To Niigata

From Tokyo to Niigata (arrival at Ryotsu Port)

The fastest and simplest way is to take the Joetsu shinkansen. The most rapid shinkansen, the "Toki (ibis) Super Exress," completes the journey from Tokyo to Niigata in 1 hour 37 minutes. The "Toki" which stops at every station, takes 2 hours 30 minutes. During normal periods there are 28 round trips a day between Tokyo and Niigata. Extra trains are provided during peak seasons and sometimes there are as many as 40 round trips in one day.

From Osaka and Nagoya to Niigata (arrival at Ryotsu Port)

The quickest way is to travel via Tokyo using the Tokaido shinkansen. If you take the "Hikari (light)," you will have approximately one hour from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya and approximately two hours from Nagoya to Tokyo. At Tokyo you then change to the Joetsu shinkansen bound for Niigata. The journey from Osaka takes about five hours and from Nagoya about four hours. From Osaka you also have the option of taking the "L Tokkyu (limited express) Raicho (grouse)" bound for Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Main Line and then changing at Kanazawa to the "Tokkyu Hokuetsu" for Niigata. In this case, the journey from Osaka takes about seven hours.

From Fukushima to Niigata (arrival at Ryotsu Port)

Take the Tohoku shinkansen as far as Omiya and at Omiya change to the Joetsu shinkansen for Niigata. The journey from Fukushima takes about four hours. Go to Koriyama on the Tohoku Main Line and at Koriyama change to the Banetsu Saisen line as far as Niitsu. Then, take the Shinetsu Main Line to Niigata. The seven-hour journey gives you the opportunity to enjoy the scenery.

From Tokyo to Naoetsu (and final arrival by ferry at Ogi Port)

At Echigo-Yuzawa, change to "Tokkyu Hakutaka" on the Hokuhoku line,bound for Naoetsu. The entire train journey takes about 2 hours.

From Osaka to Naoetsu (and final arrival by ferry at Ogi Port)

Take the "Tokkyu Raicho" bound for Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Main Line to Kanazawa. From Kanazawa, change to the "Tokkyu Hokuetsu" as far as Naoetsu. The journey takes about five hours from Osaka.

From Nagoya to Naoetsu (and final arrival by ferry at Ogi Port)

Take the "Tokkyu Shinano" on the Chuo Main Line to Nagano. At Nagano change to the Shinetsu Main Line as far as Naoetsu. The journey from Nagoya also takes about five hours.

Express bus to Niigata from major cities.

From Tokyo to Niigata

An express bus goes from Tokyo (Ikebukuro) - Niigata (Bandai City Bus Center) on the Kanetsu Expressway in 5 hours 25 minutes. This is a deluxe bus with toilet facilities and drinks provided. A reservation is required.

Reservations and inquiries

• Niigata Kotsu
• Seibu Bus

From Tokyo to Naoetsu

An express bus goes from Tokyo (Ikebukuro) to Naoetsu (Ito Yokado) on the Kanetsu Expressway in 5 hours 50 minutes. A reservation is required. Please check the Niigata Kotsu and Seibu Bus websites for details.

From Osaka and Kyoto to Niigata

A nine-hour journey from Osaka to Niigata on the Meishin Expressway and the Hokuriku Expressway. A deluxe bus providing a wide range of comforts for the long journey including blankets, hot wet towels and drinks. A reservation is required.

Reservation and inquiries

• Niigata Kotsu
• Hankyu bus

Aizu Wakamatsu-Niigata Express Bus

No reservation is required.

Inquiries

• Niigata Kotsu Bus Center Information Desk

From Tokyo direction to Niigata

Kanetsu Expressway : Nerima Interchange - Niigata Nishi Interchange. A 300km drive which takes about 4 hours.

From Tokyo direction To Naoetsu

Kanetsu Expressway : Nerima Interchange - Nagaoka Junction. From there, Hokuriku Expressway to Joetsu Interchange. Approximately a 4-hour drive. Alternatively, Kanetsu Expressway Fujioka Junction via Joshinetsu Expressway to Naoetsu.

From Osaka direction to Niigata

From Meishin Expressway Suita Interchange via Maibara Junction to Niigata Nishi Interchange on Hokuriku Expressway. A 583 km journey which takes about 7 hours 30 minutes.

From Osaka direction To Naoetsu

From Meishin Expressway Suita Interchange via Maibara Junction to Joetsu Interchange on Hokuriku Expressway. A 465 km journey which takes about 6 hours.

Daily flights to Niigata Airport

ANA From Sapporo, Nagoya (Chubu), Fukuoka, __Itami, Kobe, and Okinawa (seasonal)

JAL From Itami and Nagoya (Komaki)

Counter sales of tickets for flights with all airlines start two months prior to the date of flight at 9:30 in the morning.