The 9 Best Cultural Tours in Niigata Prefecture, Chubu

We will take you to 3 different types of Japanese Pubs in Flower streets area You can enjoy wonderful Niigata food and local sake (beer, cocktails, non-alcohol, etc) Experience Furumachi Flower Street’s night views and charming small alleys where you can see traditional Japanese houses and restaurants. If you’re lucky, you may even come across one of Furumachi’s Geishas. Children can also participate.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Additional food / drinks

With this private tour, you can see efficiently Niigata and have a deeper understanding in one day. A team will suggest the best itinerary based on your interests, our recommendable and favorite place. Located in the Japan Sea side, is famous for the quality of its rice, and therefore also its sake (with top quality rice being a primary ingredient), also a great place to sample fresh fish and seafood from the Japan Sea. There are sights such as Hakusan Shrine and Gardens,  Bandai Bridge across the Shinano river and the street markets in the old Furumachi district. Take in the view of Niigata and its surrounding countryside from the observation decks of either the MEDIA SHIP building in Bandai or the Toki Messe convention centre near Niigata port. On a clear day you can see as far as Sado island. There are also plenty of onsen (hot-spring) towns dotted through the mountains, perfect for a relaxing soak!

Inclusions: Professional local guide, Hotel pickup

Exclusions: Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself and your guide), Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Other personal expenses

Trekking in an area that looks like a painting of the “real” Japan; experiencing the rich history, culture and beautiful scenery of this area. 1. The old samurai road The trekking route from village to village runs along portions of the Kodo Matsunoyama Kaido (the old Matsunoyama Road). Walking along these trails, you feel the history: the farmers who worked and lived here, the merchants carrying goods, the trails that were the roads, often to battle, for the local warlord’s troops. Also, you will see the most beautiful and historic rice terraces in all of Japan. 2. Experienced, dedicated guides This is a private tour, with a dedicated, local guide who can lead guests along the trails with explanations in English. Only on this tour will you be led to places that ordinary visitors could not access. 3. Interact with locals Apart from the trekking, you will have a chance to visit some local farmers or locals who live nearby villages.

Inclusions: Local traditional sweets and coffee or tea.

Exclusions: Outdoor clothes for walking, comfortable shoes, rain gear (for light rain), water, towel & backpack

【SCHEDULE】 JR Nagaoka St→Transferring by Taxi→Arrival at the shrine→purification ceremony→wear clothes of Shinto priest or shrine maiden→commemorative photos→change clothes→Transferring by Taxi→lunch・taste and compare sake→Transferring by Taxi→visit the fish farm of Nishikigoi→the tour ends 【OUTLINE】This plan enables you to visit a Shinto shrine and experience traditional Japanese food, clothing, and housing. You will be dressed in the traditional costume of Shinto priest or shrine maiden who are engaged in Japanese shrines, and take commemorative photos. First, you will experience the purification ceremony at 1300-year-old Kinpu Shrine and take commemorative photos Then you will go to Kamogawakan, a popular Japanese restaurant in Nagaoka, and enjoy a rich Japanese cuisine prepared with brewing fermentation featuring the local high-quality blackthroat seaperch . Lastly, you will visit the fish farm of Nishikigoi, colored carp. Appreciate how vividly and elegantly they swim!

Inclusions: Experience fee

Exclusions: Taxi fare (approx. 3,000 to 4,000 yen/person) at the destination

This 6-hour Private Niigata Artistry Tour with tour guide and private vehicle will visit the scenic Tsubame City which is known for its beautiful rice terraces and famous for being the birth place to the artistry and craftsmanship of many specialized techniques in silverware, knives, and more. Get some hands-on experience learning from masters in the craft and enjoy the atmosphere of a small town in the countryside of Japan. The tour will begin at 10:30 AM at Tsubame-Sanjo Station in Tsubame City of Niigata (for guests coming from Tokyo, take the 8:24 AM train at Tokyo Station to arrive just in time to start the tour). The tour guide will be waiting at the station upon your arrival (we will have a designated location for guests to meet). Alternatively, guests can stay overnight at Yahiko Resort (available as an add-on at checkout) and the driver will pick you up at the hotel in the morning.

Inclusions: Transportation costs (private vehicle) within Tsubame City only, English-speaking tour guide, Small handicraft souvenir, Photo opportunities and more

Exclusions: Meals, food and drinks, Lunch (options are local ramen or kamameshi (kettle rice with other ingredients and you can choose), Costs for lunch will usually range from 1000 to 1500 JPY per person for the meal., Bullet train to and from Tokyo (can be booked as an add-on at checkout), Other fees not included in the tour

This private and customizable tour for Niigata is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

Inclusions: 8-hour fully customized tour with reservations and bookings made on your behalf., Transportation within the city only (either public transportation or private vehicle..), English-speaking professional tour guide (or other language may be available based on request), Hotel pickup and drop-off (if the hotel is within city center)

Exclusions: Meals, food and drinks not specified, Fees for optional tours and activities for guests and tour guide, Gratuities (optional)

This private and customizable tour for Niigata is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

Inclusions: 8-hour fully customized tour with reservations and bookings made on your behalf , Transportation within the city only (either public transportation or private vehicle..), English-speaking professional tour guide (or other language may be available based on request), Hotel pickup and drop-off (if the hotel is within city center)

Exclusions: Meals, food and drinks not specified, Fees for optional tours and activities for guests and tour guide, Gratuities (optional)

This tour is flexible so feel free to tell us your preferences and interests! In this guided tour, you'll be cycling in Southern Sado island. In this leisurely 10km round trip between Ogi and Shukunegi, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Japanese countryside, stunning view of the jagged coast, its history and even Tub Boat ride! You will meet up with the guide at Ogi Minato Park. After a briefing and setting of your bikes, let's start the ride! Shukunegi once flourished as a village of shipowners and shipbuilders in Edo and Meiji Era (17-19 Century). The village is designated as "National Important Preservation Area for Traditional Buildings and Architecture" and the atmosphere of the old days Japan still remains. In front of this village, a beautiful landscape of the clear seawater and the rugged volcanic rocks spreads. Let's take a walk on this black lava rock terrace and enjoy the "Mars-like" scenery. And of course you can try Tub Boat (Taraibune or Hangiri in Japanese) ride in Shukunegi. This is the only place where you can try the tub boats which were built in the traditional way. The boats are made of bamboos and cedar timbers using no nails. Now only a few persons can build tub boats in this traditional way. Also there are some cafes in the village so sit back and relax to feel the slowly passing time. After Shukunegi, we will come back to Ogi stopping by some interesting points. There is a Onsen (hot spa) in Ogi so you can finish the tour there and refresh yourself! (closed on Wednesday)

Inclusions: Use of bicycle, Helmet rental, Guide fee

Exclusions: Entrance fee

In the 1800s, Niigata thrived as a port city. Ships from Russia, China, England, and all over the world came here to trade. Niigata citizens led lucrative lives making their living by shipping cargo and selling local products (mainly agricultural). The city was flooded with sailors from all over the world, allowing Niigata to blend and change with their influence. Join us on a historical walking tour through the old port town Niigata, where we will explore the unique harmony of Western and Japanese cultures that developed in Niigata in the 1800s.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Bottled water, Masks