[2025 Shibata ] Travel Guide for Tsukioka Onsen (Updated Apr)

🏞【Introduction: A Romantic Invitation to Snow Country】 "Through curtains of snow, encounter the poetry of 'Snow Country'; stroll through terraced rice fields mirroring clouds, touch the earth's breath; sip century-old sake, and savor the essence of time." Niigata, this hidden gem embraced by the Sea of Japan, presents travelers with a dual feast for the senses and soul through its seasonal canvas, vibrant cuisine, and art-infused culture. 【Must-Visit Attractions: A Symphony of Nature and History】 🌳Hoshitoge Rice Terraces—Geometric Poetry in the Clouds In spring, water-filled paddies mirror green mountains; in winter, silver snow blankets like God's spilled palette. Morning sea of clouds and night star trails are lifetime pursuits for photographers. 📍Tip: 20-minute taxi ride from Matsudai Station, wear anti-slip shoes for winter snow exploration. Lake Hyoko Swan Lake—A Fairy Tale of Winged Grace Every winter, 5,000 swans arrive from Siberia, dancing with pink cherry blossoms. Feed swans in the morning and watch them stretch their necks, like stepping into an Andersen fairy tale. 📍Best time: Late November to March, wear warm coats. Kiyotsu Gorge "Tunnel of Light"—A Dialogue Between Nature and Art In the tunnel designed by Ma Yansong, light and shadows flow like time travel. Walk through one of Japan's three great valleys, listen to the Kiyotsu River's whispers, and encounter the stunning "waterfall clouds." 📍Transportation: 25-minute bus ride from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then 30-minute walk. Tsukioka Onsen—A Thousand-Year Allure of Beauty Baths Emerald sulfur hot springs seep into skin, traditional lanterns sway, and geisha silhouettes appear and vanish. Stay in a traditional inn and let the "onsen tour pass" guide you through Edo-era charm. 📍Experience: Hand bath blessings, traditional snack making, evening yukata strolls. 【Niigata's Culinary Delights: Gifts from Sea and Field】 Koshihikari Rice Sushi—Stars Melting on Your Tongue "Snow Country's Light" Koshihikari rice, embracing Sea of Japan's sweetness, shaped into cloud-like sushi. At Tomi Sushi, salmon and white fish sashimi with freshly grated wasabi, paired with sake overlooking the sea. 🍣Recommended: Niigata Station Front location, excellent lunch set value. Noheiji-jiru—A Romance of Seafood and Taro Creamy taro soup with salmon roe and shellfish creates explosive flavors. Suzakaya's soba noodles with special sauce and tempura offer authentic local soul food. 🍲Address: Niigata Station Front shop, open until 1AM. Tochio Fried Tofu—A Philosophy of Crispy Outside, Tender Inside Triple-thick tofu fried golden crisp, served with mayonnaise or natto. Bishamonten Honpo's deep-fried miso sauce is a living fossil of Edo flavors. 📌Serving suggestion: Sprinkle bonito flakes with plum sauce for creative "ten colors" experience. Teradomari Seafood Don—Neptune's Treasure King crab and botan shrimp fresh from the Sea of Japan piled high, drizzled with sweet soy sauce. Feed seagulls and watch sunset at Sasagawa-Nagare rocky coast, while fresh seafood flavors touch your soul. 🦀Must-try: Hamazaki (grilled seafood skewers) paired with Koshihikari sake. 【Cultural Experiences: Traditional Meets Modern】 In February nights, bare-chested men with candles on heads compete for "lucky tablets," their shouts shattering winter snow. Tochihori Suminokami Shrine's ancient ritual embodies primal wishes for harvest. 📅Date: Second Saturday of February, wear non-slip shoes to participate. Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale—Mona Lisa in Rice Fields Every three years, 400 artworks "grow" among rice fields and valleys. Follow art maps to discover breathing installations in "satoyama contemporary." 🎨Tip: Wear comfortable shoes in summer, bring insect repellent. Northern Culture Museum—A Century-Old Garden Tale Ito Family Residence's pond garden showcases seasonal changes through cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and winter snow. During wisteria season, evening lights sparkle like the Milky Way; wear kimono for tea ceremony, transported to Edo era. 🎋Secret spot: Try the "marriage blessing water stone" in garden corner if single. 【Seasonal Travel Guide: Perfect Timing for Niigata】 Spring (March-May): Cherry blossoms at Takada Castle Park, swans dance with sakura at Lake Hyoko, wear light jackets for flower viewing. Summer (June-August): Beach surfing, arrive 3 hours early for front-row seats at Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, bring rain gear for firework residue. Fall (September-November): Yahiko Park Valley illumination, Kiyotsu Gorge autumn tunnel ablaze with color, wear hiking shoes. Winter (December-February): Powder snow at GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort, warm up in Tsukioka Onsen, prepare heat packs for low temperatures. 【Practical Information: Seamless Niigata Travel】 Transportation: 2 hours from Tokyo via Joetsu Shinkansen, JR Pass covers all areas; city bus day pass (800 yen) is great value. Accommodation: Yumoto Jinya ryokan offers private baths, book 2 months ahead for ski season. Language: Limited English signage at attractions, download Japanese translation apps for emergencies. Niigata isn't just a destination, but a sensory rebirth. Here, every grain of rice, every snowflake, every firework tells the precious story of "ichigo ichie" (one-time encounter)

Niigata, Japan is located in the north-central part of Honshu Island, facing the Sea of Japan. It is in the central part of the coast of the Sea of Japan and is a sea route transportation hub on the coast of the Sea of Japan. There are many places worth visiting in Niigata, Japan. Here are some of the main tourist attractions: Natural Landscapes - Kiyotsu Gorge: Located in Tokamachi City, it is one of the "Three Great Gorges of Japan." The scenery of the gorge varies throughout the seasons, with streams flowing and cliffs on both sides. There are also spectacular igneous rock formations known as "columnar joints." - Hoshitoge Rice Terraces: Located in Tokamachi City, it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Villages in Japan." You may see a sea of clouds in the early morning. The water-filled rice paddies are as beautiful as "water mirrors" under the sunlight. The cascading rice terraces, surrounding mountains, and villages form a picturesque idyllic landscape. - Seaside Park: This park boasts the best white sand beach in Japan. The sand is fine and soft, and the seawater is clear and blue. It is a good place to enjoy a seaside vacation, sunbathe, and participate in water activities. You can also stroll through the forest and enjoy the natural beauty. Historical and Cultural Sites - Bandai Bridge: Built in the early Showa era, it is a rare large-scale concrete arch bridge that has been preserved to this day. It is also one of Niigata's landmarks. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the Shinano River and the cityscape. - Yahiko Shrine: Located at the foot of Mount Yahiko, it has a long history and simple and elegant architecture. It is famous for its beautiful torii gates and main hall. The garden inside the shrine is shaded by green trees, and streams flow. You can also take a cable car to the top of Mount Yahiko to overlook the surrounding scenery. - Northern Culture Museum: The museum preserves and opens to the public the former residence of a large landowner in Echigo. You can admire the circuit-style garden with a pond, the collections of successive owners, and the changing scenery of the four seasons. It is a good place to learn about local history and culture. Leisure and Entertainment - GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort: Conveniently accessible by Shinkansen, the resort has a wide area and a variety of slopes suitable for skiers of different levels, especially beginners. - Tsukioka Onsen: Famous for its rare sulfur-containing oil, the hot spring water is emerald green and weakly alkaline, with little irritation to the skin. The hot spring town has many shops and is full of Japanese charm. Here, you can relax and enjoy the comfort and pleasure of the hot springs. - Niigata Senbei Kingdom: This is an interactive rice cracker museum where you can buy a variety of handmade senbei (rice crackers). You can also experience the method of making rice crackers yourself and learn about the production process of senbei. It is very suitable for parent-child interaction.

#tokyostroll Escape the city and immerse yourself in Tsukioka Onsen, a hidden gem known for its high sulfur content waters, believed to be Japan’s most beautifying hot springs. Just a few hours from Tokyo, this tranquil retreat in Niigata Prefecture is perfect for a relaxing overnight stay or a peaceful day trip. Top Experiences in Tsukioka Onsen ♨️ Soak in Japan’s Most Luxurious Hot Springs – The milky-white waters are rich in sulfur, said to improve skin health and circulation, leaving you feeling refreshed. 🏮 Stroll Through the Charming Onsen Town – Enjoy the nostalgic streets lined with traditional ryokans, foot baths, and local shops selling onsen beauty products. 🍶 Sake Tasting at Imayo Tsukasa Brewery – Niigata is famous for its high-quality sake—don’t miss the chance to sample some of the best at a local brewery. 🥩 Try the Legendary Murakami Wagyu – Known for its intense marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this premium beef is a must-try for food lovers. ✨ Evening Illumination Walk – At night, the town transforms with soft lantern lights, creating a magical atmosphere for a peaceful stroll. How to Get There from Tokyo 🚄 Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Station (about 2 hours), then hop on a bus or taxi to Tsukioka Onsen (40 minutes). 💡 Top Tip: If you're staying overnight, book a traditional ryokan with a private onsen for the ultimate relaxation experience. Tsukioka Onsen is the perfect escape from Tokyo, blending relaxation, gourmet delights, and local culture into one unforgettable trip!

This is a foot bath spot with a sense of openness located in Tsukihime Square, the center of Tsukioka Onsen town. It is free to use, and of course the hot spring is 100% made from Tsukioka Onsen's famous hot spring water. There is Japanese umbrella art displayed next to the foot bath, which made it bright and colorful. A nearby inn also sells towels for 100 yen each, so you can easily experience it. Facility name 📍 Ashiyu Yu Ashi Tabi (foot bath) Address 📍 552-22 Tsukioka Onsen, Shibata City Opening hours 📍 8:00-21:00 Fee 📍 Free Closed days 📍 Open all year round Access 📍 About 46 minutes walk from Tsukioka (Niigata Prefecture) Station exit #Tourism #Niigata Prefecture #Niigata Trip #Tsukioka Onsen #Footbath

This is a sake tasting shop located in Tsukioka Onsen, a famous hot spring in Niigata Prefecture. 92 brands have been selected from the premium brands of all sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture. For 600 yen you will receive three coins. Choose the brand you want, exchange the coins for the sake and have the sake poured into your sake cup. Snacks to go with the sake are also sold in the shop. Tsukioka Onsen, where you can enjoy the retro townscape and hot springs, and premium sake are a luxurious combination that we highly recommend. Facility name📍Niigata local sake premium SAKE Kura KURA Address📍566-5 Tsukioka Onsen, Shibata City Opening hours📍9:30-18:00 (break time 12:00-13:00) Closed📍Every Tuesday (probably Thursday now) Access📍25 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hakushin Line "Toyosaka Station" Estimated price📍From 600 yen for 3 tasting cups (varies depending on the premium level of the sake) As of March 2024 #solo trip #couple trip #girls trip #breakfast #local gourmet #Sakura2024 #domestic trip #sake #sake tasting #Tsukioka Onsen #Niigata local sake premium SAKE Kura KURA