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NIIGATA x TOKYO

A scenic route to enjoy tradition and rural culture
  • TOKYO
  • NIIGATA

Theme of the Scenic Route

THE BEAUTY OF JAPAN'S TRADITION

TRAVELER

  • Traveled : November,2022 MAN YUI NAM SONIA
    CONTENT EDITOR
    Reside in HONG KONG
  • Traveled : November,2022 Mika Lin
    YouTuber
    Reside in Tokyo
    Home country: HONG KONG

Bonsai tree cultivation is a hallmark of traditional Japanese culture. First witness the bonsai’s expression of the austerity of nature hidden within its beautiful exterior, and then head to Matsudai Nohbutai, a field museum that fuses art with traditional satoyama rural mountain living. Observe the traditions and culture of rural agricultural Japan. This valuable trip enables a traveler to enjoy a variety of Japanese culture in one swoop.

Official Tokyo Travel Guide
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/

Local government official website
http://enjoyniigata.com/en/

Haneda Airportmore

Haneda Airport
The airport serves as an air gateway for Tokyo. The passenger terminal is filled with various commercial facilities, and visitors can command a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay from the rooftop observation deck, so that every one, even those who are not flying, can enjoy the terminal.

Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Day1

TOKYO

Shunkaen Bonsai Museummore

RECOMMENDED DESTINATIONS

Shunkaen Bonsai Museum
Bonsai is a work of art that creates magnificent natural scenery in a small container. Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo was created in 2002 from the desire of Kunio Kobayashi, a bonsai artist and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award, one of the three grand prizes of Japan, and the Higashi-Kuninomiya Culture Award, to deeply spread bonsai to the world. Over 1,000 bonsai line a garden with a pond where carp gracefully swim and a majestic Japanese house. Each container has different style, all of which are beautiful and have a dignified appearance. The museum also offers classes (for a fee and available in English and Chinese) where you can experience the charm of bonsai. Classes can be booked three days in advance. All you have to bring is yourself as tools and training bonsai are provided. Since you may take completed bonsai home with you for an additional fee, drop by and experience the beauty of bonsai.
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    Shunkaen Bonsai Museum: Over 1,000 bonsai are displayed in the garden, and, in the center, there is a bonsai worth ¥100 million! Here you can not only enjoy looking at bonsai, but you can also participate in hands-on classes and make your own bonsai to take home with you. There are many spots that are perfect for taking and posting photos, and here you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of a Japanese garden.

  • Mika Lin

    Shunkaen Bonsai Museum: Shunkaen Bonsai Museum: Tokyo has always had the image of being a huge city, but the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Edogawa Ward is like an oasis in the city! During my visit, one of the museum's teachers who can speak Chinese kindly taught me about bonsai. Each bonsai's origins, how it came to be what it is today, and what kind of state it represents... I wouldn't have been able to understand these things so deeply if I had just seen them by myself. The explanations from the teacher were a big help in noticing lots of small details. In addition to touring the garden, you can also try bonsai making, kimono wearing, and tea ceremony. If you're looking for a taste of Japanese culture that you normally wouldn't experience, and in a traditional Japanese garden, then without a doubt this is the place to come to!

40 minutes by train (JR)

Shibuyamore

Shibuya
Shibuya district is the origins of youth culture. You will find several famous restaurants, bars, night clubs and live music venues flourishing among rows of stylish department stores and shops with a constant vibrant and youthful atmosphere. Shibuya is definitely the place to go to if you want to get the latest kawaii (cute) trends published in magazines. In addition, you can also enjoy dining at fashionable cafés and affordable eateries. Situated in front of Shibuya Station are some of the district’s landmarks such as the statue of Hachiko and the “Shibuya Scramble Crossing.”
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    Kairyou Yu Bathhouse: Can you go to an onsen hot spring in the middle of Tokyo? Kairyou Yu Bathhouse in Shibuya is 100-year-old building that has been renovated, and has become an incredibly popular onsen hot spring after it reopened in 2018. It's in a very convenient location, the perfect place for relaxing after walking around Shibuya. It's no wonder that so many people line up for when it opens.

    Lunch: Chez Lui: For Hong Kongers, it is so refreshing to try French cuisine in Japan! This restaurant is oh-so-stylish and the perfect spot for posting photos to social media.

  • Mika Lin

    Kairyou Yu Bathhouse: Many people think that young Japanese no longer go to public baths, especially in trendy places like Shibuya. However, in Shibuya there is the very modern Kairyou Yu Bathhouse, a public bath, and before it opens people form a long line in front of the entrance so that they can be the first to bathe in the waters that day. The painting on the wall for the main bath is modern, but you can also still see Mt. Fuji in it, which is a must-have for public baths. On top of that though, Kairyou Yu Bathhouse's biggest feature is that the entire public bath is based on a whale theme. One of the baths, the "Zuikei-sen," also has a small whale toy that contains medicinal herbs for the water, and the way it floats in the water is so cute and adorable!

    Lunch at Chez Lui: Chez Lui is a French restaurant whose interior and exterior are suffused with a retro European atmosphere, so the time that you spend here will be truly exceptional. I came here right during lunch time, so I ordered their A Course (¥2,800), which includes an appetizer, soup, a main dish (a choice of either meat or seafood), and a dessert and drink at the end. Personally, I thought thatall of the food and drinks were exceptional, and there was just the right amount for a lunch with fun conversation. If you want to eat a lot (like me), then I'd recommend ordering extra bread!

3 minutes by train (non-JR lines)

Daikanyamamore

Daikanyama
Daikanyama is the starting point of the latest modes. Daikanyama, also known for its high end residential properties, is dotted with embassies and houses owned by foreign nationals, providing a unique, cosmopolitan ambience. The main streets that fan out from Daikanyama Station include Hachiman Street that continues on to Shibuya, the former Yamate Street that heads to Komaba, and Komazawa Street that goes to Ebisu. Along these streets is Hillside Terrace, which stands as a symbol of the neighborhood with its high end and unique shops and restaurants, providing for fun outings in terms of both shopping and dining out. The wide streets lined with greenery and many tall trees, despite its downtown location, provide a perfect backdrop for a walk.
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    Tsutaya Bookstore inside T-SITE: Daikanyama T-SITE is a spot for intelligent youth to gather, and here you can see not just a variety of markets, but also young people on dates! Tsutaya Bookstore, located in the center, was selected as one of the 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World, so you can see its unique charm. In addition to its sophisticated environment, there are many stylish miscellaneous goods such as stationary, interior goods and sporting good, as well as books. There is also a cafe corner on the first floor where you can read all of the books in the store while enjoying free drinks and snacks for ¥1,500. I could probably stay here for half a day.

    Dinner (Shibuya): Sushi Matsue: People from Hong Kong love omakase menus! The menu at Sushi Matsue is particularly rich, and the price is cheap for Hong Kongers, so it's great bang-for-your-buck. The restaurant is also in a very convenient location, and the lower floor is a commercial facility, so it attracts a lot of people.

  • Mika Lin

    Tsutaya Bookstore inside T-SITE: As you all may know, This Tsutaya Bookstore is the most beautiful bookstore in Japan. I've been here numerous times before, but this is the first time that I've looked around so carefully. The area inside the store is divided into categories, and, in addition to the manga and novels that you'd find in any bookstore, there is also a large collection of books on art, design, and photography. It even has a small gallery, so it could be called a museum-bookstore! As you'd expect there is a lot of stationary, but there are also quite a few items that can cast as much as ¥200,000, which, to someone like me without much money, is hard to imagine... In addition, the shared lounge here has Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a variety of chargers, as well as free food, additive-free nuts, and drinks. This bookstore, which can be used as a library where food and drinks are available, is like a paradise for freelancers. A large rental space is also available, and it has sofas, desks, and chairs as well as a beautiful, sweeping window, so it looks like it could be used as a stylish meeting room or as a party room (although keep your voice down). It's perfect for visiting with a large group!

    Dinner (Shibuya): Sushi Matsue: Sushi Matsue is an omakase (chef's choice) sushi restaurant in Shibuya Scramble Square. This was my first time coming here for dinner! Almost all of the ingredients are directly delivered to the restaurant from the markets in Toyosu, Hokkaido, and Kyushu, etc., and the quality is guaranteed. The omakase consists mainly of sushi, sashimi, and grilled yakimono items, and, if you want to enjoy alcohol, then you can also order sake or shochu. I ordered the "Sakura" set (¥9,600). There were seven appetizers, eight pieces of sushi, and of course hot dishes such as chawanmushi (a savory steamed egg custard) and miso soup, and I was eating non-stop until dessert! My favorite appetizer was the steamed abalone with liver sauce. When you eat the leftover sauce with the vinegared sushi rice, the slightly sour vinegared sushi rice is neutralized by the rich flavor from the abalone liver, which makes them a perfect match. And for sashimi, you can't miss the fatty tuna -- it's rich and luscious, and it melts as soon as you put it in your mouth. One point other point to note is that the tuna is double layered. It's incredibly luxurious!

Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Day2

HOKURIKU(NIIGATA)

Tokyo Stationmore

Tokyo Station
October 2012 saw completion of the preservation and renovation work on the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building. The red brick facade long loved as the symbol of Tokyo Station has made a comeback, along with the history and grandeur of the original building dating nearly a hundred years back. The occasion also saw the reopening of Tokyo Station Hotel and Tokyo Station Gallery. The former is the only hotel situated within an important cultural property of Japan. The interior is designed in a sophisticated, classical European style to blend with the splendor of the Marunouchi Building exterior.

JR Joetsu Shinkansen

  • MAN YUI NAM SONIA

    Shinkansen Toki 305 (Tokyo Station to Urasa Station):
    Early in the morning, take the bullet train to Urasa Station. Departing from Shibuya is quite convenient, and you can buy an ekiben boxed lunch at the station and then eat it on the train. This saves time and is super easy!

  • Mika Lin

    Shinkansen Toki 305 (Tokyo Station to Urasa Station): The fastest and most comfortable way to get from Tokyo to Niigata is by Shinkansen! I'd recommend taking the Joetsu bullet train from Tokyo Station to Urasa Station in Niigata Prefecture. Conveniently you can go there by just a single bullet train, and you can also buy an ekiben boxed lunch at the station and then enjoy it on the train. And, when you get back to Tokyo Station on your way home, don't forget to buy some of the popular, limited edition souvenirs!

Echigo-Yuzawa Stationmore

Echigo-Yuzawa Station
CoCoLo Yuzawa Gangi Dori opened in December 2009. "Gangi Dori" is a street with a nostalgic atmosphere where the townscape from the early Showa Period has been recreated with houses lining covered alleys ("gangi"). The shops sell a wide variety of local souvenirs, including "sasadango (dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaf)," which is a specialty confectionary of Niigata Prefecture.
The station building also has a lot more to offer, including the "Tabearuki Yokocho," a street lined with restaurants, a tourist information center, the Visitor Center with a rent-a-car counter, and the Ponshu-kan selling numerous kinds of sake.
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    Uonuma no Sato: At the Hakkaisan Yukimuro, you can experience the lifestyle and culture here in snow country, and you can also tour their 'snow storage room.' In this room, about 1,000 tons of snow are used to store sake and ingredients. There are also restaurants and shops, so it's a good place to post photos from and to buy souvenirs. It's so much fun here no matter where you look or what you do!

    Ryugon Doma Cooking (local cuisine): Ryugon is a Japanese ryokan inn with a retro feel. One of the Ryugon's distinctive points is that you can do a cooking experience, using fresh vegetables to make snow country cuisine together with the locals. It's very easy to prepare, and isn't difficult even if you have trouble in the kitchen. In addition to cutting vegetables, kamado stove and kettle in the kitchen were very interesting experiences, and it lets you feel how people in the past used the oven to make fires and cook. After working on the meal, you get to eat the rice that you made yourself. It was soooooo good!

    Yuzawa Kogen: Niigata is Japan's 'snow country,' so of course you have to go to a ski resort here. Yuzawa Kogen is a very popular ski resort in Niigata, and many tourists come to see the superb views, even when it's not snow season. The ski lifts have an operating distance of 1,300m (4,265 feet), and from the base to the summit you can enjoy the scenery of Echigo Yuzawa. It's no wonder that so many people visit here just to ride the lift!

    The view from the top of the plateau is full of verdant green mountains that spread out in all directions. When flowers are blooming, it becomes a flower garden for as far as the eye can see! There are numerous spots on the plateau that are perfect for taking photos for social media. For example, there are many artistic ornaments on the lakeshore where visitors can sit and take pictures. If you like exciting attractions, then the summer bobsled is a great way to zip and fly through the mountains and valleys. This is an attraction that you can enjoy while watching the scenery go by, and is definitely worth a ride!

  • Mika Lin

    Uonuma no Sato: Uonuma no Sato is a heaven for fans of sake and shochu! This spacious site has a truly unique yukimuro, a delicious Japanese sweets shop, a sake brewery, a bakery, and more. The Hakkaisan Yukimuro in particular left a really strong impression on me. When I first heard the term "yukimuro," I imagined a large freezer warehouse, but this yukimuro is actually a natural refrigerator that uses snow! About 1,000 tons of snow are stored inside it to keep the indoor temperature between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius (37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). When sake like Hakkaisan and vegetables are stored in a large natural snow room like this, the sake slowly ages and matures, and the sweetness of the vegetables increases at the low temperatures. I really respect the wisdom of our predecessors, who came up with the idea of harnessing the energy of Mother Nature, which doesn't cost anything! When I came here before, there was only three-year aged Hakkaisan, but this time there was also eight-year aged Hakkaisan, which had just become available two weeks ago. When I tasted it, the sake had a very smooth and light taste, but with a lingering fruitiness. If you enjoy sake, then don't miss this stop!

    Ryugon Doma cooking (local cuisine): In our modern lives we use rice cookers and frying pans to cook, but, in the past in snowy regions (Niigata is one of the regions in Japan with lots of snowfall), most homes cooked their rice, side dishes, and soups in a stove called a "kamado" which was of mud, stone, or bricks. This was my first time at Ryugon, a Japanese-style ryokan inn. I cooked rice in the doma (in the past, the doma was a space used for cooking; here, you can also keep your shoes on), and I have to say that the "doma cooking experience" was really interesting. First, I put a roaring fire by placing disposable chopsticks over the firewood in the kamado, and then I chopped up the ingredients and put them into a pot to make miso soup. When all of the dishes were ready and the wild mountain vegetables were arranged, it was so gorgeous! The lady who taught me how to cook it is a master of local cuisines in snow country, and she knew everything about how to make the ingredients delicious and when was the best time to eat them! Even now, I still don't understand how she was able to make the burdock root so soft -- maybe she used some kind of magic!?

    Yuzawa Kogen: During the snow season, Yuzawa Kogen becomes a snow resort, but when the snow isn't falling it turns into a panoramic park with spectacular views! If you go in the fall when the leaves are changing and take the cable car to the to, then you can see the entire mountain as it's covered in colorful foliage. There are also sofas at the top of the mountain where you can sit and savor the view, or you can also go and enjoy a crepe at the restaurant while taking in the panoramic view. On the other hand, if you go during flower season, then be sure to visit one of the largest rock garden in Japan! At an altitude of 2,500m (8,200 feet), many rare alpine plants are grown on the mountain, and this is absolutely recommended for people who like flowers. My personal favorite though, was the bobsled with a total course length of 706m (2,316 feet)! You can freely control the speed, but if you just let it run hands off, then it goes quite fast and becomes really scary. Make sure to slow down at the places marked with "slow" signs! However, if a timid person goes too slowly then it can create a big traffic jam behind them, and other people will have to wait to enjoy the exhilaration of slicing through the wind. You might think that it's just bobsledding, but speed control is also an academic discipline.

40 minutes by train (non-JR lines)

5 minutes on foot

Matsudai Nohbutaimore

RECOMMENDED DESTINATIONS

Matsudai Nohbutai
Matsudai area of Tokamachi City is mostly mountains and known for some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world in winter. Cultivating rice fields on the slope of mountains, changing the river flow to create rice fields, and planting trees after mudslides was the way the locals have co-existed with nature in farming villages, creating the so-called "satoyama" that Japan boasts to the world. Matsudai Nohbutai is a field museum of farming culture and art for discovering and promoting this lifestyle in the snow country.
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    Matsudai Nohbutai: Nohbutai is a museum built around the theme of "the interaction between cities and villages," and is a perfect place to take a break for lunch. At the Echigo-Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo, you can enjoy local dishes made with local vegetables. Works from many artists are exhibited here, and there are many great places to take photos for social media. For example, there are works that combine rice fields and art, and a classroom where tourists can freely scribble on the blackboards and desks, which is really fun!

  • Mika Lin

    Matsudai Nohbutai: At Matsudai Nohbutai near Matsudai Station, there is an exhibition with dozens of artworks made in a variety of media. Among them are some of them will surprise you with how interesting and playful art can be. But the work that everyone knows, of course, are the gigantic wavy flowers of "Tsumari in Bloom" by Kusama Yayoi! Nohbutai also has an unfamiliar, yet nostalgic, classroom that is covered in deep green, and, if you look closely, you can see that everything in the room is made of the same material as blackboards. This is a classroom where you can use chalk to scribble anywhere! When I was a kid I didn't ever really think about the blackboard, and it was a commonplace item that I could see every day, but, now that I'm an adult and working, the blackboard has changed into a fun and emotional object from my childhood memories. For lunch, I visited Echigo-Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo. It's so fantastic that just looking at the light blue design makes my heart flutter! The sweeping windows overlook the artwork on the mountain, and the "princess-style" interior aesthetic is reflected in the view, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Look again, and you'll see that the tables are mirrors that reflect pictures and decorations on the ceiling. It's a truly ingenious design, so that even people who are eating with their heads down can enjoy the art. The only thing is that the curry is... very, very, very spicy... if you don't like spicy food, then I'd strongly recommend that you order something else!

25 minutes by bus

30 minutes on foot

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    A buffet restaurant that has incredible bang-for-your-buck. In addition to international gourmet, the most attractive point is that there are plenty of drinks! Dining Room Cosmos has a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, shochu, and red wine.

    Atema Kogen Resort Belnatio Accommodations: A very spacious onsen and Japanese ryokan inn, and the rooms were incredibly comfortable!

  • Mika Lin

    Dinner: Dining Room Cosmos in Belnatio
    This buffet restaurant in Belnatio has just reopened on July 16, 2022, and it has Japanese, Western, and even Cantonese cuisines (for real -- they even have char siu and soy sauce chicken!) for people to enjoy. My personal favorites were the freshly made sushi that was prepared by the chef on the spot, the crispy tempura, and the well-aged lamb. I also strongly recommend the all-you-can-drink option. In addition to regular cocktails, they have everything from sake and red wine to champagne. It was my first time using a red wine "beer server" (or should it be called a red wine server?), so I pressed the wrong button, the red wine started making a mess, and it almost looked like the scene of a crime... Everyone, make sure that when you are pouring red wine, that you do so calmly and don't just arbitrarily push buttons!

Day3

Kiyotsu Gorgemore

Kiyotsu Gorge
Kiyotsu Gorge is known as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. It was designated as Joshin'etsukogen National Park in September 1949, and it is a place of great academic interest.
Its steep, rocky walls with a river flowing between them cut a V-shape through the mountains, and the gorge was also nationally designated as a place of scenic beauty and a natural monument. The rugged vertical columnar joints of the rock face combined with the rapidly flowing clear blue river offer an unforgettable sight.
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    Kiyotsu Gorge: Kiyotsu Gorge is one of Japan's three major canyons, and is a must-visit place for when you come to Niigata. Every year when the leaves turn colors, large numbers of people come here for the spectacular views of the canyon. After passing through the famous "Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel" walking tunnel from the entrance, you will arrive at Kiyotsu Gorge's most famous photo spot. There is also a small pond at the end of the tunnel, and the surface of the water reflects the scenery of Kiyotsu Gorge just like a mirror, which has earned it the name "Mirror of the Sky." Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel is a relatively long walking distance, but there are many installations along the way so that you can stop, tour, and take pictures!

  • Mika Lin

    Kiyotsu Gorge: The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, which combines the natural scenery with the art of light and shadow, is one of the must-visit spots in Niigata. When you pass through the 750m (2,460 foot) long "Tunnel of Light," which has the five elements of water, fire, wood, metal, and earth as motifs, you can see a "water mirror" that represents the element of water! At the half-moon shaped tunnel exit, Kiyotsu Gorge is clearly reflected on the water's surface, forming a beautiful circle. If you want to take a picture of yourself without any other people, then make sure to come early! Lots of people wait in line even before the opening. Additionally, make sure to pay attention to the small room with the silver domed roof. From the outside it doesn't look like it, but this is a toilet with a view that you can only see while using it. If a suspicious person tries to jump or climb up you might be able to see their head, but at that point you can just yell or scream to scare them away! Here you can gaze out at the scenery of Kiyotsu Gorge while also relieving yourself. However, don't stay too long because there's still so much to do and see!

50 minutes by train (JR)

15 minutes by train (JR)

10 minutes by taxi

Day4

Northern Culture Museummore

Northern Culture Museum
From the buildings and gardens to the collection of art treasures, this is a house built by wealthy gentleman farmers that is filled with Niigata tradition and artistry. The house, which took eight years to complete, was built to offer breathtaking beauty and splendor. Facilities on the grounds include a souvenir shop, cafe, restaurant (reservations required) and accommodations (reservation required). Please enjoy this space full of history and the beauty of Niigata at your leisure.
  • MAN YUI NAM SONIA

    Northern Culture Museum: This museum hosts a number of fun events, and is perfect for tourists who don't want to be bored. For example, they have nine different programs, including a mochi-making experience and a gold lacquer work experience, so you can even do some hands-on crafting while you're on the tour! The museum also has a shop where you can buy souvenirs from Niigata.

    Lunch: Tsubamesanjo Italian Bit Tsubamesanjo Main Store
    If you're from Hong Kong, then you've probably heard the name of Tsubamesanjo. Many people visit Tsubame City and Sanjo City just to buy daily necessities because they are famous as craftsman towns that produce the high-quality cutlery that is used at the Nobel Prize dinner parties. Amidst them, Tsubamesanjo Italian Bit is a restaurant that is full of local love. It incorporates many elements from Tsubamesanjo, such as using locally made interior goods and tableware. Additionally, it uses local Niigata ingredients in its food, so you can really feel the Japanese essence even though the restaurant serves Western dishes.

    Mt. Yahiko & Yahiko Park & Ropeway: Yahiko Park on Mt. Yahiko is a very famous valley that is full of maple trees. Getting there is also really convenient -- it's just a one-minute walk from Yahiko Station. On top of that, it also has quite a few spots that are perfect for taking social media photos, such as bridges and tunnels. At the nearby 'Omotenashi Hiroba,' tourists can eat, rest, buy souvenirs, and enjoy foot baths. Go further into the mountains and you will find Yahiko Shrine, which was the first shrine in Echigo (one of the provinces in Japan's past). If you have time, you can also take a cable car to the top of the mountain for even more sightseeing!

    Jeli Café: A very picturesque seaside café, it would be so wonderful to spend half a day here!

  • Mika Lin

    Northern Culture Museum: The Northern Culture Museum was originally built in 1889 as the Ito Residence, which was later renovated into a museum in 1946 and is now available for us to tour. The museum has 18,000 square meters (193,750 square feet) of space, and there are numerous collections inside, letting you see how the rich in Niigata lived at that time. In addition, you can also view the scenery of the garden during each season, with cherry blossoms fluttering down in the spring and dignified ancient lotuses blooming in the summer, and looking at the splendor of the 150-year-old wisteria tree will make you sigh in contentment. From the large hall and the large garden, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the garden framed by the windows of the hall. Relax here, take some pictures, post them to social media, and you won't be disappointed!

    Lunch: Tsubamesanjo Italian Bit Tsubamesanjo Main Store
    Coming to Niigata to eat Italian food? Tsubamesanjo Italian Bit Tsubamesanjo Main Store is an Italian restaurant, but, in fact, it mostly uses seasonal Niigata ingredients, so it isn't "out of the theme" for a trip to Niigata. Additionally, the Tsubamesanjo area has long been famous for its metalwork, and BIt uses Tsubamesanjo products for all of its cooking utensils and cutlery, and the restaurant is very close with the local community! While there I ordered the charcoal-grilled lamb shoulder. The lamb was deliciously soft, and the aroma of the charcoal made it irresistible. However, the most interesting thing was the variety of special sauces. The dish looks like a picture, but, when you eat it, each of the sauces brings out a variety of flavors, such as the umami and sweetness of the lamb. It was like getting to eat and savor a fun and delicious work of art, and it was made an unforgettable impression on me!

    Mt. Yahiko & Yahiko Park & Ropeway: Yahiko Park covers an area of more than 13,200 square meters (32.67 acres), and lets people enjoy beautiful Japanese scenery all year round. For example, there are somei-yoshino cherry blossoms in April, double cherry blossoms in May, and fireflies on summer nights. I visited in November, which is the season of brilliant fall colors. The ultra-popular fall leaves spot in Yahiko Park is called "Momoji Valley," and it always ranks at the top of spots for fall leaves! Momiji Valley's most distinctive features is nothing more than the vermillion bridges and maple trees that illuminate each other. It's almost as if they are competing to see which has the most brilliant, beautiful red. There are too many tourists on the weekends and holidays, so if you want to take pictures on the red bridges and maple leaves, then you can either take pictures of the scenery as it is or come early on weekdays. And if you don't like getting up early? Then it's also worth seeing the maple leaves at night! In the early evening, when the lights come on and the neon lighting illuminates the autumnal leaves, it looks just like a landscape painting by a famous artist!

10 minutes by taxi

15 minutes by train (JR)

10 minutes by bus

Gotokuya Jube Photoshoot(Geisha Style)more

Gotokuya Jube Photoshoot(Geisha Style)
Dress up in "Geisha Style" just like in an "ukiyo-e" painting. Wear a luxurious traditional Japanese kimono, and have your hair done in a style of extreme extravagance to experience the ultimate in feminine beauty. A photo session against an exotic backdrop in the studio will be a unique and exciting highlight of your trip to Niigata.
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    Gotokuya Jube Photoshoot (Geisha Style): When you come to Japan, you can not only experience wearing a kimono, but you can also try dressing up in a courtesan's costume, which is so refreshing!

    Gotokuya Jube in Niigata is an extremely popular courtesan experience shop. The first floor is a cafe, and the second floor is a makeup room and studio. Here you can try on a variety of courtesan costumes and have your hairstyle arranged to suit your taste and image. Because of the personalization, you will never be "dressed the same" as other people. Additionally, the professional staff will take the pictures for you and provide guidance, so don't worry if you aren't good at taking pictures! On top of that, you can get up to 20 photos from the session. When you come to Niigata, make sure not to miss this!

  • Mika Lin

    Gotokuya Jube Photoshoot (Geisha Style):
    Are courtesan experiences only available in Kyoto? No! You can also take beautiful courtesan pictures in Niigata Prefecture. Moreover, it's cheaper than doing so in Kyoto! The first floor of Gotokuya Jube is a unique courtesan shop with a regular cafe on the first floor, with gorgeous courtesan costumes on the second floor, and adorable cats wandering about on both floors. I went for the "Oiran Course" (¥22,000 + tax), where you can receive three touched up photos and the original data for 20 photos. After all, because I've come all this way, I definitely want both the touched up photos and the original data! I told the proprietress that when I had a geisha photoshoot done before that I was dressed in a glamorous red costume, but she used her discretion and made me up in the exact opposite style, and I ended up looking like the sister of a powerful lord! Instead of making everyone into the same type of courtesan, Gotokuya Jube really emphasizes each individual's personality, and they can change the makeup according to your face and bring out each individual's beauty. While the makeup artist worked on the best look for me, it was so incredibly exciting to watch the transformation during the makeup process and to imagine what the 'finished product' would look like! After having the make-up applied and getting into the suuuuper heavy courtesan costume, the photographer appeared! They also prepared small items, such as folding fans and umbrellas, that perfectly fit the scene. And, don't worry about where to direct your gaze. The photographer will tell you how to do each pose to look your most beautiful. Bend your neck, waist, and legs as the photographer instructs, and, even if it's a somewhat unnatural pose to hold, if your expression and eyes are beautiful then it will be OK. Personally, I feel like I got to know a part of myself that I don't usually see, and I'm extremely satisfied with how the photos turned out. Perhaps this courtesan experience is a mirror that reflects another side of one's heart?

15 minutes by bus

Niigata Station

  • MAN YUI NAM SONIA

    Niigata Station: I didn't have time to buy an ekiben boxed lunch, but I did take a quick look around Niigata Station in my limited time. There are numerous souvenir shops in Niigata Station where you can buy local specialties and sake, so the next time I visit Niigata I want to make sure and spend some time shopping before leaving.

JR Joetsu Shinkansen

  • Mika Lin

    Shinkansen (Niigata Station to Tokyo Station) and Dinner: It took about 2 hours and 8 minutes to go from Niigata Station to Tokyo Station, but this time I was so busy that I didn't have time to buy an ekiben boxed lunch at the station (sad face...). But fortunately, one of the train attendants on the bullet train came by with her cart. In addition to drinks alcohol and snacks, she was also selling boxed lunches!

Tokyo Station

  • MAN YUI NAM SONIA

    I hadn't visited Japan for three years because of COVID-19, and this trip really changed my impression of Tokyo. I've been to Tokyo many times, but I didn't know that Tokyo had such a traditional and modern charm, so I would definitely recommend it to people from Hong Kong who like Japan. Although this was my first trip to Niigata, I found out that I could enjoy the region's culture, nature, and food all at the same time, in part due to its proximity to Tokyo.

  • Mika Lin

    All in all, the schedule was really full, and I was able to see not only the Tokyo metropolis, but also the traditional beauty of Japan. It's so convenient to go to Niigata from Tokyo. If you're looking to make a short trip from Tokyo to another prefecture, then I heartily recommend going to Niigata! When I visited Niigata, the autumn leaves were at their peak, and the reds and oranges everywhere added warmth to the autumn scenery, which made for an unforgettable trip.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER TRAVELERS

I wish I could have taken more time to carefully photograph all the sights, but the overall schedule, including the itinerary and accommodations, was very smooth and I was very satisfied.

MAN YUI NAM SONIA
CONTENT EDITOR
Reside in HONG KONG
  • Hobby

    -

  • Number of visits to Japan

    -

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER TRAVELERS

The Tokyo-Niigata travel schedule has so much to do! It may seem like Niigata is a long way from Tokyo, but it's actually really convenient because it's just a Shinkansen ride away. Even though I live in Tokyo I haven't visited a lot of the tourist spots here, so it was a refreshing experience for me too. I have been to Niigata several times, but each time I make new discoveries and get a new impression, and this trip was no exception -- it was a profound and extremely interesting trip.

Mika Lin
YouTuber
Reside in Tokyo
Home country: HONG KONG
  • Hobby

    Travel, delicious food

  • Length of stay in Tokyo

    7 years

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