Culture Nurtured by Snow ――A Journey of Mountain Life and History

3 days, 2 nights

Car

Niigata’s mountain regions get some of the world’s heaviest snowfall. See the resilience and wisdom forged by the challenges of winter up close. In this land, the climate is no mere obstacle. Rather, it has inspired a rich culture. Experience firsthand the everyday and historical stories of people living amidst the majestic mountains’ abundant snow.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

START

Echigo-Yuzawa Station

(Car from Joetsu Shinkansen Echigo-Yuzawa Station)
40 minutes by car from Echigo-Yuzawa Station

Tomioka White Museum

A sanctuary of snow and art at the foot of a revered mountain

Born in the historic Takada district of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, artist Soichiro Tomioka (1922–1994) had a passion for the region’s unique snowy landscapes. He captured such landscapes as a “world of white” on canvas as he traveled across Japan and the world. Today, this art museum houses approximately 500 original oil paintings by Tomioka, shown in several special exhibitions each year.

Address
新潟県南魚沼市上薬師堂142

Telephone Number
025-775-3646

Opening Times
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (April - November)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm (December - March)

Closed on Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday)

30 minutes by car from Tomioka White Art Museum

FARM FRONT SEKI NOEN

Delicious salted rice balls made with organic rice

In addition to serving scrumptious rice balls, FARM FRONT SEKI NOEN in Minamiuonuma has an abundance of organic rice and other items for sale. Their rice comes from the Seki Noen farm, a six-time consecutive winner of the top prize at Japan's Contest on Rice Taste Evaluation.
Their salted rice balls are made from this premium rice, expertly cooked in an earthenware pot over an open flame, with homemade brown rice coffee as the perfect complement for your meal.
Surrounded by picturesque countryside scenery, the tranquil setting is ideal for a moment of respite while tucking into wholesome Niigata produce.

Address
新潟県南魚沼市関972-4

Telephone Number
025-775-7979

Opening Times
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) Irregular holidays

30 minutes by car from Farm Front Seki Noen

Saifukuji Kaizando Temple

A temple housing sculptures by Uncho Ishikawa, hidden masterpieces of Japan

As the Uonuma area thrived off the back of Echigo Jofu and chijimi textiles in the early 1800s, wholesalers donated some proceeds to their local temples, leading to a flourishing culture.
Against this backdrop emerged Uncho Ishikawa, a master woodcarver and one of the country’s great artists. Known as the “Michelangelo of Japan,” his dynamic work transformed temples into works of living art. Some of his masterpieces live on to this day at Saifukuji Temple, which has a 500-year history. Vibrantly-colored sculptures exuding vitality, alongside paintings and reliefs, make for a captivating sight not to be missed.

Address
新潟県魚沼市大浦174／西福寺

Telephone Number
025-792-3032

Opening Times
April - November: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (last entry, closes at 4:00 pm)
December - March: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (last entry, closes at 3:30 pm）
*Reservation required on weekdays during winter season

30 minutes by car from Saifukuji Temple

Aoki Shuzo Sake Brewery (Bokushi-dori Street)

Sake nurtured by snow

Founded in 1717, Aoki Shuzo Sake Brewery’s history stretches back over three centuries. In its sake making, the brewery embraces the area’s natural blessings, including underground water from Mount Makihata and abundant snow.
Making full use of the region’s climate, the Yukimuro cellar powered with snow is utilized for all sake storage and aging. Yukiotoko is one of the brewery’s most iconic brands and takes its name from a strange beast described as helping a traveler in Uonuma’s mountains in Hokuetsu Seppu, a book detailing the climate and way of life in Echigo (present-day Niigata Prefecture) during the first half of the 19th century. As a sake expressing the spirit of mutual assistance to this day, the brewery donates part of the proceeds from sales to activities to prevent accidents in the mountains. The sake fully embodies the rice flavor unique to junmai sake while having a sharp aftertaste. Aoki Shuzo Sake Brewery’s sake is characterized by a crisp, dry taste.

Address
新潟県南魚沼市塩沢1214

Telephone Number
025-782-0023

10 minutes by car from Aoki Shuzo Sake Brewery

GOAL

Satoyama Jujo

A fusion of a traditional Japanese home and Scandinavian design A minimalist experience at Satoyama Jujo

With the reception hall in a fully-renovated 150-year old Japanese house as the centerpiece, Satoyama Jujo is a residential lifestyle facility combining accommodation with dining, a hot spring, and a shop. Based around traditional Japanese architecture made entirely of zelkova with Japanese lacquer, the design imbued with Scandinavian elements creates an exquisite fusion, epitomizing unpretentious minimalism as an intersection between two cultures. Immerse yourself in the nature of this snow-blessed region throughout the seasons from open-air baths with some of Japan’s most spectacular views.

The restaurant, Sanaburi, crafts gastronomy experiences to bring the area’s essence to life. Head Chef Keiko Kuwakino is a globally-acclaimed talent who creates dishes embracing the full potential of local wild produce and traditional fermentation techniques. Every dish draws out the vitality of the ingredients, creating a culinary experience that makes you feel at one with the land.

Address
新潟県南魚沼市大沢1209-6

Telephone Number
025-783-6777

START

Satoyama Jujo

30 minutes by car from Satoyama Jujo

Kiyotsu Gorge

Experience the breathtaking scenery of one of Japan's three great gorges, as showcased in the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial artwork.

Kiyotsu Gorge is one of Japan's three great gorges, alongside Kurobe Gorge and Osugi Gorge. The towering cliffs forming a grand V-shaped canyon over the river are designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument.
The stunning columnar-jointed rock surfaces and the dynamic landscapes along the Kiyotsu River are sure to leave a lasting impression. The entire tunnel was also transformed into an artwork by the Chinese architectural firm Ma Yansong/MAD Architects during the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Architectural spaces and an artistic atmosphere inspired by the ""five elements” of nature (wood, earth, metal, fire, and water) were crafted at various points inside the tunnel and at the entrance facility. The entrance facility offers a footbath (closed during winter), a shop, and a café.

Address
新潟県十日町市小出癸2119-2

Telephone Number
025-763-4800

Opening Times
●Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel reception hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (tunnel closes at 5:00 pm)
Winter (December - February): 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (tunnel closes at 4:00 pm)
No regular holidays (during winter, the tunnel may be temporarily closed due to snowfall or snow accumulation)

●Entrance Facility opening hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
1st floor: Shop, café
2nd floor: Free footbath
(Footbath open from April to November)

60 minutes by car from Kiyotsu Gorge

Ubusuna House

Art for more than just the eyes Hone your senses amidst “living works” that embody potters’ playful side.

Ubusuna House in Tokamachi is an experience-based art center in a renovated century-old thatched-roof house. Featuring an Oribe ware stove and ceramic bathtub created by some of Japan's leading ceramic artists, the building itself is like a living work of art.

You can also enjoy lovingly-prepared local cuisine served on one-of-a-kind artisan tableware.
Rice from local rice terraces carefully cooked to a soft texture has a shine that also makes it a treat for the eyes. Every grain encapsulates the region’s rich nature, having been nurtured amidst the unforgiving snowy landscape.

Surrounded by art born from the land, savoring seasonal local delights is an experience to treat your mind as much as your stomach.

Address
新潟県十日町市東下組3110

Telephone Number
025-761-7767 (Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Information Center)

Opening Times
Museum, Café opening hours: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch: 11:00 am ‐ 2:00 pm (last order)
*Open on a seasonal basis only Contact the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Information Center for details.

40 minutes by car from Ubusuna House to Matsudai Station

Tokamachi Satoyama Walk: Gimyo & Kamo Rice Terraces Course

Enjoy a guided tour of picturesque rice terraces. Wild cherry blossom trees are reflected in the water in spring, while fall brings the sight of golden ears of rice shrouded in morning mist. In winter, explore the snow-white hills in traditional snowshoes.

The Tokamachi Gimyo & Kamo Rice Terraces Course is a 1.5 hour walking tour of two of the region’s most iconic rice terraces.

Setting off from the Gimyo rice terraces renowned for the fantastical reflections of wild cherry blossom trees, get a taste of satoyama, a place where nature and human life intersect, as you meander through the villages.
Having a dedicated guide further elevates the experience, providing insight into the wisdom cultivated by communities in this region of heavy snowfall and the history of the rice terraces. The final destination is the Kamo rice terraces against the backdrop of the Echigo Sanzan (""the Three Mountains of Echigo."")

In winter, you can put on some kanjiki (traditional snowshoes) and travel through the spectacular scenery of the snow-covered rice terraces. The satoyama covered in several meters of snow creates a pure white world reminiscent of an ink wash painting. Feel the tranquility of the land in winter and take a moment to clear your mind as you experience a quintessential Japanese scene on a level beyond sight alone.

Address
儀明の棚田
新潟県十日町市儀明

まつだい駅
新潟県十日町市松代

※集合場所は上記2か所のいずれか

Telephone Number
050−3553−4418
(HOME HOME NIIGATA Co., Ltd.)

Opening Times
April - June, late September - November
・Morning course: 10:30 am start - 12:00 pm finish
・Afternoon course: 1:30 pm start - 3:00 pm finish

July - mid September
・Morning course: 7:30 am start - 8:00 am finish
・Afternoon course: 4:00 pm start - 5:30 pm finish
*Refer to official website for details.

50 minutes by car from Matsudai Station

GOAL

ryugon

Experience the rich traditions and customs of Niigata at this hotel nestled in a renovated traditional residence

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.

Address
新潟県南魚沼市坂戸1-6

Telephone Number
025-772-3470

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