MICHELIN GUIDE

Hot Springs for Beautiful Skin and a Charming Castle Town

The Murakami and Shibata area, in the northern part of Niigata, is known for its natural beauty and the atmosphere and culture of a castle town. From the Tsukioka Onsen, known for making skin beautiful and the Sasagawa-nagare, where you can see some of the most beautiful coastline in the prefecture, to the dignified castle town of Shibata and Awashima, where time moves more slowly, this is a great area to have a relaxed, nostalgic trip!

Tsukioka Onsen: Known for its Skin Beautifying Properties

The Tsukioka Onsen is a sulfur hotspring boasting the highest mineral content in Japan and is known for its vibrant, emerald-green water. The exfoliative properties of the water and its bleaching and anti-bacterial properties leave your skin feeling smooth, which has made this hotspring very popular among women.

Sasagawa-nagare: Brilliantly Clear Water and Uniquely Shaped Rocks

A long coastline featuring the clearest water in the prefecture. The view is excellent from a train window, but it's taken to the next level from a boat! You can also try feeding seagulls on board the Sasagawa Nagare Steamboat.

Salmon With a Hundred Year History

Murakami has been known as the Town of Salmon for many years. You can try over 100 different types of salmon dishes at the local restaurants: salted and grilled, simmered in a sweet sauce, steamed in rice, and more.