Take part in exciting activities and see the cherry blossoms! Explore Niigata from mid- to late April with family or friends

2 nights, 3 days

Public transportation

Niigata and Aga Area Nagaoka and Kashiwazaki Area Yuzawa and Uonuma Area

If you want to appreciate the beautiful cherry blossoms but are also looking to have some fun in the snow and go strawberry picking, this travel itinerary is for you! Here are some sights and activities recommended for those traveling with family or friends.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

START

Echigo-Yuzawa Station

10 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort

This popular ski resort is located right next to the bullet train station, offering remarkable accessibility with a whopping 16 courses!

The GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort offers unrivaled accessibility, just a swift 74-minute ride from Tokyo Station to Gala-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train. As soon as you step through the ticket gates, the ski slopes await your exploration. Even if you arrive empty-handed, the resort boasts one of Japan's largest rental stores, stocked with the latest ski equipment models.

Take the gondola to the summit station, perched at a lofty 800-meter altitude, to find three different skiing areas each with a diverse range of slopes suitable for both novice and seasoned skiers. After enjoying the slopes to your heart's content, treat yourself to relaxation at the Spa Gala no Yu hot spring facility located on-site. Families will also find the resort particularly accommodating, with dedicated kids’ areas on the slopes and a cozy rest house at the gondola summit station complete with kids’ rooms.

Address
新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町大字湯沢字茅平1039-2

Telephone Number
025-785-6543
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort

Opening Times
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

[Spring Season]
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
*Opening period and hours are subject to change depending on weather and other factors.

10 minutes by shuttle bus to JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station
15-minute walk or 3 minutes by car from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station

Yuzawa Central Park

A park adorned with approximately 400 cherry trees

Yuzawa Central Park is renowned for its approximately 400 cherry trees, including 280 Beniyama-zakura trees, the town tree of Yuzawa; 90 Somei-yoshino cherry trees; and 30 Shidare-zakura weeping cherry trees. The cherry trees reflecting off the surface of Hyotan-ike (Bottle Gourd Pond) inside the park make for the perfect photo op. It is one of Yuzawa's top cherry blossom spots.

The park is equipped with a track field, baseball field, tennis courts, water park, and other facilities where visitors can enjoy various sports and activities during the warm seasons from early summer to autumn. Within the grounds are various plants that are in season throughout the year, including maple trees that transform into warm-colored leaves in the fall. It is the perfect location to enjoy picnics and leisurely walks.

Address
新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町土樽151-1

Telephone Number
025-787-3388

4-minute walk

”Yuzawa Ichigo-mura” Strawberry picking

Enjoy picking fresh Echigo-hime, a strawberry variety unique to Niigata

Yukiguni Agripark Yuzawa Ichigo-mura is a facility where visitors can pick fresh Echigo-hime strawberries, a prized variety from Niigata! The strawberries are grown indoors, so they can be harvested even on rainy or snowy days. The freshly picked strawberries can be enjoyed at the rest area on-site.

Echigo-hime strawberries are famed for their large size and soft flesh that is juicy and exceptionally sweet. Winters in Niigata Prefecture are very cold with little sunlight, contributing to the slow maturation of these strawberries from January to June. This slow ripening process packs the fruits full of nutrients, resulting in large, sweet strawberries with minimal tartness.

The operating hours and prices at the facility may vary depending on the growth of the strawberries, so please check the official website for the latest information before your visit.

Address
新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町大字湯沢750-1

Telephone Number
025-780-6011
Yukiguni Agripark Yuzawa Strawberry Village

Opening Times
Opening Period: Business starts from January and runs to the end of June (may also close irregularly)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm (closes at 4:00 pm)
*May close earlier if strawberries sell out.

30-minute walk or 5 minutes by car

GOAL

[Accommodation] Shousenkaku Kagetsu

Rooms with open-air bath are popular. It is a healing stone house that enjoys open-air bath, charter bath and Echigo's nature, Niigata's food.
Meals are served prepared with vegetables and fish from Niigata, Echigo,and Uonuma.
Furthermore, we cook using all our own rice. Please enjoy our rare Koshihikari Rice raised in South Uonuma.

Address
新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町湯沢318-5

Telephone Number
025-784-2540

START

Shousenkaku Kagetsu

5-minute walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station
1 hour 20 minutes by train from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Nagaoka Station
15 minutes by bus bound for Yukyuzan from JR Nagaoka Station’s East Exit

Yukyuzan Park

Seasonal flowers and other plants decorate the park all year round

There are approximately 2500 cherry blossom trees in the park.
 The park has a full set of facilities including a swimming pool, baseball field, Japanese garden, folk museum, and playground. People enjoy the walking paths, and the park is blessed with abundant natural plant and animal life including plants, insects and wild birds.

Address
新潟県長岡市御山町80番5

Telephone Number
0258-39-2230
Kouen-ryokuchi (Park and Green Area) Division, Nagaoka City

Opening Times
【Cherry Blossoms Viewing】Mid April to late April
●Number of cherry blossom trees: 2500
●Illumination period: Early April to May, from 6:00P.M. to 10:30P.M.

15 minutes by bus to JR Nagaoka Station
1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes by train from JR Nagaoka Station to Niigata Station
8 minutes by taxi from JR Niigata Station’s Bandai Exit

GOAL

[Accommodation] Hotel Nikko Niigata

A hotel serving as an iconic landmark of Niigata City

Nestled along the banks of the Shinano River, which flows through the heart of Niigata City, Hotel Nikko Niigata stands as the city's landmark with architecture inspired by a luxury cruise ship adrift on the water. The guest rooms offer the best views of the city, and patrons can enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Shinano River and Bandai Island as they dine in the hotel restaurant. Scattered throughout the hotel are various scenic viewpoints, with the highlight being the banquet hall on the 30th floor with glass windows that offer a breathtaking 180-degree panoramic view of the surroundings. Their renowned buffet-style breakfast is prepared with products and ingredients from Niigata, including Uonuma Shiozawa Koshihikari rice.

The hotel is conveniently located approximately 8 minutes by car from Niigata Station and offers direct access to the Sado Kisen ferry terminal. The prime location makes Hotel Nikko Niigata an ideal hub for your explorations around Niigata, providing a smooth and delightful travel experience.

Address
新潟県新潟市中央区万代島5-1

Telephone Number
025-240-1888

START

Hotel Nikko Niigata

10 minutes by taxi

Hakusan Park

A remarkable park representing Niigata the “water city”

Hakusan Park is designed like a Dutch-style garden with walking paths. Featuring ponds, artificial hills, and a carefully laid out display of flowers and trees, this beautiful park is one of Japan's Top 100 City Parks. It is also one of the first 25 parks opened in Japan and stands among other prestigious locations such as Ueno Park and Asakusa Park in Tokyo, Mito Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki Prefecture, Sumiyoshi Park in Osaka Prefecture, and Itsukushima Park in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The park offers various facets of beauty in every season––cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in the summer, autumn foliage, and winter snowscapes. The Air Gardens, which connects Hakusan Park and Ryutopia (Niigata City Performing Arts Center), is a prime location for cherry blossoms. During the cherry-viewing season, the evening illuminations create a magical atmosphere. The park also features a playground equipped with swings and see-saws for families with children. Moreover, within the grounds are monuments and sites that tell of Niigata's rich history, making the park an iconic location to represent the locale.

Another attraction of the park is the Enkinkan, a partially relocated and reconstructed former merchant residence of the Meiji Era (1868 - 1912). The building features a tea room and Japanese-style banquet room, which are open for public viewing and utilized for cultural activities such as tea ceremonies.

Address
新潟県新潟市中央区一番堀通町1-2

15 minutes by taxi

GOAL

Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery

Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery is a longstanding producer of sake that started brewing in the mid-Meiji Period (1868-1912). Offering brewery tours and a shop with sake tasting, it’s a must-visit for sake enthusiasts!

Rice is the heart of sake brewing, and Niigata Prefecture, renowned for its rice cultivation, is home to the largest number of sake breweries in Japan.

Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery, just a short walk from Niigata Station, hosts engaging brewery tours led by an English-speaking guide. Immerse yourself in tales encompassing not only sake-making, but also the historical narrative of Niigata Prefecture and surroundings.

The sake crafted at Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery boasts a dry yet robust flavor that harmonizes exquisitely with food. Following the brewery tour, you can discover your favorite brew through sake tastings at the shop!

Address
新潟県新潟市中央区鏡が岡1番1号

Telephone Number
025-245-0325
Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery Co. Ltd.

Opening Times
Sake Brewery Tours (English Tours):
Weekdays (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays) from 2:00 pm

Sake Shop:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
*Open year-round (closed 12/31 to 1/3)

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