If you’re looking for a day-trip destination, we’ve got some suggestions. Sitting 18 miles away, Agano is worth getting in the car for. Soak up the sights beginning with Murasugi Hot Spring, Hyoko Hakucho Kaikan and Tsukioka Karion Park. The locals will also probably point you in the direction of Niigata, 25 miles away. If you can only find time for one thing here, let it be Niigata City Performing Arts Center. (But we’re also big fans of Marinepia Nihonkai and Niigata Prefectural Civic Centre.)