10 Must See Places In Niigata

Above, inside of a Niigata city tour bus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four years ago, I took an excursion to Niigata, Japan for a couple of days. I wanted to see the Sea of Japan (sorry, South Korea) side of Honshu.

My visit to Niigata was confined to the city. I visited Hakusan Park, an art gallery and visited their community center to see a photographic exhibit. I also took their bus tour of the city.

Tsunagu Japan has posted an article on "10 Must See Places In Niigata." Had I seen this or a similar article four years ago, I would have extended my stay and ventured out into other areas of the prefecture.

Maybe I'll return there in the future and check out the places listed.

The article begins with:

The long and narrow country of Japan is divided into what are called the 47 prefectures, but are actually 43 prefectures, 2 urban prefectures (Osaka and Kyoto), one territory (Hokkaido), and one metropolis (Tokyo). 

Each area has their own unique nature, with their own good characteristics and peculiarities. 

Of course, when you talk about sightseeing in Japan, places like Tokyo and Kyoto are famous, but other than that there are plenty of sightseeing areas to go to. 

Among those is Niigata prefecture. 

Niigata Prefecture is divided into 4 geographical areas, Joetsu, Chuetsu, Kaetsu and Sado region. Niigata prefecture is long and thin, and it has the third-largest area next after Nagano prefecture in Japan. 

This time, we would like to introduce the recommended 10 must see places which is surely mentioned in the sightseeing map in Niigata.

Since my visit, the city opened the Niigata Manga Animation Museum. That's one of the places I would like to see should I go back.

To see what Niigata prefecture has to offer, go here.

"Hands On" Displays At Niigata Manga Animation Museum

Above, the JR Niigata Station.  The Niigata Manga Animation Museum is nearby.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in June, I reported on the new Niigata Manga Animation Museum that just opened (as I mentioned then, I apparently visited Niigata two years too early).

Malaysia's The Star Online reports that the museum now has interactive exhibits for visitors to "try their hand" in learning about key expressions of used in manga:

IN the fast-expanding field of manga and anime museums, an institution that opened in May in Niigata is aiming to take its exhibitions to a whole new level through a bonus element: interactivity. 

The city has produced many renowned manga and anime creators, and the museum hopes to make that a more visible part of the city’s identity, say those behind the founding of the new Niigata Manga Animation Museum. Among the big names that have hailed from Niigata are Shinji Mizushima, Rumiko Takahashi and Mineo Maya. Fujio Akatsuka also lived in the city during his teens. 

Located near Niigata Station, the museum is adopting an approach to programming that allows visitors to enjoy manga and anime through interactive experience. 

At an exhibit titled Manga Taiken Table (Interactive manga table), visitors can learn about key expressions used in manga by playing with characters created by Fujio Akatsuka. One example is Iyami from the comedy series Osomatsu-kun, who is best known for his flashiness and signature three large buckteeth.

For those of you who are fans of anime and manga, the Niigata Manga Animation Museum just may be your cup of tea. The ride to and from Tokyo to Niigata on the shinkansen is roughly a couple of hours long, but riders are treated to scenic vistas along the route. If you have a JR Rail Pass, you have even more reason to take a jaunt to Niigata.

To read the full article, go here.

Niigata Manga Animation Museum

Above, the JR Niigata Station.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that I visited Niigata two and a half years too early.  There's a new anime museum that has opened up near JR Niigata Station that fans of anime and manga may want to check out.

It is the Niigata Manga Animation Museum.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

NIIGATA--In the fast-expanding field of manga and anime museums, an institution that opened last month in Niigata is aiming to take its exhibitions to a whole new level through a bonus element: interactivity. 

The city has produced many renowned manga and anime creators, and the museum hopes to make that a more visible part of the city’s identity, say those behind the founding of the new Niigata Manga Animation Museum. 

Among the big names that have hailed from Niigata are Shinji Mizushima, Rumiko Takahashi and Mineo Maya. Fujio Akatsuka also lived in the city during his teens.

Presently, there's a special exhibit based on Space Battleship Yamato 2199. It runs until July 31.

For details, go here.