Culture Niigata’s Furumachi Geigi Alena Eckelmann Niigata’s geisha are called “Furumachi Geigi” and they are not some illusive creatures but visitors can get close up and watc...
Beauty & Spa GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort Alena Eckelmann The GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is less than 80 minutes from Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen, which means that even a day-trip to this...
Culture Roadside Art Exhibition 2026 Kim Bergström A lot of us expect to see art in certain places like museums or galleries, but perhaps we forget that oftentimes it’s right i...
Culture Sado Kinzan Sado Kinzan is located off the shore of Niigata Prefecture on Sado Island. Once hailed as a major contributor to Tokugawa’s f...
Culture Yahiko Shrine The Tahiko-Jinja, also called Iyahiko-Jinja, is a Shinto shrine in the village of Yahiko in the Nishikanbara District of Niig...
Activities Naeba Ski Resort Naeba Ski Resort is an icon for skiing in Japan. Located in Niigata Prefecture, this giant resort is owned by the Prince Hote...
Activities GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort Touted as the only snow resort in the world with a shinkansen station, GALA Yuzawa is one of the most accessible ski resorts ...
Food Kometarou Restaurant, Minami Uonuma [Closed] Rufus Starbuck Rice cooked in the traditional way at Kometarou Restaurant in Ishiuchi/Shiozawa. The restaurant is an old farmhouse that main...
Food 'Olu 'Olu Pasta Cafe in Muikamachi [Closed] Rufus Starbuck Small pasta cafe on the outskirts of Muikamachi offering a great value set lunch of homemade pasta dishes.
