Niigata Prefecture, known for its heavy snowfall, is actually Japan’s number one rice-producing region. In addition, Niigata is famous for the premium Uonuma Koshihikari rice that is said to be the most delicious in Japan. There are also many sake and rice crackers made from rice produced here. Surrounded by abundant nature, Niigata Prefecture also has a thriving livestock and fishing industry. In this section, we will introduce some of the recommended specialties, experience spots, and traditional Niigata restaurants. Enjoy a unique gastronomy experience in one of the most famous gourmet treasure troves in Japan!
Bisyokuya Yamashin – A shop-diner with exquisite Wagyu-Murakami Beef
Japanese Wagyu beef, with its beautiful marbling, is known as one of the world’s most prestigious cuts of beef. Kobe Beef and Matsusaka Beef are the most famous, but they are not the only brands of Wagyu beef. The high-quality Japanese black cattle raised in the rich natural environment of the prefecture are known by the brand name “Niigata Wagyu”.
Wagyu beef raised in and around Murakami City, located in the northernmost part of Niigata Prefecture, is fed on Koshihikari rice straw (a rice that is recognized as the top brand of rice in Japan) and is characterized by its bright color, tender meat, and superb flavorful taste. For this reason, it is given special classification among the “Niigata Wagyu Beef” as “Niigata Wagyu Murakami Beef.” However, while Murakami Beef has the same quality grading grade as Kobe Beef, it is surprisingly inexpensive.
Gourmet restaurant Yamashin specializes in Murakami Beef. Unfortunately, due to the popularity of Murakami Beef, there are many counterfeit products on the market. However, at Yamashin, the beef is carefully selected by the president and sold with an individual identification number, a proof of authenticity. Furthermore, the beef is not frozen, but sold raw, as this restaurant is thoroughly particular about the taste.
In addition to selling various types of meat in the store, Yamashin is open for dining. At the eatery, you can enjoy Murakami Beef in a variety of ways, including steaks, yakiniku, and the uniquely Japanese dish “gyudon” (beef bowl).
Business hours: 9:00-18:00 for the restaurant (last order at 17:00, closed on Wednesdays)
Address: 3-2-1 Iino, Murakami City
Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery – The closest sake brewery to Niigata Station
Niigata is known as the prefecture with the largest number of sake breweries in Japan. Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery, founded in 1767 in this area, is a historical sake brewery that is conveniently located just a 15-minute walk from Niigata Station, the transportation hub of Niigata Prefecture.
Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery was initially founded as a sake wholesaler, inn, and restaurant business. Later, in the middle of the Meiji Era (1868-1912), the company began brewing sake.
Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery makes sake with only rice, koji (malted rice), and water, without adding any alcohol, which is usually done during sake production. In addition, almost all of the rice used is 100% Niigata rice, and all of the water used for brewing is natural water from Suganadake, a mountain famous for its pure spring water.
Imayo Tsukasa’s sake is the result of a strong commitment to quality, making this sake an excellent complement to any meal.
The brewery, with buildings from its Meiji-era beginnings, is open for tours by appointment.
The place is filled with retro signs, tools used in the sake brewing process, and other items that give a sense of the times. The guide will lead you through the tour in English, so you can learn about the differences in sake and the characteristics and types of sake in Niigata. At the end of the tour, visitors can enjoy a sake tasting of more than 10 different types. Non-alcoholic amazake (sweet sake) is also popular.
You can purchase a variety of sake and sweets at the newly renovated stores inside the brewery. Try to find your favorite bottle of sake!
Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (open year-round except for year-end and New Year holidays)
Address: 1-1 Kagamigaoka, Chuo-ku, Niigata City
Sennenzake Kikkawa Izutsuya – A restaurant specializing in traditional salmon cuisine
Murakami City is located in the northernmost part of Niigata Prefecture. It is home to the Miomotegawa River, which is famous for being the first river in the world where salmon were successfully hatched and propagated naturally. Miomotegawa River has been a popular salmon fishery since ancient times. And because of it the city of Murakami retains its own unique “Sake Bunka” or salmon culture, including traditional fishing methods and different events.
The way to eat salmon from head to tail, including the entrails, bones, head, skin, and gills, is also a part of Murakami City‘s unique culinary culture. It is said that there are 100 different ways to eat salmon, which has supported people’s lives for centuries.
You can enjoy such traditional Murakami salmon cuisine all year round at Sennenzake Kikkawa Izutsuya, a restaurant specializing in salmon cuisine. This restaurant offers a variety of salmon cuisine that is handmade and additive-free.
Among a wide variety of salmon cuisine, “Salted Salmon” is one of the most representative cuisines of Murakami City. This is a dish in which the salmon is brushed with salt and hung in the cold Murakami wind to mature over time. You need about a month to make Salted Salmon, and it has a special flavor and aroma. This dish is traditionally eaten on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve, but it can be enjoyed on a regular basis at Sennenzake Kikkawa Izutsuya.
Salmon cuisine is not the only attraction of this Niigata restaurant. The restaurant’s building has been designated as a registered tangible cultural property of Japan, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of traditional Japanese architecture.
Business hours: 11:00-15:00 (last order 14:00, regular holiday changes seasonally)
Address: 1-12 Komachi, Murakami City
