'''Niigata prefecture''' (_V____ ''Niigata-ken'') [http://www.pref.niigata.jp/sougouseisaku/kokusai/english/] is on the Japan Sea coast of the central Chubu region of Japan.
Understand
Niigata was formerly divided into the provinces of '''Echigo''' (_z__), on the mainland, and '''Sado''' (___n), a large island off the coast.
Further reading
[http://www.trafford.com/04-2705 My Mother is a Tractor], by Nicholas Klar. A former English teacher with a witty and informative take on Japanese society. Written from the depths of the Niigata countryside.
Cities
Niigata — the prefectural capital.
Izumozaki — birth place of the 18th century monk-poet Ry?kan.
Joetsu — train hub also featuring the port of Naoetsu
Other destinations
Sado Island — with a tragic history of exiles and slave labor gold mines, now known for its scenic beauty and a large music festival
Yuzawa — popular spa and ski resort
Mt. Yone (''Yoneyama'') —
Myoko - well known for its onsen and great skiing. Nearby Lake Nojiri is also a popular summer retreat.
Get in
By train
The '''Joetsu Shinkansen''' line connects Niigata to Tokyo in around 2 hours, passing through Yuzawa on the way.
Alternatively, the '''Nagano Shinkansen''' line connects Nagano to Tokyo also in around 2 hours. From Nagano one can take an express or local train onwards to Myoko and Naoetsu in Niigata Prefecture
Get around
See
Do
Niigata is the heart of Japan's '''Snow Country''', which means it's a great place for skiing (see above destinations).
Eat
Niigata is famed for its ''koshihikari'' rice, generally considered one of the best grades in the country.
Drink
Thanks to its famous rice and abundance of mountain streams, Niigata produces some of the best '''sake''' in the country including famous labels like '''Kubota''' (_v___c), '''Koshinokanbai''' (_z_T___~) and '''Hakkaisan''' (___C_R).
Get out
Yamagata Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture