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From Wikitravel

Niigata prefecture (新潟県 Niigata-ken) [1] is on the Japan Sea coast of the central Chubu region of Japan.

[edit] Understand

Niigata was formerly divided into the provinces of Echigo (越後), on the mainland, and Sado (佐渡), a large island off the coast.

[edit] Further reading

My Mother is a Tractor, by Nicholas Klar. A former English teacher with a witty and informative take on Japanese society. Written from the depths of the Niigata countryside.

[edit] Cities

• Niigata — the prefectural capital.
• Izumozaki — birth place of the 18th century monk-poet Ryōkan.
• Joetsu — train hub also featuring the port of Naoetsu

[edit] Other destinations

• Sado Island — with a tragic history of exiles and slave labor gold mines, now known for its scenic beauty and a large music festival
• Yuzawa — popular spa and ski resort
• Mt. Yone (Yoneyama) —
• Myoko - well known for its onsen and great skiing. Nearby Lake Nojiri is also a popular summer retreat.
• Tokamachi - famous for its snow festival, the first in Japan.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

The Joetsu Shinkansen line connects Niigata to Tokyo in around 2 hours, passing through Yuzawa on the way. Alternatively, the Nagano Shinkansen line connects Nagano to Tokyo also in around 2 hours. From Nagano one can take an express or local train onwards to Myoko and Naoetsu in Niigata Prefecture

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Niigata is the heart of Japan's Snow Country, which means it's a great place for skiing (see above destinations).

[edit][add listing] Eat

Niigata is famed for its koshihikari rice, generally considered one of the best grades in the country.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Thanks to its famous rice and abundance of mountain streams, Niigata produces some of the best sake in the country including famous labels like Kubota (久保田), Koshinokanbai (越乃寒梅) and Hakkaisan (八海山).

[edit] Get out

• Yamagata Prefecture
• Fukushima Prefecture
• Tochigi Prefecture
• Gunma Prefecture
• Nagano Prefecture
• Toyama Prefecture