Niigata

Niigata Prefecture is located in central Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. Abundant in nature and offering a great variety of scenery, from mountains to islands, it is a wonderful location off-the-beaten track for those who want some change from Japan's busy, urban centers. The hub of the region and coastal city Niigata City is famous for its fresh seafood and its huge aquarium. Another highlight of Niigata Prefecture is Sado Island with its many bays and caves, nature reserves and natural hot springs (onsen). It can be accessed by boat from Niigata Port. If you are more interested in mountains, hiking and winter sports, you may want to check out the Echigo region for traveling.