[2025 Niigata Attraction] Travel Guide for Niigata Senbei Oukoku (Rice Cracker Kingdom) (Updated Jun)

#cherryblossom25 A great experience that well spent for families, friends, and couples. Buy specialty and rare senbei crackers direct from the source. It was fun, giving me the experience of making traditional Japanese desserts made from rice, lightly grilled and seasoned with various flavors. The place is quite small and hours were a bit short but it was fun. The staff was super nice and helped us call a taxie. Plus we got a gift box of senbei free.

| A hidden gem. Hey everyone👋, today I'm going to share an amazing travel destination with you—Niigata, Japan🎉! This place is a seriously underrated hidden gem, with stunning scenery and few crowds. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind. Follow this guide and start your dream trip! 🏞️【Must-See Attractions】 👉Kiyotsu Gorge: Wow😍, the gorge scenery here is absolutely breathtaking, with different beauty in each season. Spring is full of flowers, summer is lush and green, autumn is a riot of color, and winter is a wonderland of snow. There's also a super cool modern art installation called the "Tunnel of Light," which is perfect for photos. From Echigo-Yuzawa Station, take an express bus towards Morimiyanohara. It's about a 25-minute ride to the Kiyotsu Gorge entrance bus stop, and then a 30-minute walk. Tickets are ¥1,000 for adults and ¥400 for children. The scenery along the way is definitely worth the price. 👉Hoshitoge Rice Terraces: It's no wonder this place was selected as one of the "100 Best Villages in Japan"👏. If you're lucky, you can catch a glimpse of the dreamy sea of clouds in the early morning. When the rice paddies are filled with water, they look like a giant "water mirror," reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and trees. It's truly stunning. 👉Sado Island: This island off the coast of Niigata is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Explore the rugged coastline, visit the gold mines, and experience the traditional taiko drumming. 👉Bandai Bridge: Built in the early Showa era, this is a landmark of Niigata. Standing on the bridge, you can enjoy the scenery of the Shinano River and the cityscape. The view is especially beautiful in the evening when the lights come on. 👉Northern Culture Museum: This museum preserves the former residence of an Echigo landowner. Stepping inside is like traveling back in time. You can admire the exquisite Chisen Kaiyu-style garden and the various collections of past owners. The garden scenery changes with the seasons, and there's always something new to see. 👉Yahiko Shrine: Located at the foot of Mount Yahiko, this shrine is tranquil and spiritual, with a beautiful torii gate and a majestic main hall. Take the cable car to the top of Mount Yahiko for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the sea of clouds. It's like a fairyland. 😋【Culinary Delights】 👉Terao Fish Market: This fish market in Nagaoka City is a paradise for seafood lovers😍! Fresh and delicious seafood such as crabs and oysters are available. Buy and eat on the spot, and experience the lively market atmosphere. 👉Niigata Senbei Kingdom: This is a super fun interactive rice cracker museum. Not only can you buy all kinds of delicious handmade snacks, but you can also learn how to make rice crackers yourself and take them home as souvenirs. 👉Seaweed Soba: This cut soba noodle is made with "funori" seaweed and served in a special "hegi" bowl. The unique flavor and smooth texture are a Niigata specialty. You must try it. 👉Red Snow Crab: The red snow crab from the Sea of Japan is top-quality in Niigata, and the price is reasonable. Don't miss out on this delicacy if you love crab. 👉Niigata Sake: Niigata is a famous sake-producing region in Japan. The sake here is as refreshing as a mountain spring and as fragrant as spring flowers. You must try it while you're here. 🎿【Ski Paradise】 👉GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort: This is a paradise for ski lovers👏. It's easily accessible from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen in just 75 minutes, making it easy for a day trip. The resort is spacious, so you can enjoy skiing to your heart's content. 👉Naeba Ski Resort: With a dazzling array of slopes, there's something for everyone, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging ones for experts. There are also various snow activities, so no matter your skill level, you'll have a blast. ✈️【Travel Guide】 There are two convenient ways to get to Niigata. One is to fly to Tokyo and then take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Niigata. The train ride takes about 2 hours, and you can enjoy the scenery along the way. The other is to fly directly to Niigata Airport if there are direct flights from your city. Everyone, be sure to save this guide and plan a trip to Niigata. Trust me, it will be an unforgettable travel experience🥰!

🎈Niigata is located in the north-central part of Honshu Island, Japan. It is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the east and many mountains to the west, and is centrally located along the Sea of Japan coast.😎 🎈Natural attractions: 🎈Kiyotsu Gorge is located in Tokamachi City. The gorge's scenery changes with the seasons, and there is a "Tunnel of Light." Take an express bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station for about 25 minutes, get off at the Kiyotsu Gorge Entrance Bus Stop, and walk for 30 minutes. Tickets are JPY 1,000 for adults and JPY 400 for children.😃 🎈Hoshitoge Rice Terraces are also located in Tokamachi City and are listed as one of the "100 Best Villages in Japan." In the early morning, you may see a sea of clouds, and the rice paddies filled with water are as beautiful as a "water mirror."😜 🎈Nishikaigan Park is close to the city and has a precious forest and is reputed to have the best white sand beach in Japan.😏 🎈Historical and cultural attractions: 🎈Bandai Bridge is one of the landmarks of Niigata, built in the early Showa era, and offers a view of the Shinano River and the cityscape.😎 🎈The Northern Culture Museum preserves and opens to the public the former mansion of the great landlord of Echigo, where you can enjoy a stroll through the garden, see the collection of successive generations of owners, and enjoy the different scenery of the four seasons.😃 🎈Yahiko Shrine is located at the foot of Mt. Yahiko, a quiet and spiritual place, famous for its beautiful torii gate and main hall. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain for a beautiful view.😜 🎈Food experiences: 🎈Teradomari Fish Market is located in Nagaoka City, where you can enjoy fresh seafood such as crabs and oysters and experience the lively atmosphere of the local market.😎 🎈Niigata Senbei Kingdom is an experiential rice cracker museum where you can buy handmade food and learn how to make rice crackers.😏 🎈Leisure and entertainment: 🎈GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is conveniently located and spacious, making it ideal for ski enthusiasts.😎 🎈Naeba Ski Resort offers a variety of snow activities to meet the needs of skiers of different levels.😃 🎈Tsukioka Onsen is famous for its sulfur content, and the hot spring water is emerald green and mildly alkaline, with little irritation to the skin. The hot spring street has many shops and is full of Japanese charm.😜

Niigata is located in the middle and north of Honshu Island, Japan, with the Sea of Japan to the east and the Asahi Mountains, Iide Mountains, and Echigo Mountains to the west. It is located in the central part of the Sea of Japan coast. Here is a travel guide to Niigata, Japan: Natural Attractions - Kiyotsu Gorge: Located in Tokamachi City, the gorge offers different scenery in each season and features a modern art installation called the "Tunnel of Light." From Echigo-Yuzawa Station, take the express bus to Morimiyanohara for about 25 minutes, get off at the Kiyotsu Gorge entrance bus stop, and walk for 30 minutes to reach the gorge. Tickets are JPY 1,000 for adults and JPY 400 for children.  - Hoshitoge Rice Terraces: Located in Tokamachi City, it is one of the "100 Best Villages in Japan." You may see a sea of clouds in the early morning, and the rice paddies are beautiful like a "water mirror" when filled with water.  - Nishikaigan Park: A rare forest near the city, it is known for having the best white sand beach in Japan. Historical and Cultural Attractions - Bandai Bridge: One of the landmarks of Niigata, built in the early Showa era, it offers a view of the Shinano River and the cityscape.  - Northern Culture Museum: The former residence of a great landlord in Echigo is preserved and open to the public. You can enjoy the garden, the collection of successive owners, and the different scenery in each season.  - Yahiko Shrine: Located at the foot of Mt. Yahiko, it is a peaceful and spiritual place, famous for its beautiful torii gate and main hall. You can take a cable car to the top of Mt. Yahiko for a beautiful view.  Food Experiences - Teradomari Fish Market: Located in Nagaoka City, you can enjoy fresh seafood such as crabs and oysters, and experience the lively atmosphere of the local market.  - Niigata Senbei Kingdom: An experiential rice cracker museum where you can buy handmade food and learn how to make rice crackers. Leisure and Entertainment - GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort: Conveniently located and spacious, it is suitable for ski enthusiasts.  - Naeba Ski Resort: Offers a variety of snow activities to meet the needs of skiers of different levels.  - Tsukioka Onsen: Known for its high sulfur content, the hot spring water is emerald green and mildly alkaline, with little irritation to the skin. The hot spring street is full of shops and has a Japanese atmosphere.

Niigata, located in the north-central part of Honshu Island, Japan, is a city famous for its snowy landscapes and ski resorts. It boasts not only magnificent natural scenery but also a rich cultural and historical heritage. Whether it's a winter skiing trip or a summer nature exploration, Niigata offers a unique charm of Japan. 3. Itinerary Day 1: Niigata City and Cultural Experience In the morning, visit the Niigata City Museum to learn about the history and culture of Niigata, with exhibits ranging from ancient to modern artifacts and materials. Stroll along the waterfront park on Bandai Island and enjoy the beautiful view of Niigata Port. At noon, taste Niigata's local delicacies in the city, such as Niigata beef and Koshino Kanbai sake. In the afternoon, admire various exquisite glass artworks at the Niigata City Glass Art Museum and feel the charm of art. In the evening, take a walk in Niigata City Park and enjoy the tranquil natural environment. At night, head to the night market in Niigata City to experience the local nightlife. Day 2: Snow Country Skiing Trip In the morning, visit Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort and experience the 8.5 km long and wide ski slopes, enjoying the fun of skiing. In the afternoon, visit Kandatsu Kogen Ski Resort, which offers 13 diverse ski slopes and is open for night skiing. Day 3: Explore Niigata's History and Nature In the morning, visit the Niigata City History Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of Niigata's historical changes, with a rich display of historical artifacts. At noon, taste Niigata's local delicacies in the city, such as Niigata fish cake and Niigata ramen. In the afternoon, visit the Niigata City Botanical Garden to admire various plants and appreciate the beauty of nature. 4. Travel Tips • 1. Transportation: Niigata has convenient transportation, with buses or taxis available within the city. For ski resorts, you can choose to drive or take a sightseeing bus. • 2. Food: Niigata's local delicacies include Niigata beef, Koshino Kanbai sake, Niigata fish cake, and more. • 3. Notes: If visiting in winter, be prepared for cold weather and take safety precautions while skiing. Some attractions require advance ticket reservations. Niigata is a charming travel destination with magnificent natural scenery and a rich cultural and historical heritage. Whether it's a winter skiing trip or a summer nature exploration, it will leave you with unforgettable memories. If you're planning a trip to Japan, Niigata is definitely a treasure worth visiting.

#Family Travel The Shaobing Kingdom located in Niigata, northeastern Japan is definitely a very suitable place for family travel. Here you can not only watch the process of experts baking sesame cakes, but also experience the fun of making sesame cakes yourself☺️. Under the guidance of the staff, each of us got our own pancake-making tools. First, use tongs to pick up the unbaked sesame cakes. After repeatedly baking them on the steaming hot stove several times, you can use soy sauce to paint on the sesame cakes🖌️. After drawing, repeat the process of making pancakes several times and you are done. Adults and children can use their imagination to make each pancake full of personality😍. In addition to making sesame cakes, the Shaobing Kingdom also has a lot of sesame cake snacks for sale, from traditional sesame cakes to creative flavors. 🛍️ 📸Attraction: Niigata Okonomiyaki Kingdom 📍Address: 2661 Shinzaki, Kita-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture #trip #relax #overseastravel #Japaneseattractions #Tohoku #100travelways

#familytrips2024 We had a lot of fun making our own senbei. It took maybe 20ish mins total. They also gave us a couple large boxes full of various rice cracker products for free! Great experience for families, friends, and couples. Buy specialty and rare senbei crackers direct from the source. The place is quite small and hours were a bit short but it was fun. There are three types of hands on experiences you can do. Kids and adults welcome! Paint, grill, and flavor a large rice cracker, a smaller one (size of face), or flavor pre-made with different spices. The cafe had really good croquette and cute soft cream. You’d spend about 20 minutes there just walking around and about 50min if you try one of the experiences.

Getting the experience of how pros make the rice crackers and get experience of your hand make rice crackers. Decorated and drawn by your own design and can create rice cracker bigger than the face. Niigata Sembei Okoku is located in the Niigata city in Niigata prefecture. It is the main factory for Japanese rice crackers around Japan. Inside the factory, the visitors can able to see how to bake the rice crackers in real behind the glass door. You can also enjoy buying rice crackers with the cheapest price directly from the factory. Opening hours - 9:30 to 17:00 Address - 2661 Niizaki, Kita-ku, Niigata city, Niigata prefecture #Japan