Niigata Historical Tour

Enjoy the charm of Niigata on this guided Niigata shore excursion with a visit to the airy Shimizu-en Garden and get a scenic view of its landscape. Discover the Shibata Castle having prospered for more than 270 years and learn the traditional sake-making at Ichishima Sake Brewery.

Full Itinerary

Welcome on arrival at Niigata port, then our local guide and driver will transfer you to the beautiful Shimizu-en Garden in Shibata. Shimizu-en Garden was built in the late 17th century and developed in the style of Kyoto. It used to be Japanese garden for Daimyo of Shibata and the beautiful view is designated as national scenic beauty with a typical pond surrounding style garden. Visit Ashigaru Nagaya - a building of special interest and Important Cultural Property served as the lodgings for common foot soldiers. Many tea houses on the large pond offer beautiful views of the lovely flowers and greenery.

Follow your guide to Shibata Castle Ruins constructed in the early Kamakura period. The castle is chosen as 100 best castles in Japan. It was used by the Japanese Mizoguchi samurai as the center of their powerful rule until the Meiji restoration in 1868. Declared an Important Cultural Property, the three-story castle and turrets have received a full restoration and it's the only remaining castle in Niigata Prefecture with a moat around the wall. Around the ruins is a park where somei-yoshino and yozakura cherry trees drawing a lot of visitors to come.

Before turning back to the port, visit Ichishima Sake Brewery, see displays of tools used in sake making and a variety of artifacts showing the 200 years of sake production history as well as witness the usual operations. High-quality sake is produced thanks to the combination of Niigata's famous rice, purest water, ideal climate together with a technique generated through years of brewing tradition. The factory currently makes twenty different types of sake that have an elegant, dry, well-balanced taste and go well with Japanese food. Don’t forget to taste this renowned sake. Trip ends as our driver take you back to the port.

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