Things to do in Niigata Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Tours

Half day course on making local delicacies that have been passed down for generations taught by local 'moms'. Tokamachi's local dishes consist of many types of mountain vegetables. You will be taught local household dishes that are not served in eateries. You will also be provided with the recipe so that you may try it back home as well. The menu will roughly consist of 3 dishes, staple food and soup. As for the specific dishes, it will be a surprise for the day!

Inclusions: Lunch, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Tour escort/host

Exclusions: Gratuities

Experienced, international instructors who have spent many years perfecting their teaching and who love to share their passion for snow sports. Amazing mountain views. Fun in the snow of the Japanese mountains - fresh air and great views.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Lunch, Ski equipment, and ski wear, Lift Ticket

Experienced, international instructors who have spent many years perfecting their teaching and who love to share their passion for snow sports. Amazing mountain views. Fun in the snow of the Japanese mountains - fresh air and great views.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Snowboard equipment, and snow wear, Lift Ticket, Lunch

Freshly prepared Japanese food is waiting for you. Enjoy the rich flavors of Japanese sake while tasting the harmony of Japanese cuisine and rice wine. Learn about the process of making sake and the connection between sake and Japanese people. The fragrance of sake is classified into four categories, each of which will be carefully explained. Learn about which dishes pair well with which kinds of sake. We will also teach you how to order (in Japanese) at a Japanese style pub. Make no mistake. You too will surely be called a connoisseur.

Inclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Snacks, Gratuities

Exclusions: Insurance

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

Everyone has heard of Geisha, popular female entertainers in the 19th century Japan. However, before Geisha’s popularity grew, Oiran were considered the trend-setters of the Japanese fashion world. These highly educated women had the precarious nickname Keisei (or Castle-toppler), for their reputation of stealing the hearts of upper-classmen. In Niigata, Oiran were always very popular in the Furumachi area. Today, in the near-by Honcho area there are many places that allow visitors to experience all the splendor of Oiran fashion. Allow yourself to explore your sensuality and project to the world your inner beauty, through the transforming experience of expertly selected dress and make-up. No one has ever walked away unchanged.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Professional photo-shoot (about 20 photographs), Hair and makeup, Oiran custom , 3 professionally edited photographs delivered same day (LINE or USB provided by traveler), 30 minute personal photoshoot outside (use own camera)

Exclusions: Additional photos (1100yen/photo), Laying down photo-shoot (3300yen), Group photo (1100yen), All photo-shoot data (5500yen), Male Kimono rental (7700yen), 3 minute video (5500yen)

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

A master sushi chef has created a vegan version of Japan's most famous dish -Sushi! And now it is your chance to learn how to make them directly from the man himself! Sushi which is synonymous with fish to many, was actually made with vegetables and wild mountain shrubs in the mountainous regions of Japan in the past. Which makes this learning experience actually a very traditional art. As the nature rich region of Tokamachi is famous for its high quality vegetables and rice, it is an ideal location to try many varieties of vegetables in this traditional form of preserved food. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to taste and learn this healthy and delicious form of sushi from a master of this craft! Highlights 1. Learn the art to making delicious vegan sushi 2. Explore the flavours of Tokamachi’s vegetables 3. Exquisite food, minus the guilt! 4. You can even harvest your own veggies in the summer and autumn seasons *The menu changes based on the vegetables in season.

Inclusions: Lunch / Dinner (Cooked sushi), Ingredients, Rental apron

Exclusions:

Discover the hidden snow country bars in Tokamachi, Niigata Explore local bars in Tokamachi, Niigata, where normal tourists are not familiar with, but actually has many great bars. Highlights -Enjoy authentic food & drinks from this snowy region that we highly recommend -Hop through 3 local bars and pubs with a local tour guide -Have a feast with a variety of food and drinks that you can try Local Specialties -Niigata's sake is one of the best in Japan, because of high quality rice and great sake brewing technique that has developed during long winter covered by snow. There are many sake breweries there, so you should try as many as you can! -Tokamachi is famous for its high quality rice and veggies, which are fresh and rich in flavor. Some of veggies are aged under the snow, so that its taste becomes sweeter and even more flavorful. -Also, local branded aged pork, Tsumari Pork. Since it is bred with healthy food and environments, it is very juicy and tender.

Inclusions: 5 drinks (you can select from our menu), 3 dishes (you can select from our menu), Hop through 3 local izakaya bars with a local guide who speaks English or Chinese and Japanese., Photographing during the tour

Exclusions: Bring some cash in case you wish to order more