Rice Terrace Trekking

棚田トレッキング

Embark on a trek through the picturesque Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Fields with an outdoor guide while learning about the culture of snow country Niigata.

View Photos

The terraced rice paddies that grace the landscape of Tokamachi in Niigata Prefecture are the epitome of the Niigata countryside and flaunt the timeless wisdom of the region’s ancestors. On this tour, you'll gaze upon the renowned Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Fields, the most famous of Tokamachi's rice terraces, from an area typically inaccessible to tourists.

As you tread along the age-old mountain trail, once traversed by local villagers, an experienced outdoor guide will tell you tales of the countryside and life in snow country—all in English. On occasion, you may even encounter villagers engaged in their agricultural labors. The tour fee includes a donation aimed at preserving these priceless landscapes.

Tour period: Spring - Autumn (a different course will be offered in winter)
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
Meeting point: Gather at Hokuhoku-Oshima Station on the Hokuhoku Line.
Tour will start from Hokuhoku-Oshima Station and head towards the Hoshitouge Terraced Rice Fields.

Area: Yuzawa and Uonuma Area

Category: Outdoors and Sports

General Information

Address	新潟県
Directions	Approx. 60 min. from Echigo-Yuzawa Station (JR Joetsu Line) to Hokuhoku-Oshima Station (Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line)
Car Park	None
Prices	9,250 yen per person
Notes	Price includes: Guide fee, round-trip transportation, accident insurance, snacks during breaks, miscellaneous expenses, village donation. What to bring: Appropriate hiking clothes (long sleeves and pants are recommended to avoid insect bites), sturdy hiking shoes (no casual footwear), rain gear (in case of light showers), towel, backpack, 500ml or larger drink, insect repellent spray. *The course includes unpaved paths and slopes, so hiking/trekking shoes are recommended for safety. - The course traverses private property, please stay with your guide throughout the tour. - Participants are responsible for any incidents that may occur. - Coffee and snacks are provided during breaks. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let the organizer know in advance. - Minimum tour size is two participants. The tour is typically for private groups, so single participants will be charged as two people.