Held every year in late October through to the beginning of November is the Urasa Chrysanthemum Festival. Pots upon pots of Japan's national flower fill the picturesque grounds of the Bishamondo Temple, which can be found a short walk away from U..
Niigata City has a long history as a port city, it is the most populated city in the prefecture, and is the largest coastal city along the Sea of Japan within the island of Honshu. The Shinano River, Japan's longest river, also runs through the city, giving it the nickname 'the city of w..
Sado island has a great cultural history which you can encounter on almost every corner. You can experience natural beauty and its rich and evocative past. If you plan to come in the third week of August, you will feel the eternal drumbeat of the earth celebration festival headlined by the world-fa..
Deep dish pizza might conjure up images of Chicago more than the Niigata countryside, but never fear - if you're after a deep dish pizza fix you can still find it out here. Ale Beer and Pizza is situated in Tokamachi, and they have a range of piz..
Forest Inn Italian Restaurant was my first Italian food place in Japan when I arrived here in 1998. Located in the snow country of Niigata, the restaurant is a popular location for the MBA students of International University of Japan (IUJ) and also ..
Snow Country has a rich food culture. It grows some of the best rice in Japan, and brews some of the most famous sake. The pickles are also highly regarded, as preserving food to last through the six winter months was a vital skill. Living off the la..
Before I came to Japan, one of my biggest worries was about lodging. Even two weeks before my arrival, I still hadn't found a roof under which I could sleep, so when I received a link for the Anpesou Guesthouse from my Japanese teacher, I was mor..
Back in the winter I wrote a story on the Sagamiko light show and mentioned I had reservations for Myoko this summer. We finally made the trip to APA Myoko Pine Valley Resort in Niigata Prefecture. The weather was very uncertain and the predic..
Want to get some skiing done, but don't want to spend the entire weekend getting there? Kagura Ski Resort located on Mount Naeba in Niigata Prefecture is the perfect answer. The trip is roughly two hours from Tokyo via car and shinkansen. Ve..
The Tomioka White Museum is situated in Minamiuonuma, a region of Niigata Prefecture which is often referred to as yukiguni, or snow country. It's rather fitting then that the works here depict snowy regions of the world, from right here in Japan..
Want to see a host of creatures great and small across a natural parkland environment? The Satoyama Art Zoo in Niigata is the perfect spot to visit - but you might be surprised when you see the animals on display! They're all art installations ra..
If you're a fan of art, history, sport, or culture, the Ikeda Memorial Museum in Niigata's countryside is worth a visit. The picturesque grounds surrounding the museum include plenty of greenery, a pond complete with ducks and geese, and moun..
