With some terrific road trip options in the surrounding area, renting a car makes sense. Without one, it wouldn’t be half as easy to soak up everything that Agano, 20 miles away, has to offer. Murasugi Hot Spring, Hyoko Hakucho Kaikan and Tsukioka Karion Park alone make the drive out worthwhile. Don’t skip Kashiwazaki either! Just 30 miles away, Kashiwazaki Two Lover’s Point, Kujiranami Beach and Kashiwazaki Yumenomori Park are non-negotiable stops here.