{"id":75599,"date":"2021-02-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=75599"},"modified":"2021-02-09T11:37:29","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T02:37:29","slug":"experience-traditional-japan-niigata","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/experience-traditional-japan-niigata\/","title":{"rendered":"A Walking Tour Through Traditional Japan in Niigata"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the capital of Niigata Prefecture<\/a> northwest of Fukushima, Niigata City sits on the west coast of Japan<\/strong>. The city was one of five major ports opened in 1869 that contributed to the modern development of Japan and is still an important gateway to East Asia today. Its downtown, shopping areas, and nightlife run along the coast, encircled by Niigata\u2019s signature rice fields, mountainous landscape, and green natural environment. Any journey into Niigata will likely take you through Niigata station, as it did for me, conveniently situated at the center of an easily traversable set of public transportation and walkable roads. For those who want the enjoyment of a big city and quick access to nature<\/strong>, Niigata is an ideal stop for a memorable walking tour<\/strong> to make along your route in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking in the Footsteps of Traders and Entertainers in Niigata’s Old Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Niigata,
The old port district of Niigata running along a series of canals.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I started my journey of Niigata\u2019s history<\/a> with the EDGE OF NIIGATA<\/a> walking tour lead by a local guide. Rental bicycles are available for a brisk, exercise-based tour<\/a><\/strong> through Niigata\u2019s Old Town, but at the time of my trip, the weather had turned blustery and rainy, making bicycles a bit impractical. So, after changing our plans from the EDGE OF NIIGATA cycling tour, we decided to set off on foot to get up close and personal with what was once the most prominent trade port in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Niigata's
Niigata’s old port district and some of its Western-style architecture<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When the district was at its height during the Meiji Era (1868 \u2013 1912), Niigata’s Old Town was lined with canals that have since been paved over. However, by walking along the streets of this area, I got a sense of life as it once was. I followed the same path once traversed by travelers and traders, through the old custom\u2019s building and by the district\u2019s most prominent feature, the Daishi Bank (now Porto Cave d\u2019Occi<\/a>), which was once the chief municipal building of the area, built in imitation of western architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Niigata
A beautifully composed shrine and tori gate along Niigata’s walking tour<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This area of Niigata contains what was once the city\u2019s red-light district, built right alongside the water within a series of narrow lanes and traditional machiya<\/em> (\u753a\u5bb6) wooden townhouses. Buildings with more than three floors were built as a symbol of wealth. The combination of trade and red-light district defines not only the layout of the area but also the area\u2019s Shinto shrines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n