Introduction to Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture is the pride of Japan and is famous for its rice. The rice is a variety called “Koshihikari,” which has a luster and sweetness so delicious that once you try it, you will not be able to eat any other rice. In addition to food, Niigata is also an attractive place for sightseeing. Please come and visit Niigata Prefecture, which has many attractions throughout the year, such as the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in summer, with tens of thousands of sparkling fireworks in the night sky; the art of terraced rice fields in autumn; Sado Island, famous for its seasonal seafood and gold mines; and fine slopes shining in silvery white in winter.
Geographic location
Niigata Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan, bordering Yamagata Prefecture to the north, Fukushima Prefecture to the east, Nagano Prefecture to the south, and Toyama Prefecture to the west. Facing the Sea of Japan, it has a long coastline and some remote islands such as Sado Island.
History & culture
Niigata Prefecture has long flourished as a port town, where fresh seafood is abundant, and the inland climate is ideal for rice cultivation, making rice very tasty and resulting in delicious sushi and seafood bowls. In addition, the prefecture has heavy snowfall, so skiing and snowboarding are popular in winter.
- Snow Country Culture: A culture unique to areas with heavy snowfall has taken root, and various events that take advantage of the snow, such as snow lanterns and snowmen, are held in the area.
- Rice Producers: Good quality rice called Koshihikari is produced here, and there are many gourmet foods made from rice, such as Japanese sake and rice crackers.
- Port Town Culture: Some towns have long flourished as port towns, such as Niigata Port and Naoetsu Port, where you can enjoy sushi made with fresh seafood.
- Sado Gold Mine: This World Heritage-listed gold mine has a history of more than 400 years and is one of the leading gold mines in Japan.
Tourist attraction
Niigata Prefecture has many tourist attractions.
Yahiko Shrine
The shrine is known as the best shrine in Echigo and has a solemn atmosphere with a sense of history and tradition. There is a ropeway nearby that will take you to the top of Mt.
Naeba Ski Resort
It is one of the best ski resorts in Japan, and its snow quality and abundance of courses are attractive.
Niigata City Aquarium Marinpia Nihonkai
The aquarium exhibits creatures from the Sea of Japan and is popular for its dolphin shows and penguin walks.
Echigo Sake Museum Ponshukan
This souvenir shop is located inside JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station and is very popular among tourists because it has a spot where visitors can drink five glasses of sake for 500 yen. The shop offers a variety of Japan’s world-class SAKE, allowing visitors to have an authentic sake experience.
Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel
Kiyotsukyo Gorge is a grand canyon known as one of the three grand canyons in Japan and is designated as a national scenic beauty and natural monument. In the past, the promenade through this beautiful gorge was destroyed by avalanches and landslides, but due to strong demand from visitors, a tunnel was constructed to allow visitors to enjoy the scenery more safely, which has continued to this day. In addition, during the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the Chinese architectural group “Ma Yansong/MAD Architects” renovated the tunnel as a work of art, and it has now been reborn as a photogenic spot. The tunnel is a popular sightseeing spot, with some visitors coming here for the tunnel.
Sado Island
It is a remote island in Niigata Prefecture. The island is a place where visitors can enjoy nature and culture, including the World Heritage Site of Sado Gold Mine and the return of the Japanese crested ibis to the wild. Sado Island is also a popular fishing spot, attracting fishing enthusiasts from all over Japan. The Sado Island Triathlon, also known as the Ironman Race, is also famous.
Food culture
Niigata Prefecture’s culinary culture is characterized by dishes that make the most of marine products and rice.
Niigata Koshihikari
Niigata is known for its delicious rice, and fresh sushi and rice balls can be enjoyed.
Hegisoba
Nuno-nori seaweed is used as a binder to give this soba a smooth and silky texture. The soba is boiled in Niigata Prefecture’s kinky, chilled snow melt water, which cools the soba and gives it its firmness, making it the best it can be. Although hegisoba itself is available in Tokyo, the hegisoba served in Niigata Prefecture tastes much different because the water is of the highest quality.
Nodoguro
Toyama Prefecture is famous for nodoguro, but the best nodoguro is also caught in Niigata, a neighboring prefecture of Toyama. It is best when served with sushi.
Local sake
Made with high-quality rice and water, Niigata Prefecture’s sake is famous throughout Japan. There are many sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture that produce sake.
Tsubame-Sanjo Ramen
This ramen originated in Tsubame-Sanjo and features a soup with back fat and dried sardines and thick noodles. Tsubame City is famous for its metal industry, and since the early Showa period (1926-1989), the manufacture of western-style metal tableware has been very active, with craftsmen working late into the night. A ramen shop near the factory, thinking of the craftsmen, invented ramen that was easy on the stomach and did not get cold easily, and this is how it has come to be today. The soy sauce, seafood flavor, and back fat are a perfect match, making this ramen a stamina-boosting dish.
Activities
Many activities can be enjoyed in Niigata Prefecture.
Skiing, snow hoding and hot springs
Niigata Prefecture is known for its heavy snowfall and has many slopes. In winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at ski resorts and relax in hot springs. During the off-season, there are also several ski resorts that take advantage of the vast slopes to open go-karts and swimming pools.
Recommended slopes in Niigata Prefecture
- Naeba Ski Resort
- Joetsu International Ski Area
- Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort
- Maiko Ski Resort
- Arai snow Resort
- Akakura Onsen Ski Resort
Hegi-Soba noodle making experience
You can make your own soba (buckwheat noodles) with a smooth texture using nunonori seaweed as the binder. Soba making is very deep, and learning it in Japan is recommended so that you can have it in your home country as well.
Sake brewery tour
You can sample Niigata Prefecture’s locally brewed sake, made with high-quality rice and water, at the brewery.
Sightseeing on Sado Island
The island offers a variety of natural and cultural attractions, including the Sado Gold Mine, a World Heritage site, and the return of the crested ibis to the wild.
Rice Planting Experience
You can experience planting Koshihikari rice, a world-class, delicious rice. This may be a good opportunity to learn from the rice cultivation method and bring it back to your own country.
Seasonal Recommendations
Niigata Prefecture offers a variety of seasonal attractions.
Spring
- Cherry blossom viewing: Cherry blossom scenery can be enjoyed in Niigata City, Sado Island, and other locations in the prefecture.
- Strawberry picking: Niigata Prefecture produces a large amount of strawberries, and visitors can enjoy picking sweet and sour strawberries in spring.
Summer
- Sea bathing: You can enjoy sea bathing on the shores of the Sea of Japan, including Sado Island and Kashiwazaki.
- Mountaineering: There are many mountains where mountain climbing can be enjoyed, such as Mount Myoko and Hakkai.
Autumn
- Autumn Foliage Viewing: Visitors can enjoy the scenery of autumn foliage at Yahiko Shrine, Sado Island, and other places in the prefecture.
- Mushroom picking: Visitors can enjoy picking a variety of mushrooms, including matsutake and shimeji mushrooms.
Winter
- Winter Sports: There are some of the best ski resorts in Japan, including Naeba Ski Resort, Joetsu International Ski Resort, Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort, and Maiko Ski Resort.
- Tsunan Snow Festival: Lanterns made of snow create a fantastic atmosphere at this winter festival.
Local Culture
Niigata’s culture is expressed in local festivals, traditional crafts, and the art scene.
Festival
- Niigata Festival: Held every August, this is the largest festival in Niigata City.
- Sado Island Onidaiko: This is a traditional performing art of Sado Island, and the sound of drums echoes with the bravery of the performers. Oni visit each house in the village one by one.
Transportation
Access to Niigata Prefecture from Tokyo is by plane, bullet train, train, or highway bus.
Airplane
It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get from Haneda Airport to Niigata Airport, but this is not a very common mode of transportation.
Shinkansen
It takes about 2 hours 00 minutes from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen Line. This is the most common means of transportation.
Express Bus
Express buses to Niigata Prefecture are available from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, and Ikebukuro Station. The trip takes about 5 to 7 hours, but it is the cheapest means of transportation.
Because it is inexpensive, it is a popular mode of transportation for people going skiing or snowboarding, especially during the winter months.
Lastly
Niigata is a charming prefecture in Japan where nature and history are in harmony. Beautiful seasonal scenery, delicious cuisine, and historical sites provide an enjoyable experience for visitors to Japan. If you are considering a trip to Niigata, visit the Niigata Tourism Association website for more information and to make great travel plans.