SUWADA Seisakusho (SUWADA Blacksmith Works, Inc.)
Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata, which has a world-renowned reputation as a "manufacturing town," still carries on the blacksmithing and metalworking techniques that have been cultivated since the Edo period.
You can tour the factory and buy metal products made right there! The quality is top-notch, so anyone who cares about craftsmanship will love it.
Teradomari Street Market
The Fish Market Street is lined with 11 large fresh fish stores on Route 402 along the Sea of Japan.
You can buy fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan here. The set meals at the dining area are great, but you can also grab takeout seafood bowls, sashimi, or grilled items and eat at the tables. The grilled whelk skewers were delicious!
Mount Yahiko
Located in the central part of the Niigata Plain and facing the Sea of Japan, Mount Yahiko is the highest peak of the Yahiko Mountain Range, with an elevation of 634 meters, matching the height of Tokyo Skytree.
If you take the ropeway behind Yahiko Shrine up to the summit of Mount Yahiko, you'll get an amazing view of the Echigo Plain!
Yahiko Shrine
Echigo Ichinomiya has a history of over 2,400 years. It is said to have originated that Amenokagoyamanomikoto, who was a great-grandson of Amaterasuomikami, was buried in Mt. Yahiko after him cultivated the country of Koshi and people built a shrine there to worship him.
After walking along the approach lined with ancient giant trees, you'll reach the shrine grounds. This is definitely a must-visit spot when touring Niigata!
Niigata “Food” Experiment Restaurant armonia
Step inside for an Italian food experience that celebrates native Niigata ingredients, served in a rustic setting true to the Furomachi streetscape that’s complete with old-Edo look and feel. The restaurant itself sits in a renovated Taisho-era traditional house.
Every dish made with local ingredients was delicious! The carefully chosen tableware and beautiful presentation made the meal a feast for the eyes as well. The overall atmosphere of the dining area was great, so you can enjoy more than just the taste. I definitely want to come back next time I visit Niigata!
Wakkanai Station
Wakkanai Station is the famed, northernmost railway station in Japan, located on the JR Soya Main Line. It sits just a 20-minute drive up from Wakkanai Airport, a 2-minute drive from the ferry terminal, and a 40-minute drive to Cape Soya, Japan's northernmost point. Swing by here for a smattering of different sightseeing delights, a bus terminal just off the front doorstep for routes to get you going, intercity buses to Sapporo, and regular sightseeing buses. For an added perk, check out Roadside Station Wakkanai just next door, the northernmost roadside station in Japan.
The northernmost station in Japan! And the northernmost railway tracks! If you're in Wakkanai, this is definitely a must-visit spot. There's also a roadside station attached, so you can shop for souvenirs and have some fun!
Venus Line
"Venus Line" is a plateau driving course in Nagano Prefecture with a total length of about 76km and an average altitude of 1400m. It is a mountain road that runs through the plateau of Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park.
This place is a biker's paradise! Absolutely perfect for touring!
Hotel Floracion Nasu
A resort hotel nestled in the lush highlands, Hotel Floracion Nasu exudes elegance with its Northern Italian-inspired exterior, a lobby adorned with luxurious chandeliers, and a courtyard fountain that enhances the sophisticated atmosphere.
I stayed here at the end of the year! It was super cold outside, but the rooms were really comfortable, and the buffet-style meals were delicious!!
JR Tadami Line
The JR Tadami Line runs for 135,2km between Aizuwakamatsu Station in Fukushima and Koide Station in Niigata. It runs through the Tadami River valley in the deep mountains, providing beautiful seasonal scenery from the train windows, including cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.
I stopped by Tadami Station during a motorcycle tour. Since there are only a few trains each day, I couldn't see any trains this time, which was a bit disappointing. The Tadami Line runs through some really remote and rugged areas between Fukushima and Niigata—it's impressive they managed to build a railway here!
Michi-no-Eki Irihirose
The Michi-no-Eki Irihirose (Roadside Station Irihirose), situated along National Route 252 between Niigata and Fukushima Prefectures in the former Irihirose district of Uonuma City, also known as the "Mountain Vegetable Republic."
There's a big pond next to this roadside station, making it a relaxing spot. The sasa dango I bought as a souvenir was delicious too! As expected from Uonuma, Niigata, famous for its rice.