Getting to Niigata City

By train

Niigata is the terminus of the Joetsu Shinkansen line to Tokyo. The fastest trains take just over 2 hours and cost ¥10,270 one-way. The Shinkansen is also a fast and cost-effective way to access Niigata from Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe (5 hours and about ¥22,000 each way, with a change of trains in Tokyo).

A cheaper way to reach Niigata from Tokyo is to take the Moonlight Echigo from Shinjuku, which makes a 6-hour run leaving Tokyo at night and arriving in Niigata very early in the morning. The train costs ¥5,910 each way, but is more popular during Seishun 18 Ticket seasons when the price can be as low as ¥2,000.

The Hokuetsu limited express runs from Toyama and Kanazawa five times a day (3.5 hours, ¥8,280 one way from Kanazawa).

By plane

Niigata Airport handles international flights from the Russian Far East, Korea, China, and Guam. There are also frequent domestic flights from Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and other cities.

By bus

Niigata Transit runs highway buses to Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo, Nagoya, and overnight to Osaka and Kyoto, as well as to a number of other cities.

By boat

Sado Kisen operates frequent services to Ryotsu on Sado Island.