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 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.
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
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Niigata Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Koichi Sato is an excellent tour guide!
Sightseer659301,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I and our 2 friends booked the Niigata full-day private tour with Koichi Sato. We had a wonderful time and Sato-San is an excellent tour guide who is very professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and accommodating. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and recommend him highly.
The best guides in Niigata!!!
620marilyn,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were on a cruise and booked a private guide for Niigata. Our guide, Patsy, was incredible! She took us to some fascinating places including the Northern Culture Museum, Temple Street, and the shrine!! Then Patsy booked the most incredible place for lunch!! We love Japanese food and we were so taken with the delicious chewy noodles that Patsy took us to the grocery store to buy some to bring home! It was a beautiful and memorable day that we shall always remember!!
Perfect Day in Niigata
bad4bob,,Apr 3, 2025
- Review from 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
- Review from 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
- Review from 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.
Private tour of Niigata
Ginny S,,Apr 10, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour guide Koichi responded to our request for a private tour of Niigata a few days after booking this tour. He was polite and asked what we wanted to see. He was on time on the day of the tour meeting us at our hotel as I had requested. He did exactly as he had informed us by email. We wanted to spend the most time at the Shibata Castle, which we did; see the Shimizuen Garden and the Suwa Shrine. Koichi was very knowledgeable about these places and very pleasant to talk to. We enjoyed this tour very much.
Koichi Sato - #1 guide so far on our trip.
TomN1955,,Apr 7, 2024
- Review from 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
- Review from 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
- Review from 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
- Review from 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.
Related Experiences
![[All tour course] Aoyagi Kimono Factory workshop tour-Until one kimono is made-](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/0a/6a/02/2f.jpg)
Operated by Japan Guide Agency