Meeting Point

Niigata Station Bandai Exit

Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery

Take the brewery tour and enjoy sake tasting. You will be amazed by the size of the tanks. Taste different kinds of sake and find your favorite.

Minemura Miso Factory and Shop

Learn how to make miso soybean paste and taste some different kinds of miso.

Toki Messe and Pia Bandai Market

Visit Toki Messe International conference venue and go up to Bakauke Observation Deck to view the city and surrounding nature from the 31st floor of the building. You will enjoy tasting freshly fried fish cake in front your eyes at Pia Bandai. You have a choice to have genuine sushi lunch at Benkei here.

Minatopia Port Museum

Learn how the central Niigata was developed and how people of Niigata have lived together with waterbody at the museum. Take a closer look at the old Niigata Customs Office which had been used for about 100 years after Niigata Port was opened at the end of Edo Period. Admission fee: 300 yen each.

Tanakaya Minato Koubou to make Sasadango dumplings

A Sasadango dumpling class is given only for a group of more than 5 people. (Reservation is required. The class fee is 2,200 yen each.) You can enjoy seeing the process of dumpling making through the window. Get your favorite Japanese sweets from the shelf and taste them with free green. You can take a rest over the sweets and the tea, and see the flow of the Shinano River through the shop's wide window.

The Shinano River Watershuttle Ride

Enjoy the shuttle boat ride between Minatopia and Bandai Bridge West Stop. You will see the central Niigata City from a different angle. The boat service is available betweeen March 15 and December 1. One way boat fare is JPY250 for each person.

Furumachi Area to have lunch and browse the shopping arcade

You can choose good food out of a lot of options. Some rice ball shops provide good freshly rolled Koshihikari rice （Niigata’s pride rice) onigiri (rice balls) of ingredients of your choice. Sushi, ramen, and other food shops are there too. You can enjoy strolling between Hakusan Shrine and central Niigata City. Also yoiu can enjoy local sweets there.

Shinano Riverside Promenade

Enjoy taking a walk along the Shinano River and take photos of the city's symbolic bridge, Bandai Bridge.

Marinepia Nihonkai Aquarium

You will be able to see and learn about the marine life of the Sea of Japan. Enjoy the dolphin shows (held 4-5 times a day) which gives you an unforgettable fun memory in Niigata. Admission fee: 1500 yen for Adult, 600 yen for Child.

Hakusan Shrine and Hakusan Park

Visit the city's most visited shrine, Hakusan Shrine. People in Niigata visit the shrine for a lot of important life events to wish for good luck, success, good health and other wishes. For your memory of visiting Niigata, you could buy a small amulet or two of the good luck Hakusan Shrine. If the timing allows, some food stalls are lined up for the shrine's celebrations of the seasons in Hakusan Park next to the shrine.

Yukata /Kimono Experience in Furumachi

Renta a kimono or yukata (summer colorful kimono) and stroll around Furumachi. The kimono rental price is approx. JPY6,600 per day including the putting-on helping charge. Putting on Kimono takes at least 1 hour, so choose 4 more spots to visit instead of 5 because of time constraint.

Former Saito Family's Villa

Built by Kijuro Saitou IV between 1917 and 1920, the villa is located on a 4,500 ㎡ estate, with 4,400 ㎡ dedicated to gardens. The villa is designed to integrate the house and garden seamlessly. Its open structure features a large garden with a stream and pond, providing picturesque views year-round. A guest can enjoy tasting maccha and Japanese sweets for JPY400 viewing the beautiful garden. Admission: JPY300

Nuttari Terrace Shopping Arcade

Niigata Nippo Media Ship

Ending Point

Niigata Station Bandai Exit/ Bandai City/ Next 21