Niigata

Niigata (新潟市 Niigata-shi) is the capital of Niigata prefecture, Japan and the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast.

Understand

Niigata is a harbor city with a population of 810,000 facing the Sea of Japan. It is approximately 250 km directly north of Tokyo, and is connected with Tokyo via the Shinkansen and an expressway. Niigata is a rice-growing region famed for the high quality of its rice and sake.

History

The Port of Niigata was established in the 16th century, and the town prospered. In 1858, when the Japan-U.S.A. Treaty of Amity and Commerce was signed, Niigata was designated as one of five ports in Japan to conduct trade with the outside world. Niigata's international port was subsequently opened in 1868. In 1889, Niigata was incorporated as a city.

Tourist information site

The local tourist association has a multilingual Travel Guide site.

Get in

By train
  • 🌍 Niigata station. Niigata station is the terminus of the Joetsu Shinkansen line to Tokyo, costing ¥10,570 each way. Most trains take a little over 2 hours, but there is one morning run which goes from Tokyo and Ōmiya nonstop in 97 minutes. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Rail Pass. (updated Dec 2022)

The Shinkansen is also a fast and cost-effective way to access Niigata from Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe (5 hours from Osaka and ¥22,310, with a change of trains in Tokyo). The Japan Rail Pass is valid with the exception of Nozomi trains running on the first leg to Tokyo. But your Japan Rail pass is valid on the Hikari and Sakura trains between Osaka and Tokyo

From Kanazawa and Toyama there used to be a one-seat service to Niigata, but this has changed with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The fastest way to travel between these areas is to take the Shinkansen's Hakutaka (はくたか) service to Jōetsu-myōkō (上越妙高), and change to a limited express train called the Shirayuki (しらゆき) which operates five times per day. The journey from Kanazawa using this route takes around 3 hours and costs ¥10,130 each way; from Toyama, 2 hours 45 minutes and ¥9,160. If you use a Japan Rail Pass, a small surcharge of ¥450 will have to be paid for the 10km journey between Jōetsu-myōkō and Naoetsu which operates over non-JR tracks.

Trains to and from the north are fewer and farther between. The most convenient service is the Inaho (いなほ) limited express to Sakata (2 hours, ¥5,270), with about half the journeys continuing to Akita (3½ hours, ¥7,210). Local trains also run up and down the Japan Sea coast, but only run every two hours or so toward the northern part of the prefecture. These trains are routinely subject to weather-related delays and cancellations.

The Moonlight Echigo (ムーンライトえちご) was a seasonal train that ran overnight from Shinjuku to Niigata, mainly during periods when the Seishun 18 Ticket is in effect. None of these trains have run since 2014.

By plane
  • 🌍 Niigata Airport ((新潟空港 Niigata Kūkō, KIJ  IATA). Handles international flights from South Korea (Seoul on Korean Air), China (Shanghai on China Eastern), and Taiwan (Taipei on Tigerair Taiwan). There are also frequent domestic flights from Osaka (Itami and Kansai Airports) (¥25,100 one way), Sapporo (¥28,700 one way), Nagoya (Chubu Airport) and Nagoya Airfield, Fukuoka (¥31,700 one way) and Kobe. (updated Mar 2024)

Shuttle buses run on a regular schedule from the JR Niigata South Exit directly to airport approximately every 30 minutes (25 minutes, ¥400 one way).

By bus

Niigata Kotsu runs highway buses to Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo (5½ hours, ¥5,250 one way), Nagoya (7.5 hours, ¥7,800 one way), Sendai (3½ hours, ¥4,500 one way), and overnight to Osaka and Kyoto (8 hours, ¥8,450 each way), as well as to a number of other cities.

Bandai City Bus Center

Ticket office windows: 08:30-19:00

Tohoku - Sendai, Yamagata, Koriyama, Aizu-Wakamatsu
Kanto - Tokyo, Takasaki, Ōmiya
Chubu - Nagoya, Kanazawa, Nagano, Toyama
Kansai - Osaka, Kyoto

Niigata Station South Exit, Bus Terminal
  • Willer Bus +81 50 5805-0383 - English/Korean M-F 10:00-20:00
Kanto - Tokyo, Yokohama, Tokyo Disney Land
Kansai - Osaka, Kyoto

By boat

Sado Kisen operates frequent services to Ryotsu on Sado Island. Rapid ferries cost ¥5,960 and cover the distance in one hour, while larger car ferries cost ¥2,060 but take 2½ hours.

Shin-Nihonkai Ferry(06-6348-1120) operates a daily service between Otaru and Niigata (18 hours, from ¥6,200). Service is overnight, and private cabins are available for a higher fare (the base fare buys sleeping space on the floor).

Ferries to Vladivostok appear to be discontinued until further notice, but as of 2018 there are still regular services from Toyama.

Get around

Niigata has a bus system that is very good, but also its very easy to walk everywhere, since most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Most major sights in Niigata can be easily accessed by bicycle. Rentals are provided by the city from several locations scattered throughout and rental fees are ¥100 for the first 3 hours and ¥100 for each additional hour. If you plan on keeping the bicycle longer than 4 hours, the trick is to return the bicycle at a nearby rental outlet and check it out again before your first 3 hours are up. In this way, your rental is charged the ¥100 rate each 3 hours. The tourist information office in the Niigata train station can supply you with the necessary maps and show you the closest rental office — about 5 minutes walk. The rental location can also supply you with maps that show you all the rental outlets. ID is needed to rent a bike. Be sure to check the brakes, tire pressure, and how to use the bike lock before you leave the rental outlet.

See
  • 🌍 Minatopia - Niigata City History Museum (みなとぴあ新潟市歴史博物館), 2-10 Yanagishima - Chuo-ku, ☏ +81 25-225-6111, . A museum where you can learn about the history and culture of Niigata. Audio guides available in English, Korean, and Russian. ¥300 adults, ¥200 college or vocational school students, ¥100 elementary, junior high, and high school students. 
  • 🌍 Northern Culture Museum (北方文化博物館), 2-15-25 Somi - Kōnan-ku, ☏ +81 25-385-2001. Apr-Nov 08:00-17:00, Dec-Mar 08:00-16:30. Built as a wealthy family's home in 1885-1887. The museum comprises several buildings, and a few restaurants/cafes. Documents and art collections including paintings and sculptures from former households are on display. It is worth at least a half day visit. ¥800 adult, ¥400 children. 
  • 🌍 Toki Messe Observation Deck (朱鷺メッセ展望室), 6-1 Bandaijima - Chuo-ku, ☏ +81 25-240-1511. Su-Th 08:00-22:00, F 08:00-17:00, last admission 30 minutes before closing. Toki Messe is a modern multi-use convention center. The observation deck on the top floor is a tourist spot where you can observe a panoramic view of Niigata City. Free. 
  • 🌍 The Nakano Residence - Museum of Art Foundation (中野邸美術館), 598 Kanazu - Akiha-ku (from Yashiroda Station (JR Shinnetsu Line): it is approximately 3 minutes by taxi or 15 minutes by foot), ☏ +81 250-25-1000. 09:30-16:00, closed W Dec-Mar Aug. ¥700 adults, ¥500 college or vocational school students, ¥100 elementary, junior high, and high school students. 
  • Tsukioka Carillon Park is a multi-purpose park located next to Tsukioka Hot Springs. The park has a lot to offer for visitors, including the beautiful sound of chimes coming from the Carillon Tower as well as a children’s play area. The Carillon Culture Hall exhibits swords created by National Living Treasure Akitsugu Amata. Visitors can enjoy bathing in hot springs at Houzuki-no-sato Onsen, which is also within the park.
  • 🌍 Bandai Bridge (萬代橋). Built in 1929 at the site of the first bridge to cross the Shinano River, this bridge is a nationally Important Cultural Property. (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Denka Big Swan Stadium (デンカビッグスワンスタジアム). Home of the Albirex Niigata football team. (updated Dec 2022)

Do

Niigata has a wonderful shopping area. The ocean is nearby. There is a beautiful theater, ferry rides on the river, several museums, and in winter you can watch the swans come in.

  • Shinano River Cruise. You can see the scenery of Niigata City from the waterbus that runs along the Shinano River. There is also an open-air deck where passengers can relax and enjoy the view from the river outside. There are three cruises a day. 
  • Round 1 - Niigata (ラウンドワン), 2-1-38 Misakicho Chuo-ku. Indoor amusement center with arcade batting cages, bowling, karaoke, squash, mini golf, etc. 

Buy

Currency exchange

You can exchange foreign currency and sell and buy traveler's checks at airport, big hotels, local bank branches, Japan Post Bank branches and post offices. Some post offices do not provide this service, though, and even if they provide it, the kinds of currency that they can exchange vary between offices.

  • Daishi Bank - Niigata Airport Branch (inside Niigata Airport), ☏ +81 25-270-1243. M-F 09:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00. 
  • Japan Post Bank - Niigata Branch (新潟中央郵便局), 2-6-26 Higashi-Odori - Chuo-ku (5 minutes walk from JR Niigata station Bandai Exit). M-F 09:00-16:00. 
  • Japan Post Bank - Niigata Naka Branch (新潟中郵便局), 7bancho Higashiboridori - Chuo-ku (about 5 minutes by car from JR Niigata station Bandai Exit). M-F 09:00-16:00. 

Eat

Like many areas in Japan, Niigata area is both well known for its rice, and some locals claim it's the best rice in the country. It's known for the following specialties:

  • Uonuma koshihikari rice.
  • Shoyu (soy-sauce) and yofu (western-style) katsudon.
  • Shoyu sekihan.
  • Noppe stew.
  • Wappa-meshi (seafood and rice steamed in a bamboo basket).
  • Sasa-dango (mochi pounded rice balls filled with red bean paste, seasoned with mugwort and wrapped in bamboo leaves).
  • Poppo-yaki (steamed bread flavored with brown sugar).
  • Hegi-soba (soba from the Uonuma and Ojiya areas that uses a special kind of seaweed).
  • Tsubame-sanjo ramen (ramen made using thick udon-style noodles).
  • Tochio aburage (aburaage is called "aburage" in Tochio).
  • Kirazu (dishes using okara (soy pulp)).
  • Kakinomoto (edible chrysanthemums).
  • Kanzuri (a special seasoning from Myōkō made by leaving chili pepper exposed on snow, then adding flour, salt and yuzu).
  • 🌍 Sushi Kappo - Marui (鮨・割烹 丸伊), 1411 Higashiboridori 8 Bancho chuo-ku, ☏ +81 25-228-0101. 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:30. 

Drink

There are hundreds of izakaya and other Japanese bars.

Sleep

Budget
  • Niigata Terminal Hotel (新潟ターミナルホテル), 1-6-31 Hanazono-cho - Chuo-ku, ☏ +81 25-241-7777. Rooms from ¥4515 single, ¥7350 double.. 
  • 🌍 Super Hotel Niigata (スーパーホテル新潟), 1-6-13 Akashi - Chuo-ku (7 minute walk from JR Niigata Station Bandai Exit), ☏ +81 25-247-9000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Free breakfast. Parking ¥800/night with a parking reservation required. ¥5400-¥9000. (updated Dec 2022)
  • Bookinn. (updated Sep 2018)

Mid-range

Splurge
  • 🌍 ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata (ANAクラウンプラザホテル新潟), 5-11-20 Bandai - Chuo-ku (10 minutes walk from JR Niigata station Bandai Exit), ☏ +81 25-245-3333, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. The hotel has a no-pets policy. Parking is ¥1200 per day. Rooms from ¥10972 single, ¥18480 twin, ¥18480 double,¥49500 suite. 
  • Hotel Nikko Niigata (ホテル日航新潟), 5-1 Bandaijima - Chuo-ku (About 10 minutes by car from JR Niigata station Bandai Exit), ☏ +81 25-240-1888. All rooms are on high floors (22nd-29th floor). Rooms from ¥11550 single, ¥18480 twin, ¥18480 double,¥46200 suite. 
  • 🌍 Hotel Okura Niigata (ホテルオークラ新潟), 6-53, Kawabata-cho - Chuo-ku (5 minutes by car from JR Niigata station Bandai Exit), ☏ +81 25-224-6111, . Four-star hotel at the western side of the Bandai Bridge. Rooms from ¥10395 single, ¥23100 twin, ¥28875 double, ¥57750 suite. 
  • 🌍 Iwamuro spa Takashimaya (高志の宿 高島屋), 678 Ko, Iwamuro-onsen, Nishi-Kan-ku, ☏ +81 256-82-2001. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Japanese-style inn. A shuttle is available once daily from JR Tsubame Sanjo Station. From ¥39,900 for 2 with dinner & breakfast. 
  • 🌍 The Italia-Ken(Niigata) (ホテルイタリア軒), 7-1574 Nishibori-dori - Chuo-ku, (About 8 minutes by car from JR Niigata station Bandai Exit), ☏ +81 25-224-5111, . European-style services and cuisine. From ¥12,000 single, ¥18,000 double or twin. 

Connect

Cope

Healthcare centres

Consulates

Go next
Routes through Niigata
END ←  N  S  → Tsubame-Sanjo → Tokyo
END ←  N  S  → Sanjo → Nagano
Akita ← Shibata ←  N  S  → END
END ←  W  E  → Yasuda → Aizu-Wakamatsu → Koriyama
END ←  N  S  → Sanjo-Tsubame → Nagaoka → Toyama
Murakami ← Shibata ←  N  S  → END


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