NIHONMONODiscovering Japan [Nihon] through authentic craftsmanship [Honmono]

Niigata

Niigata stretches out along the Sea of Japan. The Shinano River, the longest river in Japan, flows throughout the prefecture from north to south. The area is known for high precipitation and very heavy snowfall in the mountains during the winter.
In olden times, there were numerous lagoons on its plains. These areas have been reclaimed into farmland making Niigata the leading rice producer in Japan.

  • Echigo Yuzawa HATAGO Isen

    Using local ingredients procured from Niigata and Uonuma area, Hatago Isen provides delicious food with an element of surprise. Guestrooms are designed to cater to the different needs of each guest, whether staying in the room to read, recuperating in the onsen, or relaxing and taking a nap.
    Yuzawa 2455, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata-ken
    URL http://hatago-isen.jp/OLD/en/index.html

  • AOKISHUZO The Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

    Established in 1717, Aokishuzo has been brewing sake in the snowy area of Shiozawa, Uonuma region for 300 years. Master brewer Echigo pours his artisanship into the trademark labels ”Kakurei” and ”Bokushi”. The combination of nature and master craftsmanship create the clear rich taste of their ”sake”.
    1214 Shiozawa, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.kakurei.co.jp/english/

  • Asahi-Shuzo Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.

    Using ”takaramizu”, water from the spring of nearby Asahi Shrine, Asahi-shuzo produces flagship brand ”Kubota”. They value the harmony between nature and local environment, and also actively cultivate new talent.
    880-1 Asahi, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata
    URL https://www.asahi-shuzo.co.jp/en/

  • Ongaku to Togei no Yado Hananoki

    The main structure is a renovated 150 year-old house which was transferred to this country hill, rich with nature. A Japanese style inn where you can enjoy the four seasons with just a short walk from the beaches of Ogi.
    78-1 Shukunegi, Sado-shi, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.sado-hananoki.com/

  • Hokusetsu SHUZOU co., Ltd.

    The brewery was established in the 5th year of Meiji Era and takes advantage of the rich Sado environment to the fullest. For instance, the locally grown Yamada-Nishiki, the best rice for ”sake”, is polished to 35% then fermented slowly at a low temperature to create ”Daiginjo YK35”.
    2377-2 Tokuwa, Sado-shi, Niigata
    URL http://www.sake-hokusetsu.com

  • Midorikawa Shuzo

    Uonuma-shi has some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan. Clear fragrant ”sake” ”Midorikawa” is made with soft underground water pumped up from 50m and uses a strictly controlled, low temperature brewing method.
    4015-1 Aoshima, Uonuma-shi, Niigata Prefecture

  • Shaga no Sato Yumeya

    A Japanese style inn nestled at the foot of Mount Matsudake in Niigata, guestrooms are built in the ”sukiya-zukuri” style, a style that is harmonious with nature. Located in Iwamuro Onsen, the ”onsen” source is privately owned since April 2012.
    905-1 Iwamuro Onsen, Nishikan-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.i-yumeya.com/english.html

  • Minokawa Shuzo

    Minokawa continues to bring out the ”umami” or deep flavor of the ingredients in their ”sake” brewing, such as ”Koshi-no-Omachi” made with Omachi rice and ”Arasawadake” matured by snow storage in ”yukimuro”.
    13-31 Miyahara 2-chome, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.minogawa.com/

  • Shiki no Sato Kikuya

    A Japanese style inn with six cottages and three rooms in the annex overlooking ”Arakawa” stream which flows through Takanosu Onsen. The inn serves seasonal cuisine using local produce.
    1076-1 Takanosu, Sekikawa-mura, Iwafune-gun, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.takanosu.jp/

  • Iwanohara Vineyard Co., Ltd.

    This vineyard in Niigata was started 120 years ago. Through selective grape breeding, they continue to produce fragrant wine well suited for the Japanese palate. Snow storage, a method often used in Niigata, is used for maturing their wine.
    1223 Kitakata, Joetsu City, Niigata
    URL http://www.iwanohara.sgn.ne.jp/en/

  • Kirinzan Onsen Ekaki no Yado Fukusen

    Situated along the pure clear waters of Agano River, you can enjoy a relaxing moment in an atmosphere reminiscent of authentic Japanese scenery.
    5886 Kanose, Aga-machi, Higashikanbara-gun, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.ryokan-fukusen.co.jp/

  • ”Akira-yuzen” Akira Takizawa

    Striving to produce kimono that is passed down for generations, Takizawa depicts all things in universe, creating work that embodies the new allure of kimono.
    1-12 Nishi 1-chome, Tsumaari-cho, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata Prefecture
    URL http://www.akira-yuzen.com/

  • Yahiko Jinja

    ”Yahiko Jinja” is the Ichinomiya Shrine of Echigo area, which rests at the foot of Mount Yahiko. It has been worshipped and called ”Oyahiko-sama” since ancient times by the locals. Its enshrined god Ameno-kagoyama-mikoto is said to have taught people how to fish, produce salt, farm, and brew sake.
    2887-2 Oaza Yahiko, Yahiko-mura, Nishikambara-gun, Niigata Prefecture

  • Rice farmer, Kiyoshi Suzuki

    ”The more you chew, the better it tastes!” exclaimed Nakata. Suzuki produces Koshihikari brand rice in the beautiful environment of Minami Uonuma district.
    233-1 Kabanozawa, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata Prefecture