Easily accessible, you'll be transported to a
complete change of scenery from busy Tokyo
- enter Yuzawa, Japan's playground for
winter sports, summer activities and onsen!
Yuzawa, the famous setting for the Nobel Prize winning novel, 'Yukiguni'
('Snow Country'), by Yasunari Kawabata is now a popular sports mecca.
Attracting over 6 million skiers and snowboarders each year, an endless
supply of powdery snow and top skiing facilities ensures visitors return year
after year. There is something for everyone to choose from with 16 ski and snowboard resorts
in the area ranging from huge ski stations to small family-run resorts. Most ski resorts are
conveniently located within 30
minutes from the train station.
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is
only a 77 minutes Joetsu
Shinkansen ride away from
Tokyo. The supreme ease of
access to great skiing explains
GALA Yuzawa's popularity
with winter sports enthusiasts
from Tokyo and its vicinity.
NASPA Ski Garden is exclusive
to skiers, creating an ideal
environment so they can enjoy Yuzawa to the fullest.
Naeba Ski Resort is one of the most trendy and popular ski
resorts in all Japan. The world's longest gondola,
'Doragondola', offers the best views of the amazing snow
clad scenery. Highlights of the Yuzawa Onsen Snow
Festival include fireworks,
portable shrines, and
downhill torch-lit ski
parades. Exceptional backcountry
powder and family
friendly resorts - Yuzawa
has it all in winter.
The thermal waters of 800 year old Yuzawa
hot springs are quite mild and reputed to
possess great healing qualities, especially for
aches and pains. Healthy, relaxing bathing in
Yuzawa is conveniently located for all
visitors. Many 'onsen' are found just west of
Echigo-Yuzawa train station. Hot springs are
also found in almost every 'ryokan'
(Japanese-style inn) and there are many
public hot spring baths available. Foot
'onsen', called 'Ashiyu', are available free of
charge; one simply removes shoes and socks,
dips feet in, and sits back and relaxes in the
soothing water. Perfect for tired feet after a
long day on the slopes! Additionally, there is
a museum in JR Echiho-Yuzawa station
called 'Ponshukan' that displays many types
of sake. Here, guests
can enjoy bathing in
a 'saka buro', a
public bath that
includes Japanese
sake.
The Yuzawa Town History Museum 'Yukiguni-Kan'
features important local artifacts relating to the region's
history and culture, as well as items connected to the
famous novel 'Snow Country'. The highlights of this
museum are 14 works of Japanese-style paintings depicting
Yuzawa, or as it is known throughout Japan - 'Yukiguni'.
These works were painted by recipients of the Order of
Culture. There are also personal belongings of Nobel
laureate and writer of 'Snow Country', Yasunari Kawabata.
Summer Mountain Resort
In addition to winter sports, Yuzawa offers many summer
activities in its scenic mountain setting. Visitors can take
Japan's largest ropeway up to 'Yuzawa Kogen' highland. Once
at the summit, there is the lovely botanical garden at 'Alp no
Sato' (Alpine Flower Garden).
Fly-fishing for 'Ayu' (brook
trout) on the Uonogawa River is another popular activity. The 'Ayu'
season in Yuzawa is known in Japan for guaranteeing a great catch and
attracts throngs of keen fishermen each year. Visitors can enjoy many
summer attractions from walking to trekking, golf and more!
Set amongst rustic mountain villages, Matsunoyama Onsen is the
ideal introduction to the 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.
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.
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
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/english.html
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.
Minoya opened over 300 years ago and is located in front of Yahiko
Shrine. Niigata Prefecture's delicious sake is a great accompaniment to
Minoya's fine cuisine that uses only fresh local ingredients. Seasonal
views in spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (changing foliage) can be
enjoyed from the outdoor bath located on the top floor of the building.
This hot spring has been proven to leave skin smooth and beautiful.
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
Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 10:00
Price: from ¥ 15,900 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: Yahiko Yahiko-mura, Nishikambara-gun, Niigata
Access: 5-min. walk from Yahiko Sta.
Tel: 0256-94-2010 / Fax: 0256-94-4463
URL: http://www.minoya.net/language/english/
700 year old Kaikake Onsen, located at a high altitude and nestled in the deep
forest was popular with some well known warriors who came here during the
Sengoku period to heal their wounds, hide out from enemies and relax. This
rare onsen has been recommended by some spa treatment therapists and has
a reputation for curing eye troubles. The rustic atmosphere and picturesque
views make the outdoor bath especially pleasurable.
Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 10:30
Price: from ¥ 13,800 (based on weekdays, 2 people in 1 room, 1 night with 2 meals)
Address: 686 Mitsumata Yuzawa Uonuma-gun, Niigata
Access: 20-min. by bus or 15-min. by taxi from Echigoyuzawa Sta.
Tel: 025-788-9911 / Fax: 025-788-9912
URL: www.kaikake.jp (Japanese only)
Easily accessible, you'll be transported to a
complete change of scenery from busy Tokyo
- enter Yuzawa, Japan's playground for
winter sports, summer activities and onsen!
Yuzawa, the famous setting for the Nobel Prize winning novel, 'Yukiguni'
('Snow Country'), by Yasunari Kawabata is now a popular sports mecca.
Attracting over 6 million skiers and snowboarders each year, an endless
supply of powdery snow and top skiing facilities ensures visitors return year
after year. There is something for everyone to choose from with 16 ski and snowboard resorts
in the area ranging from huge ski stations to small family-run resorts. Most ski resorts are
conveniently located within 30
minutes from the train station.
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is
only a 77 minutes Joetsu
Shinkansen ride away from
Tokyo. The supreme ease of
access to great skiing explains
GALA Yuzawa's popularity
with winter sports enthusiasts
from Tokyo and its vicinity.
NASPA Ski Garden is exclusive
to skiers, creating an ideal
environment so they can enjoy Yuzawa to the fullest.
Naeba Ski Resort is one of the most trendy and popular ski
resorts in all Japan. The world's longest gondola,
'Doragondola', offers the best views of the amazing snow
clad scenery. Highlights of the Yuzawa Onsen Snow
Festival include fireworks,
portable shrines, and
downhill torch-lit ski
parades. Exceptional backcountry
powder and family
friendly resorts - Yuzawa
has it all in winter.
The Yuzawa Town History Museum 'Yukiguni-Kan'
features important local artifacts relating to the region's
history and culture, as well as items connected to the
famous novel 'Snow Country'. The highlights of this
museum are 14 works of Japanese-style paintings depicting
Yuzawa, or as it is known throughout Japan - 'Yukiguni'.
These works were painted by recipients of the Order of
Culture. There are also personal belongings of Nobel
laureate and writer of 'Snow Country', Yasunari Kawabata.
