Niigata prefecture (Hokuriku area)

Niigata "Shinkotori" Chuo Ward, Niigata City. Located in a retro arcade, "Shinkotori" is a long-established bar that has been in business since the 1950s. After closing for a time, it reopened and remains an important gathering spot for locals. Enjoy reasonably priced local sake with specialty oden and yakitori...

Niigata "Chinese Restaurant Seiryu" is located at Higashi-Odori 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Niigata City. Located a five-minute walk from Niigata Station, this excellent Chinese restaurant is a must-try. Established in 1978, this popular restaurant has been a favorite of anyone working around Niigata Station. While their ramen is famous, their special shumai is also excellent, costing 320 yen...

Six famous bars along the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line On March 16, 2024, the long-awaited extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line to Tsuruga will begin. From Tokyo, you can now travel beyond Kanazawa to Tsuruga, near the northern end of Lake Biwa, via Fukui Station without having to change trains. This is a great opportunity to visit Hokuriku, which offers a variety of delicacies such as crabs, prawns, and nodoguro...

Sakurai Sake Shop" in Muikamachi, Niigata Prefecture Located in front of JR Muikamachi Station, where the JR Joetsu Line and the Hokuetsu Kyuko Hokuhoku Line connect, Sakurai Sake Shop is recommended for those who love traveling and Japanese sake. The main feature of this shop is that you can drink limited-edition sake produced by a nearby sake brewery and distributed locally for as low as 200 yen per cup....

Niigata's Junchan: Kurumafu floats in a broth made with bonito and kelp. Junchan, which retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere, is a regular spot for people working in the area. Their signature dish is oden, but they also offer a wide selection of local fish sashimi. If you want to immerse yourself in Niigata's signature sake and snacks near the station, this is one of their top choices...

Higashi-Sanjo's "Tonkatsu Sanjo" Established in 1976, this popular tonkatsu restaurant is known to everyone in Sanjo. Their signature dish is the Niigata specialty, the sauced pork cutlet bowl. They also have a wide selection of snacks, so you can enjoy tonkatsu and drinks. Read more here...

Niigata's Okura Liquor Store. Located on Gakkomachi-dori in Niigata City, Okura Liquor Store is perhaps the only liquor store in Japan with an authentic bar attached. Have the bartender shake your drink for you, or sip on canned chuhai or local sake. This unique and comfortable corner bar is a must-visit.

Niigata's "Furukawa Fresh Fish" Founded around 1945, "Furukawa Fresh Fish," a fresh fish shop in Niigata's Honmachi shopping district, is a popular daytime drinking spot known only to those in the know. Their popular "Light Drinks" set, which includes Sado-mae sashimi, a small side dish, and sake, is a very reasonable 1,500 yen, including blackthroat seaperch. All of the fish and prepared dishes on display are...