Niigata travel and Niigata tours

Tsubame-Sanjo is an area that combines Tsubame City and Sanjo City, located in the center of Niigata Prefecture. This area has been producing knives, metalware, and Western tableware since ancient times. Tsubame-Sanjo is now known as the "town of metalware," but metalware production began in the Edo period. At that time, the Shinano River that flows around Tsubame-Sanjo flooded almost every year, causing great damage to farmers. The magistrate's office, unable to bear this, encouraged the production of Japanese nails as a source of income other than rice production. Due to the increase in demand for Japanese nails due to the Great Fire of Edo, Tsubame-Sanjo developed as a commercial city. In the Meiji period, the demand for Japanese nails decreased, but the metal processing technology that had been cultivated was utilized to produce knives, pipes, Western tableware, and other items. The excellent metalware produced by craftsmen is now attracting attention from all over the world. Tsubame-Sanjo also has a workshop where you can experience making spoons, paper knives, and other items, so if you visit the town of metalware, be sure to try it out.

Niigata boasts the largest number of sake breweries in Japan, with about 90 breweries. It is also the third largest producer of sake in Japan, making it a famous sake producing region that truly represents the country. The climate unique to a snowy country, delicious rice and clean water, and the hardworking and particular nature of Niigata's master brewers allow for the careful production of light-tasting sake. Niigata sake is highly regarded both in Japan and overseas, and many tourists visit Niigata for sake. Niigata sake has many breweries and brands. If you're someone who can't decide which sake you like without trying it, or who can't decide which sake to buy as a souvenir, we recommend Ponshukan, located inside Niigata Station, Nagaoka Station, and Echigo Yuzawa Station. This is a shop where you can sample representative brands from all the breweries. If you pay 500 yen at the reception, you can exchange it for a sake cup and five tasting coins. You can sample up to five sake cups, so try the brand that interests you. By the way, if you still want to try more sake, you can purchase additional coins, but be careful not to get too drunk!