4-Day Niigata Itinerary: Cuisine, Crafts, and Alpine Escapes in Japan’s Sake Heartland

What Sort of Place Is Niigata?

Niigata Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of central Honshu, roughly 300 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. It borders five prefectures: Yamagata, Fukushima, Gunma, Toyama, and Nagano. Its coastline faces the Sea of Japan, while the inland areas are dominated by mountain ranges, making it a popular destination for skiing, particularly in areas like Myoko and Echigo-Yuzawa.

Alongside skiing, Niigata Prefecture attracts Japanese travelers for its culinary scene, backed by its status as Japan’s largest rice-producing region and the highest number of sake breweries in the country.

In this guide, we cover the best of Niigata Prefecture across four action-packed days, designed around public transportation for travelers without a driver’s license.

Travel Tip: Niigata Prefecture is also home to Sado Island, where you’ll find the Sado Island Gold Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out our feature guide to Sado to learn more!

How to Get to Niigata From Tokyo

With direct access via the shinkansen, traveling from Tokyo to Niigata is easy. From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen straight to Niigata Station. The journey takes about two hours depending on the service. No transfers are needed, so you can sit back and relax. Departing Tokyo around 8 or 9 am gives you plenty of time to enjoy all the highlights in this Niigata itinerary.

Niigata Itinerary Day 1: Niigata City

I recommend kicking off your Niigata itinerary in Niigata City, the prefectural capital and most populous city. Once a thriving port during the Edo Period (1603–1868), it still carries the imprint of its heyday, with a wealth of historical sites and cultural icons that speak to its past.

Getting Around Niigata City

From Niigata Station, exit through the Bandai Exit and go down to the outdoor bus terminal. The Niigata City Loop Bus departs here; the easiest way to get around. You can pay for each ride with an IC card, or buy an unlimited one-day ride ticket. The ticket can be purchased at the Niigata Tourist Information Center in Niigata Station or on your smartphone through the RYDE PASS app. View the Loop Bus timetable and route map below:

Niigata City Loop Bus Timetable
Niigata City Loop Bus Route Map

AM: Hakusan Park

Access: From Niigata Station, take the Loop Bus and get off at Hakusan Park (approx. 13 mins). Or walk 30 mins from Niigata Station.

Leaving the bustle of Niigata Station, the Loop Bus rolls over the stately Bandai Bridge, crossing the broad mouth of the Shinano River into Furumachi, the city’s cultural heart. Soon, the greenery of Hakusan Park comes into view, the perfect place to hop off for a wander. Established in 1873, it was one of Japan’s first designated public parks, created as part of an early push to introduce green spaces during the Meiji period (1868–1912).

Hakusan Park is filled with seasonal color, from plum blossoms in late winter to cherry blossoms in early spring and lotus flowers that blanket the pond in midsummer. Historic buildings are scattered throughout, including the Niigata Prefectural Government Memorial Hall, built in 1883 in an elegant faux Western style, and the Enkikan Tea House, where I often stop for a bowl of matcha in its refined early 20th-century villa setting.

Drawn deeper into the park, you soon arrive at its crowning highlight, Hakusan Shrine. Serving as the guardian shrine of Niigata, Hakusan Shrine became deeply revered during the Edo Period, when cargo ships stopped along the Sea of Japan, attracting sailors and merchants who prayed for safe voyages and prosperous business.

Start by viewing the shrine’s ornate Main Hall, built in 1647 and still standing today. Here, you can purchase quirky omikuji fortune slips, including ones shaped like onigiri rice balls to celebrate Niigata’s rice culture or fish that you “catch” with a small rod. English-language omikuji are also available for international visitors.

The shrine grounds also hide many smaller treasures, so explore with an inquisitive eye. My highlight is the Kukuri Stone, a sacred rock received from the head Hakusan Shrine in Ishikawa, beautifully presented and said to bestow power on those who touch it. Elsewhere, you’ll come across the statue of Tama the Dog, Niigata’s own version of Hachiko; a small shrine dedicated to the deity of teeth; and komainu (lion dog) guardian statues made from Bizen ware, a kind of earthy-toned pottery originating from Okayama. Visitors from late June to mid-July are also in for a treat, with 1,000 glass wind chimes ringing in the summer breeze during the Tanabata Wind Chime Festival.

AM: Saito Villa

Access: Take the Loop Bus from Hakusan Park and get off at the Northern Culture Museum Niigata Branch (approx. 19 mins). Or walk for approx. 20 mins.

Next, continue through Furumachi toward its historic geisha district, where old wooden buildings and long-established restaurants line the streets. Tucked among them is the elegant Saito Villa, built in 1918 as the home of a wealthy merchant.

The Saito Villa faces a natural hill transformed into a lush strolling garden. Pay the admission fee, and then follow the stone stepping path to take in the masterfully sculpted landscape up close. The colors shift starkly with the seasons, from fresh greenery to brilliant crimson maple leaves, which are illuminated during special evening openings from mid to late November.

The villa itself is remarkably well preserved, presenting a modern interpretation of traditional Japanese architecture that reflects Niigata’s prosperity at the beginning of the 20th century. Both the first and second floors feature spacious tatami-matted lounges where you can sit, admire, and photograph the garden at your leisure.

Lunch: Pier Bandai

Access: Take the Loop Bus from the Northern Culture Museum Niigata Branch and get off at Pier Bandai (approx. 14 mins). Or walk for approx. 30 mins.

For those coming from Tokyo, lunch will likely be a high priority at this point. But rather than stopping at one of Furumachi’s many restaurants, I recommend taking the Loop Bus back over the river to save your appetite for Pier Bandai.

Pier Bandai is a seafood and produce market stocked with all kinds of Niigata delicacies, along with a selection of casual restaurants to boot. The most popular is the revolving sushi joint Benkei, popular for its top-quality sushi sourced from Sado Island. Lines can get long at Benkei, so if you’d rather not wait, browse the seafood market for affordable and fresh ready-made bento boxes and tuck into them on the outdoor seating, weather permitting. My other go-to options are filling steak and rice bowls at Hyakuichizen, miso ramen at Shokudo Misa, or a quick bite at Benkei’s standing sushi bar.

PM: Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery

Access: Approx. 25-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Pier Bandai.

Niigata is a paradise for sake lovers, but with dozens of varieties and a brewing tradition stretching back centuries, it can be difficult for even seasoned sake drinkers to know where to start. Thankfully, the historic brewery Imayo Tsukasa has filled that gap, standing out as one of Niigata’s most visitor-friendly breweries.

Imayo Tsukasa runs fun and informative English-language brewery tours on weekdays at 2:00 pm, which must be reserved in advance via their official website. Friendly guides take you deep into the heart of the brewery to observe the sake-making process up close while explaining each stage in detail. A small sake tasting session is also included, making this afternoon tour a worthwhile centerpiece of your Niigata City itinerary.

If you miss the tour (or want to enjoy more sake), Imayo Tsukasa also has well-stocked paid tasting sessions, where you can self-serve more than ten varieties of premium sake. Tasting is the best way to appreciate the subtleties between styles, leaving you with a gentle buzz and profound understanding of the science and artistry behind sake in Niigata. There are plenty of non-alcoholic options as well, including a selection of tasty pick-me-ups like soft serve ice cream blended with sake lees.

Travel Tip: Before visiting Niigata, brush up on the basics of sake with our complete guide to sake.

PM: Nuttari

Access: Approx. 5 to 10-minute walk from Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery.

Surrounding Imayo Tsukasa is the rustic neighborhood of Nuttari. During its peak in the Meiji Period, dozens of breweries producing miso, soy sauce, and sake operated here, earning it the nickname “fermentation town.”

First, continue your foray into fermentation across the road at Minemura Brewery. The striking white-cladded exterior of this century-old miso maker captures the essence of Nuttari’s golden age. Inside, you can sample and purchase a wide variety of natural miso products, including indulgent miso-based desserts. My pick is the baumkuchen, a layered German-style cake infused with miso for a subtle savoury aroma and a softer texture. If you’re keen to learn more, read our in-depth guide to miso.

Next, continue on to Nuttari Terrace, a once-neglected rowhouse now transformed into an offbeat mix of shops, cafes, eateries, and public spaces, largely run by locals working to revitalize the neighborhood. Stop to take photos, then browse handmade accessories, glass ornaments, jewellery, pottery, vintage fashion, and more. I usually stop for a latte at the cozy cafe Amu to Tsumugu or a craft beer at Nuttari Beer, whose brewery sits in a beautiful traditional homestead. The streets are also dotted with quiet temples, offering peaceful corners to wander if time allows.

Travel Tip: Read our feature guide to Nuttari to make sure you find all the best spots!

Dinner in Furumachi

Access: Approx. 10-minute taxi ride, 10-minute bus ride, or 30-minute walk from Niigata Station.

After checking in to your hotel and taking a moment to relax, I highly recommend heading back out to Furumachi to see it come alive after dark. Furumachi is packed with superb restaurants and countless bars, making it ideal for dinner and nightlife.

Begin with a walk down Nabejaya Street, an elegant cobblestone laneway centred around its namesake restaurant, Nabejaya. This sprawling three-storey wooden restaurant has been hosting geigi banquets since 1846 and represents the pinnacle of Furumachi’s storied culture. Eleven other esteemed venues across Furumachi also host geigi dinners, and if you’re very lucky, you may even spot a geigi walking between appointments.

While it may be tempting to slide open the doors and ask for a table, most require reservations, so it’s best to look elsewhere for dinner. Some of my favorites are Niigata’s take on tonkatsu pork at Tonkatsu Taro, fresh seafood delights at Goro, homely dishes in the beautiful old building at Suzuya, or the chilled-out, classic izakaya fare at Kiguchi.

Travel Tip: To those in the know, Niigata geigi are friendly and welcoming. Read our guide to Niigata geigi to learn how to book your own geigi dinner!

Recommended Hotel in Niigata City: HOTEL GLOBAL VIEW Niigata

Niigata Itinerary Day 2: Yahiko

Day 2 of our Niigata itinerary is a day trip to the mountainside village of Yahiko, home of the venerable Yahiko Shrine. Easily reached by train, it makes for a fantastic introduction to Niigata’s rural side without the need for a car.

AM: Tojiro Open Factory

Access: From Niigata Station, take the Echigo Line train (bound for Yoshida) and get off at Yoshida Station (approx. 1 hr). From Yoshida Station, walk approx. 15 minutes to the Tojiro Open Factory.

Before heading to Yahiko, I recommend a short detour from Yoshida Station to witness the world-renowned metalworking culture of the Tsubame-Sanjo region. Here you’ll find Tojiro, one of Japan’s premier knife brands, producing an extensive range of blades for both professional kitchens and everyday home cooks. As the name suggests, Tojiro’s Open Factory welcomes visitors to observe every stage of production on a free self-guided tour.

Start on the factory floor, where assembly-line workers use cutting-edge machinery to fashion the brand’s more accessible knives. Continue to the Knife Atelier, where an expert blacksmith hammers glowing steel at an open furnace using time-honoured techniques. This is where Tojiro’s premium blades take shape, each forged from start to finish by a single artisan whose precision and control are nothing short of mesmerizing.

The tour concludes at the gallery shop, where Tojiro’s vast collection of knives covering every culinary use are on display. Even if you’re not planning to buy one, it is worth admiring the level of detail in the high-end models. Some feature striking blades made from swirling Damascus steel, while others are fitted with hand-carved wooden lacquer handles. If you do decide to purchase a made-in-Niigata knife here, be sure to ask about having your name engraved.

AM: Yahiko Park

Access: Walk 15 minutes back to Yoshida Station, then take the JR Yahiko Line (bound for Yahiko) to Yahiko Station (approx. 8 mins). Yahiko Park is right next to the station.

After arriving in Yahiko, begin the walk to Yahiko Shrine with a detour through the forested slopes of Yahiko Park. The park is best known for the Maple Valley, which blazes a brilliant crimson in November, glowing against the dark autumn sky during evening illuminations.

Yahiko Park is also a prime cherry blossom spot. The classic Somei-yoshino trees typically peak from early to mid-April and are best viewed along the path facing Yahiko Omotenashi Plaza. Later in the month, the lesser-known but equally striking yaezakura bloom, bringing a second wave of color.

Even outside the peak seasonal beauty, the expansive 100,000 m² grounds are threaded with scenic walking trails. If time allows, follow them deeper into the park for a quiet moment of forest bathing. Highlights along the way include a 55-meter-long tunnel built over 100 years ago, as well as a playground for families with children and hills that overlook the township below.

Lunch: Yahiko Omotenashi Plaza

Access: 1-minute walk from Yahiko Park.

After exiting Yahiko Park, cross the street to the Yahiko Omotenashi Plaza, an outdoor shopping complex where a cluster of casual eateries makes for an easy lunch stop.

For affordable seafood donburi, head into the food hall and look for Nagomiya. If you are in the mood for noodles, Usagiya serves comforting bowls of ramen and udon next door. Dessert options are just as varied, with confectioners selling traditional sweets such as mochi and dango alongside trendy bites like fruit sandos, crepes, strawberry daifuku, and the adorable “panda-yaki” at Bunsuido Kashiho across the street.

After eating, take a moment to relax in the plaza’s free outdoor footbath, filled with Yahiko’s natural hot spring water. My tip: bring a small hand towel to dry off afterwards. The mildly alkaline waters are gentle and warm, suitable even for sensitive skin. For day-trippers, it’s an easy way to enjoy Yahiko’s onsen culture without staying overnight.

PM: Yahiko Shrine

Access: Approx. 10-minute walk from Yahiko Omotenashi Plaza.

After fueling up, it’s time to visit the crowning jewel of Yahiko: the esteemed Yahiko Shrine. Rather than following the road the entire way, which lacks footpaths and requires care around traffic, I suggest taking a shortcut past the Giant Ginkgo Tree, whose golden foliage adds another layer of autumn beauty. Continue on past Kamisuwa Shrine, home to an enormous Japanese zelkova tree said to be around 1,000 years old.

You will soon emerge at the shrine approach, lined with hot spring inns and stylish souvenir shops. Cross the street at the Yahiko Shrine First Torii Gate and you’ll be in the inner shrine grounds. Here, towering trunks and dense foliage form a natural sanctuary from the bustle of the town outside, immediately instilling a sense of calm.

The history of Yahiko Shrine runs deep. Tradition traces its origins back over 2,400 years, while the earliest historical records appear in 833. It is also mentioned in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest surviving anthology of poetry.

Soon after entering, you pass the Tamanohashi Gate, a steeply curved vermilion bridge straddling a narrow stream. It is not intended for human crossing, serving instead as a symbolic passage for the shrine’s deities. Despite its modest size, it is one of the most dazzling features on the grounds.

Continue onward to the heart of Yahiko Shrine: the Main Hall. Built in 1915 after the previous structure burned down, this grand wooden building sits in quiet harmony with Mt. Yahiko rising behind it. Its balanced symmetry, framed by ancient trees, is especially striking when viewed from the Zuishinmon Gate in front.

After taking in the Main Hall, spend time wandering the network of cobblestone paths that weave through the grounds. My personal highlights are the row of wooden auxiliary shrines near the Zuishinmon Gate, as well as the Japanese archery range, outdoor sumo ring, deer park and native Japanese chicken enclosure, and the Fireball Stones, said to reveal one’s fortune depending on how heavy they feel.

PM: Mt. Yahiko

Access: Approx. 18-minute walk from Yahiko Shrine to the Yahiko Ropeway Station.

If you have time before it gets dark, there’s no better way to wrap up than with a panoramic view from the summit of Mt. Yahiko. A cable car station sits not far from the shrine and will whisk you up the steep, forested mountainside in just five minutes, letting you enjoy the scenery without the hike.

Mt. Yahiko stands 634 meters tall, the same height as Tokyo Skytree. From the summit, broad patchworks of rice fields stretch across the Echigo Plain toward distant mountain ranges. On clear days, you can also look out in the opposite direction and spot Sado Island on the horizon. To wrap up, if you still have energy, a 15-minute walk along the ridgeline leads to Goshinbyo, a modest but scenic shrine where Yahiko’s main deity is enshrined.

Be sure to check the cable car timetable in advance, as missing the final departure means hiking down in the dark. If you do have daylight to spare, the trail makes for a rewarding descent. The path is steep but well maintained, with plenty of open viewpoints along the way. The climb takes around 90 minutes, and the descent around 50 minutes, making it manageable for active travelers. There is also a casual restaurant at the summit, so you only need to carry water.

Niigata Itinerary Day 3: Murakami

Day 3 of our Niigata itinerary again utilizes rural train lines for an action-packed day trip into the countryside. This time, you head up the coast to the old castle town of Murakami, celebrated for its salmon food culture and known as Japan’s northernmost tea brewing region.

AM: Sennensake Kikkawa

Access: From Niigata Station, take the Limited Express Inaho train and get off at Murakami Station (approx. 46 mins). You can also take the local train on the JR Hakushin Line, which will take about 1 hour and 13 minutes. Then walk approx. 25-minute walk from Murakami Station.

After arriving in Murakami, make a beeline for Sennensake Kikkawa, where around 1,000 salted salmon hang from the ceiling to dry and ferment. This surreal display captures the food culture of Murakami, aptly nicknamed the “City of Salmon.” Salmon have long swam up the Miomote River, forming a lifeline for the locals, who developed one of the world’s earliest methods of artificial propagation of salmon to secure food during harsh seasons.

Salmon continue to be caught in Murakami during the height of autumn using age-old methods, where fishermen stretch nets between small wooden boats to trap them swimming upstream. These fish become the centerpiece of a wide range of local dishes, the most famous being shiobiki salmon, where they are rubbed with natural salt and left to dry and mature in the open air, as seen at Sennensake Kikkawa. Originally a preservation technique, it is still used today for the delicious umami flavor that develops through aging.

You can not only observe the salmon, but also purchase it along with a variety of salmon dishes and products. Many have tasting samples, so try a few and see what stands out. Some require refrigeration and may not be suitable for travellers, but others can be kept at room temperature. For this, I recommend sake-bitashi - jerky-like strips of dried salmon, usually soaked in sake before eating, but just as tasty as-is.

Lunch: Sennensake Izutsuya

Access: Approx. 3-minute walk from Sennensake Kikkawa.

For lunch, continue up the street to Sennensake Izutsuya, Kikkawa’s own restaurant. There are said to be 100 salmon dishes in Murakami, making use of every part of the fish, and a wide selection of them can be found here. Izutsuya also prides itself on all-natural ingredients, allowing intrinsic flavours to shine with no additives or extracts.

To sample a full range of salmon dishes, opt for the “Sake Ryori Happin” (Eight-Dish Salmon). Along with fermented staples like shiobiki and sake-bitashi, you’ll be able to dig into fresh salmon sushi, roasted salmon glazed with a signature soy-sauce marinade, and salmon roe soaked in miso. In the mix are also more “adventurous” delicacies, including fish head stew and milt (sperm sacs). By the end of the meal, you’ll have tasted just about every part of the fish, leaving you with a full appreciation for Murakami’s culinary prowess.

Like Kikkawa, the building is steeped in history. Originally a lodging house, it is best known for hosting Matsuo Basho (1644–1694), one of Japan’s most famous haiku poets, during his journey along the Oku no Hosomichi.

Travel Tip: Izutsuya is very popular, so I recommend making a reservation by phone if you have access to a Japanese speaker. Otherwise, you will likely need to write your name, number of people, and preferred menu item on the sign-up sheet placed outside the shop, then wait to be called.

PM: Black Wall Street

Access: Approx. 1-minute walk from Sennensake Izutsuya.

After satisfying your inner foodie, scratch the explorer itch in Murakami’s laneways. Black Wall Street, also called Anzenji Lane, named after the temple at its center, is an atmospheric, narrow laneway lined by timeworn blackened walls made of charred Japanese cedar, known as “yakisugi.”

Even in relatively tourist-free Murakami, Black Wall Street is like a hidden pocket. Alongside its striking black walls, the lane passes by the serene grounds of Anzenji Temple, founded in 1655, as well as a wealth of solemn age-old architecture, from traditional mansions to long-established restaurants such as Shintaku and Yoshigen. Each time I wander here, I sense a subtle but unmistakable depth of history beneath its sleepy surface, bringing the past vividly into picture.

PM: Kokonoeen Tea Store

Access: Approx. 5-minute walk from Black Wall Street.

At the end of Black Wall Street, you’ll emerge onto a main road. Here sits the Kokonoeen Tea Store, a prestigious family-run business closely tied to the history of Murakami tea. Kokonoeen grows its own tea from bushes over 100 years old and manages everything from production to sales. The shop’s striking 250-year-old building is layered with antiques that reflect local history, including samurai swords and spears, and the friendly staff are often happy to give visitors a brief tour.

While tea cultivation typically favours warmer climates, Murakami’s heavy snowfall helps insulate the plants over winter, while limited sunlight slows the development of tannins, resulting in a brew that is naturally sweeter and less astringent.

Along with picking up some of Kokonoeen’s tea to take home, which runs from luxury brews to more affordable options, I tend to linger for a while in the back cafe. Here, you can indulge in matcha, sencha, or hojicha paired with a seasonal sweet, all while watching cats drift in and out of the back garden.

Travel Tip: To explore even more of Murakami’s tea culture, I also recommend visiting Fujimien, another local tea producer just a 10-minute walk away. Be sure to also brush up on your knowledge of Japanese tea!

PM: Murakami Castle Ruins

Access: Approx. 15-minute walk from Kokonoeen to the Murakami Castle Climb Entrance.

Before leaving, I like to wrap up my visit to Murakami with a brisk 20-minute jaunt up Mt. Gagyu to the ruins of Murakami Castle.

While the exact origins of Murakami Castle remain unclear, it is believed to date back to the early 16th century and played a role in several conflicts during the Sengoku Period (1467–1600). The castle was fully developed in the Edo Period, becoming the center of northern Echigo Province (modern-day Niigata), before being dismantled during Japan’s modernization in the Meiji Period.

Today, the forested mountaintop is crisscrossed with a neat network of weathered stone walls that once formed its foundations. From here, you can bask in sweeping views across the entirety of Murakami, stretching out to the seaside hot spring town of Senami Onsen. On clear days, you’ll even be able to spot the tiny Awashima Island, Niigata Prefecture’s other offshore island.

Niigata Itinerary Day 4: Echigo-Yuzawa

The final day of our Niigata itinerary is a stopover on the return to Tokyo in the mountain village of Echigo-Yuzawa. Best known as a ski resort, often cited as Japan’s most convenient thanks to winter-only bullet train access, it is also worth visiting outside the ski season for its nature-rich peaks, healing hot springs, and another round of superb sake.

Access to Echigo-Yuzawa: From Niigata Station, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen (bound for Tokyo) and get off at Echigo-Yuzawa Station (approx. 45 mins).

AM: Ponshukan

Access: Inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

After hopping off the bullet train at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, it’s worth lingering a little longer before venturing out to the mountains. At the back of the station you’ll find Ponshukan, where the best of Niigata’s sake is gathered alongside local foods, snacks, condiments, and more.

For sake lovers like me, Ponshukan’s Kikizake Bansho is the closest thing to heaven. For 500 yen, you receive five coins to sample five cups of sake from a massive lineup encompassing the breweries of Niigata, cleverly dispensed through automated vending machines. Alongside popular labels and lesser-known bottles, the range includes seasonal releases, premium varieties (often requiring more than one coin), and even wine.

Once you’ve found a sake you like, you can track it down in the shop, which regularly stocks over 200 brands, including sake, wine, shochu, umeshu, and craft beer, all from Niigata. Beyond that, browse shelves packed with soy sauce, miso, snacks, and other made-in-Niigata goods. I’m a fan of Ponshukan’s original brownies, blended with sake for a subtle bitterness against rich chocolate, along with tarts made with smooth, tangy cream cheese from Sado Island.

Making use of Echigo-Yuzawa’s hot springs, Ponshukan even has its own onsen. Enhancing the geothermal water’s natural properties is (you guessed it) sake, which is poured straight into the baths to infuse a subtle, pleasant aroma while also said to help blood flow. A quick bath here makes for an invigorating start to the day, and a great story to take home with you.

Lunch: Kojimaya

Access: Inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

For lunch, continue hanging around Echigo-Yuzawa Station for a hearty meal at Kojimaya. Part of a well-known local chain with locations across Niigata, Kojimaya is one of the best places to try hegisoba, another regional specialty.

Hegisoba is Niigata’s own style of soba, a buckwheat noodle common throughout Japan. Setting it apart from regular soba, the noodles are neatly bundled in rows on a wooden tray called a hegi, and take on a soft green tint from funori, a type of seaweed serving as a natural binding agent. Originally used in the region’s textile industry as glue, funori gives the noodles a springy texture that, combined with their tidy arrangement, makes them easy to pick up and eat.

PM: Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

Access: Approx. 12-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to the ropeway station.

After a morning of good sake and grub, it’s finally time to drift closer to the mountains. The Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway carries you on a calm seven-minute ascent, rising 500 metres above the slopes of Echigo-Yuzawa. In winter it’s packed with skiers and snowboarders, but in the green season the ride is a relaxed way to take in the surrounding peaks.

The cable cars are among the largest in the world, holding up to 166 passengers each. From the summit, you’re met with a sweeping vista of Mount Tanigawa, the Echigo-Sanzan Mountains, and the Uonuma Plain, stitched together with rice fields and small villages. In warmer months, I take it in from the open deck at Kumo Cafe, coffee in hand, feet dangling in the hot spring footbath. For something more energetic, there’s also a summer bobsled, mountain go-kart, and forest zipline.

After studying the view, walk through the Yuzawa Kogen Alpine Botanical Garden, where rare alpine plants and seasonal blooms are spread across ponds, forest paths, and a rock garden built from stone excavated during construction of the bullet train line. Short trekking routes branch deeper into the mountainside, offering an easy way to step into the surrounding wilderness.

PM: Shirataki Sake Brewery

Access: Approx. 15-minute walk from the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway mountainbase station.

While our Niigata itinerary already includes plenty of sake, you’d be remiss not to visit Shirataki Sake Brewery. Another of Niigata’s major producers, Shirataki’s swanky Shop & Taproom Flow, opened in 2025, has become one of Japan’s freshest ways to indulge in the appeal of sake.

Here, you can get stuck into Shirataki’s extensive brews at the taproom, with tasting sets, single pours, or full glasses for different levels of commitment. For those not drinking, there’s also a coffee stand, as well as a tap where you can freely fill your bottle with natural spring water, the same used to brew sake.

Perhaps most unique of all is Shirataki’s Lab and Lounge, who hold sake blending workshops in English (online booking required). I’ve visited countless breweries across Japan, and this is the first time I’ve come across an experience like this. The session begins with a tasting session to learn the flavor profiles, then onto the blending, where you’ll mix sake tailored to your own palate. To finish, label your original brew with a kanji character that captures its essence, brushing the label yourself using traditional calligraphy techniques.

Book the Sake Blending Experience Here:
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Where to Go After Niigata

For travelers with extra time, I recommend extending your stay in Niigata by hopping off the bullet train at Nagaoka, home to the historic fermentation district of Settaya. Or, from Niigata City, take the limited express Shirayuki to Joetsu, where the enormous grounds of Joetsu Castle become one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots in spring. From there, continue on to Myoko Kogen, one of the country’s top ski destinations, or head to Itoigawa, a coastal town famous for its natural jade, where visitors can search for pieces along the shore.

Beyond Niigata, you can also easily transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Joetsumyoko Station and continue toward Kanazawa, where well-known highlights sit alongside quieter, lesser-visited corners. Alternatively, take local trains toward Fukushima from Niigata Station and explore historical destinations like Aizu-Wakamatsu and Ouchi-juku. Or, for a more adventurous route, continue on the limited express Inaho past Murakami into Yamagata, stopping in Tsuruoka and Sakata, before continuing north into Akita, one of Japan’s most rural regions.

Top image: PIXTA