NIIGATA SHORE EXCURSION: SHIBATA CASTLE, SAMURAI GARDEN & SAKE

Niigata is famous in Japan for rice and sake, and has more sake breweries than any other region.

The route (about 5 hours)

• Shibata Castle, with an unusual roof that has three golden fish on top instead of two.
• Shimizuen, the stroll garden and tea houses of the Shibata lords, and the old lord's lower residence nearby.
• A sake brewery for a tour and tasting.

If you would rather stay in the city, we can visit the Ponshukan sake bar at the station, where you try sake from dozens of local breweries with coin machines.

How our Japan shore excursions work

• Private tour for your group only, from about 5 people in a minivan up to 40 in a full coach.
• A licensed English-speaking local guide meets you at the cruise terminal.
• We plan the day around your ship's times and bring you back to the pier well before all-aboard.
• The times on this page are a guide. Send us your ship name and port date and we fit the day to it.

Included

• Licensed English-speaking guide
• Private vehicle with driver, highway tolls and parking
• Entrance fees for the sights listed in the route you choose

Not included

• Lunch and drinks (your guide will point you to a good place)
• Tips for the guide and driver

Price

The price per person depends on how many people are in your group: a group of 30 pays much less each than a group of 6. Tell us your ship, date and group size and we will send a price.

More in Japan: all Japan shore excursions. Other ports: Omaezaki, Sakaiminato, Sasebo. Or see all our cruise port tours in Asia.