Food Muran Gozzo Cafe in Yuzawa Rufus Starbuck A new Italian restaurant in the recently renewed station serving up simple Italian classics from locally grown, seasonal ingr...
Activities Zenibuchi Park Kim Bergström Minamiuonuma's Zenibuchi Park is a pleasant spot to visit no matter the season, but is particularly renowned for their cherry...
Activities Sagurigawa Dam Kim Bergström Niigata’s Sagurigawa Dam offers some spectacular views and a varied scenery depending on the season.
Activities Yairo no Mori Kids Snow Festival 2019 Kim Bergström The Yairo no Mori Kids Snow Festival is an annual winter event designed with little ones in mind. Held at Urasa's Yairo no Mo...
Activities Zenibuchi Park Sakura Festival Kim Bergström The Zenibuchi Park Sakura Festival offers the chance to appreciate Japan's iconic cherry blossoms in a picturesque location.
Food Urajiro Restaurant in Shukuyu no Yu Rufus Starbuck An onsen and art gallery just past Tashiro Ropeway but the real find is a little restaurant inside serving great Thai food.
Food La Locanda Nella Foresta Kim Bergström La Locanda Nella Foresta is an Italian restaurant located in Minamiuonuma. With a delicious menu, robust wine list, and stell...
Activities Going up to Sennokuro-san C. Rio I had long wanted to try my hand at multi-day hiking in this area, but was unsure of what to expect (shelter and water wise),...
Activities Sakura and Spring Skiing Bryan Baier Spring in Japan is cherry blossom or sakura season. The glorious pink and white flowers bloom up and down the length of the c...
Activities Hiking from the top of Mount Naeba C. Rio This section of the Snow Country Trail summits Naeba-san and then follows the river down to the car park of the Neaba ski res...
Activities Leaving Gunma via the SCT C. Rio Following the Snow Country Trail from Gunma to Niigata, I managed to snag a sweet campsite with spectacular views down into t...
Culture Taro Okamoto Exhibition 2020-2021 Kim Bergström A special exhibition taking place at the Niigata Prefectural Bandaijima Museum looks at the road leading to the creation of T...
Activities Hydrangea Season at Kannonyama Park Kim Bergström If you're in Niigata during the rainy season and you're a hydrangea fan, there's one place you shouldn't miss. Kannonyama Par...
Food Kukai Bistro Kim Bergström If you're a meat-lover, Kukai Bistro in Minamiuonuma is worth a visit. Their menu has a focus on steaks and hamburgers, and t...
Food Taibow Coffee and Gelato Kim Bergström Taibow Coffee and Gelato is located in the Niigata countryside, and offers delicious caffeine fixes, as well as a range of ba...