Niigata

Travel Guide

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Best Events

• Cherry Blossom

  

  • Takada Park

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  • Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks
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Top Things to do

• GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort

  Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumagunyuzawamachi Yuzawa Chihira 1039-2

  This ski resort is directly linked to the GALA Yuzawa Station. The Cheers gondola rises up to the ski slope’s central area, from which point skiers can choose from any of 17 courses. The snow is of high quality, perfect for everyone from beginners to advanced level skiers, and the ski resort is directly linked to the Shinkansen train line, making it even convenient. In addition, a skiing and snowboarding school officially recognized by SAJ/JSBA has been opened, and instructors with a wealth of experience carefully construct lessons according to their students’ levels. The resort also has a full range of facilities, including hot springs, a lounge and a day-care center.

• Teradomari Fish Market Street (Sakana no Ameyoko)

  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.

• Takada Castle Site Park

  Niigata Joetsu-shi Motoshirocho 44-1

  Takada Park was built on the site of what was formerly Takada Castle, a castle built as a residence for Tokugawa Tadateru, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu; the entire Park has been designated as an official Historic Site by Niigata Prefectural Government. A variety of cultural and sporting facilities are located within Takada Park, including the reconstructed Sanju-yagura (three-tiered tower) of the old Takada Castle, the Castle Museum, the Kobayashi Kokei Memorial Museum of Art, Takada Library, and the Mimei Ogawa Literature Museum (located inside the Library), making the Park a favorite place for local residents to spend their leisure time. With around 4,000 cherry trees, Takada Park is also a popular spot for viewing the cherry blossom in spring. Takada Park is located around eight- minute drive from Takada Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line.

• Naeba Ski Resort

  Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumagunyuzawamachi Mikuni 202

  This resort has close to 20 runs served by 13 gondolas and lifts including Dragondola the world’s longest gondola at 5481 meters. Mt. Naeba is a large ski complex that also includes the Kagura Tashiro Ski Resorts that are connected by gondola. The Naeba Prince Hotel is directly adjacent to the resort grounds. It sees many visitors for the ski resort in the winter and the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL that is held in the summer.

• Yahiko-jinja Shrine

  Nigata Pref. Nishikambaragunyahikomura Yahiko 2887-2

  Yahiko-jinja Shrine, situated at the foot of Mt. Yahiko in Yahiko Village, Nishikanbara County, Nigata Prefecture, is a shrine of the old Echigo Province and even appears in the Manyoshu (collection of Japanese poetry). The enshrined deity, Ame-no-Kaguyama-no-Mikoto, has long been widely worshipped as the god of culture and development in Echigo Province. The impressive shrine building, erected in front of the backdrop of cedar and zelkova forests and Mt. Yahiko, was rebuilt in 1916. The Shida-no-otachi long sword, designated a national important cultural property, and other weapons connected with Minamoto No Yoshiie, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and Uesugi Kenshin, are on display in the shrine’s treasure hall.

• Tokimesse Niigata Convention Center

  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.

• Niigata City Aquarium Marinepia Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)

  Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Nishifunamichou 5932-445

  An aquarium standing along the coast in Nishifunami Town, Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. The Niigata City Aquarium reopened after major renovations in 2013. The aquarium keeps and displays some 20 thousand sea creatures spanning around 500 species. Some of the aquarium’s many highlights include a giant aquarium exhibit modeled after the natural environment of the Sea of Japan, a “marine tunnel” which will make you feel like you’re walking around on the bottom of the ocean, and exhibits introducing the creatures that live in the Shinano River. The aquarium also has popular exhibits presenting waterfront animals such as beavers, river otters, seals, sea otters, and penguins. Exciting dolphin shows are held daily.

• Kiyotsu Gorge

  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.

• Kiyotsu Valley Tunnel

  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.