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Within the 'Yuzawa Highlands' lies the breathtaking 'Alp-no-sato' (Alpine Flower Garden). Since 1980, it has delighted visitors with its hundreds of varieties of seasonal flowers. At the mountain summit, there is an awesome 706 metre mountainside toboggan run for summer thrills. These are great activities to enjoy while admiring the spectacular alpine vista.

Japan's largest ropeway gondola accommodates up to 166 people. Soaring skyward to the Yuzawa Kogen highland, thrilled passengers peer down at the town and valley floor far below. Upon reaching the summit, there is the popular 'Alp-no-sato' (Alpine Flower Garden) as well as more spectacular vistas.

Yuzawa hot spring dates back over 800 years. The thermal water is a weak, simple alkaline, claimed to possess great healing qualities, especially good for recovery from aches and pains. Many of the 'onsen' can be found just west of Echigo Yuzawa train station. Hot springs are found in practically each of the 'ryokan' (Japanese style inn) and are easily available in public hot spring baths.

Foot 'onsen' available free of charge; visitors or skiers can simply remove shoes and socks, have a dip, sit back, and relax. Great for soothing tired feet after a long, exciting day on the slopes!

Yuzawa is recognized throughout Japan as 'Yukiguni'. At the 'Snow Country' Museum, visitors can learn of the town's history and how locals survived accumulations of 3 to 4 metres of snow each winter. This museum also displays Japanese-style paintings of 'Yukiguni', and personal mementos belonging to Nobel Literature laureate, Yasunari Kawabata.

Yuzawa is famed as one of the best 'sake' producing areas in Japan and proves true the saying, "The best sake is found by the best water source." Located within the JR Echigo-Yuzawa station, 'Ponshu-kan' is a museum displaying many varieties of local sake, sake based sweets and sake drinking cups. The 'Kikizake' tasting section offers, for a small sum (500 yen) a choice of five brands from approx. 100 sake wineries found in Niigata. Enjoy bathing in 'saka buro', a public bath that includes Japanese sake, reputed effective for beauty and relaxation.

Fly-fishing for 'Ayu' (brook trout) on the Uonogawa River is reputed throughout Japan for guaranteeing a great fishing experience and the 'Ayu' season attracts throngs of avid anglers to Yuzawa Town. The river is a tributary of Japan's longest river, the 'Shinanogawa', flowing through the scenic 'Uonuma' region. Melting alpine snows provide the river with water so pure it is prized for sake brewing and quality rice.

Located at the base of Mt.Daigenta, visitors can enjoy creating traditional Japanese fare ssuch as 'soba-uchi' (a Japanese noodle made of local buckwheat flour) and a tasty Niigata specialty called 'sasadango' (rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaf). At the "Asahigama" kiln nearby Daigenta, visitors can make a flavorsome cup of tea to remember their memorable Yuzawa outing. (A prior reservation is necessary.)

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is only a 77 minute 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. "GALA-NO-YU" Spa provides visitors, skiers, snowboarders and families with relaxing activities including a fitness swimming pool.

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. The super abundance of snow allows for early season openings in winter into the spring. Naeba Prince Hotel located at the base of the slopes is a focal point of the ski resort.

The world's longest gondola ride is a remarkable 5481 meters long - almost 3.5 miles! It can carry up to 8 thrill seeking passengers on a sky-hopping ride not experienced anywhere else on the planet. Since 2001, 'Doragondola' has connected the Naeba and Tashiro areas in a speedy 15 minutes, surrounding passengers with amazing mountain and valley views. 'Doragondola' is operated during the fall foliage season and winter ski season.

A skiers-only family snow resort, NASPA Ski Garden is located in the mountains of Yuzawa Town. Take the free shuttle bus from Echigo Yuzawa station for a short ride to this fantastic resort built directly behind the remarkable NASPA New Otani Hotel. This ski resort is perfectly suited for family enjoyment and appeals to skiiers of all levels - from beginner to advanced.