population: 0.81 million

extension: 726.45 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Niigata, Japan and want to visit museums, a great place to start would be the Niigata City Art Museum, which features contemporary art exhibitions. Another option is the Northern Culture Museum, which displays traditional Japanese architecture, furnishings, and gardens.

If you are interested in exploring more museums of similar type in the area, you can also check out the Tokamachi City Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the region, or the Echigo Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, which exhibits modern art pieces in a rural setting.

Food

Niigata is known for its delicious cuisine, and here are some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to eat according to local people:

1. Niigata-style Sushi: The sushi in Niigata typically features locally-caught fish, such as yellowtail, salmon, and squid, and is served with lightly vinegared rice.

2. Hegi Soba: This dish consists of thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, served on a wooden tray called hegi with a hot broth on the side for dipping.

3. Noppei Jiru: A hearty soup made with vegetables, mushrooms, seafood or meat, and miso paste.

4. Kaki-no-Ha Zushi: A type of sushi that is wrapped in persimmon leaves, giving it a unique flavor and aroma.

5. Shoyu Ramen: A classic Japanese noodle dish featuring savory soy sauce-based broth, thin noodles, and various toppings like sliced pork, green onions, and bamboo shoots.

6. Sasa Dango: These sweet dumplings are made with mochi (sticky rice cake) and filled with red bean paste, then wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed.

7. Sake: Niigata is also famous for its high-quality sake, which is made from locally grown rice and pure mountain water.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other delicious dishes to try in Niigata!

Activities

There are many fun activities that locals enjoy in Niigata, Japan. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Visit the Nishikigoi no Sato (Koi Village) in the village of Yahiko to see beautiful koi fish and learn about their breeding and care.

2. Take a stroll along the Bandai Bridge, one of the most iconic bridges in Niigata, which spans the Shinano River and offers great views of the cityscape.

3. Explore the Ponshukan Sake Museum, where you can taste different varieties of sake and learn about the brewing process.

4. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the Niigata City Cycle Course, a 28-kilometer cycling route that takes you through scenic parks and riverside paths.

5. Spend a relaxing day at the hot springs resort town of Yuzawa, located in the mountains near Niigata and famous for its onsens (hot springs), skiing, and snowboarding during the winter season.

These are just a few examples of the many fun activities that locals enjoy in Niigata, Japan.