Where to eat in Niigata

Nat Geo

Murakami salmon

Sea of Japan sushi at roughly half Tokyo prices, Murakami's whole-salmon cooking, and the country's densest cluster of sake breweries.

National Geographic Best of the World 2027: Snowy Niigata is a year-round destination with the Echigo-Tsumari art triennale and centuries-old fermentation culture; the only Japan pick. (National Geographic)

The dish: Murakami salmon

Cured and cooked salmon in eleven or more ways, from salted slab to roe. The best one is at Sennenzake Kikkawa Izutsuya.

Where to eat in Niigata City and Murakami

Restaurant · the best murakami salmon

Sennenzake Kikkawa Izutsuya

Murakami

Get: The 11-dish salmon course

Murakami's first salmon restaurant, using every part of the fish.

Source: Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026 official list; GLT Japan (May 2025 visit)

Restaurant

Tokiwa Sushi (Niigata)

Niigata City

Get: Seasonal nigiri of local fish

Grand Prix of the Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026; family sushi house since 1954.

Source: Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026

Restaurant

Kappo Shintaku

Murakami

Get: Kappo course of local seasonal ingredients

Runner-up at the 2026 Niigata Gastronomy Award.

Source: Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026

Restaurant

Araragi (Nihon Ryori Araragi)

Niigata City

Get: Japanese seasonal course

Runner-up at the 2026 Niigata Gastronomy Award.

Source: Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026

Restaurant

Kyodai Zushi

Niigata City

Get: Edomae-style nigiri with Niigata fish

Founded 1960, ranked 2nd in Niigata on Tabelog 2026 Silver per a diner listing; former Michelin two stars.

Source: Foodle diner listing citing Tabelog 2026 and Gault&Millau 2026

When to goAutumn for rice and sake, winter for snow country, summer 2027 for the art triennale (Jul 17 to Nov 7).

Good to knowMurakami is about 90 minutes by train; book the salmon course.

New this yearThe 10th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale runs Jul 17 to Nov 7, 2027.

Go, and let us handle the food

Book Niigata with us and a food concierge comes with it: a call before you go, the hard tables asked for through the restaurant's own line with a backup for each, markets and classes, a what-to-order sheet, and a text line while you're there. A real person writes back within a day; nothing is charged now.

Ask Chef about Niigata

Also on the 2027 lists, nearby

Soki soba

OkinawaEat: Soki soba

ChengduEat: Mapo tofu

Mi Quang

Da Nang and Hoi AnEat: Mi Quang

All 46 destinations

Every place was checked open on November 11, 2026, from the source under it. On National Geographic Best of the World 2027. Something changed? Write to hello@chefamazing.com. Tourism board? Post this guide free.

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