Best Cities for Food Lovers in Niigata, Japan

1. Sakata City

Known as the 'City of Salt', Sakata offers a variety of seafood dishes like rice bowls topped with freshly caught fish.

Seafood Variety: Sakata is famous for its wide range of seafood options.
Freshness Guaranteed: The city's close proximity to the Sea of Japan ensures fresh seafood all year round.
Traditional Markets: Explore traditional markets like Sakata Ichiban-jaya for a taste of local culture.

Home to the Joetsumyaku Sake Brewery District, Joetsu offers a unique sake tasting experience.

Sake Tasting: Visit multiple breweries in the district to taste different types of sake.
Local Production: Joetsu is known for its traditional sake production methods.
Sake Pairing Events: Participate in events where sake is paired with local foods.

Sanjo is the heart of Niigata's rice bowl industry, offering a variety of rice dishes.

Rice Variety: Try different types of Niigata rice in various dishes.
Cooking Classes: Learn to cook traditional rice dishes in cooking classes offered by local chefs.
Rice Museum: Visit the Rice Research and Development Center to learn about Niigata's rice industry.

Nagaoka is known for its 'Yuba', a type of tofu skin, used in various dishes.

Yuba Specialties: Try unique dishes made with Yuba in Nagaoka.
Yuba-making Demonstrations: Watch local artisans make Yuba during demonstrations.
Yuba Festival: Attend the annual Yuba Festival to celebrate this local delicacy.

Tsubame is famous for its 'Tsubame-jūyō meshi', a local rice dish made with chicken and vegetables.

Traditional Rice Dish: Experience the traditional Tsubame-jūyō meshi in its birthplace.
Local Ingredients: Discover the unique taste of this dish made with local ingredients.
Cooking Classes: Learn to make Tsubame-jūyō meshi in cooking classes offered by local chefs.

Murakami is known for its 'Tengu-zushi', a unique sushi roll filled with pickled vegetables.

Unique Sushi Roll: Try the Tengu-zushi, a unique sushi roll found only in Murakami.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this sushi roll made with local ingredients.
Sushi-making Classes: Learn to make Tengu-zushi in classes offered by local sushi masters.

Kashiwazaki is famous for its 'Ganmodoki', a deep-fried dish made with tofu and vegetables.

Deep-Fried Delicacy: Try the Ganmodoki, a popular deep-fried dish in Kashiwazaki.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this dish made with local ingredients.
Cooking Classes: Learn to make Ganmodoki in classes offered by local chefs.

Shibata is known for its 'Hoto', a type of Japanese wheat noodle soup.

Wheat Noodle Soup: Try the Hoto, a local favorite in Shibata.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this soup made with local ingredients.
Hoto-making Classes: Learn to make Hoto in classes offered by local chefs.

Myoko is known for its 'Torimotsu-ni', a chicken hot pot dish.

Chicken Hot Pot: Try the Torimotsu-ni, a popular hot pot dish in Myoko.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this dish made with local ingredients.
Cooking Classes: Learn to make Torimotsu-ni in classes offered by local chefs.

Yahiko is known for its 'Momen-nabe', a dish made with wheat noodles and vegetables.

Wheat Noodle Dish: Try the Momen-nabe, a local favorite in Yahiko.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this dish made with local ingredients.
Cooking Classes: Learn to make Momen-nabe in classes offered by local chefs.

Kariwa is known for its 'Gyutan Ramen', a ramen dish made with beef tongue.

Beef Tongue Ramen: Try the Gyutan Ramen, a unique ramen dish found only in Kariwa.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this ramen made with local ingredients.
Ramen-making Classes: Learn to make Gyutan Ramen in classes offered by local chefs.

Tsubugurayama is known for its 'Koshihikari Rice', a premium variety of rice.

Premium Rice: Try the Koshihikari Rice, a popular and high-quality rice in Tsubugurayama.
Rice Fields: Visit rice fields to learn about rice cultivation.
Cooking Classes: Learn to cook with Koshihikari Rice in classes offered by local chefs.

Uonuma is known for its 'Yumepirika', a dessert made with local strawberries.

Strawberry Dessert: Try the Yumepirika, a popular dessert in Uonuma.
Local Strawberries: Discover the taste of these sweet and juicy strawberries.
Strawberry Picking: Pick your own strawberries in local farms.

Kanetsu-cho is known for its 'Shirauo', a type of fish used in sushi and sashimi.

Fish Sushi/Sashimi: Try Shirauo sushi or sashimi, a local favorite in Kanetsu-cho.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this fish caught fresh from the Sea of Japan.
Fishing Trips: Join fishing trips to catch your own Shirauo.

Toyono is known for its 'Soba', a type of buckwheat noodle dish.

Buckwheat Noodle Dish: Try the Soba, a local favorite in Toyono.
Local Ingredients: Discover the taste of this dish made with local buckwheat.
Soba-making Classes: Learn to make Soba in classes offered by local chefs.