It’s easy to take the Shinkansen or a limited express train when travelling between Toyama and Niigata, but we decided to take local trains. I think we probably got to see a lot more and definitely spent a lot less money. Of course travelling by local trains in Japan takes a lot, lot longer! We took four trains and about six hours to make the journey to Niigata.
Toyama to Tomari – train 1
Toyama → Tomari (泊): The first leg on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway.
Tomari to Naoetsu – Train two
Tomari → Naoetsu (直江津): Switching to the Echigo Tokimeki Railway. Tomari is a unique station where two different railway companies often share the same platform!
One thing to watch out for: when you take these local trains like us, you are switching between three different railway companies (Ainokaze, Echigo Tokimeki, and JR). You cannot use IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo) for the entire journey. You must buy paper tickets at the station. If you accidentally enter with an IC card, the adjustment process at the final destination can be a real headache!
Make sure to have some cash ready to buy paper tickets at the vending machines!
Usually, you have to change platforms to switch trains, but at Tomari, the two different companies’ trains often stop nose-to-nose on the same track. It’s a very rare sight in Japan!
Naoetsu to Nagaoka – Train three
Naoetsu → Nagaoka (長岡): Entering the JR Shin-etsu Line. This section offers beautiful coastline views of the Sea of Japan.
Between Naoetsu and Kashiwazaki, the train runs so close to the sea that it feels like you’re floating on water.
Nagaoka to Niigata – Train four
Sorry, no photo!:)
Nagaoka → Niigata (新潟): The final stretch through the vast Niigata rice fields (Echigo Plain).
Overall, Unlike the Shinkansen, you get to see the daily lives of students and locals, which makes for very authentic travel content.
Comment
Wise choice (local trains)… we travelled from Niigata prefecture to Nagano prefecture, mainly by Shinkansen and hardly saw anything .. mostly in tunnels
The Shinkansen is fun and practical if you are in a hurry. Local trains are quite a different experience and much cheaper, but you do need more time. I like travelling in Japan because you have reliable, quality, transport options.