Niigata (新潟市 Niigata-shi) is the capital of Niigata prefecture, Japan and the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast.
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Niigata is a harbor city with a population of 810,000 facing the Sea of Japan. It is approximately 250 km directly north of Tokyo, and is connected with Tokyo via the Shinkansen and an expressway. Niigata is a rice-growing region famed for the high quality of its rice and sake. The Port of Niigata was established in the 16th century, and the town prospered. In 1858, when the Japan-U.S.A. Treaty of Amity and Commerce was signed, Niigata was designated as one of five ports in Japan to conduct trade with the outside world. Niigata's international port was subsequently opened in 1868.
Niigata has a bus system that is very good, but also its very easy to walk everywhere, since most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other. Most major sights in Niigata can be easily accessed by bicycle. Rentals are provided by the city from several locations scattered throughout and rental fees are ¥100 for the first 3 hours and ¥100 for each additional hour. If you plan on keeping the bicycle longer than 4 hours, the trick is to return the bicycle at a nearby rental outlet and check it out again before your first 3 hours are up. In this way, your rental is charged the ¥100 rate each 3 hours.
1 Minatopia - Niigata City History Museum (みなとぴあ新潟市歴史博物館), 2-10 Yanagishima - Chuo-ku, ☏ +81 25-225-6111, museum@nchm.jp. A museum where you can learn about the history and culture of Niigata. Audio guides available in English, Korean, and Russian. ¥300 adults, ¥200 college or vocational school students, ¥100 elementary, junior high, and high school students. 2 Northern Culture Museum (北方文化博物館), 2-15-25 Somi - Kōnan-ku, ☏ +81 25-385-2001. Apr-Nov 08:00-17:00, Dec-Mar 08:00-16:30. Built as a wealthy family's home in 1885-1887. The museum comprises several buildings, and a few restaurants/cafes.
Niigata has a wonderful shopping area. The ocean is nearby. There is a beautiful theater, ferry rides on the river, several museums, and in winter you can watch the swans come in. Shinano River Cruise. You can see the scenery of Niigata City from the waterbus that runs along the Shinano River. There is also an open-air deck where passengers can relax and enjoy the view from the river outside. There are three cruises a day. Round 1 - Niigata (ラウンドワン), 2-1-38 Misakicho Chuo-ku. Indoor amusement center with arcade batting cages, bowling, karaoke, squash, mini golf, etc.
Like many areas in Japan, Niigata area is both well known for its rice, and some locals claim it's the best rice in the country. It's known for the following specialties: Uonuma koshihikari rice. Shoyu (soy-sauce) and yofu (western-style) katsudon. Shoyu sekihan. Noppe stew. Wappa-meshi (seafood and rice steamed in a bamboo basket). Sasa-dango (mochi pounded rice balls filled with red bean paste, seasoned with mugwort and wrapped in bamboo leaves). Poppo-yaki (steamed bread flavored with brown sugar). Hegi-soba (soba from the Uonuma and Ojiya areas that uses a special kind of seaweed). Tsubame-sanjo ramen (ramen made using thick udon-style noodles). Tochio aburage (aburaage is called "abura…
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Niigata typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 18 rainy days.
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