I love traveling and staying in traditional Japanese ryokan
But I want something different
A different kind of escape
Where I can spend my time how I like
Freedom to choose
For an experience I can call my own
Where I can learn new skills
And discover local life
In unfamiliar surroundings
To take my mind and soul into new places
A new kind of Japanese stay
A different kind of Japanese experience
A hands-on experience through food and culture
To bring myself closer to the region
Look outside the window
Open your mind and heart
To a new home away from home
Make your own Yukiguni special meals durnig your stay
The following accommodations offer a special “your kitchen” cooking experience for staying guests (2 nights or more) and visitors.
01.ryugon
02.Echigo Yuzawa HATAGO ISEN
03.Hinanoyado Chitose
04.Hotel Kinomezaka
05.Ishiuchi Ski Center
ryugon
In one of the snowiest areas of Japan
the snow, sky, earth, mountains, rivers, people,
and all living things have taken their time.
In a moment when the snow reconciles
with the soul you can sense the essence of the region.
Welcome to ryugon
Sakado, 1-6, Minami Uonuma-shi, Niigata
25 minutes by shuttle bus from HATAGO ISEN (in front of the West Exit of JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station)
Echigo Yuzawa HATAGO ISEN
This is the gateway to the snow country.
Enjoy dishes unique to the area, relax in the hot spring baths, and experience the beauty of the four seasons of this country.
Go a little further and immerse yourself in the snow country.
Our sister inn “”ryugon”” is such a place.
Stay, savor, and discover the foods and products our region has to offer.
Come and discover your snow country.
Yuzawa 2455, Yuzawa-machi Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata
In front of Echigo-Yuzawa Station (West Exit)
Hinanoyado Chitose
Admire beautiful terraced rice paddies and beech forests represent the landscape of traditional Japan. Tokamachi in Niigata Prefecture is a snow country where people and nature coexist. Our inn, Hinanoyado Chitose is located in Matsunoyama Onsen, an area that experiences much snow in winter. The open-air bath is regarded as one of the top three therapeutic hot springs in Japan, with a concentration of 15 times that of those found in Matsunoyama Onsen.
We are looking forward to serving you local delicacies of our “”satoyama”” landscape, made with local ingredients such as rice and wild vegetables nurtured by the melting snow.
This spring, a stay-based hot spring town condominium will open on the second floor as “”Touji Bar””. As a base for your stay in the hot spring resort area, we hope you will enjoy your stay at the annex “”Kawakurimi”” of Hinanoyado Chitose.
49-1 Yumoto, Matsunoyama, Tokamachi, Niigata
Pick-up service is available at Matsudai Station on the Hokuhoku Line (reservation required)
Hotel Kinomezaka
Hot spring water was discovered in Muikamachi Onsen in 1957, and this hot spring inn opened not long after in 1958. This inn has been operating alongside Muikamachi Onsen with the “spirit of sincerity,” in an area blessed with the beautiful Mt. Hakkai and Mt. Sakado and exquisite foods of Minamiuonuma.
93-1 Koguriyama, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata
A 10-minute walk from JR Muikamachi Station
Ishiuchi Ski Center
This hotel is right next to Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Area in Niigata Prefecture, in the middle of the ski resort. Guests can enjoy free snowmobile rides to and from places, rice cake pounding, and New Year’s events – fun activities for all the family. During the winter season, the resort welcomes many skiers, snowboarders, and overnight guests, and during the off-peak season, guests come for training camps, parties, and events .
2321 Ishiuchi, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata
Pick-up service is available from Ishiuchi Station on the JR Joetsu Line (reservation required)
What is “your kitchen”
You can enjoy cooking delicious meals using local ingredients and simple cooking techniques during an extended stay at your accommodation.
01.Yaki Onigiri (grilled rice balls) with Original Seasoning from the YUKIGUNI (Snow Country Tourism Zone) and Noppei
02.Grilled Pork with Original Seasoning Specially Made for the YUKIGUNI (Snow Country Tourism Zone)
03.Ratatouille Pasta / Karamushi Noodles with Sake Lees and Mushrooms
04.Smoked Trout Sandwich with Carrotte Rapée, Uonuma Miyuki Trout and Seasonal Fruits
05.Sandwich of Grilled Niigata Jidori Chicken Marinated in Kagura Nanban Miso and Maitake Mushroom
Yaki Onigiri (grilled rice balls) with Original Seasoning from the YUKIGUNI (Snow Country Tourism Zone) and Noppei
When it comes to Niigata, it’s all about the rice! Make a delicious grilled rice ball by coating a rice ball made from Koshihikari rice produced in Minamiuonuma with an original seasoning made from local seasonings such as Kagura Nanban Miso and Kagura Karrako. Serve with the inn’s special Noppei soup, a local delicacy of Niigata.
Grilled Pork with Original Seasoning Specially Made for the YUKIGUNI (Snow Country Tourism Zone)
A thick pork loin best eaten with original seasonings made from local seasonings such as Kagura Nanban Miso and Kagura Karakko. It tastes great when eaten with rice produced in Minamiuonuma.
Ratatouille Pasta / Karamushi Noodles with Sake Lees and Mushrooms
This pasta is full of flavor and rich in local vegetables. The sake lees give it a certain cheese-like quality. No animal products are used. Instead of pasta, you can use Karamushi noodles, a local specialty rich in minerals.
Smoked Trout Sandwich with Carrotte Rapée, Uonuma Miyuki Trout and Seasonal Fruits
This beautiful sandwich is made with delicious smoked Uonuma Miyuki trout and local fruits and vegetables. This sandwich is made with BASE BREAD®, a complete nutritional bread that is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and other nutrients that your body needs to make up for the unbalanced nutrition when away from home.
Sandwich of Grilled Niigata Jidori Chicken Marinated in Kagura Nanban Miso and Maitake Mushroom
This sandwich uses Kagura Nanban Miso, an ingredient that helps to grill meat sweetly and tenderly, and combines it with sweet vegetables such as mushrooms and potatoes. The combination of mayonnaise and the sweet-savory taste of Kagura Nanban Miso makes it taste similar to a teriyaki burger. By using BASE BREAD®, a complete nutritional bread that is packed with vitamins and minerals, protein, dietary fiber, and other nutrients that your body needs, you can supplement the nutrition that tends to be lacking when away from home.
Local activities
Here are some of the unique activities that you can enjoy during your stay.
01.Snowshoeing in Bijinbayashi and Traditional Hearths
02.Ueda no sato(work shop)
03.Shiozawa Tsumugi Museum
Snowshoeing in Bijinbayashi and Traditional Hearths
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the beautiful forests in winter. A guide will accompany you and you may see winter animals, winter mushrooms, and other sights found in this season.
Sit and relax by a sunken hearth where the warmth of the charcoal fire and a serving of hot amazake will soothe your body and soul.
In the event of inclement weather, you can also visit the Kyororo exhibit (admission fee to Kyororo is included in the price).
1712-2 Matsuguchi, Matsunoyama, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata (Kyororo, Museum of Natural Science)
About a 20-minute walk from Sakaematsu bus stop MAP
Ueda no sato(workshop)
Ueda no sato is located in the southern part of Niigata Prefecture where Uonuma Koshihikari, a delicious rice variety, is grown. Here at Ueda no sato, locals will teach you about working and living in the countryside: from rice planting in the spring to rice harvesting in the fall to building traditional Kamakura (snow domes) in the winter, you can experience countryside life throughout the year. Ueda no sato has been covered by many TV programs and magazines. In addition to rice, Ueda Village is also famous for its delicious mountain vegetables and local produce which attracts many visitors here.
2970-1 Nagasaki, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata
About 10 minutes by taxi from Shiozawa Station on the JR Joetsu Line MAP
Shiozawa Tsumugi Museum
The Shiozawa Tsumugi Museum is where the traditional techniques and cultural attractions of Shiozawa textiles are on display at this “”new base of weaving culture.””
On the first floor, fabric crafts made from Shiozawa’s woven cloth are displayed and sold, and you can also try making your own accessories.
On the second floor, you can see the textile-making process and try weaving the traditional way.”
1227-14 Shiozawa, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata
A 3-minute walk from JR Shiozawa Station MAP
Places to visit
Muikamachi Area
Local dining
Uonuma Kamakura General Main Store
Blessed with the natural scenery of the four seasons, we have tea, local sake, vegetables, and Mochibuta pork grown with sunshine and snowmelt flowing from the three mountains of Uonuma. As a person raised in Uonuma and proud to be from the region, I believe that it is our role as Uonuma Kamakura to pass on the food culture and nature of the region.
Coworking space
Sankaku Base
Men, women, young and old, regardless of occupation or industry engaged in various activities in Minamiuonuma who have never had the chance to know each other before can meet and connect.
Local shopping
Uonuma no sato
Uonuma is a snow country where living with nature is ingrained in everyday life.
Uonouma no sato is a relaxing spot where your 5 senses can be satisfied.
Find a moment of peace and tranquility in each of the four seasons.
Tokamachi Area
Local dining
Nadaikisoba Yoshiya
Carefully-selected buckwheat is ground using a stone mortar and Funori seaweed is added as a binder to create our firm but chewy soba noodles.
Coworking space
asto
A membership-based coworking space established in 2018. We hope to become a place that fosters co-creation, where people of diverse backgrounds can meet and ignite innovation through sharing.
Local shopping
Shikisaikan Veggie Park
As a base for local production for local consumption and food and agricultural education, this direct sales facility was opened to promote the appeal of Tokamachi products.
In addition to the direct sales shop, the rice flour bakery Beikari and the food education experience facility Veggie Kitchen are worth a visit.
Yuzawa and Ishiuchi Area
Local dining
Shinbashi
For 85 years Shinbashi has been serving travelers with traditional handmade soba.
You can also enjoy seasonal delicacies made with local ingredients and a selection of Uonuma’s famous sake.
Coworking space
KirahoshiBASE
A space used for a wide range of purposes from work to leisure, from office rentals to manga cafés, as well as worcations.
Many locals use this space; you can get sightseeing information and deepen your connection with the locals.
Local shopping
Roadside Station Minamiuonuma
Roadside Station Minamiuonuma consists of the Imaizumi Memorial Hall, Shiki Ajiwai Kan, and Ikoi-no-Hiroba Plaza and is a tourist spot where you can enjoy the “food, art, history, and nature” of Minamiuonuma.
The Shiki Ajiwai Kan is a direct sales store for agricultural and specialty products. You can find fresh vegetables delivered by local farmers every morning.
