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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!
Meeting Point
At Joetsu-Myoko Station on Hokuriku Bullet Train Line
Meeting point: Joetsu-Myoko station on the Hokuriku Bullet Line
Departing from Tokyo at 7:52, The Hokuriku bullet train arrives at Joetsu-Myoko station at 9:58. We will meet at the station. Then take a local train named Tokitetsu Line to Takada station, two-stations away.
Takada Komachi, a traditional townhouse and Gangi Streets, snow shelter spaces
Takada area is a former castle town in a snowy country. Walking along this area you will find what was like a castle town and how local people live in snowy country.
Sake brewery and having lunch: enjoy tasting sake and learn how sake is brewed
Niigata prefecture is famous for delicious rice and sake. How about visiting a sake brewery and tasting some of it? Musashino Sake Brewery provides an opportunity to learn how sake is brewed and to taste it.
The brewery has a beautiful Japanese garden. If you prefer, you may eat a tasty lunch there.
Takada Park: a former castle site
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and get refreshed according to the four seasons while taking a walk in the park. 4000 cherry trees bloom in spring, locus flowers occupy surrounding moats in summer, yellow and red leaves decorate the park in fall, and the snow paints white in winter.
Takada Castle was built in 1614. It was one of the largest castle sites in those days.
Temple streets: 66 Buddhist temples line up two temple streets
How about paying a visit to one of the temples and have time to talk to a priest?
Temples were located on the west side of town for security when the castle was built in the 17th century.
Buy an ekiben and take a train back to Tokyo
An ekiben is a boxed lunch or dinner. "Sake-meshi, or salmon and rice" is the ekiben selling at Joetsu-Myoko station and won the first prize in the ekiben contest in 2019.
Ending Point
At Joetsu-Myoko Station on Hokuriku Bullet Train Line
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Your travel expenses to Joetsu-Myoko Station where the guide meets you.
Your travel expenses in Joetsu City; local trains with a few stations, taxi if necessary.
Sake tasting and learning; there are three courses at Musashino sake brewery; 700yen, 1,500yen, 2,000yen
depending on how you taste and learn sake.
Entrance fee some of the facilities listed above for you and the guide.
Lunch for you and the guide.
JPY 1000 for guide's transportation fee to/ from Joetsu-Myoko Station
Tour Important Information
1) There are two types of Bullet train in Hokuriku Line: Hakutaka and Kagayaki. Only Hakutaka trains stop at Joetsu-Myoko Station.
2) Warm clothes and shoes are recommended for walking in winter.
3) Please inform us if you have any religious or health restrictions, allergies, or have other specific requests.
Important message from the guide
Joetsu City is located in the middle of Niigata, Nagano, and Toyama cities. If I meet you in these cities, the transportation fee is needed. Niigata and Nagano for 6,000 yen and Toyama for 8,000 yen.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Niigata Tour Reviews
“Beautiful day”
Keiichi was very well prepared and surprised us with interesting sights! We were lucky enough to see Geishas. It was a beautiful day! Thank you, keiishi!
Keiichi S.
(9 reviews)Thank you very much, Katrin. It was such a wonderful day. It was a warm and fine day. Cherry blossoms began to bloom. The shopping street holds an event on the first Sunday. So, the Geisha girls came, and it was the first time for me to see those Furumachi Geigi girls in person. You were so lucky. Please enjoy the rest of the tour on your cruise ship.
“Snow monkeys were amazing! Obuse town beautiful!”
Keiichi was very friendly and attentive. We had a wonderful time!
Keiichi S.
(9 reviews)Dear Mrs. Miriam H., Thank you very much, Miriam. At first, I worried about the weather, since it rained and began to get colder. But that was good for us because snow monkeys hugged each other and got in the hot spring. So, we took good pictures. I am pleased to know that you had a tasty lunch in a cozy restaurant. I hope you have a good time in Kanazawa and Takayama. Kei
“Brilliant day out with Kei”
Kei is an inspirational tour guide. He is well organised and speaks good English Nothing was too much trouble and I heartily recommend him to anybody who wants a great day out in Niigata
Keiichi S.
(9 reviews)Dear Mr. Roy. B., Thank you very much, Roy. Unfortunately, cherry blossoms were not in bloom, and it rained in the afternoon, but pretty plum tree blossoms decorated the Hakusan Park. After visiting Pusan, Korea, beautiful cherry blossoms will greet you in the southern parts of Japan. I hope you will keep having an incredible journey, Kei
