A few climbs remain beyond Nishiaizu before the road drops into the Agano valley. Around Tsugawa, the broad river winds between wooded mountains, with bridges and tunnels linking the settlements along its banks. The route follows the valley west, sometimes close to the water and sometimes higher on the slopes. Gradually, the hills recede and the landscape opens onto the Echigo Plain. Rice fields spread between villages, while longer, flatter stretches replace the winding valley roads. Buildings grow denser on the approach to Niigata. The six arches of Bandai Bridge carry the route across the Shinano River, followed by city streets leading towards the coast. After roughly 84 kilometres, the stage ends near the Sea of Japan on the western side of the centre.
