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Niigata City

City of food, flowers, water and willows

About Niigata City
Photo: Niigata City and Shinano River – Niigata City / CC BY 2.1 JP

Things to do in Niigata City

Upcoming Niigata City Events

Niigata Sakenojin 2025

Niigata Sakenojin 2025

Early - Mid Mar

The Niigata Sakenojin has been held annually since 2004, and allows visitors to enjoy various different sake brews. The event also..

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Niigata Top 10

Where to eat in Niigata City

Ikinari-ya, Niigata

Ikinari-ya, Niigata

Tomoko Kamishima

Ikinari-ya is a 300 year old Japanese high-class, traditional restaurant. The restaurant opened in the mid-Edo era, when stylish..

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Arco Iris

Arco Iris

Bryan Baier

Arco Iris is the latest modern Mexican cuisine addition to Niigata and is the only place this author knows of to get an authentic..

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Places to stay in Niigata City

Plum Blossom Season at Hakusan Park  2025

Plum Blossom Season at Hakusan Park 2025

Late Jan - Late Mar

After snowy winters, the signs of imminent spring are cherished in Niigata. One of the first signs that spring is on the way are..

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Latest Niigata City Reports

Niigata Station

Niigata Station

Kim Bergström

Niigata Station is located in Niigata City, and has both local and shinkansen lines which operate through it. The station is the..

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About Niigata City

Niigata City has a long history as a port city, it is the most populated city in the prefecture, and is the largest coastal city along the Sea of Japan within the island of Honshu. The Shinano River, Japan’s longest river, also runs through the city, giving it the nickname ‘the city of water’.

The fertile land makes Niigata famous for its agriculture and it is known particularly for having some of the best rice and sake in Japan. Niigata City is located only two hours away from Tokyo by bullet train (Joetsu Shinkansen), which makes it very accessible to explore the city’s unique culture, cuisine, and nature.

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