This area is known for its rich salmon food culture and atmospheric castle towns. Murakami preserves over 100 traditional salmon dishes, while Shibata retains historic streetscapes defined by its castle town heritage, offering a journey through history, culture, and local flavors.

This river-shaped region flourished as a historic port-town area, where the Shinano and Agano rivers carried the bounty of plains and mountains to the Sea of Japan. More than a means of transporting goods, the Kitamaebune coastal merchant routes served as vital channels for the exchange of regional products, ideas, and culture. As a key port of call, Niigata prospered economically and evolved into a vibrant urban center, nurturing refined ryotei cuisine and a sophisticated culture shaped by water, commerce, and cultural exchange.

Rooted in the spiritual presence of Yahiko Shrine, this river-shaped landscape has long nurtured traditions of metalwork and forging. Fertile lands shaped by the river and local foods reveal the cultural depth of five towns.

Enriched by a long standing brewing heritage, the area is home to artisans crafting miso, soy sauce, and sake. Cuisine inspired by satoyama and sea, with summer fireworks, reveals a place where tradition and craftsmanship meet.

A land born of centuries of life with deep winter snowfall. From elegant fermented and preserved foods to prized Uonuma Koshihikari rice, the landscape and seasons reveal a quietly elegant satoyama way of life.

Snow-born fermentation, the bounty of the Sea of Japan, and centuries-old samurai traditions are woven into a landscape carved by geological forces. From refined fermented cuisine to restorative hot springs, each season offers a quietly luxurious encounter with nature.

Sado Island is home to the UNESCO-listed Sado Gold Mines and a heritage defined by centuries of seclusion. The island offers dramatic landscapes, traditions like Noh theatre, and seafood and satoyama cuisine for visitors to enjoy.