Leisure / Outdoors Spots in Niigata Area

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Niigata
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Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Leisure / Outdoors

Niigata City Aquarium Marinepia Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)

4.0

204 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

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.

The Niigata City Aquarium was a nice surprise excursion. Very modern and the exhibits were professionally done and educational. Dont expect the caliber of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Diegos Sea...
Echigo Hillside National Government Park

4.5

83 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nagaokashi Miyamotohigashikatamachi 1950-1

Occupying an extensive site, Echigo Hillside National Government Park has plenty of fun things to do and experience. This is a nature park where visitors can enjoy the beautiful flowers and scenery (which changes with the seasons), experience life in a Satoyama (traditional community-managed forest) habitat, and learn about the different plants and animals that have evolved in concert with human agricultural activity. Visitors can eat in the Rest House, or enjoy an outdoor barbecue. Echigo Hillside National Government Park is located around 10-minute drive from the Nagaoka Interchange of the Hokuriku Expressway.

Tulips in spring, roses in early summer, cosmos flowers in autumn- this park is beautiful all year round and worth visiting multiple times. Before you come, make sure to check the website and find...
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...
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...
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...
Joetsu Kokusai Playland

4.0

58 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumashi Kabanosawa 112-1

This water adventure park surrounded by great natural beauty is one of northern Japan's largest. The mountain resort-style park features a number of pools and thrilling attractions like their 150 and 100 meter-long Water Bobsleigh slides, their raging Wild River raft slide, a large pool and a pool for kids. The park also has various attractions you can enjoy without getting wet, such as a merry-go-round and go karts. The park also has foot baths where guests can warm up their cold bodies.

Despite the hefty price tag we enjoyed a good day at this water play land. The kids would loved to have spent much more time on the go-carts but you only get one go with your day pass. They managed...
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.

This is actually a very amusing, clever and cute museum. Nice displays, I love the fish tanks with salamanders and other river critters, plenty of info on salmon, trouts, chars, excellent corridor...
Yahiko Park

4.0

76 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nishikambaragunyahikomura Yahiko 667-1

This park is located just outside the JR Yahiko Station, and covers an area of 160,000 square meters. There is an abundance of nature in the park for visitors to enjoy, with a waterfall and mountain streams, and seasonal flowers such as azaleas and irises. The highlight of the park is the Kangetsukyo bridge in the Maple Valley, which was modeled on the old wooden bridge. In the fall, the entire area is famous for how it turns red with a sea of autumn leaves, which harmonize perfectly with the red of the bridge. And in the evening, the park is lit up, making it a popular place for tourists to visit. There are also tennis courts and playground equipment in the park, which can be enjoyed by parents and children.

we spent half a day at the park on 12-Nov. The fall colors were amazing! its right next to the Yahiko shrine, so, you can hit both sites at one stop. There were a few tour groups at 3pm. I suggest...
Teradomari Aquarium

4.0

40 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nagaokashi Teradomarihanatate 9353-158

Teradomari Aquarium showcases the fish that live in the Sea of Japan. Besides the live specimens in the Aquarium, there are also fascinating displays about other natural creatures, including seabirds such as seagulls and kittiwakes, many different types of seaweed and small fish species, etc. The first to third floors of the Aquarium have approximately 10,000 fish belonging to around 400 different species from all over the world; visitors can watch the fish being fed. Teradomari Aquarium is located around 35-minute walk from the Nakanoshima Mitsuke Interchange of the Hokuriku Expressway.

We arrived to go to the Teradomari market a little early so we decided to check out the aquarium nearby. It is very reasonable at ¥700 for adults and 450 for our teenager. Lots of different marine...
Sado History and Folklore Museum

4.0

59 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Mano 655

This museum houses life-sized robots which tell 800 years of Sado's history. The museum is located adjacent to the south side of Mano Park on Sado Island. Visitors can experience the legends of Sado Island with the diorama robots, as if travelling back in time. The robots act out 12 programs in total. The stories of Emperor Juntoku's first princess and Emperor Juntoku, who was sent into exile on Sado Island, the founder of the Nichiren sect and Zeami are acted outhere. In the establishment's restaurant, Yuzuru, visitors can enjoy a meal while looking out at the Japanese gardens. The restaurant also offers dishes cooked with Sado's specialty foods such as Mekabu soba.

This museum was very informative, life like robots of Empress Keiko, Nichiren, Zeami and others tell their stories and legends of being exiled on Sado Island. See and feed the beautiful koi and be...
The Niigata Bandaijima Art Museum

4.0

32 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Bandaijima 5-1 Toki Messe within the Manijima building 5F

You’ll find this art museum on the fifth floor of the Toki Messe Bandaijima Building in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. It is a branch of the Niigata Prefectural Museum of Modern Art in Nagaoka City. Together, both buildings have a combine total of over 6,000 items, including works by artists with ties to Niigata as well as postwar modern art and art from other parts of Asia. There are no permanent exhibitions; about five or six exhibitions are held each year, rotating between planned exhibitions and collection showcases. There’s also a shop where you can purchase illustrated books of the collections and other museum goods.

I arrived in Niigata after a week in Tokyo, where dual English/Japanese information signs appear in most major museums. So I was disappointed that none existed here, where I went to a temporary...
Niigata Prefectural Museum of Modern Art

4.0

34 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nagaokashi Senshu 3-278-14

This is an art museum opened in Nagaoka City, Niigata prefecture in 1993. It collects and exhibits art works from Niigata, Japan and around the world. There is a collection of about 6,000 artworks mainly focusing on the “Taiko Collection” of the current Taiko Bank as well as contemporary art from the Meiji period, 19th century Western art and artworks by Niigata local artists. Aside from the permanent exhibition, collection exhibitions and special exhibitions, as well as workshops where visitors can enjoy art casually, are held at the museum.

I visit this museum mostly during the projected events such focusing Japanese traditional painters in Meiji Period, etc. The collections of this museum are in variety from Europe through Japan...
Niigata Science Museum

4.0

24 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Meikeminami 3-1-1

This large-scale science museum is located in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. Many of the exhibits encourage direct interaction, allowing visitors to have fun as they learn about the natural sciences. The exhibitions from the first through third floors are divided into the four sections with different themes: Niigata Prefecture’s transformation over time, the natural sciences, science in our lives, and the “mystery plaza.” There’s also a moving dinosaur full-scale model, the largest planetarium on the Japan Sea coast, an outdoors exhibition area where you can experience riding in solar cars, and more, providing plenty for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

A really awesome science museum. Although it is really more common for younger children to be at science museums, I feel that this one offers a lot of interactive displays, even for the older ones...
Ojiya City Nishikigoi no Sato

4.0

30 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Odiyashi Jounai 1-8-22

Located in 1 Chome, Jonai, Ojiya City, Ojiya Nishikigoi no Sato is a facility where visitors can view beautiful Nishikigoi (varicolored carp, also known as “golden carp”). Around 45% of all Nishikigoi produced in Niigata Prefecture are bred in Ojiya; these “swimming treasures” have become a famous local specialty, and are highly regarded both in Japan and overseas. Visitors can view Nishikigoi in the park area, and can also see specially-selected specimens in the viewing ponds. There are displays that enabled visitors to learn more about Nishikigoi, and visitors can also feed the Nishikigoi in the viewing ponds.

錦鯉について、その歴史と、現在の鑑賞用として世界に広く知れ渡るに至るまでの経緯・人々の努力の積み重ねの資料の数々が展示されている資料館である。現在錦鯉には様々な色の組み合わせや模様があるが、それらには全て名前と特徴が存在し、交配による分化の歴史、繁殖に使用される施設や注意点の紹介、高値を付けるための基準など、単に錦鯉の整体だけでなく幅広い情報を知ることが出来、非常に興味深い。資料館としての規模は...
Tokamachi City Museum

4.5

28 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Nishimotochou 1-382-1

This museum in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, houses and displays historical and cultural artifacts from Tokamachi based on the theme of “snow, textiles and the Shinano River”. There are a lot of models, dioramas, and archaeological finds etc. displayed in the museum which introduce in chronological order the history of the Jomon period through to modern times. You can also see artifacts relating to Tokamachi textiles which show the tools that were used and resourcefulness of the people in their daily lives in this region of heavy snow. The flame-style pottery, excavated from the Sasayama site in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, are the most outstanding items exhibited in the museum and have been designated as National Treasures.

Tokamachi citizens are very proud of their land & culture. The Museum shows in detailed way how life was 5000 years ago. Artifacts such as the famous Earthenware are screened, which is a symbol of...
Niigata City Art Museum

3.5

30 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Chuou-ku Nishiohatachou 5191-9

You’ll find this art museum next to Nishiohata Park in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. Its collections and exhibitions focuses on contemporary and modern art as well as the works of artists with ties to Niigata. The building was designed by Kunio Maekawa, a Niigata-born architect, in his latest years. The collection consists of over 4,000 items and includes modern art by Bonnard, Rodin, Piccaso, and more, as well as domestic artists such as Yayoi Kusama. Several exhibits are held every year.

Niigata Art Museum is a 15 minute bus ride from the History Museum - catch the bus on the side street in back. I was drawn by a rarely shown and massive exhibit of Hokusai woodblock prints, stunning...
NOU BUTAI (Agrarian Stage) Snow-Land Agrarian Culture Center, Matsudai

4.0

46 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Matsudai 3743-1

At this comprehensive cultural facility located close to Matsudai Station, visitors can experience Matsudai Snow-Land Agrarian culture and art. In the building, designed by a Dutch architect group, beauty can be felt both indoors and in the outer areas as a single artwork. Inside the hall, you can catch a glimpse the lifestyle of the rural community coexisting with nature as well as an artist space. The satoyama slopes surrounding the museum act as a large field museum, and a number of works by famous artists such as Yayoi Kusama’s “Tsumari in Bloom” are always on display.

Matsudai Nohbutai in one of the two places in the art field area that is neara train station. Other than a Yayoi Kusama piece just outside Matsudai station and a piece in the side of the rice fields...
Niigata Senbei Oukoku

4.0

16 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Kita-ku Nizaki 2661

Senbei Oukoku (“Rice Cracker Kingdom”) is a tourist facility with multiple attractions located on Prefectural Route 27 in Niizaki, Kita Ward Niigata City. There is an experiential activity center where visitors can try their hand at decorating senbei (rice crackers) or making “Baka-uke” senbei, etc., tours of the factory where visitors can see how senbei are made, a senbei tasting area, and a shop selling limited-edition “Baka-uke” senbei, “Baka-uke” branded goods, etc. The café offers a menu that includes “Senbei Soft-serve Ice Cream” (with soft-serve ice cream sandwiched between two senbei crackers), “Baka-uke Croquettes,” which are potato croquettes in the shape of a “Baka-uke” senbei cracker, “Rice Flour Curry Bread,” etc.

The Senbei Kingdom - or the Niigata Senbei Okoku - is a showcase for the Kuriyama Beika group, perhaps most famous for their Bakauke rice crackers. The site offers visitors a chance to create their...
Snow Peak Headquarters Camping Field

4.5

12 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Niigata Sanjo-shi Nakanohara 456

昨今のキャンプやアウトドアブームで始めたばかりのビギナーですがこちらの施設はいいですね。snowpeak社が公式に運営しているので安心して利用できます。設備も充実しているので道具を最小限に済ませられる利点が大きい。すぐ近くにはsnowpeak運営のスパ施設やレストランもあるのでホテルに来たような気分にも慣れなんとも不思議な気持ちになれます。夜間は星空も綺麗なので星座を見ながら飲むビールは絶対...
Yuzawa Fishing Park

4.0

13 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumagunyuzawamachi Tsuchidaru 6191-512

Visitors to this leisure facility located in Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma County can enjoy fishing in a mountain stream surrounded by a lush green forest. You can show up empty-handed and fish with either live bait or lures (there is a separate area for fishing with lures). The facility has a fish grilling area where you can cook the rainbow trout, char, and cherry salmon that can be caught in its mountain streams, as well as a barbequing area. Visitors can also try catching fish by hand in a stone-lined watering hole. Once in a while, someone will catch a rare wild sculpin.

エサ釣りは貸しざおがある。ルアーコーナーもある。子供づれでお父さんやお母さんが嬉しそうに釣れた魚を竿にぶら下げたまま係員に渡して調理してもらっているのが微笑ましい。同じ漁協が経営していた大川フィッシングパークは、係員の感じが大変悪かったが、こちらは感じが良い。渓流釣りの餌が足りなくなった時に、こちらで買い求めるが、ぶどう虫1パック２０匹入り七百円は割高。

Niigata

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

Leisure / Hobbies Leisure / Outdoors

Amusement Park / Theme Park Pool Beach Park / Green Space Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Orchard Art Museum Art Gallery / Gallery Botanical Garden Event Complex Facility / Commercial Facility Camping / Auto Camping Hiking / Walking Boat Pier Fishing / Fishing Pond / Managed Fishing Ground Fishing Equipment / Fishing Bait Shop Other Leisure Facility / Other Outdoors Facility

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.