Private Tour
Niigata Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Niigata!
Niigata is a beautiful city whose northwest faces the Sea of Japan. As one of Japan's leading agricultural cities, Niigata has a beautiful landscape of rice fields, well-known for its sake and rice heritage. Thanks to its abundant nature and perfect climate, Niigata became an agricultural powerhouse and historically acquired a reputation for its plentiful, abundant food output.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Niigata.
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Meet up at Niigata East port
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Ponshukan Niigata Station
You can taste and buy 93 kinds of Japanese Sake (Japanese rice wine) made in Niigata. Moreover, you can also enjoy the one-day hot spring “Sake Buro (Sake bath)” which is made of 12 degrees Sake mixed with water here. We recommend this place especially for Japanese Sake lovers.
The Old Saito Residence
Built in 1918 by a wealthy merchant by the name of Kijuro Saito IV as a summer villa for his family, the Old Saito Villa is now a cultural heritage property and revered as one of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Niigata. There are 11 rooms in the house each with their own character and design detail. The gardens were designed with a different aesthetic all around so viewers can enjoy a changing scene when walking from room to room in the house and throughout each season. The home and garden was designed with the concept of unity in mind so that there are no boundaries between inside and outside, creating a harmony.
Options
Niigata Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect Day in Niigata
bad4bob,
Apr 3, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Koichi, was absolutely amazing. He communicated with us in advance of the tour to determine our preferences for the day. He then communicated as options became available. We had asked to see the city through the eyes of the local folks. To walk the streets and eat somewhere that he would eat. We took a cab from our hotel to the Soto house and garden. This was a well maintained authentic house with an absolutely stunning garden. There was also a small shrine nearby that we visited. Next we visited a local house for an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. This was so very special. The host was wonderfully accommodating and welcoming. Learned all about the ceremony, the apprenticeship to become a teacher master and experienced the entire process. Next we took a bus downtown and walked the streets and saw many street shops. Koichi then took us to a local restaurant for lunch. With his help we ordered a wonderful meal. Next we took a bus to the newspaper’s building where we went to an observation level for fantastic views of the area. We wanted to get some of the tools used during the tea ceremony, so we went to a department store to pick up the items. Koichi had more in store for us but at this point we chose to head back to our hotel. As advertised, we were responsible for local transportation and entrance fees. It was also our responsibility to host our guide for lunch. We spent about $6,000 yen for the cab, entrance fees, busses and lunch. We also gave our tea ceremony host a thank you card that Koichi provided for us along with a monetary gift. It was suggested that we give $8,000 to $10,000 yen but we gave more. On the busses, you will want to have the Suica card. We have one in our Apple Pay app. Finally, Koichi took several pictures of us through the day and sent them to us. The day was absolutely perfect and exquisitely tailored to our desires.
Koichi great guide
Papetina,
Oct 11, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00Our wonderful guide was Koichi Sato. We got to see Niigata from all the corners. But most of all Koichi made our day, he is a marvelous guide, always trying to help and to make us feel good. Fully recommended
A lovely survey of Niigata.
GeorgeR2893,
Apr 14, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00It was very satisfying to visit historic and cultural sites to get a taste of Niigata's history. A beautiful day in the park, cherry blossoms and All.
Koichi Sato - #1 guide so far on our trip.
TomN1955,
Apr 7, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00We spent the day in Niigata with guide Koichi Sato who was fabulous. Great guide with excellent command of English (lived in New York) and lots of great information. He was very friendly and - best of all - gave us some options as we went along. Can’t say enough good things about Ko! He was amazing.
Best Tour Guide in Niigata
kenmA3467PI,
Jan 10, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00If you want a great look at Niigata with a mix of history, culture, cuisine and good fun then Koichi is the best man for the job.
Exceptional
Ken M,
Jan 8, 2024
- Viator
5.00Our experience was very special and Koichi made the difference between a good day and a great day. Koichi had a wonderful mix of history and human warmth.
Amazing Experience!!!
629tuanl,
Dec 3, 2023
- Tripadvisor
5.00Koichi was an amazing guide around Niigata City, Japan. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic, and he made sure that I had a great time exploring the city. Koichi took me to all of the best spots in Niigata City, including the Northern Culture Museum, the The Old Saito Residence and the Sake museum. Koichi was also a great source of information about Niigata City and its culture. He told me about the city's history, its people, and its food. I had a great time with Koichi, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a guide in Niigata City. He is an amazing person who will make sure that you have a memorable experience.
Niigata travels with Koishi
U3253COgracer,
Jun 29, 2023
- Tripadvisor
5.00We had so much fun touring Niigata with Koishi! Koishi actually found some of our relatives that we were able to meet as well. He went above and beyond and was able to give us an outstanding experience. I would recommend Koishi to anyone he is super friendly and so nice! We appreciate everything he has done for me and my family.
A fantastic tour guide
Lawrence K,
Mar 23, 2023
- Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Mindy, was fantastic. Unlike most tour guides, the very first thing she did was go over the proposed plan and then modify it to meet our wants and desires. She is adaptable. Mindy is very knowledgeable about the area and explained everything in detail. Plus she has a infectious personality. If you hire Mindy you will not be sorry.
Nikko Full-Day Tour with Karen
sarahsK3901RQ,
Dec 20, 2022
- Tripadvisor
5.00A great tour of the highlights of Nikko and our tour guide, Karen, was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, kind, and professional but caring - it was like being shown around a new town by a relative who lived there. We saw Toshu-Go, Futarasan Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Renno-Ji, and one other scenic overlook; I felt satisfied with the itinerary and Karen provided great background information on what we were seeing. My one warning, completely unrelated to the guide or the tour company but important: if you take this or any Nikko tour in winter, for the love of all things holy, WEAR GLOVES. 😭
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Operated by Japan Guide Agency