Hockey in Niigata
by KevinMichael
This is the fastest and most exciting sport to watch in Niigata. In winter (like on a Friday night) come and see Niigata play ice hockey verses somebody else. Chad Parker #55, Canadian, often dominates the ice and has
a showing of fans who cheer him on.
If you're good enough (perhaps you're Canadian) then you might even want to join yourself
Another good point to go, is that it is FREE. Wear clothes for the cold indoors.
Niigata Landmarks
by KevinMichael
"NEXT 21"
Located downtown, this is the tallest building on Niigata Island and the 2nd tallest building in Niigata.
There are a number of decent restaurants located at the top of the building.
My personal favorite there is the Asian Kitchen on the 17th floor.
"Niigata Prefecture Hall (Niigata Kenchou)"
This is the place where a large number of bureaucrats work, write laws, and spend tax dollars WAY beyond what is necessary and wise.
It's also the place you go to get fingerprinted or if you get in trouble and have to pay a ticket.
The view from the top is excellent and offers the best all around view of Niigata city out of all of the tall buildings in the area.
"Niigata City Hall"
The big pink building is a common site that many pass when they ride the local buses.
Here you can find foreign services for health insurrance, taxation, marriage licenses, foreign registration, and much more.
The bureaucrats here are generally helpful and friendly.
Niigata recently became larger encorporating a number of smaller towns and cities into its borders to decrease unnecesary bureaucratic redundancy (those of you who know Japan well know they probably won`t have any true reductions).