[Vlog#10]新潟2泊3日のグルメ旅[ひとり旅] | 2025年11月1日～3日

[Vlog#10]新潟2泊3日のグルメ旅[ひとり旅] | 2025年11月1日～3日

Hey guys, it’s Danny here! This time, my travel destination is Niigata Prefecture, located in Japan’s Hokuriku region — one of the country’s top rice-producing areas. No matter where you go, you’ll find comforting, heartwarming flavors that make you feel right at home. Step just a little outside the city, and you’ll see the mountains starting to turn beautiful shades of red and gold. The crisp air and colorful leaves make it the perfect time of year to explore. And honestly, soaking in a hot spring surrounded by that scenery? Absolutely unbeatable. Good food, total relaxation, and stunning nature — that’s what this Niigata autumn trip is all about. So, let’s get started on my cozy fall journey through Niigata! This trip starts bright and early at Tokyo Station! I’m hopping on the Joetsu Shinkansen “Toki 301”, which leaves at 6:08 a.m., heading straight to Niigata Station. I usually travel by plane, so it’s been a while since I last took the Shinkansen — and honestly, I’m pretty excited about it. A little while after departure, the morning sun starts shining through the window, and it’s absolutely beautiful. I’m scheduled to arrive at Niigata Station at 8:10 a.m., so it’s about a two-hour train ride. This trip is going to be two nights and three days, but according to the forecast… it’s supposed to rain all three days. I just hope the weather doesn’t get too bad. I finally arrive at Niigata Station! First, I head straight to my hotel to drop off my luggage. Here’s what the south exit of Niigata Station looks like — it’s a pretty big station, with both the Shinkansen and local lines coming in and out. After walking for about five minutes, I see my hotel for this trip — the Niigata Park Hotel. It’s still way too early to check in, so I just leave my bags there for now. Next, I head back to the station to catch a local train. After about an hour’s ride, I arrive at Nishi-Tsubame Station in Tsubame City. Here, I’m planning to grab an early lunch. A short walk from the station brings me to my destination — Koshu Hanten, a super popular local ramen shop. Even though I got there about 40 minutes before opening, there’s already a line of people waiting outside. That’s when you know it’s good! What I’m here for is their Chinese-style soba, better known as Tsubame back-fat ramen, one of the “Five Great Ramen Styles of Niigata.” It features extra-thick noodles that don’t get soggy easily, a surprisingly light soy-based broth, and a hearty layer of pork back fat that keeps the soup warm — a real Niigata classic. Niigata is famous for its rice and sake, but fun fact — it’s actually known as a ramen paradise too! Since I’m already here, I also went ahead and ordered some fried rice on the side. The place was packed, and everyone was happily slurping ramen while watching the Major League Baseball World Series broadcast on TV. Such an intense game! After finishing my meal, I hop back on the train and move on to the next destination. I arrive at Yahiko Station, located in the quiet little village of Yahiko. This area sits right in front of the torii gate of Yahiko Shrine, and it’s a popular spot for visitors thanks to attractions like Mount Yahiko, Yahiko Onsen, and Yahiko Park. Yahiko Station first opened back in 1916, and its charming building was designed to resemble Yahiko Shrine itself. It’s even been selected as one of the “Top 100 Hometown Stations” in Japan. Just a short walk from the station is Yahiko Park. The park is part of the outer grounds of Yahiko Shrine, and in spring it becomes a well-known cherry blossom spot, with some rare varieties of sakura trees. In summer, fireflies gather near the water, creating a really peaceful, magical atmosphere. And in autumn, the park is famous for its fall foliage — especially the “Momiji Valley,” which is absolutely stunning when the leaves turn red. At night, the leaves are illuminated, making it even more beautiful. When I visited, though, it was probably a little too early for the full autumn colors. And just as I arrived at the park… it started pouring rain, so I couldn’t really take my time exploring. Next, I headed over to Yahiko Shrine itself. It’s said to have a history of over 2,400 years, and it’s famous for bringing good luck in love and relationships. 私が訪れた日はちょうど弥彦菊まつりという The day I visited, there happened to be a traditional exhibition called the “Yahiko Chrysanthemum Festival.” There were so many stunning chrysanthemums on display, all grown with great care by local enthusiasts. One of the highlights was this massive “Grand Floral Display,” made up of about 30,000 chrysanthemum flowers! Apparently, the theme changes every year — and this year’s theme was Yahiko Shrine itself. The scale and detail were seriously impressive. Here’s the main worship hall. Even in the heavy rain, lots of people were there paying their respects. The shrine’s prayer ritual is a bit unique — instead of the usual two claps, it’s “two bows, four claps, and one bow.” After visiting the shrine, I made my way to Mount Yahiko. There’s a ropeway that goes up to the top, so I decided to take that. It departs every 15 minutes, and the ride to the summit takes about five minutes. As the cable car climbs slowly above the colorful trees, the view gets more and more breathtaking. At the top, the air feels much cooler and fresher than down below. Mount Yahiko stands at 634 meters, which happens to be the same height as Tokyo Skytree! Up here, there’s a sacred shrine dedicated to the deities enshrined at Yahiko Shrine — the main god and his consort. I took the ropeway this time, but I heard the hiking trail from the base takes about an hour and a half to reach the summit, and it’s easy enough even for beginners. Lots of worshippers and hikers make the climb every year. From the observation deck, you can see the Sea of Japan, and even Sado Island off in the distance. I’d love to visit Sado someday too. The weather wasn’t great, so I skipped the Panorama Tower, but it’s about 100 meters tall, and the top section slowly rotates as it rises, offering a full 360-degree view of the Echigo Plain, Mount Yahiko, and the Sea of Japan. After a short walk around the summit, I headed back to the ropeway station for the ride down. The view of the Echigo Plain from there was absolutely beautiful. I’ve heard that after the rice planting season in spring, the flooded rice fields turn into giant mirrors, reflecting the sky — that must be an incredible sight. At night, the area is also known for its sparkling night views and star-filled skies, and it’s even been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Night View Spots. Five minutes later, I was back down at the base and ready to move on to my next stop. I had originally planned to visit Yahiko Onsen for a relaxing soak, but by the time I got there, there were less than 30 minutes left before the day-use hours ended — so I decided to skip it this time. My next destination was Bunsuido Confectionery, a local sweets shop. They’re famous for their Panda-yaki, which actually won the Grand Prix in the National Local Sweets Contest. Since I was there, I ordered their Yahiko Musume Panda-yaki — a special version filled with a sweet paste made from Yahiko Musume edamame, a local specialty. The outside is made from glutinous rice flour, giving it a soft, chewy texture and a pure white color. After enjoying my treat, I headed back to Yahiko Station and caught the train back to Niigata Station. I arrive back at Niigata Station, and from here, I head straight to the hotel again. I finally get to the Niigata Park Hotel, pick up the luggage I dropped off earlier, and check in. Here’s the room I’ll be staying in tonight. To be honest… it’s tiny. There’s barely any space besides the bed, the desk area feels cramped, and there’s not even enough room to properly open my suitcase. Definitely one of the smallest hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in. But hey — I’m mostly just here to sleep, so it’s fine. After taking a short break, it’s time for dinner. I grab my umbrella and head out into the pouring rain, walking over to Sekitori Niigata Ekimae, a popular restaurant that specializes in chicken dishes. Since it’s such a busy spot, I was a bit worried I wouldn’t get in, but luckily there was one open seat — just enough for me. They start me off with a small macaroni salad appetizer, and for the main dish, I order one of Niigata’s local specialties — hanmi-age, or deep-fried half chicken. This dish was created about 60 years ago right here in Niigata City, and it’s now considered a true Niigata soul food. It’s got a unique curry flavor, with super crispy skin and juicy, tender meat inside — absolutely delicious. I asked them to cut it into smaller pieces this time to make it easier to eat. To go with it, I also ordered a salted rice ball and some chicken soup. The soup was boiling hot when it came out — seriously, watch out or you’ll burn your mouth. Even though the chicken had a lot of bones and took a bit of effort to eat, it was totally worth it.
Everything was amazing — thank you for the meal! On my way back to the hotel, I stopped by a convenience store to grab a little dessert — Momotarō, Niigata’s local ice pop. Despite the name “Momotarō,” which literally means Peach Boy, it’s actually strawberry-flavored — with a mysterious touch of apple juice mixed in for some reason. Apparently, the origin of the name “Momotarō” goes back to the early Showa era. Back then, peach-shaped frozen treats were popular, and over time, the word Momotarō became a general term for popsicles with sticks. Day 2 starts once again at Niigata Station! Today’s destination: Tsukioka Onsen. I take the JR Hakushin Line and first head toward Shibata. After about 30 minutes, I arrive at Shibata Station. From here, there are only three buses a day that go to Tsukioka Onsen. I catch one from the stop just outside the station, and after about 25 minutes, I arrive at Tsukioka Onsen. First things first — time for a soak in the hot spring. I head to Yuasobi Yado Akebono, a ryokan where you can use the hot spring even without staying overnight. The water here is such a vivid emerald green that people sometimes mistake it for having bath additives — but that’s all natural! Depending on the season, weather, and climate conditions, the color slightly changes — that’s why they say it’s a hot spring with “seven faces.” It’s one of Japan’s richest sources of hydrogen sulfide, giving it that distinct “sulfur hot spring” scent and a range of natural benefits. After soaking, my skin feels incredibly smooth, and the warmth seeps deep into my body, keeping me warm for hours. That’s why Tsukioka Onsen is also known as “the hot spring of beauty” and “the fountain of youth.” After my bath, I had planned to try a senbei (rice cracker) grilling experience at a nearby shop — but unfortunately, it wasn’t open that day. So instead, I head out for lunch at Kibunichi, a ramen shop known for Kambara-style ramen. The place is packed, with a long line outside, so I brace myself for a bit of a wait. But surprisingly, the line moves quickly and I get in sooner than expected. The menu is simple: regular ramen or meat ramen. Naturally, I go for the meat ramen. Filming isn’t allowed inside, so I just took a quick photo. The bowl is piled high with slices of chashu pork, making for an impressive presentation. The soup is on the lighter side, so even with all that meat, it doesn’t feel heavy at all. They also offer one free noodle refill, which is a nice touch. After that, I had planned to kill some time at Tsukioka Wakuwaku Farm, a local food-themed park, before catching the return bus… but it turns out the place had permanently closed at the end of September. Totally my fault for not checking ahead of time… With my plans changed, I decided to relax at a café in the Tsukioka Onsen area instead. The town itself has a charming hot spring street, with foot baths, drinking fountains, and plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops — it’s a great place for a stroll. After wandering around a bit, I stop by a café called Alma. They serve freshly roasted coffee and homemade sweets. I order the Chocolate Gâteau Nantais, which comes with a cute moon-shaped cookie — maybe a nod to the café’s logo. The gâteau nantais is a traditional cake from Nantes, France — and fun fact: Niigata City and Nantes are sister cities! To drink, I go with apple juice. I take my time enjoying both while watching the World Series broadcast — a perfect way to relax. My next stop is another café called Kotori Café. Here, I order a seasonal dessert and drink set. Since it’s autumn, the dessert of the season is a chestnut cream tart. The cream is silky smooth, with a rich chestnut flavor — absolutely delicious. For the drink, I pay a little extra for the strawberry milk. It comes topped with a marshmallow that has a cute little face drawn on it — honestly, almost too cute to eat. After spending some time here as well, I head over to catch one of the two daily buses that go directly back to Niigata Station. The ride takes about an hour, and I’m back in Niigata. I was planning to go back to my hotel, but by then, the rain had turned into a downpour, with winds so strong I couldn’t even use my umbrella. So, I decided to change plans and grab dinner first instead. I went to Tonkatsu Tarō CoCoLo Niigata, a restaurant inside the station complex that serves one of Niigata’s local specialties — tare katsu-don. In Niigata, “katsu-don” doesn’t mean the typical pork cutlet with egg on top. Instead, it’s crispy fried pork cutlets dipped in a sweet and savory soy sauce, then placed directly over a bowl of rice — simple but seriously satisfying. At Tonkatsu Tarō, they even have mini bowls with three small pieces of katsu, perfect if you’re not super hungry but still want to try the local flavor. Day 3 starts right in front of my hotel! The weather doesn’t look great, but today I’m spending the day exploring Niigata City itself. Outside the Bandai Exit of Niigata Station, there’s this cute little sculpture. Apparently, it lights up at night in different colors depending on the season — that must look amazing! A short walk away is Bandai Bridge, one of Japan’s nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. It spans the Shinano River, Japan’s longest river, and is considered one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Built from solid stone, its series of graceful arches is said to be especially beautiful from the side… which, of course, I completely forgot to film. Kinda regret that now. Next, I walk a bit further to reach the Bandai City Bus Center. It’s not just a transportation hub — it’s also packed with great local food spots. First up: Bandai Soba, located on the first floor. At first glance, it looks like a simple standing soba shop… but their real claim to fame is Bus Center Curry, a local legend in Niigata. Here’s the mini curry — though honestly, “mini” is kind of misleading because it’s still a good-sized portion. Unlike your typical brown Japanese curry, the sauce here is bright yellow, thick, and surprisingly spicy — some people might even find it quite hot. It has a rich, sticky texture, and the pickled red ginger on the side adds the perfect kick. The more I ate, the more addictive it became — I totally understand why it’s so popular. Next, I head up to the second floor to Mikazuki Bandai, a local chain famous for serving “Italian” — but not the kind you’re thinking of. In Niigata, “Italian” doesn’t mean pasta or pizza. It’s actually yakisoba noodles topped with tomato sauce — a unique local comfort food that’s been around since 1960. Here’s what it looks like! They also have variations like curry Italian, white sauce Italian, and other creative seasonal versions. The noodles are thick and chewy, made fresh in-house, mixed with plenty of bean sprouts and cabbage, and topped with a mildly flavored tomato sauce. The whole thing tastes nostalgic and gentle — classic Niigata-style “Italian.” After filling up, I hop on a bus from the Bus Center and head to Toki Messe, Niigata’s big waterfront convention complex. On the 31st floor, about 125 meters above ground, there’s the Befco Bakauke Observation Room — a 360-degree observation deck. From here, you can see Niigata City, the Sea of Japan, Sado Island, and even the Gozu Mountain Range on clear days. To the west, you can spot the wide Shinano River flowing toward the sea, and if it weren’t raining, I’d probably see Sado Island too. Looking north — the rain makes visibility tough, but that’s where Niigata Airport is. but that’s where Niigata Airport is. In the center area, you can spot Sado Kisen, the ferry company that connects mainland Niigata with Sado Island. To the east, you can see Pier Bandai, Niigata’s famous fresh food market — packed with seafood, meat, produce, sake, and sweets. And to the south, there it is again: Bandai Bridge, the one I visited earlier. Even from up here, the arches are so elegant — I really should’ve gotten that side shot! To the left, you can spot Niigata Station. I can only imagine how gorgeous the city must look from here on a clear evening or night. Too bad the weather didn’t cooperate. By the way, “Befco” is a brand of Kuriyama Beika, a snack company based right here in Niigata. They make the popular rice crackers Bakauke and Hoshi Tabeyo — you’ve probably seen them in convenience stores. After leaving Toki Messe, I take the bus back to Niigata Station. I didn’t really have any set plans for the rest of the day, but I decide to visit Hakusan Shrine. So, I hop on another bus and head over. Here it is — Hakusan Shrine. It’s known as the “Sōchinju” of Niigata, meaning it’s the city’s main protective shrine, deeply rooted in local faith. The grounds are massive — about 10,000 tsubo (roughly 33,000 square meters) — and home to many different deities. The most famous among them is the goddess Kukurihime no Ōkami. According to legend, she once helped reconcile a quarreling divine couple, which is why the shrine is said to bring good fortune in relationships and love. Every summer, the shrine also hosts the Tanabata Wind Chime Festival, where colorful wind chimes are hung with wishes written on them, meant to bring luck and positive energy to Niigata. In Japanese tradition, the sound of bells and chimes is believed to purify and ward off evil spirits, which might explain why the shrine’s water pavilion is beautifully decorated with dozens of wind chimes. After the visit, I take the bus back to Niigata Station one last time. Before heading back to Tokyo, I stop for dinner at Nagaoka Kojimaya, located inside the CoCoLo Niigata shopping area. This restaurant specializes in hegi soba, a Niigata delicacy. I order the vegetable tempura rice bowl and hegi soba set. Hegi soba refers to soba noodles served in a wooden tray called “hegi.” At Kojimaya, they don’t use wheat flour at all — instead, they use a natural seaweed called funori as a binding agent. That gives the noodles their unique elasticity, smooth texture, and pleasant chewiness. The presentation is also beautiful — each serving of soba neatly folded and arranged in the tray. And that wraps up my 2-night, 3-day food trip around Niigata! So, what did you think? Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t really on my side this time, so I couldn’t enjoy all the sightseeing and local food as much as I’d hoped. But hey — that just gives me another reason to come back someday and give Niigata another shot. With this trip, I’ve now visited 36 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures, so I’m slowly but surely getting closer to completing my Japan-wide journey! Alright, that’s it for today’s video. Thanks so much for watching, and as always — don’t forget to subscribe and give this video a thumbs up! See you in the next one!

秋の新潟を巡る2泊3日のグルメ旅！紅葉や温泉を楽しみながら、燕背脂ラーメンやタレかつ丼、へぎそばなど名物グルメを堪能。雨にも負けず、新潟の自然と文化を満喫します。
他の旅行動画→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmZFEtQ5tQ31m66bPbZqK_pd4aaDTyNwy

————————————————————————————–
[インスタグラム]
https://www.instagram.com/dannys_vlog_0225/
————————————————————————————–

#新潟観光
#新潟グルメ
#vlog
#新潟県
#月岡温泉
#弥彦
#ひとり旅
#旅行

BGM：GT-K（DOVA-SYNDROME）