Niigata Japan 2024

This bento was inspired by the tower at Shibata castle complex in Niigata Prefecture Japan.

Castle: Rice, Roof: tortilla with melted chocolate and Pokey, Windows: tortilla with food coloring, Rock wall under castle: cheese painted with espresso and water, Background: roasted broccoli

Inspiration photo for Castle bento

After landing in Tokyo, my niece and I took the Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train) to Niigata to begin the first leg of our trip. My long time friends (since I was 19 years old) live in Niigata. My friends kept us on a very busy schedule touring their area, especially since we lost our first day in Japan due to a flight being cancelled. I visit them every time I am in Japan, but I was especially touched by their hospitality and efforts to show me and my niece their beautiful prefecture of Niigata. Our first night they made reservations at their favorite conveyor sushi restaurant. Every 5 plates, customers are eligible to win a prize. It was fun! They even found cheese sushi for me!

If I write details for everything we did in Niigata Prefecture, I will not complete my Japan series in only a few weeks. I will simply list the locations and websites if applicable.

Sunday June 30

Kiyotsu Gorge – It was gorgeous and wonderful to share it with only a few people.
Hydrangea Park
Soba Restaurant
Ojiya Nishikigoi no Sato
Their family Cemetery in Ojiya (at my request since it was nearby our other sites and they usually visit when in that area)
Fireworks Museum
Stock Busters Discount Store

Monday July 1

We took the 6 am Car Ferry to Sado Island. Friend was kind to drop us off at the Ferry terminal. I rented a taxi to take us around Sado Island for 5 hours as it was my second time to Sado Island and I knew that it would be the most efficient way to spend our time. The time passed quickly. Our driver was kind and escorted us around the beautiful island. We returned to Niigata by the Jet Foil (faster boat). Then we spent some time at a Niigata Summer festival before returning back to my friends home.