Enjoy soothing hot springs and all kinds of activities! A photogenic journey through the winter landscapes of Yuzawa and Uonuma

Situated at an altitude of 1,000 meters, Yuzawa Highland Ski Resort is accessible via a ropeway that transports up to 166 passengers at a time. The charms of the resort lie in its expansive view of the surroundings and the exceptional quality of its powder snow.

The resort offers a diverse array of slopes suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders, including family-friendly options for those with small children. The Yuzawa Onsen Snow Play Park is highly recommended for visitors experiencing snow for the first time. Children and adults can also familiarize themselves with the snow through fun activities like sledding or tubing, using the 100-meter-long Snow Escalator Tunnel to take them effortlessly up to the top.

Yuzawa Highland Ski Resort is located within Yuzawa Onsen Town, just a 10-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

Hanaya sits near Bokushi-dori, a historic street that once thrived as an inn town along the ancient Mikuni Highway. The menu presents a stellar range of dishes, including seafood rice bowls, pork ginger-yaki, grilled fish, ramen, spaghetti, and even pizza. Additionally, there are party and all-you-can-drink plans catering to a diverse range of desires.

Hanaya also has several different dining spaces to accommodate groups and occasions of all kinds. Whether it's an intimate meal with 4 to 6 friends in a private room, a larger gathering of 10 to 20 people in a spacious tatami room, or even an event hosting up to 100 attendees in the great hall, Hanaya has you covered. So, while exploring the fascinating Bokushi-dori Street, make sure to save time for a mouthwatering meal at Hanaya!

Echigo Jofu and Shiozawa Tsumugi are two beautiful locally produced fabrics, the former having been registered as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and the latter as a Traditional Japanese Craft. Here, you can envelop yourself in the traditional atmosphere by donning a gorgeous kimono made with the local fabrics and wandering through the charming townscape of Bokushi-dori Street (note: yukata are generally more comfortable than kimono during the hot summer months)!
You can even opt for an interpreter to accompany you (for a fee), so you don’t need to speak Japanese to delve into the local culture. It is even possible to select an original plan that includes lunch and more, so feel free to inquire about the options.

Event Period: Year-round
Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
*Start time can be adjusted to your schedule
Meeting point: Yamada Weaving Co., Ltd.

Once a renowned hot spring inn favored by cultural figures and writers, ryugon has been transformed into a hotel set within an old Japanese residence where guests can fully dive deep into Niigata Prefecture, one of Japan's most snowbound areas.

This hotel features two styles of guest rooms: the spacious VILLA SUITE boasting the ambiance of a VIP room, and the CLASSIC, which offers traditional Japanese-style accommodation. The VILLA SUITE features a private open-air bath facing the hotel’s garden. Your bathing experience is sure to become even more relaxing as you gaze out at the seasonal beauty of the garden, such as the snowy landscape of winter.

Minami-Uonuma City, where ryugon is located, is celebrated for its prized Koshihikari rice. This rice is served at the hotel along with other dishes that complement its exquisite flavor. Guests are welcome to join in various activities like leisurely bicycle tours through the natural surroundings and cooking workshops in a traditional kitchen with an earthen floor.

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ryugon is a hotel inside a traditional residence that offers several unique experiences where guests can touch on the customs and traditions of the snowy region of Niigata, accompanied by a friendly guide. For example, there’s a cooking workshop led by a culinary expert specializing in the regional cuisine. Participants will have the chance to learn about the local food culture as they prepare dishes in a doma (a traditional kitchen with an earthen floor). For those seeking adventure, cycling tours and hikes through the natural surroundings of Uonuma are available. Also on the list of activities is a guided tour through the Tsubame Sanjo area, also known as the ""City of Artisans,"" where traditional handicrafts are produced and sold.

These unique experiences at ryugon are intended to provide you with authentic cultural experiences that help you escape the bustle of everyday life and reflect on yourself. They’re highly recommended for those seeking to engage in local and regional lifestyles during their travels in Japan!

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Matsunoyama Onsen is a small hot spring tucked away in the snowy mountains, where in January and February it is not unusual for more than 4 metres of snow to fall. What could be better than watching the fluffy snow fall from the comfort of a hot spring bath? In May the snows melt, and the village community welcomes the spring and the growth of new life.
With a source that originates in 12-million-year-old fossil seawater, this hot spring is rich in salt and is effective at warming the body. It has more than 15 times the standard minimum mineral content required to be classed as a hot spring and together with Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma and Arima Onsen in Hyogo, it is known as one of Japan’s three most effective medicinal springs.
Another point of enjoyment here is the delicious mountain cuisine. This region is renowned for its rice paddies that are fed with crystal clear snowmelt water and produce rice that has an exquisite flavour. The accumulated knowledge of the snowy mountains can be found in all kinds of delicious dishes, such as fermented miso foods, where mountain vegetables are cured and matured.
Matsunoyama is a green and verdant location surrounded by mountains. The Bijinbayashi (beautiful women) beech tree forest is also close by.

Bijinbayashi Forest is made up of approximately 100-year-old beech trees that fill the surroundings. On snowy winter days, the area turns into a “silver world,” with the snow glittering in the sunlight. You can enjoy exploring the forest while donning snowshoes with a guide who will help you safely traverse the snowy terrain. You may also find some surprises during your journey, such as seasonal mushrooms and tiny critters. After your adventure, you can savor the beloved Japanese drink of “amazake” while seated near a traditional hearth that will warm you to your core. Do not miss out on this special snow country winter activity that will certainly create unforgettable memories of your time in Niigata!

Event Period: Only available during winter
*Prices/opening times for the Forest School Kyororo may change
Opening Hours: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
*Forest School Kyororo is open from 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Event Location: Forest School Kyororo

Niigata's Uonuma is a treasure trove of delectable ingredients that extend far beyond traditional Japanese cuisine. Muran Gozzo Cafe is an Italian-inspired restaurant that serves up the rich flavors of Niigata in a setting that's as accessible as it is enticing.

Muran Gozzo Cafe was born from a desire to expand the horizons of gastronomy in Niigata by showcasing the region's diverse culinary offerings. The menu, thoughtfully curated to feature hidden local delicacies, has won the hearts of both locals and visitors alike. What's more, Muran Gozzo Cafe is conveniently located within a shopping mall directly connected to JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, ensuring easy access. As you dine, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of wines handpicked by the chef.

Await your train with wine, tea, and a hearty meal, and leave Echigo-Yuzawa with a satisfied appetite and unforgettable memories.