Niigata Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

Jasmyin T.

5 / 5

Dec 19, 2024

Niigata Day Tour

Niigata

7 hours

Customized

Dec 19, 2024

“Knowledgeable, pleasant and absolutely amazing!”

Yoshiko was our tour guide for Niigata. We had a very loose plan of what we would like to see and do, and left the planning to Yoshiko (this was not an easy task for her since we didn't have anything specific we wanted to do). The moment regulations lifted and she was able to use her own personal car to ferry us, she gave us that option so we could do more things in the time planned with her. Yoshiko is fluent in English, so conversations were fluid and really easy going. My mind was put at ease because I did not need to worry about whether I was saying something that could be misinterpreted. Yoshiko also had very good knowledge about the local and surrounding area, the history, the best places to get a good bird's eye view of the city, the hidden sushi places, and good food recommendations in Niigata city. We especially enjoyed our trip to the sake brewery; we joined a Japanese speaking tour (as they only had limited English speaking guided tour) and Yoshiko helped translate in real time, allowing us to feel included in the sake tour. She also introduced us to the Ponshukon which we visited again after. Our trip to Niigata was definitely made more memorable because we had Yoshiko as our guide. For anyone who is thinking of having a personalised tour in Niigata, please do - you will get to places faster, and see more things in the time you have there because Niigata is quite flat and widespread. Having a guide makes the trip so much more stress-free. Thank you Yoshiko for your excellent service! We hope to return to Niigata soon and touch base again.

Yoshiko K.

(6 reviews)

Thank you Jasmyin for your review. It was very convenient for me to drive my own car and show you around. I am so happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Niigata. Yes, I remember you liked sake or Japanese rice wine brewery and sampling a lot at Ponshukan. You also enjoyed making button badge making at Manga House and tasting sasadango, one of Niigata's specialties in a sasadango making cafe. This time, you experienced central Niigata city but as Niigata is fifth largest prefecture in Japan, I would love to show you more unique places next time. Thank you again for your cooperation sitting in my small car. It was so nice to have you two in Niigata! See you again!

“Comprehensive and personal ”

Kei san was very meticulous in helping us to plan for the tour. He tried to find out about what would be our interests so he can help put it in the tour, and he made suggestions that are so good! We enjoyed the Shoji door making and learning about the shoji paper. The sake brewery was a delight and his explanations about how the city cope with snow, was really interesting. There’s also a little workshop on how to ‘recycle’ cereal/chocolate boxes into little pieces of art, really creative. We had such fun and we are already thinking when do we come back again. Thank you Kei san for your hospitality!

Keiichi S.

(10 reviews)

Hi, Ms. Shufen, Thank you for your kind impression of the tour. Unfortunately, it rained in the afternoon, so we could not enjoy the scenery. But your daughters looked like they enjoyed checking their breath, which turned white because of the cold temperature. It would be great if the tour helped you understand snowy countries' lifestyles. Woods and papers are essential materials for Japanese buildings and lives. I am glad you've found such aspects in this tour. Best Regards, Kei

“Fun adventures with Yoshiko ”

This experience can be described as fascinating and memorable with Yoshiko. Throughout the tour, Yoshiko was very knowledgeable in the history of Niigata that allowed us to appreciate their history and its significance. She was able to customise our tour due to bad weather and took us to a local factory that specialise in kitchen ware that we really wanted to go to. In terms of food, we tried oden, a local dessert, and a restaurant that offered set menu meals. Other than the fun adventure we had with Yoshiko, she had a very beautiful personality that made sure we were accommodated and got on the right train to head back home to our hotel. We really enjoyed this tour and would like to come by again to experience any tours with Yoshiko. Thank you again for your time and the memories made Yoshiko!!

Yoshiko K.

(6 reviews)

Thank you, Alvin for your review on the tour. Oden was actually the winter recommendation, especially in the old shop, sitting at kotatsu or leg warming table. I am so happy to know you enjoyed that. It was also so nice of you that you could sit on tatami mat at a low table, in the Japanese style. Our lunch was really good wasn't it? Because it was a National Holiday, you couldn't take a look at all the processes, it is nice to know you had a good time in the factory. Thank you for caming to Niigata. And thank you all the questions and information you gave me. I wil