Niigata Travel Guide

Niigata Prefecture is on the northwest coast of Honshu. It lays in beautiful mountain surroundings on the Echigo Plains and is easily accessible via the Joetsu or Nagano shinkansen (bullet train).

Not many foreign tourists get here but the region is famed for the quality of it's rice and sake. Many Japanese families buy these items from here because of their high quality. The region is also steeped in history and tradition. The 'Snow Country' of Niigata is famous throughout Japan and has inspired countless writers, poets and artists.  If you want a glimpse of rural Japan through the window of an old one-carriage train, this is the place.

Across from Niigata is Sado Island (a former place of exile for outcasts), made famous by the Kodo drummers and the Earth Festival held in Ogi each summer.

Niigata is also famous for it's skiing and onsen (hot springs), particularly around Myokokogen and Yuzawa - which are easily accessible from Tokyo. Famous resorts such as Akakura can be almost deserted on a weekday, with reasonable lift prices.