There are a lot of reasons to visit Niigata. Along with such things as the impressive firework festivals that spare no expense, Niigata City also provides quick access to world-class ski resorts, historical sites, music festivals, and beautiful parks. Regardless of when you visit, the area is packed with things to see and do. To fully enjoy your trip to Niigata, knowing a thing or two about how to get around the area is essential.
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Niigata Station
![Niigata Station]()
Niigata Station
If you’re coming to Niigata from another prefecture, chances are that you’ll find yourself here. The Joetsu Shinkansen takes you nearly 300 kilometers, from Tokyo to Niigata, in just a couple of hours. Depending on when you leave, there will be a train leaving from Tokyo Station once or twice per hour. The downside of taking the Joetsu Shinkansen is the price: it is at a little more than 10,000 yen each way, so it’s actually cheaper to fly from Narita on a domestic carrier. The train will take a lot less time out of your day though and it’s sure to be a more interesting experience. The station also serves as a central hub for all the lines in the city: so, consider booking a place nearby for easy access to places around town.
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Niigata Station Bus Terminal
![Niigata Station Bus Terminal]()
Niigata Station Bus Terminal
Just outside the Niigata Station Bandai Exit, you can find local and highway buses. Willer Express buses can get you to and from Tokyo for around 3,900 yen. The highway buses are cheaper than the Shinkansen and have convenient creature comforts, such as Wi-Fi and power outlets, it will take you anywhere from five to six hours to reach your destination, depending on the traffic.
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Ferry Terminal
![Ferry Terminal]()
Ferry Terminal
Off the coast of Niigata, the island of Sado holds some of Japan’s most breathtaking coastlines and cultural sites that are unlike anywhere else. Whether you’ve rented a car and want to drive around the mountains for a day or if you just want to explore the island on foot, you can take a Sado Kisen ferry from Niigata Port. A round-trip ticket to the island costs 11,560 yen for adults and 5,790 yen for children. Taking a car on the ferry dramatically increases the price since it’s determined by the size of the vehicle, but the price to take a vehicle to the island and back will run anywhere from 20,190 yen for a car under 3 meters to as much as 77,600 yen for a vehicle measuring 11 meters.
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Tsubame Sanjo Station
![Tsubame Sanjo Station]()
Tsubame Sanjo Station
On the southern end of Niigata, the Tsubame Sanjo Station also offers access to the Joetsu Shinkansen line. Even though it’s about 35 kilometers south of Niigata Station, you get there in 12 minutes for 2,920 yen using the Joetsu Line. The station also provides access to the Yahiko Line, which gives you the opportunity to travel to Yahiko, a quaint village that is considered one of Japan’s most sacred areas. Mount Yahiko is also a popular destination for locals wanting to take in the view of the surrounding area from an elevation of 634 meters.
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Echigo-Yuzawa Station
Just under 200 kilometers from Tokyo, Echigo-Yuzawa Station is the fastest way for visitors from Tokyo to hit the slopes. With over 20 different ski resorts, Yuzawa bursts into life every winter, while mainly being known as an onsen town in the non-winter months. Echigo-Yuzawa sits on the Joetsu Line and is service by the shinkansen, which means it’s also a hub for some of the other big cities in Niigata Prefecture.
JR-EAST HOTEL METS NIIGATA
1-96-47 Hanazono, Chuo-ku Niigata
APA Hotel Tsubamesanjo-Ekimae
3-206 Idomaki, Tsubame-city Sanjo Niigata
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