{"id":3663,"date":"2022-03-22T12:32:42","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T03:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japanbusonline.com\/bus-repo\/?p=3663"},"modified":"2022-03-22T12:35:42","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T03:35:42","slug":"niigata-want-to-check-it-out-in-the-autumn-a-sample-of-a-sightseeing-the-autumn-leaves-and-japanese-sake-around-niigata-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/japanbusonline.com\/bus-repo\/posts\/3663\/","title":{"rendered":"Niigata; Want to check it out in the autumn? Autumn leaves and Japanese sake around Niigata Station."},"content":{"rendered":"

 When you think of Niigata Prefecture, you probably have the impression of winter with lots of snow, right? But in fact, autumn is also very interesting and highly recommended as well! I’d like to introduce you to the area around Niigata Station, the center of Niigata Prefecture, where you can travel alone in autumn.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is so special about Niigata in autumn?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Niigata Prefecture is rich in nature, so there are many parks and gardens in the city where you can enjoy its spectacular autumn leaves – so going there in the fall is a must! At the same time, Niigata is also famous for its sake, made from delicious rice and pure spring water. In the fall, you can enjoy some unique sake called hiyaoroshi or akiagari. Why not take a trip to Niigata Prefecture, which can be easily accessed for a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area, and enjoy the autumn to the fullest?<\/span><\/p>\n

Access from Tokyo to Niigata Station<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are four ways to get from Tokyo to Niigata Station: airplane, bullet train, conventional train, and highway bus. Please compare these four means of transportation and choose the one that is most suitable for you. This time around, I’m going to walk you through my actual trip by express bus, so please refer to that as an example.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comparison of various means of transportation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The table below shows a comparison of the four modes of transportation mentioned above. (Updated as of November 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Transportation (one way)<\/span><\/td>\nTransfers<\/span><\/td>\nTime required<\/span><\/td>\nFee<\/span><\/td>\nWi-Fi<\/span><\/td>\nFeatures<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
By Airplane<\/span><\/td>\nTokyo \u2192 Narita \u2192 Niigata Airport \u2192 Niigata Station<\/span><\/td>\nAbout 3 hours<\/span><\/td>\nFrom \u00a56950<\/span><\/td>\nPartially available<\/span><\/td>\nIt takes time for transfers. The flight time is about 1.5 hours.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
By Bullet Train (standard car)<\/span><\/td>\nTokyo \u2192 Niigata Station<\/span><\/td>\nAbout 2 hours<\/span><\/td>\n6,850~10,760\u00a5<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nIt\u2019s popular because it cuts down on travel time and is relatively inexpensive if purchased early.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
By Conventional Train<\/span><\/td>\nTokyo \u2192 Ueno \u2192 Takasaki \u2192 Mizukami \u2192 Nagaoka \u2192 Niigata Station<\/span><\/td>\nAbout 7 hours<\/span><\/td>\n3100~5200\u00a5<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nTakes a long time.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
By Highway Bus (Seibu bus)<\/span><\/td>\nTokyo\u2192Ikebukuro\u2192Niigata Station<\/span><\/td>\nAbout 5 hours<\/span><\/td>\n3100~5200\u00a5<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nFewer flights. Many transfers.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

There is one flight from Narita by ANA, but please note that it may be cancelled.<\/b><\/p>\n

An introduction to expressway bus travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First of all, I’d like to introduce you to the highway bus I actually used. On the way to Niigata Station, I took the bus that departed at 7:00 a.m. from Ikebukuro Station East Exit and arrived at Niigata Station at 12:12 p.m. On the way back, I took the bus that departed at 17:05 p.m. from Niigata Station and arrived at Ikebukuro East Exit at 22:17 p.m. There are six other buses a day. From here, I’ll go into details about the bus stop, the bus interior, and the stops that it makes along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ikebukuro\"<\/p>\n

This is the express bus terminal at the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. To get to the bus stop, take exit 43 at the east (central) exit of Ikebukuro Station, and with your back to the station, walk straight ahead with the Ikebukuro Station east exit police box on your left. There is a Family Mart and McDonald’s around the bus stop, so you may want to grab a bite to eat or run errands before you leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

About 30 meters away from the bus stop is the Seibu Highway Bus Ikebukuro Ticket Center, which has a waiting room, restrooms, and vending machines. There are also benches at the bus stop, so you can sit and wait for the bus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"niigata\"<\/p>\n

This is the highway bus stop in front of Niigata Station, which I used on my way home. With our backs to Niigata Station, we walked straight down Todai-dori for about 100 meters. There is a Seven-Eleven and a Doutor Coffee Shop nearby. There is no indoor waiting room here either, but there are benches.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"bus\"(Inside the bus)<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, I would like to show you the interior of the bus. The appearance of the bus was a little different because of the slight difference in operating companies, but the construction was almost the same. There are three rows of seats horizontally and ten seats vertically, with an aisle on either side of row B.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"restroom\"<\/p>\n

There is a restroom in the middle of the car, which can be used while it is in motion. Other facilities include infection control measures, such as the installation of plasma clusters, thorough disinfection, and air conditioning for ventilation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t