Mention Niigata Prefecture and the world-renowned Koshihikari Rice comes readily to mind. Indeed, Niigata impresses visitors for all the right reasons: delicious rice and sakes, dedicated craftsmanship and deep snowfall. Here are five things you ought to do in Niigata:
-
Savor sasazushi (bamboo leaf sushi) To fully enjoy the fluffiness and sweetness of Koshihikari rice, Niigata’s local specialty, sasazushi is a must-try! Seasoned with vinegar, the rice is moulded into oval shapes, topped off with ingredients like shitake mushrooms and then placed on bamboo leaves. Definitely finger-lickingly tasty!
-
Sample awesome sake Niigata’s heavy snowfall helps purify water as it seeps into the ground, thus contributing towards top-notch sake. Why not spend a mere 500 yen at Ponshu-kan and choose 5 different types of sake to be dispensed from vending machines? You may just become a sake connoisseur after this fun experience!
-
Ski and snowboard to your heart’s content Soak in the scenic winter views of Akakura and Myoko while immersing yourself in skiing and snowboarding at the many ski resorts. Needless to say, some ski resorts come with rotenburo (open-air public baths), so you can enjoy a refreshing soak after your intense workout!
-
Shop your heart out at the Tsubame-Sanjo Regional Industries Promotion Center
The industrial towns of Tsubame and Sanjo are famous for exhibiting a high level of standard for their trades: metal moulding and copperware manufacturing. So this promotion center is the perfect place for you to buy exquisitely crafted knives and spanking new pots!
- Visit the Hayashi Tominaga Estate Wouldn’t you like to visit a historical house that belonged to a noble family during the Edo period? With the Hayashi Tominaga Estate restored to its pristine state in 1883, now you can! Check out the traditional fireplace and kitchen to experience life during the Edo era!