Niigata Trip Overview
This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Niigata!
A port city on the Sea of Japan coast, Niigata is famous for its rice fields which produce the highest quality rice and sake. Yet, this city is also a sophisticated transportation hub, easily accessible by air, sea and rail. It is a gateway to Sado Island, 2 1/2 hours away by ferry, an island of interesting history and rugged natural beauty.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that’s best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: Six hours is NOT enough to visit both of Niigata city and Sado island area.
Note*3: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 hours
Starts: Niigata, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Niigata Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Niigata!
A port city on the Sea of Japan coast, Niigata is famous for its rice fields which produce the highest quality rice and sake. Yet, this city is also a sophisticated transportation hub, easily accessible by air, sea and rail. It is a gateway to Sado Island, 2 1/2 hours away by ferry, an island of interesting history and rugged natural beauty.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that’s best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: Six hours is NOT enough to visit both of Niigata city and Sado island area.
Note*3: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ponshukan Niigata Station, 1-96-47 Hanazono, Chuo-ku, Niigata 950-0086 Niigata Prefecture
You can taste and buy 93 kinds of Japanese Sake (Japanese rice wine) made in Niigata.
Moreover, you can also enjoy the one-day hot spring “Sake Buro (Sake bath)” which is made of 12 degrees Sake mixed with water here. We recommend this place especially for Japanese Sake lovers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hoshitoge Rice Terraces, Hoshitoge, Tokamachi 948-0000 Niigata Prefecture
The terraced rice fields (rice paddies built on sloped land) of Tokamachi, an area that thrives on rice cultivation, are worth seeing. Hoshitoge’s terraced rice fields are the most iconic out of the bunch. Once you get to see what those roughly 200 rice paddies look like, you won’t be able to stop yourself from taking a photo to forever remember their beauty!
In the spring (from when snow disappears to June) and fall (late October to when snow starts falling), the rice fields are filled with water, causing the sky and surroundings to be reflected on the surface. If all the conditions are right, you may even be able to enjoy the spectacle of a sea of clouds washing over the area! If you do decide to visit, make sure to stick to your manners. For instance, please do not enter the farm areas or leave without picking up your trash!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Yahiko Shrine, 2887-2 Yahiko, Yahiko-mura, Nishikanbara-gun 959-0323 Niigata Prefecture
Here is the hot spring area spread in front of the gate of Yahiko shinto shrine as famous as the spiritual spot.
Yahiko shinto shrine itself is attractive for a sightseeing and there are plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops surroundings.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Takada Castle, 6-1 Motoshirocho, Joetsu 943-0835 Niigata Prefecture
Here is the castle ruin in Joetsu city, Niigata.。
This place is designated as a prefectural important cultural property and at this time, the surround is the park and also sightseeing place.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kasugayama Castle Ruins, Nakayashiki, Kasugayama, Joetsu 943-0819 Niigata Prefecture
Known as the former residence of the famous Sengoku warlord Uesugi Kenshin, Kasugayama Castle is a well-known, impregnable castle that makes full use of its complex terrain. Several of its structures still remain today, such as the karabori (hollows dug along the ridge) and the dorui (defensive walls created from clumped dirt), both of which are unique features of mountain castles. From the remnants of the main castle grounds, which stands roughly 180m above sea level, you can gaze at the Sea of Japan, Kubiki Plains, and the mountains surrounding both of them. One corner of the castle is dedicated to the reconstructed Bishamon-do Hall, which was where Kenshin would seclude himself in right before a battle to think over strategies and pray for victory.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Historic Relic Sado Gold Mine, 1305 Shimoaikawa, Sado 952-1501 Niigata Prefecture
This is the gold mine in Sado island, Niigata.
A part of building is designated as the national important cultural property.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Toki no Mori Park, 383-2 Niibonagaune, Sado 952-0101 Niigata Prefecture
This park is located next to the Japanese crested ibis (Toki in Japanese) conservation center. The Toki is designated as an endangered species. There are the observation building which you can see the Toki closer and the exhibition hall in the park.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ryugakubonomizu, Yachi, Tsunan-machi, Nakauonuma-gun 949-8204 Niigata Prefecture
Designated as one of the top 100 water sources in all of Japan, this beautiful pond lies within Tsunan Town, which is situated at the prefectural borders of Niigata and Nagano. Every day, around 43,000 tons of high-quality water gush from this natural spring. Due to this natural occurrence, it is said that it never gets muddy or murky. The surface of the pond, which reflects the green leaves of surrounding trees like Japanese beech and cedar, has enough mystique to warrant a visit. The local residents use the water from this pond for their everyday needs, which is why it has been protected since long ago.
Duration: 1 hour
