Niigata Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

1. Ponshukan Niigata Station
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   You can taste and buy 93 kinds of Japanese Sake (Japanese rice wine) made in Niigata.
   
   Moreover, you can also enjoy the one-day hot spring “Sake Buro (Sake bath)” which is made of 12 degrees Sake mixed with water here. We recommend this place especially for Japanese Sake lovers.
2. The Old Saito Residence
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Built in 1918 by a wealthy merchant by the name of Kijuro Saito IV as a summer villa for his family, the Old Saito Villa is now a cultural heritage property and revered as one of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Niigata. There are 11 rooms in the house each with their own character and design detail. The gardens were designed with a different aesthetic all around so viewers can enjoy a changing scene when walking from room to room in the house and throughout each season. The home and garden was designed with the concept of unity in mind so that there are no boundaries between inside and outside, creating a harmony.
3. Northern Culture Museum
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   What was once the home of the wealthy Ito Family, prosperous landowners and merchants, is now a museum that houses eight generations of the family’s collection of artworks and documents with a portion of the 6,000 items on display. The highlight really is the house and gardens, completed in 1889. The traditional Japanese-style wooden home is built on a 29,100 square meter site with 65 rooms and perfectly landscaped gardens, which are beautiful to view in all four seasons. Visitors can enjoy lunch at one of the two restaurants, and there is even an inn located on the grounds for those who want a deeper experience of the culture and history of life on the Ito Estate.
4. Pia Bandai
   1h
   At Sushi Benkei’s standing tables, customers enjoy the freshest fish prepared by friendly staff. For those who prefer to sit, there’s a conveyor belt sushi restaurant across the street with the same name.
5. Minatopia Niigata City History Museum
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   This historical district shows the stunning architecture of old Niigata. Inside a recreation of the 1910 City Hall, visitors can learn about the history and culture of Niigata and its people through beautifully displayed and interactive exhibits. Visitors can also dine inside another one of this district’s historical buildings or watch ferries and Jetfoils cruising into port on the banks of the Shinano River.
6. Niigata Furumachi Machi Minato Information Center
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   The Niigata word for “geisha” is “geigi.” Furumachi is one of the most renowned districts in the country, along with Kyotoʼs Gion and Tokyoʼs Shinbashi. Here, the geigi perform a traditional dance and play a game with guests.

Pickup details

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

※※Please note if you are arriving by cruise, there are west port and east port in Niigata. Unfortunately, east Port is not included among the designated meeting points, and therefore the guide will not be able to meet you there.
If your cruise arrives at East Port, kindly take a shuttle bus arranged by the cruise company or taxi to Niigata city center to meet your guide.

If your cruise is docking east port, please book "Port Pick-Up: Niigata Private Tour Licensed Guide＆ Vehicle"

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.