Niigata: Winter Sports, Sake Breweries, and Scenic Beauty

Where is Niigata?

Niigata Prefecture is known for its rice production and delicious Koshihikari. Sake production is also thriving, and there are many sake breweries where one can enjoy delicious sake.

Niigata Prefecture is also rich in beautiful nature, with tourist destinations such as Sado Island and the Yuzawa Plateau. In winter, many places for skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports destinations. There are also many hot springs, such as Tsukioka Onsen and Iwamuro Onsen, which soothe visitors.

The city of Niigata has developed around the city, and its historical culture and traditions are also cherished. Many events, such as the annual Nagaoka Fireworks Festival and Niigata Festival, are held here for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike.

Yuzawa Area

About 1 hour 30 minutes from Tokyo station by trains

Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort

Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort is a popular ski resort located in Yuzawa Town. In winter, the resort offers a wide variety of courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced skiers alike. Snowboarding is also available, making it ideal for families and friends.

In summer, a ropeway provides access to the highland area, where hiking and nature walks can be enjoyed. Visitors can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons while taking in the spectacular views.

The resort has hot spring facilities and restaurants where you can relax after skiing or hiking. Another attraction is that it is easily accessible and can be visited by car or the Shinkansen bullet train.

Dragondola

The Dragondola is the longest gondola lift in Japan, connecting the Naeba and Tashiro ski resorts in Niigata Prefecture. It is 5.5 km long and offers a 25 minute walk in the air.

In winter, it is used as a means of transportation for skiers and snowboarders, and is loved by many users. By connecting the ski resorts, visitors can efficiently enjoy the vast areas of both ski resorts.

In summer, it operates to enjoy beautiful nature and spectacular scenery. The seasonal scenery makes it a popular destination for many tourists throughout the year.

Boardwalk

The Boardwalk in Yuzawa Town, is the perfect place to spend some relaxing time in a rich natural setting. This boardwalk is located along the river and by the lake, and visitors can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons as they stroll along.

In the fall, the beautiful autumn foliage attracts visitors. In summer, visitors can walk while feeling the cool breeze and refresh themselves in nature. Benches and resting spots are provided nearby, allowing visitors to relax and take their time.

There are also cafes and restaurants around the boardwalk, where visitors can enjoy a meal or rest after their walk. This is a popular spot for families and couples to spend a relaxing time in contact with nature.

Echigo Yuzawa Hot Spring

Echigo Yuzawa Hot Spring is a historic hot spring resort located in Yuzawa Town, within walking distance of JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, making access very convenient. Many accommodations feature hot springs, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the rich natural environment.

The quality of the hot spring water is alkaline simple hot spring, which is gentle on the skin and is expected to relieve fatigue and refresh the body. Footbaths and public bathhouses are available in the hot spring resort area, making it easy to enjoy the hot spring. There are also many restaurants and souvenir stores in the area for sightseeing.

In winter, after skiing or snowboarding, a visit to the hot springs is a popular way to relieve fatigue. From spring to fall, activities such as hiking and nature walks can be enjoyed, making it a hot spring resort worth visiting throughout the year.

Kiyotsu Gorge

Kiyotsu Gorge is a beautiful gorge and one of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan. The 12.5 kilometer long gorge boasts spectacular natural beauty formed over a long period of time.

Walking trails and tunnels have been developed within the canyon, allowing visitors to safely stroll through the canyon while enjoying the scenery that changes from season to season. The autumn foliage in fall and the snowy winter scenery are especially spectacular, attracting many tourists. At the far end of the tunnel is an observatory from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley.

It is also easily accessible, taking only about 30 minutes by bus from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station. It is a place where visitors can refresh themselves while experiencing the grandeur of nature, and is a popular tourist spot for families and couples alike.

Ponshukan Sake Museum

Ponshukan Sake Museum is a tourist facility directly connected to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and is a unique place to enjoy Niigata's local sake. The museum has a corner where visitors can sample more than 100 varieties of Niigata's local sake, with five tastings available. Visitors can enjoy Niigata's sake culture while searching for their favorite sake.

Ponshukan also has a sake bath, where visitors can experience a special hot spring bath using sake. Sake baths are popular among tourists for their skin beautifying and relaxing effects. The facility also has a sake-related souvenir store and restaurant, where visitors can enjoy local specialties and delicious food.

The facility is conveniently accessible and directly connected to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, making it an easy stopover during your trip. It is a fascinating spot where you can learn about and taste Niigata's sake culture in depth.

Sado Island Area

About 3 hours 30 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa station by train and ferry

Sado Gold Mine

Sado Gold Mine is a historical mine located on Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, where gold mining was conducted from the Edo period to the Showa period. In its heyday, it flourished as the largest gold mine in Japan, and is a valuable heritage site that provides visitors with an insight into the mining techniques and working environment of the time.

Today, the Sado Gold Mine is open to the public as a tourist facility, and tours of the mine shafts are popular. The tour course includes areas that recreate historical tunnels, as well as exhibits of tools and machinery that were actually used. There is also an exhibit that uses robots to recreate an Edo Period mining site, providing visitors with a realistic experience.

There are also a museum, souvenir stores, and restaurants in the vicinity, allowing visitors to enjoy the nature and culture of Sado Island. Sado Gold Mine, with its blend of history and nature, is a recommended spot for families and tourists who love history.

Kitazawa Flotation Plant

The Kitazawa Floatation Plant is the remains of a historical mining facility located on Sado Island. Built in the early Showa period, the plant was used to sort gold and silver from ore mined at the Sado Gold Mine.

Today, the ruins of the Kitazawa Floatation Plant are open to the public as a tourist attraction, and its magnificent remains are a sight to behold. In particular, the concrete structures of the factory and the remnants of the machinery and equipment tell a story of the technology and scale of the time. At night, the site is illuminated, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

This is a fascinating spot for history buffs and photographers, and a place where visitors can get a sense of Sado Island's industrial heritage.

Nishi-Mikawa Gold Park

Nishi-Mikawa Gold Park is a unique tourist facility on Sado Island where visitors can experience gold mining. Visitors can feel the history and charm of gold mining on Sado Island through the experience of panning for gold.

The facility has a corner where visitors can try their hand at panning for gold using old-fashioned mining tools, and both children and adults can enjoy the experience. Visitors can take home the gold sand they have collected, making it a great way to create memories. A variety of other activities are also available, such as making gold accessories and ore crafts.

Sado Nishi-Mikawa Gold Park, where visitors can have fun while experiencing the history of gold mining on Sado Island, is a recommended sightseeing spot for families and groups traveling together.

Taraibune Tub Boats

Taraibune Tub Boat is a unique sightseeing activity you can experience on Sado Island. You can enjoy the beautiful waters of Sado Island by riding on a traditional "tarai-bune," a boat that was originally used for fishing.

The experience is carefully guided by local guides, so even first-timers can enjoy it with ease. Visitors can learn about the nature and history of Sado Island while touring the scenic bay in a tub boat. This is a perfect activity to enjoy in between sightseeing tours, as it is short and easy to enjoy.

Taraibune Tub Boat is a popular activity for families and couples, offering a traditional experience unique to Sado Island.

Onogame

Onogame is a natural wonder located on Sado Island. It is a huge rocky mountain that juts out of the sea. It is approximately 167 meters high and boasts an overwhelming presence. Especially in spring and early summer, the entire rocky hillside is covered with flowers, creating a beautiful scene.

Onogame is also popular as a hiking course, and a climb to the summit offers a magnificent view of the Sea of Japan. The summit can be reached in a relatively short time, making it easy for even beginners to take on the challenge. There are also nature observation and photography spots scattered along the way, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing nature of the four seasons.

Onogame, where visitors can enjoy the power and beauty of nature, is a must-see stop when visiting Sado Island.

Shukunegi

Shukunegi is a historic village on Sado Island, where visitors can experience the atmosphere of a port town that has existed since the Edo period. It is characterized by traditional wooden houses and stone-paved streets lined along narrow alleys, and has been designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

Walking around the village, visitors can see old-fashioned ship carpenters' houses and merchant houses, many of which are open to the public, and learn about the lifestyle and building techniques of the time.

Shukunegi, where you can enjoy the atmosphere and history of a quiet port town, is a sightseeing spot where you should take your time to explore.

Central Niigata Area

About 50 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa station by trains

Niigata Senbei Okoku (Rice Cracker Kingdom)

Niigata Senbei Okoku is a hands-on theme park where visitors can enjoy making senbei, a traditional Japanese snack. Visitors can bake and paint their own original rice crackers, making the experience very popular among families and tourists.

The facility also has a factory tour corner where visitors can observe the rice cracker production process, and a store where visitors can purchase various types of rice crackers. There is also a café where visitors can taste freshly baked rice crackers on the spot and enjoy the delicious taste of freshly made rice crackers.

Niigata Senbei Okoku is a great place for both children and adults to enjoy and create memories.

Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery

Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery is a historic sake brewery, founded in 1767. It is known as a sake brewery that produces only pure rice sake and offers high quality sake.

During the brewery tour, visitors can observe the traditional sake brewing process up close and enjoy sake tasting. Tours are available by reservation only, and English is also available. There is also a store inside the brewery where visitors can purchase limited edition and popular sake products.

Access to the brewery is a convenient 15 minutes walk from Niigata Station, and it is a sightseeing spot where visitors can experience local culture and traditions. Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery is a must-see for sake fans and tourists alike, allowing visitors to experience the history and charm of Niigata's sake brewing industry.

Niigata Furusato Village Road Station

Niigata Furusato Village Road Station is a popular tourist spot in Niigata City. Within the spacious premises, there is a "Bazaar Pavilion" selling local specialties and agricultural products, and an "Appeal Pavilion" introducing Niigata's culture and history.

At the Bazaar Pavilion, visitors can purchase fresh local vegetables, fruits, and marine products, as well as a variety of Niigata's specialty products and crafts. At the Appeal Pavilion, traditional Niigata crafts, history, and culture are on display, and visitors can learn about the region's attractions.

Niigata Furusato Village Road Station is a great place for families and tourists to enjoy Niigata's delicious food and culture. There are also a variety of restaurants and rest areas where visitors can relax.

Lake Hyoko

Lake Hyoko is a beautiful lake, especially famous for its swans. Every year from fall to winter, many swans and migratory birds fly into the lake, attracting visitors. There is a walking trail around the lake, where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons.

There are many spots around the lake suitable for nature observation and photography, and feeding the swans is also popular. There is also a museum and an observatory by the lake, where visitors can learn about the ecology of swans and the history of Lake Hyoko.

It is a place where visitors can relax and feel nature. Especially during the winter swan season, there is a lot to see and do, making it a recommended tourist spot for families and nature lovers.

Tsukioka Hot Spring

Tsukioka Hot Spring is a popular hot spring resort and was opened about 100 years ago. It is known for its high sulfur content, and is believed to be effective for beautifying the skin. For this reason, it is also called "Bijin-no-yu," or "hot spring of beauty," and attracts many tourists.

The hot spring resort area is lined with numerous inns and hotels, and visitors can enjoy a variety of hot spring facilities such as open-air baths and private baths. Footbaths and public bathhouses are also available for day-trippers. Strolling through the hot spring resort area, you will find a wide variety of stores where you can enjoy local gourmet foods and souvenirs.

Tsukioka Hot Spring, where you can aim for beautiful skin while relaxing, is a popular tourist spot for couples and families.

Iwamuro Hot Spring

Iwamuro Hot Spring is a historic hot spring (Onsen) resort located in Niigata City, and is believed to have opened about 300 years ago. The hot spring water is clear and colorless, and is characterized by its smooth texture. Many people love this hot spring for its relaxing, fatigue-relieving, and skin beautifying effects.

The onsen town is lined with elegant inns and hotels, and visitors can enjoy a variety of onsen facilities such as open-air baths, private baths, and footbaths. There is also a wide variety of restaurants where you can taste local delicacies and stores where you can purchase souvenirs. Seasonal events are also held, offering new enjoyment each time you visit.

Iwamuro Onsen is a recommended tourist spot for couples and families, where you can refresh your body and soul in a quiet environment surrounded by nature.

Yahiko Shrine

Yahiko Shrine is a historical shrine and has long been worshipped as the first shrine in Echigo. It is revered as a guardian deity of agriculture, fishery, and industry.

The grounds of the shrine are vast and surrounded by beautiful nature, offering seasonal scenery. The cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in fall are especially beautiful and attract many worshippers. The shrine grounds are dotted with sacred trees, a Kagura-den (Shinto music and dance hall), and historical buildings, offering a wealth of things to see and do.

With many festivals and events held throughout the year, Yahiko Shrine is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike to experience local culture and traditions.

Nagaoka Area

About 30 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa station by trains

Teradomari Fish Market

Teradomari Fish Market is a popular tourist spot located in Teradomari, Nagaoka City, where a wide variety of fresh seafood is available. Many stores line the street, selling fresh seafood and processed products.

At the market, visitors can not only purchase crabs, shrimps, shellfish, and other seafood on the spot, but also enjoy freshly grilled or deep-fried seafood dishes. In particular, grilled fish and seafood rice bowls are very popular among tourists. Many tastings are offered, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of tastes.

On weekends and holidays, the area is crowded with people, making it a fun place to experience local food culture.

Settaya

Settaya is a historic neighborhood in Nagaoka City. Known as a brewing town since the Edo period, it is lined with long-established stores that produce miso, soy sauce, and sake. Visitors can see and purchase these products made using traditional methods.

Many historic buildings remain in the town, and visitors can enjoy the old streets as they stroll around. Each store offers tours and tastings of the brewing process, allowing visitors to experience traditional local flavors.

Settaya is a place where visitors can experience the history and culture of Nagaoka, and is an attractive tourist attraction for those interested in food culture and architecture.

Yoshinogawa Sake Museum Joh-gura

Yoshinogawa Sake Museum Joh-gura is a sake museum located in Nagaoka City and operated by the Yoshinogawa Sake Brewery. Inside the museum, visitors can learn about the history of Yoshinogawa and the sake production process, and tools and materials used in sake brewing are on display.

Tours take visitors through the actual brewery, allowing them to experience the craftsmanship and traditional sake brewing process up close and personal. There is also a tasting corner where visitors can taste Yoshinogawa's diverse sake offerings. Visitors can also purchase limited edition products and popular sake at the store.

The Yoshinogawa Sake Museum Joh-gura is an attractive spot for sake fans and history buffs to experience local culture and traditions.

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is one of the most famous fireworks festivals in Japan, held every August in Nagaoka City. The festival is also meant to commemorate the victims of the World War II air raids and the Chuetsu Earthquake, and to pray for the city's recovery.

The festival features approximately 20,000 fireworks over the two days of the event. Among the highlights are the “Shosanshakudama” and “Niagara” fireworks. In particular, fireworks launched on the banks of the Shinano River attract spectators with their expanse and power.

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival attracts not only locals but also many tourists from all over the country, making it a crowded event every year. The beautiful scenery that colors the night sky of Nagaoka along with the fireworks gives an unforgettable impression once seen.