Niigata in Hobby / Cultural experience

• Age 3～Age 85
• 3～4 hours
• 09:00 / 12:00 / 15:00 / 18:00

Niigata City sightseeing bus and escort and guide you to 3 places you care about! You can choose 3 from the following 15 spots! For a bullet tour ♪ For a preview ♪ Next day you may be able to carefully go around alone! ?

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 6～Age 120
• 2～3 hours
• 10:00 / 13:30

Excellent access, just 0 minutes from the west exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station. Full of scenery that can only be seen in winter. Put on snowshoes and go exploring in areas that are usually off-limits to people. Plan description: Snowshoe tour in the snow-rich Echigo Yuzawa area! Meet in front of the station for easy access. Let's go exploring in snowshoes in snowy fields that are usually off-limits to people! Anyone can walk briskly. Enjoy a walk on the snow while taking in the snowy scenery and winter nature. *Pickup and drop-off from nearby accommodations *Please inquire if you are bringing pets.

• Pickup Service
• With Pets
• For Rainy Days
• For Groups

• Age 6～Age 120
• 2～3 hours
• 10:00 / 13:30

The setting is Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, known as one of Japan's snowiest areas. It's full of scenery that can only be seen in winter. Put on snowshoes and go exploring in areas normally off-limits. Anyone can walk briskly. Enjoy a walk on the snow while taking in the snowy scenery and winter nature. Experience the nature nurtured over time, the people who have lived there for generations, and the tranquil countryside where you can sense the presence of the creatures that live there. This tour can only be experienced during this time of year when there is plenty of snow. *Pick-up and drop-off from nearby stations *Pick-up and drop-off from nearby accommodations *Please inquire if you are bringing pets.

• Pickup Service
• With Pets
• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 1～Age 99
• 1～2 hours

At the outdoor base, you'll cook Sado-grown Koshihikari rice terraces in a mess tin. While you wait for the rice to finish cooking, you'll have a stroll through Ryotsu's shopping district. Ryotsu Shopping District has a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. "This side dish would go well with rice!" "I'm interested in this one too!" As you stroll through the town, discovering your favorites. Enjoying casual conversations with the islanders is also one of the joys of this time. It's casual, casual, and a memorable experience. Experience local flavors through this "island cooking experience." Enjoy a new form of outdoor fun that will satisfy both your heart and your stomach. ~Schedule~ STEP 1. Please arrive at the Sado Outdoor Base 10 minutes before your reserved meeting time. STEP 2. Cook Sado rice terraces in a mess tin. Let's start by cooking Sado rice terraces in a mess tin! STEP 3. Head to Ryotsu Shopping District (approximately 30 minutes). While the rice is cooking, head to Ryotsu's shopping district! Find ingredients and side dishes that go well with your onigiri.♪ STEP 4. Return to your outdoor base and make onigiri using freshly cooked rice terraces! We offer two types of salt from Sado and miso from the long-established Tsukamoto Kojiya. You can also use side dishes you find in the shopping district as a side dish! Find your own favorite flavor.♪ STEP 5. Congratulations on your end! You can take home any leftover rice. [The Secret of Rice Terraces: It's Even More Delicious When You Know It!] Rice terraces are rice grown in terraced fields built on mountain slopes. Sado's rice terraces were created to sustain rice production in a mountainous region with little flat land. By making effective use of mountain spring water and rainwater and building terraced rice fields on mountain slopes, rice cultivation is possible even on limited land. Rice terraces are grown with clear mountain spring water and large temperature differences between day and night. The grains are firm and have a rich sweetness and fragrance. The cultivation method is labor-intensive and requires a lot of manual labor, but the charm is that it has a rich flavor and you can feel the blessings of nature.

• For Groups

• Age 3～Age 90
• 1～2 hours

Why not try your hand at making miso the old-fashioned way at Sado Outdoor Base? We'll use koji from Tsukamoto Kojiya, a long-established Sado brewery with over 100 years of history. The miso you prepare with your own hands will be a one-of-a-kind "homemade taste." After preparation, you'll tour the fragrant miso storehouse and discover the secrets of its aging process. Experience the miso growing up close in a storehouse that's usually off-limits to the public. Furthermore, you'll compare and taste Tsukamoto Kojiya's signature miso, savoring its rich flavor. This hands-on tour allows you to experience Sado's natural environment and the power of fermentation with all five senses. Take home a "taste of Sado" as a memento of your trip! Parents and children are also encouraged to participate, as you'll learn about "eating," "making," and "waiting." ~Schedule~ STEP 1. Please arrive at Sado Outdoor Base 10 minutes before your reserved meeting time. STEP 2. Prepare your own miso by mashing soybeans and mixing them with salt. All ingredients for miso preparation will be provided, so no special tools are required! STEP 3. Visit the miso brewery. We'll set off on foot to visit the miso brewery of Tsukamoto Kojiya, a long-established brewery in Ryotsu Port! You can also enjoy a stroll around the town of Ryotsu at the same time. STEP 4. Thank you for your hard work! When you return home, you can look forward to the joy of making your own miso six months or a year later.

• For Groups

• Age 20～Age 69
• Over 6 hours on the day

The Sado Island Galaxy Art Festival is an art festival that displays contemporary art in various locations across Sado Island, set against the backdrop of its rich nature and culture. This special tour of the Sado Island Galaxy Art Festival takes you around the contemporary art installations scattered across Sado Island, visiting sites of folklore and legend, and even visiting a Sado Noh workshop and a sake brewery. A guide from the festival accompanies you on the tour. Along the way, the guide, who is also a foodie, will recommend delicious local food and drinks, among other Sado gourmet treats. Also, for three days only, this special plan includes a Noh experience.

• Age 6～Age 80
• 2～3 hours

Experience a charcoal grill inside a Kamakura! You can eat freshly grilled rice cakes. At night, candles are lit in the Kamakura. *Fireworks and a sake tasting are available as options. Staff can speak simple English and use a translator. If you are unsure, we can also assist you with an interpreter (for a fee).

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 5～Age 99
• 3～4 hours /Over 6 hours on the day
• 09:00 / 13:00

This experience involves using a loom to create original placemats and scarves. [Tokamachi, the "Kimono Town"] Weaving has been a thriving industry in Tokamachi since ancient times, and it remains famous today as a producer of high-quality textiles. In the past, weaving was a part of local life, with women gathering together to spin thread and weave, especially during the snowy winter months. [What you'll get out of this experience] Experience weaving in Tokamachi under the guidance of weavers. In this experience, you'll use an easy-to-use hand loom to weave fabrics, using thin threads for the warp and thinly torn cloth for the weft. Choose your favorite from the colorful threads provided and design your own color scheme. Why not create an original piece of fabric as a memento of your trip?

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity

• Age 12～Age 99
• 3～4 hours
• 09:00 / 13:30

This experience involves making traditional sandals called "zori." [Straw Crafts from Niigata Prefecture, a Snow Country and Rice-Producing Region] Niigata Prefecture has long been a major rice farming region, and various straw crafts using rice straw have flourished. Until 70 to 80 years ago, families would work together during the snowy winter months to earn a living by crafting sandals and other items using rice straw. Nowadays, those who can craft have become extremely rare, and straw crafts are rarely seen. While this experience of actually making zori has become rare, it is still impressive to see the footwear being made by hand. [What You'll Get From This Experience] In this program, you will work with a local instructor to make these sandals. You can choose between making zori from rice straw or cloth zori made from colorful cloth. You can choose your favorite fabric for the thongs and cloth sandals from the fabrics we have available, so you can combine them to create your own stylish original sandals. The sandals you make can be worn as sandals in the river or sea in the summer, or used as slippers or interior decoration at home. Why not make your own original handmade sandals as a memento of your trip? *Cloth sandals are an optional extra and cost an additional 500 yen. *Only Japanese and English are available.

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 10～Age 99
• 3～4 hours /4～5 hours
• 10:00

[Summary] Learn how to make traditional Tokamachi cuisine from local mothers. Enjoy a feast made with a variety of ingredients! [Schedule] Meet at a designated location in Tokamachi City at 10:00 AM. Cook the food under the guidance of the instructor's mother. The menu will basically consist of three side dishes, rice, and miso soup. As seasonal ingredients will be used, the menu will be a surprise until the day itself. Once the food is ready, enjoy it while chatting with the instructor's mother! You may discover new flavors. The tour will end around 1:00 PM with a drop-off location. *Only Japanese and English are available.

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity

• Age 5～Age 99
• 1～2 hours
• 10:00 / 13:30

This is an experience where you can make a "chinkoro," a traditional craft of Tokamachi. [What is a "chinkoro"?] A "chinkoro," a small, colorful doll made from rice flour, is something every Tokamachi resident has made. The word "chinkoro" means "puppy," and they are often shaped like puppies or the zodiac animal of the year. They are made around January each year and displayed in homes. However, because they are made from rice flour paste, they break and break within a few weeks. The more broken pieces there are, the better the luck. The culture of chinkoro making is said to have originated in the Edo period, but its origins are unclear. [What you'll get from this experience] In this program, you will learn to make a chinkoro, a traditional Tokamachi craft, under the guidance of a local instructor. You can go beyond the traditional puppies and zodiac animals and create your own original chinkoro, featuring anime characters, mascots, animals, and more. This is an experience that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can enjoy. Why not try making a lucky chinkoro as a souvenir? *Only Japanese and English are supported.

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 13～Age 99
• 1 Day or more
• 15:00

Based on the concept of a super short-term study abroad program in Niigata, the mecca of manga, you will learn how to draw manga in just 3 nights and 4 days, a way that Japanese students spend a year learning. The workshop instructor is a professor at Kaisei University's School of Anime and Manga (professional manga artist). "For those who are drawing manga for the first time, so that they can draw, and for those with experience, so that they can draw better!" This is a program that allows you to experience and master the essence of manga production in just 13 hours. Participants will be required to create and complete a one-page manga (around 6 frames). The course will be conducted with breaks every hour. *Please prepare your own accommodation and meals.

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 5～Age 90
• Within 1 hour
• 09:00 / 15:00

At Sado Gold Mine, experience plans are also available in addition to tours. [Applying gold leaf to mini Sado koban] You can easily experience applying gold leaf. Don't worry if you are a beginner, the assistant will support you carefully. Estimated time required (20 minutes)

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity

• Age 5～Age 90
• Within 1 hour /1～2 hours
• 10:00 / 14:00

At Sado Gold Mine, experience plans are also available in addition to tours. [Gold leaf pasting on individual plates] You can easily experience gold leaf pasting. Don't worry if you are a beginner, the assistant will support you carefully. * Regular sightseeing courses such as Sodayu Mine and Doyu Mine are not included. Estimated time required (60 minutes): Design gold leaf application (approximately 40 minutes) + sticker removal (approximately 10 minutes) + finishing (approximately 10 minutes)

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity

• Age 3～Age 90
• 1～2 hours

Yama Cafe's Hinamatsuri - Savor the arrival of spring with gorgeous Hina dolls. Yama Cafe will be holding a "Hinamatsuri Event" in celebration of the Hinamatsuri season. Historic Hina dolls from the Taisho to Showa eras are on display in the cafe. These elegant dolls, rarely seen these days, will create a gentle and nostalgic spring moment. During this event, we will be offering a special Hinamatsuri menu, the "Hinamatsuri Gozen (3,900 yen)." We will be lovingly preparing seasonal dishes, including clam soup and chirashi sushi. Enjoy a relaxing time admiring the Hina dolls during lunchtime or afternoon coffee break. Perfect for family meals, outings with friends, or a break from exploring Kamo in the spring. *Reservations are recommended as seating is limited.

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 0～Age 99
• Within 1 hour
• 09:30 / 10:30 / 13:30 / 14:30

Learn about kimono trivia while wearing a kimono in Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, known as the Little Kyoto of Hokuetsu, and after dressing and taking photos, you will have free time. Recommended free time is to enjoy lunch at Yama Cafe, a famous Japanese restaurant nearby, or take a stroll through Kamoyama Park, which is home to Aomi Shrine, where Uesugi Kenshin's mother is said to have visited monthly when she was pregnant with Uesugi Kenshin, and the squirrel park (April to November). You can also see 500 carp streamers swimming in the Kamo River from April to early May, and salmon swimming upstream in November. The shopping street where our shop is located has an arcade called Gangi, and you can stroll through the shopping street known as Longevity Street, and enjoy taking photos with the historic Kamo buildings in the background. ~Experience flow~10:25 Meeting reception (start time is an example) We will confirm your name, number of people, etc. 10:30 Dressing, hair and makeup, photo shootChoose which kimono you would like to wear and we will dress you in it with accessories. If necessary, we will take a snapshot photo after hair and makeup. You will be given the data only. 11:30 Free timeWalk around Kamo, the Little Kyoto of Hokuetsu.We recommend lunch at Yama Cafe in Yamaju, which is listed in the Michelin Guide. 17:00 Return your costumeReturn to our shop and change your clothes. Then the session ends.

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity
• For Family

• Age 6～Age 99
• 3～4 hours
• 13:00

Bamboo Town - Tagami-ue SDGs Training x Bamboo Art Creation Experience This plan is an experiential SDGs program unique to Tagami Town that "learns" about local issues and "gives shape to that value through experience." The first half is a classroom-style SDGs training session where participants learn from those who have transformed the local issue of abandoned bamboo forests into the town's charm, and the second half is a bamboo art (bamboo ball) creation experience that makes use of the characteristics of bamboo. It is structured so that participants can experience everything from "understanding → touching → creating" rather than just gaining knowledge.

• In Door Activity

• Age 13～Age 100
• 1～2 hours
• 10:00 / 15:00

[Tagami Town, Niigata Prefecture] "A Walk Through the Secret Yudagami Onsen" with a Local Guide: Yudagami Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort. Behind the scenes, mysterious places and stories known only to locals are hidden. On this tour, you'll leisurely explore the "secrets of Yudagami" that would otherwise be inaccessible with a guide, accompanied by a "Tagagami Local Guide." It's more than just a stroll; it's a special experience immersed in nature, history, and hot spring culture. One of the Seven Wonders of Echigo, "Ryogenji's Tsunagigaya," is a place where Japanese legends have been passed down for over 800 years. A nationally protected natural monument, it still allows visitors to experience the wonders of nature up close. Kokedera Temple, Kazoin: A beautiful moss garden enveloped in tranquility. Enjoy a soothing moment surrounded by greenery. Yudagami Onsen: A drinkable hot spring source, "Yakushi no Yu," boasts a history of over 280 years. During your stroll, you can enjoy a rare experience, even in Japan, of drinking the spring water. ○ What makes this tour special: A friendly and easy-to-understand guide from a local guide. You'll be taken to places that tourists alone wouldn't find. Enjoy nature, history, and hot springs all at once. Enjoy a leisurely walk and local experience. ○ Please note: ・The price does not include bathing fees. ・The itinerary includes mountain paths and slopes. ・This tour is recommended for those who are confident in their physical strength.

• Age 12～Age 100
• 1～2 hours
• 13:00 / 15:00

\☆Bamboo Art Making Experience at Tagami Roadside Station☆/ Tagami Bamboo Boo is an art project that uses bamboo lanterns to light up the nights of Tagami Town, Niigata Prefecture, known for its bamboo shoots! One of the most popular objects at Bamboo Boo is the "bamboo ball." A bamboo ball is a craft item made by weaving bamboo bark into a ball. This is a fun workshop where you can make a bamboo ball that takes advantage of bamboo's light, flexible nature. Why not try making your own original bamboo ball? *LED sets are not included.

• In Door Activity

• Age 10～Age 90
• Over 6 hours on the day

Noh performances ceased after the Taisho era, and the Noh stage at Nagae Atsukushihiko Shrine lay dormant for a long time. Sado Island, a World Heritage Site, is home to approximately one-third of Japan's Noh theaters. Among them, one site has been forgotten for nearly 100 years: the Atsukushihiko Shrine Noh Stage, where Noh performances ceased in the Taisho era. The Sado Island Galaxy Art Festival 2025 will bring this historic stage back to life with a special event. A one-night-only experience where the past and future intersect. This event will feature a Noh performance by a local Noh performer, revived after nearly 100 years. In addition, eight contemporary musicians will perform live on the Noh stage, creating unique worldviews using a variety of instruments, including electronics, laptops, digital pianos, guitars, and flutes, as well as creative instruments made from Sado bamboo. Following the Noh performance and symposium, the opening will feature guest appearances by Fukushima Rei Shuzan + Fukushima Satoshi, a father-son duo who first met on Sado and fuse shakuhachi with electronic music. This special evening, where the majestic space of Noh intersects with the tranquil sounds of contemporary music, will sharpen all five senses and provide a one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other. [Notice] This event will be conducted entirely in Japanese. Translation and interpretation services will not be available.

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 10～Age 90
• 1～2 hours /2～3 hours

Noh performances ceased after the Taisho era, leaving the Noh stage at Nagae Atsukuhiko Shrine dormant for many years. This event, held on Sado Island, a World Heritage Site, includes a Noh performance and a workshop offering a unique Noh experience taught directly by a local Noh performer. Sado Island is home to one-third of Japan's Noh stages. Among them, the Nagae Atsukuhiko Shrine Noh Stage, which has been dormant for nearly 100 years since performances ceased in the Taisho era (1912-1926), will be revived by a local Noh performer for a special experience, along with a workshop. Noh masks and costumes are on display in the worship hall. [Notice] [Notice] The Noh performance will be conducted in Japanese. Translation and interpretation services are not available.

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 12～Age 90
• 1～2 hours
• 11:00 / 14:00

You will be transformed into a traditional Japanese princess and have your photo taken. We have recreated the uchikake worn by brides at weddings with our own arrangement. It is easy to change into, so it is less stressful on the body and takes less time, so you can experience it easily. Point makeup, simple hair styling, and hair accessories are also included in the price. We will do hair styling and point makeup so that the photos will be more beautiful. If you add gorgeous hair accessories, you will look beautiful from all angles. ① Choose your outfit ② Change of clothes ③ Hair styling, point makeup ④ Photograph ⑤ Change of clothes The finished photo data will be sent by email 5 or more shots It is a 2-minute walk from Niigata Station, so you can enjoy it while you wait!

• Age 0～Age 100
• 2～3 hours

Enjoy a simple BBQ at Little Japan ECHIGO, an inn that has been renovated from an old folk house! You will be very satisfied with the sweet and delicious rice "Koshihikari from Niigata Prefecture" from Niigata, the rice producing region! Enjoy meat and rice with your whole body in the great outdoors ♪ ① Reception/preparation You will receive and prepare at our hotel. ② BBQ starts! Once you're ready, enjoy your meat and rice in the midst of nature! ③Cleaning up/Dismissal You can use the restroom or change your clothes at the hotel.

• For Family

• Age 0～Age 100
• 2～3 hours

Enjoy a casual BBQ at Little Japan ECHIGO, an inn renovated from an old house! You'll be completely satisfied with the delicious and meaty brand pork "Echigo Mochi Pork" and "Koshihikari rice from Niigata Prefecture"! Enjoy the meat and rice with your whole body in the great outdoors♪① Check-in and preparation Please check-in and prepare at our inn. ② Start the BBQ! Once you're ready, enjoy the meat and rice in the great outdoors! ③ Clean up and disband You can use the restroom and change clothes at our inn.

• For Family

• Age 12～Age 90
• Within 1 hour
• 11:00 / 12:00 / 13:00 / 14:00 / 15:00

This plan allows women to wear furisode (furisode) and men to wear haori and hakama while walking freely around town. You can walk around Niigata Furumachi in a kimono, and there are shrines, temples, historical buildings, and Japanese gardens nearby. Please feel free to take photos with your own cell phone or camera. This plan only runs in February, March, April, May, October, November, and December. You can also request additional photography from a professional photographer. Additional fee: 30,000 yen per group (shooting time 60 minutes) Data for 30 or more cuts will be sent by email within 5 days from the shooting date

• Age 3～Age 80
• 3～4 hours
• 10:30

Empty-handed is OK. No need to prepare anything. First, you will change into a kimono. Dressing and simple hair setting will be done here. We also have bags, sandals, and tabi that match your kimono. You will wear a kimono and enjoy lunch and walking around the city. As an option, it is also possible to request a photo shoot by a professional photographer or a professional hair and makeup artist. Rickshaw rides around the city are also wonderful (rickshaws run from April to October).

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity

• Age 20～Age 69
• Over 6 hours on the day

The Sado Island Galaxy Art Festival is an art festival that displays contemporary art in various locations around Sado Island, set against the backdrop of its rich nature and culture. This special tour of the Sado Island Galaxy Art Festival takes you around the contemporary art installations scattered across Sado Island, visiting sites of folklore and legend, and even visiting a Sado Noh workshop and a sake brewery. A guide from the art festival accompanies you on the tour. Along the way, your guide, who is a foodie and has a penchant for fine dining, will offer recommendations on delicious local food and drinks, as well as other Sado gourmet specialties.

• Age 18～Age 90
• 2～3 hours

This plan allows you to receive a pleasant massage while being rocked by the waves. All you have to do is lie down on the special bed! You will receive a head massage while lying on your back, a back massage while lying face down, and a thorough pelvic and shoulder blade adjustment while lying on your side! You will lose track of time and relieve stress and body distortion! The treatment lasts approximately 70 minutes for each person. *Please consult in advance if you have injured your back or pelvis, are undergoing treatment, are pregnant, or are feeling unwell. The plan starts at 10:00 and ends at 18:00. *Please consult us for details, time, and treatment content. Please consult before 10:00 or after 18:00.

• For Groups

• Age 18～Age 90
• 1～2 hours

This plan allows you to receive a pleasant massage while being rocked by the waves. All you have to do is lie down on the special bed! You will receive a head massage while lying on your back, a back massage while lying face down, and a thorough pelvic and shoulder blade adjustment while lying on your side! You will lose track of time and relieve stress and body distortion! The treatment takes about 40 minutes per person. *Please consult in advance if you have injured your back or pelvis, are undergoing treatment, are pregnant, or are feeling unwell. The plan starts at 10:00 and ends at 18:00. *Please consult us for details, time, and treatment content. Please consult before 10:00 or after 18:00.

• For Rainy Days

• Age 18～Age 90
• 1～2 hours

This plan allows you to receive a pleasant massage while being rocked by the waves. All you have to do is lie down on the special bed! You will receive a head massage while lying on your back, a back massage while lying face down, and a thorough pelvic and shoulder blade adjustment while lying on your side! Lose track of time all by yourself, and relieve stress and body distortion! *Please consult in advance if you have injured your back or pelvis, are undergoing treatment, are pregnant, or are feeling unwell. This plan starts at 10:00 and ends at 18:00. *Please consult us for details, time, and treatment content. Please consult before 10:00 or after 18:00.

• For Rainy Days