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Must visit 'Snow Country' areas!
Discover grand local winter features and relax in a comfortable 'onsen' spa.
* Click available area name
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 Yuzawa |
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Yuzawa, famed as the setting for the
beloved Japanese novel, 'Yukiguni' ('Snow
Country') by Nobel literature prize winner
Yasunari Kawabata, is also a very popular
winter sports Mecca. The endless supply
of deep, powdery snow provides first
class skiing facilities in huge ski stations
such as Naeba Resort on down to small
and relaxing family-run resorts.
'Doragondola', the world's longest (5481
meters) gondola ride connects Naeba and Kagura ski resorts in a
swift 15 minutes; riders are mesmerized by a panoramic fairy land of
glistening white vistas as far as the eye can see. The popular
'Yuzawa-onsen' Snow Festival entertains with thundering fireworks
displays, portable shrines and downhill torch lit ski parades are some of the fun activities
highlighted through March. Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore displays articles
important to local history and culture as well as items related to the novel 'Snow Country',
a modern Japanese literature classic. 'Ashiyu'
(foot bath) close to Echigo Yuzawa Station
encourages visitors or skiers to remove socks
and shoes then soak their feet and relax.
Yuzawa attracts throngs of visitors year round
and is easily reached within 90 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo, or two hours by car.
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Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore |
Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore |
Doragondola |
Ashiyu |
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| Uonuma |
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Uonuma City in Niigata is located adjacent
to the boundaries of Fukushima and
Gunma prefectures, an area reputed for
producing 'Koshihikari', a premium variety
of rice much appreciated by Japanese
consumers. Artificially created Okutadami Lake is proud to store 600 million tons of water. Mid-May to
early November sightseeing by boat rewards visitors with lovely vistas, however, mid-May to early
June is recommended for maximum contrasts of verdant hillsides and lingering snow cover. A fine
day's outing starting from anywhere within the Kanto Region (including Tokyo) can be had by riding
the ferry boat across the lake to popular Oze National Park, then, a bus ride through splendid scenery
going through the woods will usher visitors to the entrance of Oze. Worthy of a visit in Uonuma City
is Meguro Residence, designated a National Important Cultural Property, built (1797) as a wealthy
farmer's residence that includes a thatched roof and a 'chidorihafu' style of roof window doubling as
a chimney. 'Echigo Yukikura-kan' is a unique
sake brewery and museum where visitors can
observe the making of delicious sake in a snowy
area as well as a natural storehouse refrigerator
(Yukikura) that keeps the rice wine pleasantly
cool. Uonuma City is a year-round treasure
house of fine sightseeing opportunities.
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Meguro Residence |
Oze National Park |
Koshihikari Rice |
Lake Okutadami |
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| Other Areas |
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| Tokamachi | Tsunan |
| Tokamachi is renowned for its gorgeous kimono creations
and proud of its textile manufacturing skills. It's much
appreciated for a bucolic countryside, neatly laid patterns of
'tanada' (rice terraces) and a big, exciting Snow Festival.
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Ensconced in a mountainous terrain that receives huge, annual
snow falls, Tsunan is richly gifted with nature's sublime art.
Japan's largest fluvial terrace is a familiar symbol of the town
where the finest rice is abundantly cultivated and produced.
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| Minami Uonuma | Minakami |
| With an exceptional history harking back 1,250 years, textile production known as
'shiozawa-tsumugi' or 'hon-shiozawa' has long prospered in this area. Premium quality rice and
much appreciated tasty sake production benefit from a cool, snowy climate.
| Minakami is home to exciting outdoor activities such as canyoning,
paragliding, snowshoeing, mountain biking; rock climbers and
hikers favor Tanigawa Valley. After a strenuous day of sporting
activities a relaxing visit to one of many hot springs is well-earned.
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| Sakae | |
| Deep inside a mountainous landscape, Sakae is a
village that successfully works and lives with deep
snow as attested to by a record 7.85 meters in 1945.
Akiyama Valley is famed for scenery, seasonal
changes especially resplendent autumn foliage.
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| Relax in an authentic Ryokan |
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| Yukiguni-no-yado Takahan | HATAGO Isen |
This classic Japanese inn has thrived for 8 centuries
and is especially appreciated for having hosted Nobel
recipient, Yasunari Kawabata, while he was imagining
the creation of his great novel 'Yukiguni' ('Snow
Country'). Guests can relax in 'Tamago-no-yu', the
original 800 year old hot springs reputed to promote
a smooth, healthy skin; comfortable guest rooms
feature splendid mountain vistas.
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Facing Echigo Yuzawa Station, this fine inn offers
10 unique styles of guest rooms based on varied
themes such as 'open-air bath', 'irori fireplace', 'tea
room' and others equally imaginative. Admire
great views while enjoying the open air bath,
feast on delicious local specialties, and sake
especially recommended by a sake steward is a
much enjoyed touch of luxury.
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Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 10:00
Price: from ¥ 12,750 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: 923 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Access: 5-min. from Echigoyuzawa Sta. by Taxi
Tel: 025-784-3333 / Fax: 025-784-4047
URL: www.takahan.co.jp (Japanese Only)
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Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 11:00
Price: from ¥ 16,800 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: 2455 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Access: 1-min. walk from Echigoyuzawa Sta.
Tel: 025-784-3361 / Fax: 025-784-2013
URL: www.isen.co.jp (Japanese Only)
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| Hakugin-kaku 'Hana no yoi' | Hina no yado Chitose |
Inside the first hotel gate, visitors step into a
welcoming natural garden with traditional
Japanese wooden buildings. Different bathing
facilities are available, a smooth and cool marble
bath, another that uses 50 sacks of charcoal as a
base. Mouth watering cuisine is de rigueur with
seasonal ingredients featured and elegantly set
out for a visual treat.
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Encircled by remote, mountain villages
Matsunoyama Onsen is the ideal introduction to
traditional values of 'Snow Country'. Home-style
dishes concocted with local fresh ingredients are
a tasty treat on any dinner table. Fed by ancient
fossil sea waters dating some 12 million years,
high in sodium and calcium, it is one of the three
largest medicinal 'onsen' in Japan.
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Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 10:00
Price: from ¥ 13,650 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: 2-1-10 Yuzawa,Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Access: 2-min. walk from Echigoyuzawa Sta.
Tel: 025-784-3311 / Fax: 025-784-4680
URL: http://www.hakugin.com/English.html
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Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 10:00
Price: from ¥ 15,750 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: 49-1 Matsunoyamayumoto,Tokamachi, Niigata
Access: 20-min. from Matusdai Sta. by bus
Tel: 025-596-2525 / Fax: 025-596-2117
URL: www.chitose.tv/index.html
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| Shosenkaku 'Kagetsu' | |
'Okaerinasai!' Welcome Home! Greets every client
at Kagetsu. Ten different types of natural volcanic
'onsen' including open air baths, dry and steam
saunas are there to be enjoyed as well as succulent
Japanese-style dinners created with locally
produced, seasonal fresh fish and vegetables with
delicious 'koshihikari' rice. Kagetsu makes a virtue of
providing the visitor with a home-town atmosphere.
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Yuzawa Onsen Ryokan Association :
The Yuzawa Onsen Ryokan Association brings together 16 inns and spas differing in size but all meeting rigorous standards to guarantee quality accommodations.
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Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 11:00
Price: from ¥ 15,000 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: 318-5 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Access: 5-min. walk from Echigoyuzawa Sta.
Tel: 025-784-2540 / Fax: 025-784-4112
URL: www.kagetu.com (Click English on top of the pages)
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Hokuhoku Line
 Privately owned, the Hokuhoku Line links
Muikamachi in Kinami Uonuma City to
Saigata in Joetsu City running 60
kilometers through 'Snow Country'. From
the windows, delighted riders can admire
lovely pastoral scenes especially during
snowy conditions. In the dark of a tunnel,
'Yumezora' is Japan's first 'theatre' train,
when ceilings turns into a large screen
projecting computerized graphic images.
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| >> Go To Top [ Snow Country Areas ] |
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