Culture / Tour Spots in Niigata Area

Area

Niigata
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Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Culture / Tour

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...
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...
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 Aquarium Umigatari

4.0

54 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Niigata Joetsu-shi Gochi 2-15-15

小さいけど展示方法が工夫されているというのは全くそのとおりで、他のレビュアーの方が散々書かれていることなので割愛させて頂く。日本海水槽はこれを考案した人は人智を超えて神がかっている。まったくもって素晴らしいの一言。一見の価値あり。訪れたときには鳥インフルエンザの影響でペンギンがおらず、アザラシも見ることができなかったが、これらの生き物のフル展示の状態時は少し満足度は上がると思う。感想と...
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...
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 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.

落ち着ける良い水族館。ウミガメに興奮、しばらく見てしまった。海に戻りたいだろうに、などと考えながらも見惚れるほど美しい。テッポウウオもおもしろいし、ゆっくりくつろげた。
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...
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.

佐渡へ流された人について（歴史）であった。ここで会えるのは順徳天皇・日蓮聖人・世阿弥である。ただし人形であるが。他に佐渡関連？の伝説のストーリーが演じられていた。佐渡の歴史かもしれないがイメージは違った。子供は楽しめるのかな？
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...
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...
Niitsu Art Museum

4.0

13 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Akiha-ku Gawakesawa 109-1

The Niitsu Art Museum is located within the Hana to Iseki no Furusato Park, near to Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden and the Furutsu Hachimanyama Kofun historical site. The Museum hold a wide range of exhibitions, including early-modern period Nihonga and Yoga style paintings and sculptures, photography, original drawings used in the production of picture-books, comic books, animation, etc. A child-minding service, using expert professional staff, is available for visitors with young children (over six months old but below school age), although the service must be booked at least three days before visiting the Museum. The Niitsu Art Museum is located around 20-minute drive from the Niitsu Interchange on the Ban-Etsu Expressway.

新潟市と合併し「新潟市新津美術館」となった施設です。楽しい企画展を次々と展示してくれる楽しい施設です。
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...
Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden

4.0

20 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Nigatashi Akiha-ku Kanadu 186

This botanical garden, which contains about 100,000 plants on its expansive grounds, opened in 1998 and is located in Akiha Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. Of the three dome-shaped greenhouses, the popular “tropical plant dome” is the largest in the country. Its jungle-like interior houses 4,000 specimens from 550 species, including rare baobab plants and Victoria amazonica. The must-see “Hana to Midori no Stage” has eight exhibitions held throughout the year along with the seasons. The garden features a walkway, allowing you to enjoy the peony garden, azalea garden, herb garden, and more as you stroll.

大きなドーム型の温室が特徴の植物園。中には滝が落ち、川となり、流れついた先の池にはオニバスが咲いています。わざわざ暑い夏に熱帯温室に行ったのですが、いろいろな花が楽しめました。コロナ対応でイベント中止になりましたが、リニューアルが楽しみです。４月には営業開始するのかな。
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.

ドラえもん展の見学も旅の目的の一つでしたが、様々なアーティストの方々がドラえもんをオマージュした内容でとても見応えがありました。
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.

十日町市まできて国宝の「火焔型土器」を見ない手はないと、大地の芸術祭アート鑑賞の合間を縫って訪ねた。2020年に新博物館として開館したという白い建物は、縄文土器や雪の結晶をグラフィック化した外壁が目をひく。エントランスを進むと「縄文時代と火焔型土器のクニ」という展示コーナーがあり、その一角に国宝展示室がある。「火焔型土器」は縄文時代中期に新潟県エリアで栄えた土器様式で、燃え上がる炎を象ったかのよう...
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...
Sado Island’s Ogi Folk Museum, Sengokubune Exhibition Hall

3.5

26 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Shukunegi 270-2

This museum is located in a wooden schoolhouse built in 1920 that has been preserved as-is. Inside the building which still bears the vestiges of its days as a schoolhouse are displays for a collection of over 30,000 folk materials that have been designated as important tangible folk-cultural properties, including tools and equipment for shipbuilders. During the Hakusan Maru Matsuri festival held every summer, the Hakusan Maru, Japan’s first fully-restored sengokubune (wooden freight ship) that is on display in the museum, is pulled out under human power and an impressive large white sail that is 155 tatami mats in size is raised.

There is a video here you can watch in English that describes how the shipping history of Sado made this island such a melting pot of culture from around Japan. You can go inside the boat and see...
Echigo-Matsunoyama Museum of Natural Science “Mori no Gakko” Kyororo

3.5

24 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Matsunoyamamatsuguchi 1712-2

This is a natural science museum built in nature-rich satoyama (village-vicinity mountain) in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. It introduces many displays related to the heavy snows of the satoyama as well as exhibits made in cooperation with local residents. The permanent exhibition includes the “Forrest Aquarium,” a display of aquatic life in the rice terraced area, an area introducing the lifestyle of the town in the snow, the local resident’s ‘treasures’ as well as an area for creative works. There is also a variety of experience programs such as a nature observation tour, rice making experience, and a woodworking experience using natural wood.

越後妻有「大地の芸術祭」の折、ボルタンスキーの遺作といわれる「森の精」やその他のアート作品を鑑賞するために立ち寄った。アート作品はともかく、驚くのはその外観。キョロロの建物外壁は鋼鉄の板、つまり鋼板で全面サビで覆われている。雪深い里山の生物多様性に関連した展示や体験プログラムで里山を学べる体験型の自然科学博物館で、様々な混入標本もあり昆虫好きには嬉しい施設だ。塔に設えたイルミネーションや巨大昆虫ビ...
Northern Culture Museum Niigata Branch

3.5

22 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Niigata Niigata-shi Chuo-ku Minamihama Dori 2-562

This building was acquired at the end of the Edo period by the seventh head of the Ito family, the wealthiest landowners in Echigo, to serve as the family’s Niigata villa. Niigata-born poet and calligrapher Aizu Yaichi also famously spent his last years here. Today, the compound is used as a museum which displays works by Yaichi and other artists, and here visitors can view Yaichi’s poems and calligraphic pieces along with a view of a traditional Japanese garden. The Zabo and Seigyoan tearooms on the first floor can be used to host tea ceremony and other events. An elegant time can be spent in the sanjo-daime-style tearooms.

１８９５年の建造された建物で、大正時代に七代伊藤文吉が別邸として購入したそうです。新潟分館は主屋と洋館からなっており、戦後、夕刊ニイガタの社長となった會津八一が洋館で晩年を過ごしました。會津八一の書や資料などが展示されています。

Niigata

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

Leisure / Hobbies Culture / Tour

Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Art Museum Botanical Garden

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.