Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area
Joined 2019
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!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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
Want to personalize this tour?
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
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
JPY 3000 is needed, If I use my car to show you around in the area.
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.
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
Joined 2019
About Tour Guide Keiichi S.
Hello! My name is Keiichi. Please call me Kei.
I was born and raised in Joetsu City, located in the southern part of Niigata prefecture. Joetsu was the former capital city of Echigo Province until the mid 19th century. It has a lot of historic sites and scenic spots, and most of all good people. I love my city very much.
I worked for the Joetsu City office for over thirty years. During my time there, I was in charge of international relations for about ten years. After retiring from the office, I began working as a licensed tour guide. I am very excited to introduce my city to people all over the world.
Reviews
“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
“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.
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.
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
$223/ per group
More tours by Keiichi S.
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.
A Day Tour for Snow Monkey and Obuse Town
You will go to Snow Monkey Park and see how wild monkeys live and seem relaxed without minding human beings watching them. There are also some lovely places to visit from Nagano City, such as Obuse Town and Suzaka City. Especially, Obuse is a small but pleasant town where Hokusai, the ukiyoe artist known for "The Great Wave," lived in his later years. Entering the Museum, learning about his life, and eating delicious chestnut sweets will surely bring back good memories.
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Niigata
Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour
You are to visit highlights of Niigata City in 6 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.
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.
Gondola Ride to Mt Yahiko Top and Yahiko Shrine Visit plus Teradomari
Visitors can enjoy the hike to the top of Mt Yahiko by gondola and a 15-minute walk to the very top of the mountain to visit the uppermost Yahiko Shrine. Please take a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and the vast Echigo Plain. Cherry blossoms in spring and beautiful colored leaves in autumn are marvelous to see. Make a wish at main worship hall of Yahiko Shrine for a good memory. Also you will visit Teradomari Fish Market to nibble on some grilled seafood.