A Gastronomic Tour of Niigata’s Local Specialties

Sennensake Kikkawa continues to preserve Murakami’s traditional salmon culture while showcasing the unique methods used to prepare local salmon dishes to visitors. Inside, around 1,000 salmon hang down from the ceiling beams to naturally dry, creating a surreal sight. The store sits in a traditional wooden townhouse typical of the region, which was built roughly 130 years ago and is registered as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Visitors can freely enter to see the hanging salmon and learn more from a guide.

●Tour Location: At the hanging salmon space inside the store
●Activities: None
●Opening Days: All year (closed on New Year’s Day)
●No restrictions on who can visit

Welcome to Murakami City's first specialized salmon restaurant, a culinary landmark in a town that has celebrated salmon for over a millennium. Located in a nationally registered historic building, Izutsuya beautifully preserves traditional Japanese architecture while offering both classic tatami rooms and charming Western-style seating areas with antique chairs on the first floor.

The menu showcases an impressive array of salmon dishes, with two standout specialties: “Shiobiki sake” - salmon that's hand-salted and wind-cured for three weeks - and "Sake-bitashi" - salmon that’s been aged for a year, intensifying all its umami flavor. Also don't miss their innovative cured salmon sushi, wherein the salmon is left to ferment and then aged through a unique low-temperature process. For true salmon enthusiasts, this is paradise.

Beyond salmon, Izutsuya takes pride in serving premium rice sourced locally, as Niigata is one of Japan's most celebrated rice-growing regions. Each dish reflects Murakami's deep culinary heritage and showcases the region's finest ingredients.

Welcome to Igarashi Garden, a magnificent property transformed from the former estate of the prominent Igarashi family, once influential farmers and entrepreneurs. The stunning 16,000-square-meter grounds features an exquisite Japanese garden spanning nearly half its expanse.

At Niigata Agano Resort, you can enjoy a unique glamping experience within these historic surroundings! Savor local delicacies with a gourmet BBQ featuring Agano's premium beef and pork, perfectly paired with Niigata's acclaimed Swan Lake beer. This exceptional craft brewery made history as the first Japanese brand to win gold at the World Beer Cup - known as the "Olympics of Beer" - competing against 1,150 global entries! Sample their variety of craft beers to discover your favorite.

After your BBQ feast, retire to JYUBAKO, an innovative trailer house designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, featuring warm wooden elements that blend seamlessly with the surroundings. As an added luxury, guests enjoy complimentary access to the hot springs at Kappo no Yado Imai in Tsukioka Onsen, just a 15-minute drive away.

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Enjoy rare radium hot-spring water in one of the largest open-air baths in the prefecture and three reservable open-air baths.
This hotel also boasts a huge garden full of natural beauty.

　　Lake Hyoko was created as an agricultural reservoir in 1639. It was designated a national monument as the landing place for swans in 1954 and was designated a wetland by the Ramsar Convention in 2008.
　　The first swans arrive in early October every year and stay until late March. Between 5,000 and 6,000 swans migrate here during the peak season in late November. You can buy food at the lake to feed them.
　　Early morning and evening are the best time to see the swans. There is an air-conditioned observatory room at the lake.
　　In the spring, cherry blossoms decorate the lake. Some swans remain at the lake into the spring every year, and you can see swans swimming alongside ducks. In the summer, the lake is filled with a variety of flowers and plants, so you can enjoy it year round.

Gokaibishi is an interactive “resort” facility situated inside a fully renovated sake brewery, which boasts over 200 years of history stretching back to the Edo period. Visitors can experience guided sake tastings with a concierge, regular sake tastings, projection mapping, and more, all designed to showcase the food and culture of the castle town Shibata.

Gokaibishi is also surrounded by lots of other fantastic spots that further illustrate Shibata’s castle town history and culture. This includes Suwa Shrine, which has been treasured by generations of locals for around 1,400 years; Shimizuen, a Japanese-style garden where many samurai have enjoyed tea ceremonies, and more. These places stand as remnants of old-world Japan, and their charm can be taken in on a stroll around the neighborhood.

Built in 1912 along Tokyo's Sumida River by prominent Shibata-born businessman Kihachiro Okura, Zoshunkaku stands as an exceptional example of Meiji-era architecture. This historic guest house, which once hosted political leaders and international dignitaries, has been carefully relocated to Okura's hometown, all while preserving its original grandeur.

The two-story wooden structure draws significant inspiration from the Meiji Imperial Palace, featuring a traditional Japanese exterior while incorporating Western elements like elegant chairs and crystal chandeliers. Today's visitors continue to be enchanted by its unique architectural fusion of Japanese and Western design elements.

For an additional 400 yen beyond the entrance fee, guests can enhance their visit with a seasonal selection of Japanese and Western sweets paired with their choice of matcha green tea, coffee, or other beverages. Take time to immerse yourself in its historic atmosphere while enjoying these refined refreshments.

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Welcome to Benkei, where expert chefs showcase the bounty of Sado Island's waters through exquisite sushi creations. This beloved local restaurant has earned acclaim from both residents and visitors alike for its exceptional quality.

The Furumachi branch sits in one of Niigata's most historic districts, an area that has long served as a cultural crossroads and still retains much of its traditional charm. In the restaurant's serene atmosphere, you'll experience nigiri sushi crafted with seasonal ingredients at their peak. Whether you're dining with family or seeking a memorable meal during your travels, Benkei offers an authentic taste of Sado Island's renowned seafood culture.

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The Niigata Saito Villa, recognized as a Japan Heritage and a Cultural Property, was constructed in 1918 by Kijuro Saito IV, who was from a prominent merchant family in Niigata. It stands as a masterpiece of modern Japanese-style architecture, showcasing opulence throughout the entire structure. Its spacious grounds cover an area of approximately 4,500 square meters and host three gardens. In particular, the strolling garden has a waterfall and an assortment of large rocks and strange stones. Visitors have the opportunity to revel in the garden's seasonal beauty, with the autumn foliage being particularly mesmerizing. Another noteworthy feature is the panoramic view of the entire garden from the building, which can be enjoyed while indulging in matcha green tea and Japanese sweets!

Conveniently connected to Niigata Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train, Ponshukan’s main store lets visitors sample sake from each of Niigata’s breweries. For just 500 yen, you’ll be loaned a sake tasting cup to fill up with five varieties from their enormous rows of unique sake vending machines. If you’re unsure of what sake to choose, the store has recommendations and popularity rankings on the walls.

Even if you don’t drink sake, there’s plenty to enjoy at Ponshukan. Also inside the same Niigata Station shopping center is Ponshukan Complex Bakudan Onigiri-ya, which serves giant onigiri (rice balls) made with top-grade Koshihikari rice from Minamiuonuma. Across from here is Ponshukan Craftsmanship, selling tools and goods crafted by local artisans. Sweets made with sake and other original products make authentic souvenirs of your trip to Niigata. Whether you’re interested in sake, rice, or other local specialties, you’re bound to find your new favorite at Ponshukan.

Nestled in Iwamuro Onsen, Niigata City's exclusive hot spring district, Yumeya offers an intimate retreat in authentic Japanese style. The main building, crafted in the refined “sukiya” architectural style, houses ten elegant Japanese-style rooms, some featuring private open-air baths fed directly from the inn's own hot spring source. The public bathing area includes an outdoor bath surrounded by seasonal blooms, creating a serene natural sanctuary. Each meal is a celebration of Niigata's seasonal bounties, presented as artfully composed Japanese cuisine. For those seeking ultimate privacy, check out the two-story villa overlooking its expansive gardens - a perfect choice for a secluded getaway.

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Widely revered as the leading shrine of the Echigo region (the former name of Niigata), Yahiko Shrine, or Oyahiko-sama, draws over 200,000 worshippers for “hatsumode” (New Year's visit) each year. Its roots trace back more than 2,400 years, as documented in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest poetry anthology. The shrine is believed to bring blessings in marriage, and is dedicated to Amenokagoyama no Mikoto, the great-grandchild of goddess Amaterasu.

Yahiko Shrine is easy to reach, being within walking distance of JR Yahiko Station or a short car ride from the Sanjo-Tsubame IC, with free parking available nearby. It is nestled within a stunning forest, full of giant majestic trees imbuing it with a sacred aura. While most renowned for autumn foliage, the shrine presents scenes of gorgeous nature and opportunities for forest bathing throughout the year.

Yahiko Shrine’s unique fireball stone is believed to tell whether or not your wish will come true based on its weight when heldーfeel free to give it a try! The shrine is one of the most popular attractions in Niigata Prefecture, so for a more serene experience, we suggest visiting in the early morning.

Amenokagoyama no Mikoto and his consort are enshrined at the summit of Mt. Yahiko. A 10-minute walk from the shrine leads to the Mt. Yahiko Ropeway station, offering easy access to the summit. A complimentary shuttle bus also runs from the shrine to the station. If you prefer driving, you can reach the summit via the Mt. Yahiko Skyline road.

Tsubamesanjo Italian Bit comprises four Italian restaurants in Niigata Prefecture (including a takeout restaurant and cafe) and two in Tokyo.

The flagship restaurant, Tsubamesanjo Bit in Sanjo City, contains over 100 seats! Its unique spin on Italian cuisine combined with the crafts and technology of the Tsubamesanjo area has earned it a reputation as one of Niigata’s top restaurants.

The restaurant’s tableware, cutlery, and decorations are made in Tsubamesanjo, one of Japan’s leading metalworking and tableware-manufacturing regions, along with other areas of Niigata Prefecture to showcase the incredible range of local crafts and technology. Guests will be treated to food, tools, and an interior design created by some of Japan’s leading artisans.

The “5D” room also enhances the creative course meals with immersive projection mapping displays, designing a culinary journey that engages not only your sense of taste and smell, but also your eyes.

In the renowned metalworking region of Tsubame-Sanjo, Makoto Susa continues a craft tradition spanning over 200 years. Using traditional tsuiki (hand-hammered) copperware techniques - designated as part of a National Traditional Craft - he creates exquisite pieces ranging from tea and sake vessels to flower vases, traditional pipes (kiseru), and jewelry. This time-honored crafting technique involves skillfully hammering copper sheets into three-dimensional forms, a process that demands both strength and delicate precision.

Visitors can arrange advance tours of his workshop to witness this fascinating craft in action. For those interested in a more hands-on experience, Susa offers workshops where participants can create their own copper and pure silver accessories, small plates, keychains, and bookmarks (workshop availability should be discussed during visit arrangements).

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