600円の価値がある博物館だと思います。鮭の他にも、サケ科のニジマスなども展示されていました。
Teradomari Fish Market Street (Sakana no Ameyoko)

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nagaokashi Teradomarishimoaramachi

A street situated along a National Route in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture lined with seafood and souvenir shops popularly known as Sakana no ameyoko. Filled with the cries of merchants selling their wares, the street bustles with tourists seeking fresh, local ocean delicacies. Here you’ll a wide selection of seafood sold at delightfully reasonable prices, from seasonal items like sweet shrimp, squid, Japanese amberjack, horse mackerel, and sea bream, to high class selections like famed crimson snow crab and blackthroat seaperch. You’ll also be able to enjoy an abundance of dishes prepared with seafood from the Sea of Japan, such as hamayaki grilled fish and seafood rice bowls.
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park

4.0

81 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Nishimikawa 835-1

A hands-on museum built on the site of the former Nishimikawa Gold Mine in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture. Mentioned in the Konjaku monogatarishu, a collection of stories dated to the end of the Heian period, this ancient and historic mine even helped fund the war efforts of Uesugi Kenshin, a historic figure. The museum presents a variety of materials relating to gold and gold mining in its exhibition rooms and theater. There’s also a museum shop. The museum lets visitors try panning for gold and participants can take home the gold dust they find stored in a keychain or pendant.

I remember gold panning as a kid in West Virginia. On a rainy day, we were traveling around Sado, and if you know this island, you know most of its charm is the outdoors - not exactly ideal to...
Mitsumata Roadside Station

4.0

53 Reviews

Transportation

Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumagunyuzawamachi Mitsumata 1000

Mitsumata Roadside Station, located on National Route 17 in Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma County, Niigata Prefecture, is a charming building based on the style of an inn from the Edo period. There is a traffic information terminal, a rest area, a small farmer’s market, restaurant and shop. The restaurant offers set meals made with local Niigata ingredients, and noodles. Their Kenchin Motsu soup made with Waton Mocha-buta Pork is very popular. There is also a cafe which serves organic home-roasted coffee and pancakes, a shop which sells outdoor goods, a small shop which sells specialty products, and a free foot bath.

小さな道の駅ですが、湯沢のお土産もあり、狭いけど飲食できるスペースもありました。足湯もあり、ソフトクリーム食べながら、足湯に入れます。自家製のおにぎりとかも大きくてめちゃくちゃ美味しそうでした。今回は名物「もつ煮ラーメン」をいただきました。汁までしっかりいただける味で完食。美味しかったです！連れは「からいすけ...
Rinsenji Temple

4.0

57 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Nakamonzen 1-1-1

Rinsenji Temple is a temple of the Soto sect located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. Uesugi Kenshin, a military commander during the Sengoku (Warring States) period, spent time and studied here as child between the ages of 7 and 14. The temple was founded in 1497 by Kenshin’s grandfather, Nagao Yoshikage, as a memorial to his late father, following which the temple became a family temple for both Nagao and Uesugi. The temple grounds are home to a splendid main gate, said to have been moved from the back gate of Kasugayama Castle. Visitors will also find the graves of the Uesugi family and memorial tower, and the Fureashi Kannon statue, said to make strong legs when touched with the feet.

往時を彷彿とする山門が立派です。目的だった宝物館は肝心の謙信像がコピーで残念です。お庭にお花が可愛く咲いていて美しい。ここの駐車場から春日山城に登る裏ルートがあります。

Niigata

Murakami / Shibata Niigata / Aga Yahiko / Sanjo Nagaoka Yuzawa / Uonuma Myoko / Joetsu Sado

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Niigata Areas

Found along the northwestern coast of Japan, Niigata prefecture is celebrated for its high-quality rice and breathtaking nature, most notably its spectacular mountains, whose white peaks draw in snow sports lovers from far and wide over the winter months. Hit the slopes at Yuzawa, pick out your favourite modern artist at Echigo Tsumari, or take a ferry over to Sado Island for an extra adventure.