Niigata Prefecture (新潟県) Trip - Travel Guide from Tokyo to Niigata

This article is about Niigata Prefecture in Japan, with tips on an extraordinary "glamping" style accommodation, local food spots, as well as special attractions and outdoor activities. In my opinion, Niigata is a unique prefecture with spectacular scenery that will especially inspire nature lovers.

From Tokyo to Niigata

By Car

There are various ways to get from Tokyo to Niigata Prefecture. One of them is by rental car. We chose this option and rented a car for three days from the company “Toyota Rental Car.” The cost was about 35,500 yen.

The drive to Niigata takes about four hours. During the journey, you can enjoy the beautiful Japanese countryside.

However, there are tolls to pay. It's best to check the costs in advance using resources like Google Maps and look into available payment options so that your journey is smooth.

Here  you can see how to get from Tokyo to Niigata by car.

By Shinkansen

Another way to get to Niigata Prefecture is by train. I recommend you take the Shinkansen, a high-speed train that is very popular in Japan. Compared to the car, the ride on the Shinkansen is half as long and takes about two hours—there is a direct connection from Tokyo to Niigata city.

The price for Shinkansen tickets can vary. If you book your ticket early, you might be able to lower your costs. You can also check ticket price estimates on Google Maps. Another alternative is the Japan Rail Pass.

If you are visiting Japan as a tourist, this pass allows you unlimited rides on all JR network trains—including the Shinkansen—helping you save a lot of money.

Here  you can see how to get from Tokyo to Niigata by Shinkansen.

Our Glamping Accommodation: Tiny House

We chose a very special kind of accommodation: Glamping. This is "glamorous camping"—a mini-house in the middle of nature, within walking distance from a small lake. The toilet and shower are located in a building next door and not inside the accommodation itself.

Getting there is a bit tricky as public transportation is only partly available. Therefore, I recommend getting there by car. 

When we arrived, we found that the Tiny House had not yet been prepared. Despite booking in advance on the provider's website and receiving confirmation, it seemed our reservation had not gone through. This meant we had to wait about two hours for everything to be ready. Despite the inconvenience, there were also positives: the owner spoke fluent English, which made communication very easy, and did his best to get everything ready for us as quickly as possible.

The accommodation includes a barbecue set for grilling, but you have to bring your own food. The nearest supermarket is about twenty minutes away by car.

Check-in starts from 3pm, and on departure day you should leave the Tiny House by 11am at the latest. The price for a two-person stay was a total of 52,500 yen for two nights.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/V6g3yKey4KsMZzYM6

Restaurant Vitraux

Since our Tiny House had not yet been prepared on our arrival, we took the opportunity to eat at the restaurant “Vitraux.” This restaurant is close to Echigo Yuzawa station (the main Yuzawa train station) and offers western food with a Japanese twist.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/uFpBGxUpbNNjA5pz5

Echigo Hillside Park

Echigo Hillside Park is a large park with beautiful gardens and walking paths. It's open every day and usually the entrance fee is 450 yen. However, we were lucky enough to visit on a day when admission was free! The park is the perfect place to visit in spring, especially in May when the park is filled with beautiful flowers such as tulips.

Overall, Echigo Hillside Park is a lovely park for families or couples. With its huge green spaces and family-friendly activities, it's a great spot to spend a day or just a few hours to relax and enjoy nature.

Official website: https://echigo-park.jp/

Teradomari Street Market (Sakana no Ameyoko)

The Teradomari Fish Market is a key part of Niigata's local culture and a popular destination for tourists. Here you’ll find a wide variety of fresh fish, sold directly on site. It is said that fish from the nearby Sea of Japan tastes better because of its freshness compared to that from the Pacific—and I can definitely confirm that I really enjoyed the food here!

The many food stalls offer a range of fresh dishes—grilled fish is prepared in front of you, fish soup is served, and you can also find crab. We chose Donburi: a bowl of rice with two kinds of fish, uni (sea urchin), and fish roe. The market is right on the waterfront, so you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea.

Getting to the market by public transportation can be challenging. Therefore, I recommend you travel by car. The fish market is open every day—holidays can affect opening times.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/r2ezbh1RSa1Zxdji7

Kakuda Misaki Lighthouse

The Kakuda Misaki Lighthouse stands on a picturesque viewpoint right by the sea. The idyllic landscape here is reminiscent of the beauty of Ireland—with gentle green hills and surrounded by rocky cliffs, you'll enjoy a beautiful view of the water—I recommend coming here at sunset for a perfect end to your day.

Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort

Niigata Prefecture is a popular ski region that attracts many visitors in winter. It offers a variety of slopes and courses for skiers and snowboarders.

The Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort is also a popular travel destination. For 1,400 yen, you can comfortably take the lift to the top. Once there, you'll also find a restaurant to refuel. If you visit the resort in summer, it's also a wonderful place to hike.

Even in summer, the ski resort offers various seasonal family activities such as summer bobsledding, where you hurtle down the mountain on a kind of toboggan. It's not just great fun for kids but for adults too. What really surprised me: even in May, there’s still a play area with snow!

Official website: https://www.yuzawakogen.com/

Fishing in Niigata

Fishing is a very popular hobby in Japan. The Niigata area offers ideal conditions for fishing and we also tried our luck. Thanks to the many free parking spaces along the coastline, you'll quickly find the perfect fishing spot here.

We were able to catch small mackerel, which we later grilled in our accommodation using the included barbecue set.

Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel

Kiyotsu Gorge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful landscapes in Niigata. The gorge is surrounded by lush green forests—with a river winding through it creating a breathtaking setting.

The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel is located in this gorge and is a famous spot for tourists and locals alike. From here, you can marvel at the beauty of the gorge in its full splendor and there are regularly special art exhibitions. What we unfortunately didn’t know: you need a ticket to enter the tunnel! The ticket costs 1,000 yen and must be bought online in advance. But—a relaxing foot bath is included!

I recommend getting here by car, as there is very little public transit.

Official website (can be switched to English): https://nakasato-kiyotsu.com/

Opening hours: 9:00am–4:00pm daily

The Regional Specialty: Hegi Soba

As an enthusiastic foodie, I just had to try the local specialty. It’s called “Hegi Soba” and is a delicious soba noodle dish, topped with Nori (dried seaweed). The bite-sized noodles are served on a tray called “Hegi” and are cold, giving them a refreshing touch.

Conclusion of the Niigata Trip

Niigata Prefecture is an exceptional destination with spectacular scenery that has its charms in every season. From beautiful gardens and walking paths to ravines and a picturesque viewpoint by the sea, Niigata offers a wealth of sights. Whether in spring with all the blossoms, hiking in the summer mountains, admiring the colorful fall foliage, or as a popular ski area in winter—Niigata has something for everyone.

If you plan a trip to Niigata, keep in mind that public transportation in the countryside is rather limited. Therefore, I recommend coming by car to stay flexible.

Explore Niigata in the afternoon – you’ll learn about the history, eat really good sushi, and try delicious sake with a local guide.

Book your adventure.*

*Affiliate link: If you book an activity at viator.com via my widget or link, I’ll receive a small commission. There are no additional costs for you and you support my blog. Thank you so much and enjoy your trip (^_^)