Arigato Travel is proud to announce a new series of multi-day tours that highlight local crafts and immersive experiences exclusive to Niigata and Yamagata prefectures.
All tours begin in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata, and conclude in Sakata City, Yamagata.
These tours are designed alongside local guides for travelers looking for intellectually enriching, authentic cultural encounters, especially appealing to tourists from Western countries.
The experiences cater to diverse interests, including martial arts, sake, hot springs, ceramics, weaving, gastronomy, and more. Yamagata and Niigata are easily accessible by train directly from Tokyo.
Northeastern Japan offers an ideal off-the-beaten-path destination for those in search of less crowded locations.
The walkway to Yahiko Shrine in Niigata
Why Visit Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures?
Niigata Prefecture is renowned for its sake, rice, and snow, while Yamagata Prefecture is famous for the yamabushi of Dewa Sanzan and the snow monsters and ski slopes of Mt. Zao. However, these are just a glimpse of what these regions offer. With their new fully-guided tours connecting these prefectures, we aim to highlight the lesser-known cities of Tsubame and Sanjo in Niigata, along with Tsuruoka and Sakata in Yamagata.
Situated along the northwestern coast of Honshu, these cities share a rich history of trade and cultural exchange, blending connected yet distinct traditions. Visiting both regions offers a deeper understanding of their culture, history, and people, with each tour providing its own unique and engaging story.
Sushi-making workshop – Photo Credit: Hidden Japan
A teahouse with a Maiko dance performance
Immersive Journeys into Craft, Cuisine, and Culture
Designed primarily for travelers in search of authentic and intellectually enriching cultural experiences, especially from Western countries, these tours offer an in-depth exploration of local traditions. While the tours are fully planned, they also allow for a mix-and-match approach, letting guests create personalized itineraries.
Niigata and Yamagata are home to some of Japan’s most skilled artisans, with Tsubame-Sanjo particularly recognized as a hub for craftsmanship. The proximity to the Sea of Japan and the fertile lands of the Shonai Plain have fostered rich culinary traditions, while the Dewa Sanzan mountains have long drawn spiritual pilgrims.
With Tsubame-Sanjo just under two hours from Tokyo Station by bullet train, these tours are a perfect and convenient addition to any Tokyo-based itinerary.
Overview of the Tours
Blacksmith at work in Niigata
Exploring Japanese Cuisine: Time-Kept Traditions and Innovation
Embark on a five-day, four-night journey that delves deep into the essence of Japanese gastronomy, craftsmanship, and immersive experiences. Master the art of knife sharpening with expert blacksmiths, harvest fresh produce with local farmers, and create your own unique dashi (fish stock) blend. Try your hand at catching and preparing fish under the guidance of a seasoned fisherman. Discover the craftsmanship behind sake brewing, explore traditional pickling techniques, and experience the elegance of a maiko geisha teahouse. Enjoy exquisite meals and the warmth of Japanese-style hot spring inns.
Silk at Matsugaoka Craft Park
Artisan knife-maker
The Artisans of Uetsu: A Journey Through Silk, Steel, and Craft
Experience a four-day, three-night adventure focused on the rich craftsmanship of the Uetsu region. Witness master metalworkers in action, observe the making of kitchen knives and hammered copperware, and craft your own paper knife. Delve into the world of samurai silk traditions. Explore sake breweries and vineyards, shop for exceptional handmade goods, and sew your own decorative ornaments. Savor exquisite cuisine and unwind in the warm hospitality of Japanese-style hot spring inns.
Sakata Ramen, a specialty of the area
Meditative Garden at a Buddhist Temple
Soul of Uetsu: Nature, Spirituality, and Culinary Traditions
Immerse yourself in the culture, cuisine, and spiritual heritage of the Uetsu region on a four-day, three-night journey, blending exploration with walking and cycling tours. Savor se-abura (back fat) and Sakata ramen, sample fresh seasonal seafood at a bustling fish market, and wander through sacred sites. Hike up Mt. Haguro alongside a Yamabushi priest, experience the meditative flavors of shojin ryori (mountain cuisine), and reflect in quiet contemplation with a temple abbot. Ride an e-bike through the charming streets of Sakata. Enjoy exceptional meals and the warm hospitality of Japanese-style hot spring inns.
For full itineraries please contact the Arigato Travel Team.
Tamasudare Falls
Introducing the Cities and Regions
Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata
- A prominent industrial hub consisting of the cities of Tsubame and Sanjo
- Home to approximately 180,000 residents
- Features over 5,000 small and medium-sized metalworking and manufacturing businesses
- Tsubame is renowned for copperware, fine engraving, and cutlery
- Sanjo is famous for kitchen knives, blades, and precision tools
- Conveniently accessible from Tokyo in under two hours via bullet train
Tsuruoka, Yamagata
- A coastal agricultural city in Yamagata Prefecture
- Official population of around 100,000, with about 34,000 living in central Tsuruoka
- Japan’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
- Home to the sacred Dewa Sanzan (Three Holy Mountains of Dewa)
- Reachable from Tokyo in under four hours via bullet and local trains or by domestic flight
Sakata, Yamagata
- Yamagata’s key port city and a historic center of kitamaebune coastal trade during the Edo period (1603–1868)
- Population of approximately 97,000 residents
- A leading producer of premium rice and sake
- One of Japan’s top safflower-producing regions
- Holds the highest ramen consumption rate in the country
- Accessible from Tokyo via Niigata in under four hours by bullet and express trains or by domestic flight
Uetsu, Niigata/Yamagata
- “Uetsu” (羽越) derives from the historical provinces of Dewa (出羽) and Echigo (越後)
- Today, the Uetsu region officially spans ten coastal areas across Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata Prefectures
- In Yamagata, it includes Tsuruoka City, Shonai Town, and Sakata City
Cycling tour through a beautiful forest
Unforgettable Adventures in Tohoku
With rising awareness of overtourism and a growing preference for sustainable travel, the Tohoku region has been gaining recognition as a unique and responsible destination for visitors.
In January 2025, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) announced that international arrivals in 2024 soared to a record-breaking 36.9 million, a 15.6% increase over the previous peak of 31.9 million in 2019.
Additionally, research from the JTB Foundation and the Development Bank of Japan indicates that 30% of foreign visitors have personally encountered overtourism, while 70% consider sustainability when selecting their travel destinations.
In a region with limited English-language tour services, our company distinguishes itself by hiring local guides and fostering strong ties with artisans and small businesses, making it one of the premier tour operators in Yamagata and the greater Tohoku region.
Both Yamagata and Niigata remain hidden gems, offering visitors a wealth of preserved traditions, exceptional cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and welcoming communities.
Please contact our team to start planning your trip.
Featured Photo Credit: The Hidden Japan
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