All the charms of Niigata are packed into one day! 1 Day Trip to fully enjoy the charms of "Nishikan" Ward.
Nishikan-ku (Ward) is located in the southwestern part of Niigata City.
Known by the nickname "Nishikan," this area is a charming town filled with "Niigata-ness" such as delicious rice, sake breweries representing Japan, fresh fish from the Sea of Japan, abundant nature and hot springs.
In this article, we will introduce a 1-day model course to enjoy such attractive "Nishikan"!
How to get to Nishikan Ward?
To reach Maki Station, the gateway to Nishikan Ward, from Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen for approx. 2 hours, transfer at Tsubame-Sanjo Station to the Yahiko Line for approx. 10 minutes, and then transfer at Yoshida Station to the Echigo Line for approx. 10 minutes.
From Niigata Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen, transfer to the Echigo Line to reach Maki Station in about 40 minutes.
If you are traveling by car from Niigata Airport, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Nishikan Ward.
Since this model course is a trip around by car, it is recommended to arrange a rental car at the airport or train station!
10:00am A sake brewery tour at Sasaiwai Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. in Nishikan, a treasure house of sake
The trip will start with a visit to Nishikan Ward, a treasure house of sake, with its rich natural environment including the vast Echigo Plain, dotted with sake breweries and wineries that make the most of nature's bounty.
This time, we will stop by the Sasaiwai Sake Brewery, which offers sake brewery tours.
Observe traditional sake brewing at a sake brewery that has been in business for over 100 years
The Sasaiwai Sake Brewery, established in 1899, is known for its famous sake "Sasaiwai". 90% of its production is consumed locally, and is called "the best local sake among local sake".
A tour of the brewery, carefully guided by an active brewer, is well worth seeing!
While listening to an explanation of the sake brewing process, visitors can also enjoy sake tasting.
There are also in-store sales, so drivers can enjoy their sake after they get back!
*Scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2023.
- Name in Japanese
- 笹祝酒造
- Postal Code
- 953-0015
- Address
- 3249 Matsunoo, Nishikan-ku, Niigata City, Niigata
- Telephone
- 0256-72-3982
- Sake brewery tour
- 1:30pm - 4:00pm, Open every day
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)
11:00am Drive along the scenic "Echigo-Nanaura Seaside Line"!
After enjoying the sake of Nishikan at the Sasaiwai Sake Brewery, get in the car and start driving! After about 10 minutes of driving, you will reach the Echigo-Nanaura Seaside Line, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sea of Japan and various strange rocks! The stunning scenery from the car window will make you cheer inside the car.
A popular driving course with spectacular scenery on the side
The Echigo-Nanaura Seaside Line is a 13.9-kilometer-long national road along the coast from Kakudahama Beach to Teradomari Nozumi (Nagaoka City).
It is a popular driving course where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery created by the Sea of Japan and Mother Nature up close. On a fine day, you can even look out over Sado Island.
Driving while enjoying the scenery from the car window is one of the best parts of a Nishikan trip
- Name in Japanese
- 越後七浦シーサイドライン
- Postal Code
- 953-0011／953-0105
- Address
- Kakudahama~Maze, Nishikan-ku, Niigata City, Niigata
12:00pm Fresh seafood galore! Lunch time at Teradomari Street Market
After enjoying a scenic drive, it is time for the fun part: lunch!
About 30 minutes from the Echigo Nanaura Seaside Line, you will arrive at Teradomari Street Market. This street is lined with restaurants and souvenir stores where you can enjoy fresh seafood, and all of them look so delicious that it is hard to choose!
A wide array of seafood! Commonly known as "Sakana no Ameyoko", (Ameyoko: famous street market in Tokyo)
Teradomari's famous street is lined with fresh fish stores and souvenir stores. The lively stores are filled with fresh seafood.
It is also recommended to walk around with a piece of freshly grilled squid, shellfish, or other seafood sold at the eaves.
- Name in Japanese
- 寺泊魚の市場通り
- Postal Code
- 940-2502
- Address
- Teradomari Shimoaramachi, Nagaoka City, Niigata
- Telephone
- 0258-75-3363 (Teradomari Tourist Association)
- Closed
- Open every day
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)
2:00pm After filling your stomach, visit Yahiko Shrine, one of the most popular spiritual place in the prefecture!
After filling your stomach at Teradomari Street Market, a 20-minute drive will take you to Yahiko Shrine, located at the foot of sacred Mt. Yahiko.
Walking through the shrine's sacred forest, you will be surrounded by a holy air that seems to fill your heart with power!
Visit the best spiritual place in the prefecture!
Yahiko Shrine, nicknamed "Oyahiko-sama" since ancient times, is the most popular spiritual place in the prefecture. With Mt. Yahiko in the background and surrounded by cedar and zelkova trees over 400 years old, visitors can feel a mysterious power just by stepping inside.
3:00pm End your trip with a hot spring bath at Iwamuro Onsen
To round out the trip, visit the "Iwamuro Onsen" surrounded by rich nature, about 10 minutes by car from "Yahiko Shrine".
There are unique accommodations and dining facilities in the surrounding area, and some facilities offer one-day bathing, so you can relax after a long day in the famous hot spring.
Niigata's hot springs resort that have been in operation since the Edo period
Also known as "Reigan-no-yu," this hot spring resort has been in operation for more than 300 years.
It flourished as a place for worshippers of Yahiko Shrine, the grandest shrine in Echigo, to shift to normal meal and drink after a period of abstaining.
There are also some delicious, long-established confectionary shops, so it is fun to stroll around the town.
Enjoy staying overnight as well as a day trip!
Iwamuro Onsen has many historic inns and is a popular hot spring resort that was ranked No. 1 in Niigata Prefecture in the overall satisfaction ranking conducted by Niigata Prefecture in 2022.
The center of Niigata City is also close by, so be sure to enjoy sightseeing in the area while enjoying the delicious cuisine at the inns.
Conclusion
How was your 1-day trip to fully enjoy "Nishikan" full of attractions?
We recommend staying overnight at Iwamuro Onsen to enjoy Nishikan to the fullest.
We also recommend a trip to "Kakuda Misaki Lighthouse," which is drawing attention as a photogenic spot.You may also want to visit sake breweries and wineries scattered along the Kitaguni Highway on the following day. There is so much more to Nishikan!
We recommend that you try to find your own unique "Nishikan" model course.