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Featured Destinations Niigata / Sado
Featured Destinations
Niigata / Sado
Days needed: 1-3
Approximately 2 hours from Tokyo to Niigata on the Jōetsu Shinkansen “Toki”
Approximately 2 hours from Tokyo to Jōetsumyōkō on the Hokuriku Shinkansen “Hakutaka”
Bordered by the great Shinanogawa and Agano rivers, Niigata was a key location along the Kitamaebune route, and as such thrived both as a major maritime transportation hub as well as a center of cultural and culinary growth. Niigata is famed for its abundance of seafood provided by the Sea of Japan and for its superb sake, brewed from locally grown rice. The natural beauty of Sado Island, brimming with traditional culture, is around 60 minutes from Niigata Bay on jetfoil. Around two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Niigata is a one-of-a-kind destination.
Shinkansen
Last Updated: December 21, 2022
Travel for less to Niigata by using a pass
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
5 days of unlimited travel for ¥27,000
* Foreigners living in Japan can also purchase a JR EAST PASS!
Recommended Sights
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Sado
- Sado
- Home to a traditional culture, this verdant island on the Sea of Japan is just about 60 minutes from Niigata on the Sado Kisen Jetfoil. At Ogi Port, you can take a ride in “taraibune” tub-shaped wooden fishing boats, which are still used to this day.
Takada Park
- Takada Park
- Takada Castle was built in 1614 for Matsudaira Tadateru, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This park is one of Japan’s three best castles to visit at night and it is certified as a Japan nighttime view heritage site, with cherry blossom viewing held in the spring.
Kiwami Sushi
- Kiwami Sushi
- From tuna to salmon roe to sea urchin, the sushi chef’s discerning eye chooses fresh locally caught fish for the menu each day. If you're looking for the very best seafood that the Sea of Japan offers, then this is the place to be.
Ponshukan
- Ponshukan
- Enjoy Niigata-grown rice and sake at the Ponshukan shops in Niigata Station, Nagaoka Station and Echigo-Yuzawa Station. One highlight is a tasting room where you can sample more than 90 types of sake from Niigata (for a fee).
Niigata Sightseeing Model Course
* The images, maps, and schedules are for reference purposes only. For the latest updates on the services and other information, please refer to the websites of each facility.
Niigata: Visit Mt. Yahiko, the “craft town” of Tsubamesanjō, and the “city of brewing” Settaya 2 Days 1 Night
Visit Yahiko Shrine, a power spot popularly known as “Oyahiko-sama,” and trek Mt. Yahiko, which is an easy climb even for beginners. Spend the night at Yahiko Onsen and on the next day explore Tsubamesanjō, which is known for its metalworking, including kitchenware, and Settaya, the “city of brewing,” with its historic streetscape.
2 Days 1 Night Model Course
First Day
| 8:00 | Depart from Tokyo Station on the Jōetsu Shinkansen (Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes) |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Transfer to the JR Yahiko Line at Tsubamesanjō Station (Travel time: 30-45 minutes) |
| 10:45 | Arrive at Yahiko Station |
| 11:00 |  Stroll around Yahiko Park |
| 12:00 |  Visit Echigo Ichinomiya Yahiko Shrine |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Mt. Yahiko trekking from Omotesando trailhead (Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes) |
| 16:00 | Yahiko Summit Park (Mt. Yahiko Panorama Tower) |
| 16:30 | Take the Mt. Yahiko Ropeway down the mountain (Travel time: 5 minutes) |
 Stay at Yahiko Onsen |
Second Day
| 7:30 | Breakfast at the hotel |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Take a taxi to the Tsubamesanjō area (Travel time: 20 minutes) |
| 9:30 | Find souvenirs at the Tsubamesanjō Regional Products Center |
| Take a taxi (Travel time: 5 minutes) | |
| 10:30 | Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum Tour |
| Take a taxi (Travel time: 10 minutes) | |
| 12:00 | Lunch in the city ( Tsubame fatty ramen) |
| Take a taxi (Travel time: 10 minutes) | |
| 13:30 | Depart from Tsubamesanjō Station on the Jōetsu Shinkansen (Travel time: 10 minutes) |
| Transfer to the JR Shin'etsu Main Line at Nagaoka Station (Travel time: 5 minutes) | |
| 14:00 | Arrive at Miyauchi Station |
| Transfer (Travel time: a 10-minute walk) | |
| 14:30 | City of Brewing  Stroll through the streets of SettayaSettaya 6th Avenue Fermentation Museum Komegura Tour |
| 16:30 | Depart from Miyauchi Station on the JR Shin'etsu Main Line and go to Nagaoka Station (Travel time: 5 minutes) |
Route Map
Niigata: Visit Murakami Senami Onsen and explore Niigata2 Days 1 Night
Stroll through the rustic castle town of Murakami and gaze out from Senami Onsen at a beautiful ocean sunset. The next day, enjoy Niigata’s famed “Kiwami” sushi topped with Nanban shrimp and a special soy sauce. Take in even more of Niigata’s culture by walking around Furumachi, with its remnants of a geisha district, and by going on a sake brewery tour.
2 Days 1 Night Model Course
First Day
| 9:00 | Depart from Tokyo Station on the Jōetsu Shinkansen (Travel time: 2 hours) |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Transfer at Niigata Station to the Inaho limited express train (Travel time: 50 minutes) |
| 12:00 | Arrive at Murakami Station Have Murakami beef for lunch |
| Transfer (Travel time: 5 minutes by taxi or a 20-minute walk) | |
| 13:30 | Anzen Koji (Black Wall Street) Take a walk along charming black-walled streetsOshagiri Kaikan (Murakami History Museum) Tour (Parade float display) |
| Transfer (Travel time: a 15-minute walk) | |
| 15:00 | Iyoboya Kaikan (Salmon Museum) |
| Go to Murakami Station (Travel time: 5 minutes by taxi or a 20-minute walk) | |
| 16:00 | Arrive at Murakami Station and be taken to Senami Onsen (Travel time: 10 minutes) Watch the sun set over the ocean |
| Stay at Senami Onsen |
Second Day
| 8:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
|---|---|
| 10:30 | Depart from Murakami Station on the Inaho limited express train (Travel time: 50 minutes) |
| 11:30 | Arrive at Niigata Station |
| 12:00 | Lunch: Niigata’s famed “Kiwami” sushi platter (At participating restaurants near Niigata Station) |
| Take the Niigata Kotsu route bus to Furumachi (Travel time: 25 minutes) | |
| 13:30 |  Take a walk along Nabejaya Street |
| Transfer (Travel time: 15 minutes by taxi) | |
| 15:00 | A brewery tour, sake tasting, and shopping at Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery |
| Go to Niigata Station (Travel time: a 15-minute walk) | |
| 17:00 | Arrive at Niigata Station |
Route Map
Travel for less to Niigata by using a pass
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
5 days of unlimited travel for ¥27,000
* Foreigners living in Japan can also purchase a JR EAST PASS!
Enjoy the Culture of Japan at a Genuine Hot Spring
A Joshinetsu themed train trip around Niigata
- A train with the most enjoyable ride. Learn more about the KAIRI trains for enjoying food and scenery, the SL Banetsu Monogatari trains for families, the Koshino Shu*Kura trains for enjoying sake, and the Oykot trains where you can experience the Japanese countryside.
KAIRI: Between Niigata and Sakata (Yamagata) Stations
Enjoy Niigata and Shonai cuisine and the beautiful vistas
The KAIRI (“marine village”) train was designed around the concepts of Niigata and Shonai cuisine and the beautiful vistas of the Sea of Japan.
Experience the charms of the region through the foods served aboard the KAIRI.
Enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Sea of Japan and indulge in a luxurious travel experience.
SL Banetsu Monogatari: Between Niitsu (Niigata) and Aizu-Wakamatsu (Fukushima) Stations
Railway of forests, water, and adventure, fun for the whole family
Have fun on the train and enjoy the charm of the Ban-etsu-West Line as you travel.
Koshino Shu*Kura (Niigata: Koshino Shu*Kura: Jōetsumyōkō to Tokamachi, Yuzawa Shu*Kura: Jōetsumyōkō to Echigo Yuzawa, Yuto Shu*Kura: Jōetsumyōkō to Niigata)
The Koshino Shu*Kura was built around the concept of sake, as Niigata Prefecture is the king of locally brewed sakes.
In addition to snacks made with local ingredients, a sake tasting corner is set up where passengers can enjoy five different brands of carefully selected Niigata Prefecture sake at any given time.
Oykot (Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line and Iiyama Line] Nagano: Nagano to Niigata: Tokamachi)
Hometown trip
In addition to enjoying the tranquil countryside scenery from the train windows, passengers can take in [Japan’s Heartland] through various on-board events.
Travel for less to Niigata by using a pass
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
5 days of unlimited travel for ¥27,000
* Foreigners living in Japan can also purchase a JR EAST PASS!