Niigata Nights & The Humidity Hangover

okay, so niigata. it’s…a thing. i ended up here because a friend of a friend knew a guy who runs a tiny jazz club, and honestly, i needed a place to disappear for a bit. the numbers 2112923 and 1392570027 keep popping into my head, which is weird, probably just sleep deprivation. i’ve been touring with this band for, like, forever, and my internal clock is officially broken.

a view of a city with mountains in the background

let me tell you about the weather. i just looked outside and it’s… persistently damp, like a shy ghost clinging to everything. the readings said 3.42 degrees celsius, felt like 3.42, min 3.42, max 3.42. seriously? it’s stuck. and the humidity is a solid 70%. you walk outside and your *hair immediately regrets all its life choices. pressure’s at 1018, sea level’s 1018, ground level’s 979. i don’t even know what that means, honestly. i just know my drumsticks are slightly sticky.

this city is…quiet. not in a peaceful, zen garden way, but in a “everyone’s already gone to bed” kind of way. the streets empty out early. i’ve been wandering around, trying to find decent ramen (success! more on that later), and mostly just stumbling upon tiny, family-run shops. it’s charming, i guess, if you’re into that sort of thing. if you’re looking for a wild night, maybe check out TripAdvisor's Niigata nightlife. i haven’t ventured that far.

green grass field under blue sky and white clouds during daytime

so, the ramen. i found this place, “Menya Musashi,” near the train station. someone told me it’s the best in the area, but that the owner yells at you if you don’t finish your broth. i finished my broth. it was worth it. i also overheard a conversation at the counter - apparently, there’s a legendary karaoke bar hidden above a pachinko parlor. i’m definitely investigating that. you can find more local recommendations on Yelp Niigata.

my neighbors seem to be mostly older folks who enjoy tending to their meticulously kept gardens. if you get restless, the coastal cities are just a quick train ride away. i’ve been meaning to check out the sake breweries - niigata is famous for its sake, you know. i’m not a huge drinker, but when in rome… or niigata, i guess.

blockquote>
"apparently, the jazz club owner used to be a yakuza. don’t ask him about it."
endblockquote

that’s what the bartender at a tiny, smoky bar told me last night. he also recommended a specific brand of sake, which i promptly forgot the name of. i’m terrible at remembering things. i did find this interesting blog about local events: Niigata Now.

a white tent on a grassy hill by a body of water

blockquote>
"don’t trust the street food vendors near the river. heard someone got…something bad."
endblockquote

that was a warning from a guy selling vintage kimonos* in a market. i didn’t ask for details. i’m sticking to ramen for now. honestly, i’m starting to think those numbers are a code. maybe a secret message from the yakuza? or maybe i just need more sleep. i’m checking out Japan Guide for more info on the area. i’m also considering learning origami. it seems…calming. and i definitely need calming right now. i think i’ll go find that karaoke bar.

Niigata Nights & The Humidity Hangover

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About the author: Silas Dean

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