MYSTICAL VISTAS

Tempura lunch at Shinjuku Tsunahachi: The inside of the restaurant was very comfortable. I think that since it was a weekday, lunchtime wasn’t crowded and I was able to sit and relax. In addition to the regular two-seat tables, there are also counter seats where the chef fries tempura right in front of you. That's where I want to sit if I have the opportunity to visit again!

Tokyo Skytree: At a height of 634 meters, Tokyo Skytree is one of Tokyo's landmarks. If you actually go to the top, you'll have a panoramic view of the city. Unfortunately the weather was bad the day I visited, but on good days you can clearly see Mt. Fuji, so I hope to have chance and get lucky on my second try. There was also a limited exhibition at the observatory, and Hello Kitty was on display when I was there, and she was so cute that I took many photos!

VR Ninja Dojo: When you look at the interior decorations and shop staff, you will feel like you have entered the world of the ninja. The interior is pure Japanese. There are props for taking photos, and you can take plenty of Instagram photos while wearing a ninja costume. When the ninja experience starts, the ninja masters will boost the excitement to the max. I was a little embarrassed at first, but got into it and had fun.

Izakaya experience at Wami Washu Kokori: The storefront has a retro feel, but it's surprisingly modern when you enter! There assortment of five kinds of sashimi was made with some rare fish and it was very fresh. The main course were several small dishes of mainly creative Japanese and Western cuisine, which all pair well with sake if you like to drink. The taichazuke at the end is the restaurant's specialty, and is warming and easy on the stomach. I ate so much I was stuffed! LOL!

Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Niigata Prefecture: Tokyo Station is large and crowded, and there are many train lines in this station. However, the signboards are very easy to understand, and even if you are taking the Shinkansen bullet train for the first time, it shouldn't be a problem. The Shinkansen is fairly crowded in the morning, so it is best to reserve seats in advance! If you have no plans, you can get to Niigata in about an hour and a half by taking the Shinkansen, and it was much faster than I imagined.

Lunch at Shimafuumi Cafe: Sado Island is surrounded by the sea, and its greatest attraction is that you have a superb view of the ocean that extends endlessly in all directions. You can also see the ocean from the Shimafuumi Cafe. Outside the cafe is a garden with a view of the ocean, which was absolutely fantastic! The cafe had a woodgrain interior that screamed art and was full of taste and thoughtfulness, with food made mainly with ingredients from Sado.

Sado Kinzan: I had heard that the Sado Kinzan gold mine was famous before I visited. After actually visiting the Sohdayu Tunnel, I learned that the people back then dug for gold without power and advanced science and technology, and with poor tools. I can’t imagine the effort and time it took! At the Doyu no Warito, you can see the ruins that opened up the mountaintop using human power alone. The people back then were really amazing!

Dinner (Fresh sashimi × Abalone kama-yaki × Sea bream kama-meshi with Niigata Koshihikari rice): The hotel is very close to the ocean, and the garden, restaurant, and of course the rooms, offer a spectacular view of it. I love eating, so I was excited about the giant abalone and snow crab that was for dinner! This hotel seems to offer freshly-caught fish every day, so you can be confident that it is fresh and delicious! The hotel offers many other types of dishes such as sashimi, sea bream kama-meshi, and seafood. I ate so much that I didn't have room for dessert! LOL!

Tarai bune: Because tarai bune boats are made from modified bath tubs, they have a cute shape! On days when there are no waves, the boats seemed very stable, but on the day I was riding, the waves were big and the rocking was intense. The woman who taught me how to ride was about the same age as me, but she was a skilled pro, and I respect her for not getting seasick! LOL!

Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan): What impressed me most about the Sado Island Taiko Centre was that it was made entirely of wood. There were large glass windows in the taiko experience room, where you could see a lot of greenery and gentle sunlight filling the room. I was moved by the taiko performances of the drummers in such a calm and natural environment.

Lunch at Yushokudo: Recently, there are an increasing number of places where kominka old Japanese-style houses have been renovated into restaurants and shops. Yushokudo is one such place with its antique interior that even I could appreciate, even though I don't know anything about curios. I ordered the curry rice, but my traveling companion ordered the seafood pasta and there was a mountain of it that looked so tasty! If I ever come back, I think I'll try the pasta!

Northern Culture Museum: The museum covers a vast area, and while listening to explanations of the displays on my tour, I became interested in the life of the family in old Japan and was filled with curiosity. I was able to spend the entire day hanging around and enjoying the beautiful garden. The most interesting thing was the introduction of a stone that possessed “reiki,” or spiritual energy. I can't explain it, but when I passed by it, I suddenly felt like my body was full of energy!

BBQ dinner at Mizbering: The most memorable and impressive dinner of all my itineraries! When the sky gradually turns pink, watching the people lying in the grass as a cool breeze blows, makes you feel as if you have entered the romantic and invigorating world of Japanese TV dramas! There wasn't much in terms of volume for the barbecue set, but the quality outweighed quantity and everything was delicious. In Hong Kong, having a BBQ at an open-air park is normal, but there is no place quite like this on the riverside, so I'm jealous that the people of Niigata have this kind of opportunity.

Toki Messe observation deck: You can enjoy a different perspective if you look down on the city from someplace high. The observation deck at Toki Messe on the 31st floor is no exception, and if you go to the top, you'll see how far away the place you went a few days ago actually is and how close Niigata is to the Sea of Japan. The best thing about this wonderful place is that it is free. I want to take in the view again the next time I come to Niigata!

Niigata City Aquarium Marinepia Nihonkai: I love aquariums, so I felt so relaxed when I saw all the sea creatures swimming freely in the water! I saw small fish with their babies and shrimp raised separately, and thought the aquarium was very considerate in taking steps to reduce the risk of fish being sucked into circulating water pipes. There were also cute otters whose movements were so adorable that I could not take my eyes off him!

Lunch at Marui: When I visited at lunchtime, the restaurant was full and thought it must be a popular sushi restaurant for Niigata residents, too! Items such as kobachi small dishes, sashimi, tempura, and sushi make up a set lunch and it all looks like it is made once you place your order. The portions are also large, so it's a good spot for lunch! The customer service is also very polite, and it is a great sushi restaurant in a Japanese style interior!

Gotokuya Jube: The Oiran courtesan experience wasn't easy and it took more than an hour just to put on makeup. Unlike photo studios in places such as Kyoto and Asakusa, the staff at Gotokuya Jube choose the makeup, hairstyle, and hair ornaments that best suits the shape and parts of your face. Dressed in a kimono of your choice, your “narikiri” style is complete, and when you look at the photos taken in the photo studio, you'll feel that is a completely different person (LOL)! But this experience will be a lifelong memory, so I have no regrets!

Ponshukan: Having a drink by a ticket machine is a new method, so you can enjoy a tipple without worrying about others watching and choose a sake that suits your palate. Ponshukan also sells plum wine, so it is a perfect place for beginners like me who like something sweet!

Genbi Shinkansen: You can appreciate the works of various artists in the Genbi Shinkansen, which brings art up close and personal! For the first 30 minutes, you can walk slowly from the front to the back of the train to look at the art, and then have a coffee or dessert at the cafe in the train and arrive at your destination right on schedule! Compared to reserved seats, the sofa seats are much better than in other cars, and you can enjoy an unforgettable journey in a relaxed atmosphere unlike ordinary trains!

The view of the ocean surrounding Sado and the fresh seafood are superb, making it the perfect place to have a fun and comfortable vacation for those who want to get away from the usual urban living and rapid pace of life. Niigata is more wonderful than you can imagine and I recommend that you visit. I would like to go again. Tokyo's extensive transportation network makes it a very convenient jumping off point to all other cities in Japan. If you take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, you can be in Niigata in 90 minutes. I recommend this tour because you can enjoy sightseeing spots in Tokyo and Niigata during a short stay of only a few days!