Port of Niigata

Sightseeing highlights of surrounding area

• TOKKI MESSE (convention complex)

  

  This 140m tall convention facility complex boasts a viewing deck on the top floor commanding magnificent views of the Niigata Plain, Shinano River and Sea of Japan.

   

• Minatopia (Niigata City History Museum)

  

  This museum on the banks of the Shinano River introduces the history and culture of Niigata, with such exhibitions as 'Hometown waters and the progress of man'.

   

• Marinpia Nihonkai Aquarium

  

  With 20,000 animals of 450 species including sea otters and penguins, this is one of the Sea of Japan coast's biggest aquariums. Seal shows are held all year round.

   

• Shinano River Yasuragi Embankment

  

  Lined with around 1,000 cherry trees, this is a popular place of leisure and relaxation that offers cherry blossom viewing in spring and fireworks displays in summer.

   

Culture

• 

  Foods >

  Niigata sushi zannmai “the Kiwami”

  To celebrate the birth of the ordinance to designate new Niigata city in 2007, sushi makers in Niigata invented a new menu item called “the Kiwami”. It is a careful selection of the finest sushi, including sea urchin, fatty tuna and salmon roe.

   

• 

  Local specialties >

  Koshi-hikari (famous brand of Japanese rice)

  Niigata is the leading rice-producing prefecture in Japan. In particular, Koshi-hikari brand renowned throughout Japan for its exquisite flavor.

   

• 

  Event >

  Niigata So-odori (Long weekend in mid-September)

  This is a festival featuring dances. "Niigata Geta So-odori" is a must-see event. This dance was restored from the legendary dance of 300 years ago.

   

• 

  Event >

  Niigata Fuyu Shoku no jin (Niigata winter food event) (December 1 through March 31)

  Various specialty foods from Niigata are offered at hotels and restaurants in the Niigata region. In "Shoku no jin Tojitsuza", a food event held in early February, you can enjoy original pot food or donburi (rice bowl) at the food stands.

   

• 

  Heritage >

  Historic Villages in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

  Houses with thatched roofs in the 3 villages, called “Hagi-cho” in Shirakawa-go, and “Aikura” and “Suganuma” in Gokayama, have been registered as World Cultural Heritage Sites. These gassho-zukuri (steep-roofed) houses were first constructed in the Edo period to breed silkworms for silk production on shelves located on the 2nd floor (the attic). As this is a heavy snowfall area, it was necessary to remove snow from the roof in winter. In order to reduce the labor of snow removal and, also, to make a large workspace for breeding silkworms in the attic, the houses were built in a distinctive style with very high, steep roof made of thatch.

   

• 

  Heritage >

  Hiraizumi-Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land

  As a World Cultural Heritage, Hiraizumi consists of the following 5 properties: Those are Chusonji Temple（include the Golden Hall etc.), Motsuji Temple（include Motsuji Temple garden etc.), Kanjizaio-in Ato, Muryoko-in Ato, and Mount Kinkeisan. The Pure Land Gardens of Hiraizumi clearly reflects the diffusion of Buddhism over the south-east Asia. With Japan's indigenous ethos of nature worship and ideas of Amida's Pure Land of Utmost Bliss, Hiraizumi represents the specific and unique fusion of Buddhism. The remains of the complex of temples and gardens in Hiraizumi are symbolic manifestations of the Buddhist Pure Land on this earth.