Discovering Setteya on Foot: The History of Fermentation and the Beauty of Masterful Plaster Art
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Niigata Station
- Niigata Station Shinkansen East Gate
Get on Shinkansen for Nagaoka
We will use Shinkansen and transfer to a local train at Nagaoka Station and head for Miyauchi Station. The Shinkansen round-trip ticket is JPY6,080; a local line ticket one way from Nagaoka to Miyauchi is JPY150.
Walk to Settaya Town
It is a ten minute walk from Miyauchi Station.
Start Walking in Settaya Town
You can smell soy sauce flavor in the air. Visit the iconic building of Koshinomurasaki soysauce factory and local Takekoma Inari Shrine, which provide you with nostalgicly Japanese photos.
Snack Time at Eguchi Dango
Enjoy Japanese green tea with Dango dumplings of Eguchi Dango, a confectionary with long history in Nagaoka. Soysauce and Miso used in their sweets are produced in Settaya, of course.
Yoshinogawa Sake Museum
Here's the English translation of the description of Yoshinogawa Sake Brewery:
Yoshinogawa Sake Brewery is a long-established sake brewery in Setteya, dating back to the Edo period. Their sake, brewed with high-quality rice and water using traditional techniques, has fans not only locally but also worldwide. Visitors can learn the history of the brewery, sake making process and taste their proud sake at "Sake Bar" for some coins. Non-alcohol beverages are also provided.
Lunch
Rice balls with locally produced ingredients with soysauce and miso and others, vegetable and bacon soup, some drinks and some deserrts are good at "6subi" cafe. "5en" provides nicely balanced vegetable plates cooked with soysauce and miso. "Willson House" bakes great bread of many kinds. You can visit any of these of your choice.
Hoshino Honten Miso Brewery
Taste their proud miso and learn about soybean paste. Please take a seat and view the traditional interior of the shop.
Viewing "Kote-e" Artwork at Quina Saffran Liquer Brewery
Nitaro, the brewery's founder, known for his colorful taste and design left great artworks of trowel plaster art called "kote-e", which developed in the Edo Period. He spent his fortune for the design of his company storehouses, and now we can enjoy viewing them.
Walk back to Miyauchi Station
The train leaves at 15:09 and arrives at Nagaoka at 15:13.
Take Shinkansen for Niigata
The Shinkansen leaves Nagaoka at 15:20 and arrives at Niigata at 15:42.
Ending Point
Niigata Station Shinkansen East Gate
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee and guide's transportation between Niigata and Miyauchi Station in Nagaoka City.
Meals, snacks, drinks, activity charge, transportation and etc.
Tour Important Information
This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Also bring your water bottle to keep hydrated.
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
About Tour Guide Mutsuko W.
Yokoso! Welcome!
Hi, I'm Mutsuko, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. A true Niigatite, I was born and raised in Niigata City with roots dating back generations. I would be pleased to show you another side of Japan in my beautiful and unique prefecture.
The Warm Hospitality: Niigata Prefecture is located on the west coast of the Japanese Archipelago, facing the Sea of Japan and provides a true insider look into the Japanese spirit. Only two hours away from Tokyo by Shinkansen, it has been perfecting the art of casual hospitality through centuries as a culinary hotspot and nature getaway for the those escaping the rat-race.
History at your own Pace: Appreciate history and culture at your own pace in Niigata. Yahiko, National Shrine has been soothing souls, and inspiring locals, poets, and travellers for over 2500 years. Historically significant buildings greet seafarers at Niigata Port and the old town area, Furumachi. Cross the symbolic Bandai Bridge to the other side of the Shinano River where we can move from the ancient to the modern in the Bandai area to shop and gather with young and old for entertainment such as movies, music, manga, and anime.
Over the Sea, Over the Mountain, Over the Fields: Nature is good to Niigata Prefecture, giving us four clear-cut seasons. People from all over the country, and travellers wanting to experience Japan with the Japanese join us to soak in the sun on our beaches, relax at spa resorts, challenge themselves on world class ski hills, and dance together at festivals that draw world class performers.
Travel with Me: With direct trains to and from Tokyo and an international airport, Niigata is just a stone's throw away to have a unique taste of Japan. Whether you're planning a day trip or a longer stay, I invite you to visit Niigata City and other parts of the prefecture, and while here, it would be my pleasure to help you create unique memories during your stay.
Reviews
Vanessa C.
“a customized day”
We had a wonderful day with Mutsuko san. She planned everything according to our desire and the whole day went very smooth and was super interested. Mutsuko's English is perfect, so we were able to ask her lots of questions. From Japanese History to today's life, Mutsuko was a delight to listen to. We highly recommend her if you need a very professional guide around Niigata.
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Mutsuko W.
Vanessa san, I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with me. Niigata is waiting for you to come back to show more of its attractions. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for joining the tour and the high score in the review. I am grateful for it. Mutsuko
Jeff D.
“Tour All Around Yahiko and Niigata”
Mutsuko-San is a very fun and accommodating guide. She was able to craft an itinerary around Tsubamesanjo, Yahiko and Niigata cities based on my interests, and when we were ahead of schedule she found ways to show me more of the city to spend some time before our next scheduled stop. She was also very friendly and easy to talk to about anything, which made the tour that much better. I would strongly recommend her for anyone looking for a day tour around the Niigata prefecture area!
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Mutsuko W.
Hello Jeff-san, I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive and engaging experience. Crafting customized itineraries and offering value-added opportunities is always my goal, and I'm delighted we could maximize your time in the Niigata prefecture. Thank you for your kind recommendation! Best Regards, Mutsuko
Stephen B.
“Excellent Tour of Niigata”
My wife and I toured Saito Villa and Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery with Matsuko while ported in Niigata. We very much enjoyed the tour. Matsuko is an outstanding guide. Excellent English and communicated lots of additional information about the sites we visited. Great preparation for our tour and very effective use of our limited available time. We highly recommend her.
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Mutsuko W.
Steven san, Thank you so much! Reading your wonderfully detailed and kind review about your Niigata tour genuinely made my day. I’m truly happy to hear how much you and your wife enjoyed the experience in Niigata. It was an absolute pleasure guiding you, and I loved sharing the history and local details of Niigata with you both. Your generous comments are incredibly rewarding, and the highest compliment I could receive. Thank you for the wonderful feedback! I hope the rest of your cruise will be lovely. If your travels ever bring you back to Niigata, please feel free to reach out. Warmly, Mutsuko
$228/ per group
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