Niigata Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

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.

Located nearby the landmark Bandai Bridge, Pia Bandai or ‘Pia’ as pronounced in Japanese is a gourmet lover’s dream. You can find the freshest seafood, local produce, and a dedicated area for Niigata’s most prized product, rice. There are also several cafes and restaurants to have ramen and sushi to name a few, all while immersed in the authentic fisherman’s market environment. Make sure to head out in the morning to catch the lively market in action and don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs while there.

Enjoy a walk through this gorgeous, vintage estate, which was previously owned by the Ito family. Feel the creaking wood under your feet; sit out on the veranda; and lose yourself in the varied colors and sounds of nature.

The Niigata word for “geisha” is “geigi.” Furumachi is one of the most renowned districts in the country, along with Kyotoʼs Gion and Tokyoʼs Shinbashi. Here, the geigi perform a traditional dance and play a game with guests.

Built in 1918 by a wealthy merchant by the name of Kijuro Saito IV as a summer villa for his family, the Old Saito Villa is now a cultural heritage property and revered as one of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Niigata. There are 11 rooms in the house each with their own character and design detail. The gardens were designed with a different aesthetic all around so viewers can enjoy a changing scene when walking from room to room in the house and throughout each season. The home and garden was designed with the concept of unity in mind so that there are no boundaries between inside and outside, creating a harmony.

This historical district shows the stunning architecture of old Niigata. Inside a recreation of the 1910 City Hall, visitors can learn about the history and culture of Niigata and its people through beautifully displayed and interactive exhibits. Visitors can also dine inside another one of this district’s historical buildings or watch ferries and Jetfoils cruising into port on the banks of the Shinano River.