Niigata Private Tours
Book a Private Niigata Tour with a Local Tour Guide
Niigata Highlights Tours
Niigata City one day tour of your choices
Located on the Japan sea side of mainland Honshu, about 2 hours bullet train ride from Tokyo, Niigata city has been flourished as one of the major port towns for centuries. Along with this historical background, Niigata city is now well known for delicious "koshihikari" rice, varieties of tasty sake, fresh products from both land and sea. In this tour, you can choose 3 or 4 places to visit for 7-hour sightseeing tour. We mainly use public transportation networks like Niigata city loopline bus service ( one-day ticket JPY 500 ) and taxi if necessary. The places of choices are as follows: 1. Niigata City Aquarium "Marinepia Nihonkai" Displaying both marine and fresh water fish in the region and aquatic animals. Dolphin shows are performed daily. JPY 1500 Closed from Dec.29-Jan.1, Mar.3,4 2. Pia Bandai Fish and vegatable market with restaurants popular for locals and tourists. 3. "Imayotsukasa" sake brewery There is a guided tour and you can sample tasty sake. 4. The Niigata Saito Villa Built about 100 years ago, this gorgeous villa and Japanese style garden attracts visitors all year round. JPY 300 Closed on Mondays, from Dec.28-Jan.3 5. Minatopia with Former Niigata Customs House There are also Former Daishi Bank building and Niigata City History Museum by the Shinano River. 6. Former Ozawa Family Residence Authentic machiya-style house with beautiful garden from the Meiji Period. JPY 200 Closed on Mondays, from Dec.28-Jan.3 7. Honcho Market Located on the bustling Furumachi ( old town ) district, vendors sell all kinds of food with reasonable prices. * vendors are less on Sundays 8. Strolling Furumachi district for 1 hour Furumachi was once known as geigi (geisha) district like Kyoto and there are many restaurants, temples, old and new buildings in this area. * you can combine this choice with the Saito Villa or/and the Ozawa Residence (both in Furumachi district). Please choose places you'd like to visit and email me. Let's have fun in Niigata city!
Niigata City One Day Walking Tour
Niigata City is famous for its delicious rice, agricultural products, and fresh fish. This is thanks to the abundance of water that has made it a "city of water.” At the same time, however, people have suffered from floods since the beginning of history and have repeatedly overcome them. In addition, Niigata City today is home to some of the best people in the world of comics and modern dance. Come and taste the breeze of a town with such a unique history and character.
Touring around Urasa station Niigata
Touring around Urasa station will provide you with the local history of Naked man festival, local cuisine :charcoaled Ayu sweet fish if you like and Ikeda art museum if you like with its beautiful park garden. You can also experience maccha.
Bokushi street walking in Minamiuonuma Niigata 牧之通り
You can feel the atmosphere of old snow country ❄⛄? look at kimono fabrics ?? taste local sake ??☕ and enjoy eating and learning best known rice ?????
Niigata Day Trip Tours
Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour
You are to visit highlights of Niigata City in 7 hours using public transportation and taxi. Choose 5 spots to visit. You will love to walk along the Shinano River and cross the symbolic Bandai Bridge if time allows. You will also have opportunity to learn the history and background of abundant Niigata food culture such as sake, miso, rice balls and other food materials. From the top of Bakauke Observation Deck, you will have the great and panoramic view of the city and the nature.
Shibata Castle and Central Shibata
Visitors can take the beautiful view of Shibata Castle, and feel the ambience of the castle town by walking along the streets. Please choose 6 spots to visit out of the highlights in central Shibata City.
Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area
Interested in historical sites in Japan? How about Joetsu City? Just a short ride from Tokyo (two hours.) Joetsu City is located in Niigata Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan. Takada Area, a famous sightseeing spot in Joetsu, has interesting features: a castle town, a snowy town, and tasty food and sake. By walking along a local town and communicating with local people, you will feel refreshed and energized. I hope to see you soon!
Northern Culture Museum, Tsukioka and Fukushimagata Wetlands
Visitors can visit the large former Ito Family residence (Northern Culture Museum), and soak their feet in outdoor hot bath in Tsukioka. Please enjoy tasting various kinds of sake, local foods and lunch. Take a panoramic view of vast rice fields spreading in the Echigo Plain from the top floor of View Fukushimagata standing by the wetlands and learn how Niigata has centered rice in its culture.
Niigata Nature & Outdoor Tours
Two-wheel Adventures
A long-time resident of Niigata and avid cyclist, I have explored on two wheels the prefecture's areas of natural beauty and cultural interest on routes that only a local guide would know. As such, I offer custom cycling tours to travelers who want to get off the beaten track.
Morning Run in Downtown Niigata
Start your day on the right foot with this 2-hour, 10-kilometer jogging tour of downtown Niigata. The route includes temples, shrines, historic places, and scenic sights.
Niigata Art, Culture, & Historical Tours
Yahiko Shinto Shrine Walking Tour
You will see the precinct of Japanese Royal Family related Yahiko shrine and main hall. Take the ropeway and Panorama Tower ride. Also walk around the hot spring town, soak your feet in the hot spring and relax, enjoy the local delicacies.
Discovering Setteya on Foot: The History of Fermentation and the Beauty of Masterful Plaster Art
Here is the English translation of the provided text: Setteya in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, is known as a 'town of fermentation' with a long history of brewing. On this walking tour, you will leisurely stroll through the historic streets of Setteya, fully experiencing the profound appeal of fermented foods and the unique, beautiful plaster art (kote-e) created in this area.
Niigata Food & Drink Tours
Niigata Off the Beaten Path Tours
Niigata Tour Reviews
Lori O.
“ Niigata day trip”
Kei-San was very organized and diligent. He was well prepared and everything went smoothly. His hard work, thoughtfulness and kindness was greatly appreciated.
Keiichi S.
I am glad you were blessed with fine weather and could view the cherry blossoms under the trees. Perhaps your grandfather would have enjoyed spring under the cherry tree when he was in Japan. I also hope you like the knives you purchased from Tojijiro. Even in a mechanized factory, each knife is hand-tuned by craftsmen. There are still many places to visit in Niigata, and we look forward to seeing you again.
Shufen L.
“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.
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
Alvin K.
“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.
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
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