Niigata

Niigata sits on Japan's west coast, facing the Sea of Japan, and is the centre of the country's most important rice-growing region. The Shinano River, Japan's longest, runs through the city, and the Bandai Bridge across it is a local landmark. Niigata's sake breweries produce some of the cleanest, driest sake in Japan, a direct result of the local rice and snowmelt water. Ponshukan, inside the train station, lets you sample five different sakes for 500 yen. The Furumachi district still has working geisha houses and preserved tearooms from the Edo period, which sets it apart from most comparable Japanese cities. Sado Island, reachable by ferry, has historic gold mines and hosts the annual Kodo taiko drumming festival. The Pier Bandai market near the port sells fresh fish, local vegetables, and regional crafts like Murakami lacquerware. Sushi here uses koshihikari rice, the best in the country by common opinion.