Tsuiki (hammered) copperware, one of Tsubame City’s traditional metalworking products, is made by hammering a single copper plate with a hammer and raising the edges. At the Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum, you can learn about the copperware production process, and also try creating hammered patterns, one of the steps of making tsuiki copperware.Make your own original beer cup or sake cup by hammering the surface with a hammer to create a hammered pattern. The hammered pattern makes the inside of the beer cup uneven, which leads to better foam and creamy beer! A full range of other hands-on activities are also available.

Shibata Castle Ruins Park is located on the site of the historic Shibata Castle. It has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 castles. The main gate and Ninomaru Sumi Yagura (one of the castle towers) have been designated important cultural properties, and the surrounding moats can be viewed in their original form. The three-storied castle keep has a unique T-shaped roof decorated with three Shachihoko (a tiger-headed carp from Japanese folklore) – unique in all of Japan. The three-storied castle keep belongs to the Japanese Self Defence Forces however a look at the exterior is still well worth the visit. The Namako wall, a traditional Japanese style often seen on the castles in snowy areas, is a must-see.
When the cherry blossoms start to bloom, the castle is illuminated with traditional paper lanterns. Come and enjoy the night view of the castle’s cherry blossoms and lanterns reflecting on the water of the surrounding moat.
The park is a popular place of recreation and relaxation for locals. Visitors can enjoy seasonal beauty throughout the year from springtime cherry blossoms to summer’s lotus flowers blooming on the water, autumnal leaves and snowy winter scenery.

Tsukioka Onsen is famed for its rich sulphuric water with one of the highest sulphur contents of any Onsen in Japan. With exceptionally beautiful emerald green water this hot spring is particularly popular with women as the water is known to promote beautiful skin. The mild alkaline water is smooth on the skin leaving it soft and moist.
During an evening stroll around this hot spring town you will notice the scent of sulphur in the air and may catch a glimpse of a Kimono-clad Geisha dashing under the light of the street lamps. Enjoy a stay at one of the town’s traditional Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) to really soak up the historic atmosphere.
The town’s charming streets are lined with a variety of traditional shops. Sample a cup of the local Sake, look in on the traditional sweets shops or even try your hand at baking and decorating your own rice crackers. The town also offers unique experiences such as soaking your hands in a special hot spring hand bath, tasting the sulphuric hot spring water or pouring it over the local matchmaking statue to wish for luck in love. Make the most of your Onsen experience with the Yumeguri Tegata Onsen Pass!

Tsukioka Onsen is famed for its rich sulphuric water with one of the highest sulphur contents of any Onsen in Japan. With exceptionally beautiful emerald green water this hot spring is particularly popular with women as the water is known to promote beautiful skin. The mild alkaline water is smooth on the skin leaving it soft and moist.
During an evening stroll around this hot spring town you will notice the scent of sulphur in the air and may catch a glimpse of a Kimono-clad Geisha dashing under the light of the street lamps. Enjoy a stay at one of the town’s traditional Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) to really soak up the historic atmosphere.
The town’s charming streets are lined with a variety of traditional shops. Sample a cup of the local Sake, look in on the traditional sweets shops or even try your hand at baking and decorating your own rice crackers. The town also offers unique experiences such as soaking your hands in a special hot spring hand bath, tasting the sulphuric hot spring water or pouring it over the local matchmaking statue to wish for luck in love. Make the most of your Onsen experience with the Yumeguri Tegata Onsen Pass!

Sado Island is Japan’s second largest island after the island of Okinawa. This large island features a whole range of attractions, from stunning natural environments to relaxed “island time,” and could be said to represent the whole of Japan in microcosm.The culture of Sado has broadly three characteristics. The first is the aristocratic culture passed down by nobles and scholars who were exiled here. The second is the samurai culture that was brought from Edo (present-day Tokyo) by magistrates and officials as the gold mine was developed. The third is the culture of townspeople, brought to Sado by the merchants and sailors of the kitamaebune (northern-bound ships). It is these three cultures that over the course of time have combined and developed uniquely together.It is not only the culture of Sado that is diverse, the natural environment also boasts tremendous diversity. The fact that Sado lies precisely on the 38th parallel, which is the dividing line between cold-temperate and warm-temperate plant life, means that it is home to incredibly rare ecosystems, with almost 1,700 species from both the warm and cold regions. The various coastal features of the Japanese islands are all present in Sado, and the physical environment here is almost like an exhibition of various natural formations. Sado is also listed as one of Japan’s geoparks and much of the island is designated as the Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi-National Park.Why not make the voyage to Sado, an island brimming with attractions, from the gold mine that funded the Edo Shogunate to top-class seafood?

Tsukioka Onsen is famed for its rich sulphuric water with one of the highest sulphur contents of any Onsen in Japan. With exceptionally beautiful emerald green water this hot spring is particularly popular with women as the water is known to promote beautiful skin. The mild alkaline water is smooth on the skin leaving it soft and moist.
During an evening stroll around this hot spring town you will notice the scent of sulphur in the air and may catch a glimpse of a Kimono-clad Geisha dashing under the light of the street lamps. Enjoy a stay at one of the town’s traditional Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) to really soak up the historic atmosphere.
The town’s charming streets are lined with a variety of traditional shops. Sample a cup of the local Sake, look in on the traditional sweets shops or even try your hand at baking and decorating your own rice crackers. The town also offers unique experiences such as soaking your hands in a special hot spring hand bath, tasting the sulphuric hot spring water or pouring it over the local matchmaking statue to wish for luck in love. Make the most of your Onsen experience with the Yumeguri Tegata Onsen Pass!

The Northern Culture Museum is the former residence of a local wealthy farming family. The magnificently well-preserved residence took 8 years to build and is now open to the public. The vast 29,100m2 grounds of the residence are home to the main building, a grand hall, a tearoom, a warehouse, and a wide range of artworks collected over generations, along with a promenade garden designed by an acclaimed landscape gardener.
The garden fills with a sweet fragrance when the massive Japanese wisteria vines are in bloom from late April to early May. Don’t miss the splendid view of the colourful promenade garden from the 165m2 grand hall each November – the illuminated wisterias and autumnal leaves are a fantastic sight! Along with these highlights, the garden pleases visitors throughout the year, with spring cherry blossoms, summer lotus flowers and snowy winter scenes.
The museum has a gift shop, cafés, a restaurant (reservations required) and accommodation (reservations required). Come and enjoy the local history, aesthetics and culture.

A theme park directly operated by Kuriyamabeika Co., Ltd. (Befco), the maker of the well-known rice cracker “Bakauke,” this spot is typical of Niigata which is Japan’s no. 1 rice cracker producing region.Of course here you can see the workers grilling the rice crackers, and you can also have a go at grilling one yourself. You can even make your own original cracker, including your favourite picture or lettering. A popular option is to make a monster sized giant rice cracker with a picture in the centre, which will be a memorable experience for everyone! At the refreshment corner there are also some unique menu items, like soft-serve rice cracker ice-cream, and Bakauke croquettes. At the souvenir shop there is a rich variety of things to buy, including limited edition Bakauke crackers, and other Bakauke goods.

Let's paint pictures on rice crackers! Murakami, once a castle town known for its rice crackers, still boasts many valuable buildings, including some designated as national cultural properties.
To preserve a landscape befitting such buildings, residents initiated the “Black Fence Project.” This effort involved painting wooden fences black in Anzen Alley and surrounding areas to create a unified streetscape, with everyone from local children to the elderly pitching in.
This project received high praise, winning the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's “Handmade Hometown Award” and the “Beautiful Townscape Award.” Since then, they have continued advancing greening efforts through tree planting.
Why not take a leisurely stroll while admiring the townscape crafted by its residents? Theme Park

Sasagawa Nagare is an 11-kilometre stretch of coastline near the city of Murakami, with beautifully contrasting clear blue water and white sandy beaches. Along this stretch of coast the rough waters of the Sea of Japan have created uniquely eroded rocks with submerged peaks and caves, scenery that takes visitors’ breath away. The magnificent view has been designated a place of scenic beauty and a national natural treasure.
A ride on one of the pleasure boats to enjoy the wonderful views of Sasagawa Nagare from the water is a must. Be overwhelmed by the magically shaped rocks resembling objects as varied as spectacles and dinosaurs. Boat rides take 40 minutes and include seagull feeding, the flocks of gulls flying towards the boat are a particular highlight!Beat the crowds with a morning ride, or enjoy an evening ride for fantastic sunset views. Guarantee a place with the best view by getting in the queue early!
You can also enjoy a stunning sunset view from the Sasagawa Nagare Yuhi Kaikan, a roadside station offering a viewing terrace along with a local produce shop and restaurant.