"Nobunaga" <sailor_pinto@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<A1CRa.20656$dP1.39010@newsc.telia.net>...
> Hello..
> 
<snipped>
 
> I'm just wondering, if anyone with more experience than me can give me any
> advice. I will travel alone, and the only thing I care about is seeing old
> castles and "stuff" I guess. I will stay for 3 weeks. Any help would be most
> welcome !! I am no expert  in Japanese history around 1550'ies, just like it
> alot (don't know why). Well Octobr is almost here, and I have no plans so
> far.. just know I will be in Japan October 1st to October 20.
> 
Up front I'll tell you I know nothing bout Niigata. However, I assume
you're planning on going to more places than that, and I reckon I can
help out.

History wise, if you're into such things read Eiji Yoshikawa's
"Musashi", a book about the famous warrior Miyamoto Musashi. If you
like it, like him, and want more info, there's tons available on the
Internet. If you want to see more Musashi things, go to Himeji and
that area (West of Osaka). West of Himeji (I can get the specifics,
but it'll take some digging) is an onsen (hot spring) near Musashi's
purported home (there's a bit of debate about where he was actually
from, or, rather, where 'where he was from' was actually located) that
has a nifty statue. There's a temple and some old houses that are
pretty cool as well. Might be worth a visit. Also, in Himeji proper is
the great castle of Himeji, which was never attacked and is in
excellent shape; it's got a good museum, and Musashi also stayed there
for a considerable time. In the nearby town of Kakogawa is another
Musashi point of interest, but probably not worth the trip (a statue,
I believe; personally never went). I can give you tons of detail about
Himeji if you want; I lived there and I've pretty much walked all over
the town. There's a flea market there that often has some interesting
antiques; I can try to find out when that is, if you want.

Another decent castle in that region is Osaka castle. It's a
reconstruction and as a castle is more impressive from afar. But the
museum is good, and the view from the top is incredible. Also the park
is nice.

While you're in the Niigata area go to Matsumoto. It's pretty cool,
and the town itself is nice; I've been there twice and loved just
wandering around. Yet it's a pretty small place (I did day trips both
times). But the number one castle is probably going to be Himeji.

Kyoto is an obvious choice for history, as is Nara. But don't miss Mt.
Koya in the same region, and I'd head to Ise as well. In addition, if
you're into 'off the beaten track' things go to Shikoku; not many
tourists go there (even Japanese) and it's loaded with temples and
natural scenery (once away from the Inland Sea coast, that is). You
might also consider going to Tottori, on the Japan Sea. In the Tokyo
region consider Kamakura and Nikko, though I prefer the Kansai area
(just my preference).

If you have the time/money, you might consider renting a car and
hitting the countryside. Towns such as Aogaki (near the Kyoto border
in north-central Hyogo prefecture) are attractive for their small and
nearly unspoiled downtown areas.

John W.