Excited to experience a different side of Japan? Head from Tokyo to Niigata, Japan's gorgeous region filled with everything from sake breweries to breathtaking scenery!
It takes about two hours to get from Tokyo Station to Niigata via the JR Joetsu Shinkansen. Niigata City has prospered as one of Japan's leading port cities since the Edo Period, and you can enjoy many activities here, such as historical walks and delicious gourmet meals.
It is a great spot to use as a tourist base, as there are plenty of hotels in the city, and it is surrounded by attractions such as Sado Island and Yahiko Shrine.
Getting from Tokyo to Niigata via the Joetsu Shinkansen
The JR Joetsu Shinkansen "Toki" Line is the easiest way of getting from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station. There are one or two trains per hour.
Depending on the time of day you board, the total ride time can take from around 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 25 minutes. It costs 10,570 yen (for a regular seat in the regular car).
Once in Niigata, there are many options to travel from Niigata Station to various other areas of the prefecture.
It takes about 20 minutes by Joetsu Shinkansen to Nagaoka, Niigata's second big city, where you can find many historical sites.
Around 50 minutes away is Echigo-Yuzawa, where you can enjoy leisure activities on the plateaus in the summer and skiing in the winter.
You can easily access various tourist attractions of Niigata by riding the Shinkansen, regular train lines, or the limited express "Inaho" line for about 50 minutes to Murakami, where the beautiful shoreline continues along the Sasa River.
Japan Rail Pass: Recommended for visitors to Japan
Highly recommended for visitors to Japan is the Japan Rail Pass, the most economical way for visitors to get around Japan, jointly provided by six JR Group companies.
Conditions apply, however, and the pass is not valid for use on the Nozomi and Mizuho lines of the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen. There are two types of passes, one for Regular cars and one for Green cars (first class cars), are divided into 7, 14, or 21 days.
Also, the JR East Nagano-Niigata Area Pass is an excellent deal, especially if you want to explore around Niigata and beyond. Good for 5 consecutive days, this pass, created specifically for international travelers and expatriates, is an excellent way to save when getting from Tokyo to Niigata.
Book Now ▶ Japan Rail Pass – 7, 14, or 21 Days Unlimited Rail Travel in Japan
Book Now â–¶ JR East Nagano-Niigata Area Pass (5 Days)
Cool things to see around Niigata City
Niigata City is also where the Shinano River flows, which is famous as the longest river in Japan. You can get an amazing view from the Bandai-bashi Bridg…
