Previously we talked about our new Oze Adventure Tour. This time what we have in store is a brand-new cultural excursion devoted to viewing contemporary art and local crafts in private luxury! From the comfort of your private car, go from town to town, mountain to mountain, on a five-day journey with a dedicated multilingual guide knowledgeable about the region. Explore Japan’s longest-running rural arts festival, view centuries-old metalwork right at the source, and even take a swing at it yourself! This tour will show you that beyond just the natural beauty of YUKIGUNI, there also lies a valuable and exciting cultural history!
Your arrival in Snow Country
From Tokyo, you will arrive at your first destination in just 70 minutes by bullet train! Your journey begins with a quiet and relaxing stay at luxurious modern ryokan, such as Satoyama Jujo and Ryugon, both of which combine contemporary design sensibilities with traditional architecture.
Satoyama Jujo is a more recent addition to the beloved eco-lodges of Snow County, having first opened eleven years ago. This eco-lodge is located deep in nature- far from public transportation or convenience stores. What it does offer is peace, quiet, and extraordinary mountain views, unobstructed by skyscrapers or power lines, in addition to Michelin star cuisine!
Staying at an eco-lodge in YUKIGUNI is about much more than just a luxurious stay. There is a lot of valuable culture in rural Niigata that is often overlooked by first-time travelers to Japan. Whether it be a language barrier or another issue, it can sometimes feel disappointing when visitors can’t meaningfully learn about where it is they are staying. Minamiuonuma’s Ryugon aims to give their guests both a relaxing experience, as well as a meaningful cultural one.
Your cultural education at Ryugon begins as soon as you enter the inn. This is no ordinary hotel, but a repurposed traditional farmhouse called a kominka. The original structure dates back over 270 years to the Edo period of classical feudal Japan. Approximately 50 years ago it was moved to its present location, and undergoes regular renovations while still maintaining its historical roots. As for the workshops, many can be done from the comfort of the eco-lodge, including yoga or zen meditation, shamisen demonstrations, and traditional cooking classes, where you can learn how to make regional specialties such as “Kenjin Jiru” stew from locals. It is an especially scrumptious way to learn about YUKIGUNI!
Using ancient wisdom to create a tastier tomorrow
Your first full day in YUKIGUNI will begin with a hands-on agricultural workshop at Uonuma Himitsu Kichi, a local family farm where you will learn about local traditions of growing our premium rice and hearty fruits and vegetables that make up much of what you will be eating along this tour! Himitsu Kichi also operate as a bed and breakfast, where up to 8 people can stay at a time, learn to pick and cook sansai and make fresh miso, or just relax and enjoy the peaceful greenery around you.
Next, you will continue on to Uonuma no Sato, a charming village-like complex owned by the well-known local Hakkaisan Brewery, where shops, cafés, and restaurants are scattered across a wide area. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, savor local flavors, and browse specialty goods, all while surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Japan’s Snow Country. A highlight is the modern Yukimuro (snow cellar), a nod to YUKIGUNI’s traditional way of preserving food that continues to inspire sake brewing today. Another local brewery, the Aoki sake brewery, has been a local favorite for 300 years, and has maintained their standard of quality and status through 12 generations of family ownership.
Our culture of food preservation extends far beyond sake! Go underground below the Imanari Pickle Shop to see how the magic happens! First, the vegetables are pickled in salt, and then sake lees and sugar for a more mature flavor. This difficult multi-step process creates sumptuous pickles known as “yamagatsuke,” which have been made this way for over 300 years.
Nature and culture combined in an “Art Field”
The following day, you will head to the nearby city of Tokamachi, known as the location of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, one of the oldest and biggest rural art festivals! Here, contemporary works of art can be seen all over rural settlements and terraced rice fields, blending daily life, local culture, and creativity in a way found nowhere else. Each location contains unique installations and exhibits, as well as cuisine which represents the best of rural “satoyama” Japanese cooking, and accommodations where you can enjoy the beautiful Snow Country’s green season in comfort.
The works of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale encompass both installations and permanent galleries, such as those in the MonET museum, a permanent exhibition designed by the famous architect Hiroshi Hara, which houses over 200 exhibits throughout the year.
The objective of many of the works of art in the festival is to blend nature with unique creative interpretation, such as the Tunnel of Light at Kiyotsu Gorge. Kiyotsu Gorge is part of Joshin’etsu-kogen National Park, and is considered one of the top 3 canyons in Japan. The 750-meter tunnel that is featured in this exhibit was originally built in 1996 and offers a unique way to view the surrounding natural scenery through three separate observatories. At the very end is Panorama Station with its “Light Cave” where guests can enter a small pool which reflects light off the tunnel ceiling.
Some of the exhibits can even be utilized as accommodation, such as James Turrell’s House of Light. This installation transforms light in a variety of immersive and thrilling ways, depending on the room, the time of day, and the season!
That night, you will stay at Matsunoyama Onsen, known as one of the top 3 medicinal hot springs in all of Japan. This is thanks to the fossilized seawater underneath the town that was trapped there nearly 12 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity. The resulting heated water that bubbles up to the surface has a notably high salt content as well as high concentrations of boric acid, which has notable antiseptic properties and also helps improve blood flow.
One of the premier ECOLODGEs in the Snow Country region of Niigata is Hinanoyado Chitose at Matsunoyama Onsen. Hinanoyado Chitose is a progressive, top-class hotel where you can experience these healing spring waters in convenience and comfort. This inn is perfectly suited to international travelers, including those with dietary restrictions, or even those with tattoos- which traditionally was a barrier to enjoying the Japanese cultural practice of bathing at an onsen.
Chitose also aims for sustainability by using the energy below their feet to make fine cuisine. One of their staples is toujibuta, which is pork that has been slow-cooked in the onsen water for 3 hours sous vide-style. The resulting protein takes on an immensely tender consistency similar to roast beef. Hinanoyado Chitose at Matsunoyama Onsen village is an ECOLODGE where you can comfortably enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of Snow Country.
Watch Japanese artisans at work, then join in the fun!
The Niigata area is home to some time-honored Japanese industries. At the Tsubame Industrial Museum, you will learn all about this area’s famous copper industry, and also try your hand at crafting some goods to take home with you! Tsubame’s local industry still creates more than 90% of the tableware manufactured in Japan, and here you can trace its history from the Edo period to the present day.
You will also have the opportunity to see some of these famous workshops for yourself! Gyokusendo was founded by Kakubei Tamagawa in 1816. Known as “Kettle Maker Kakubei”, his workshop quickly gained a reputation for superior quality kettles and pots. Gyokusendo grew to the largest metal workshop in the area, and Tamagawa was recognized as the father of Tsubame’s local metalworking industry.
The day’s activities end at the neighboring town of Sanjo and the Rankeiso Inn. This rustic mountain inn was originally started as a health spa a century ago, and has since been recognized as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese Government. This accommodation has also become known for their sumptuous meals, having been given a Niigata Gastronomy award as well as a Michelin star.
From a holy mountain to the sea
Before you leave Tsubame, you will be treated to another tour, this time at the Tojiro Open Factory. Tojiro aims to produce the most ergonomic, sharp, and well-crafted knives and cutlery. They forge their steel knives using ancient techniques for crafting traditional katana in Samurai days. While in the Open Factory, you can watch these expert craftsmen up close and see how these blades are made step by step.
Next, go to ancient Yahiko shrine to receive a blessing for the rest of your journey. The enshrined deity, Amenokagoyama-no-Mikoto, also known as Takakuraji-no-Mikoto, is said to have been the great-grandchild of Amaterasu, the mythical founder of Japan. It was said that Amenokagoyama-no-Mikoto presented the Jimmu emperor with a mystical sword, which allowed him to defeat his enemies and unite Japan. Later, he came to Echigo (modern day Niigata) and helped the people here, who worshipped him as a deity. According to tradition, Yahiko Shrine was founded over 2,400 years ago in 392 BC. Despite being in such a remote area, YUKIGUNI shrines were known even in the Imperial capital as having powerful divine power. Here you will receive a traditional blessing, and enjoy a quiet moment of reflection and serenity.
Afterward, enjoy a scenic drive along the Echigo Nanaura Seaside Line, known for great beaches and views of the Sea of Japan. The tour concludes at Niigata City, a port city with great seaside views and delicious seafood cuisine.
Contact us now for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Step 1: Get in Touch
Wondering where to stay or what unique tours to try? Just drop us a message! We’re here to answer any questions and help you feel at ease.
Step 2: Let’s Plan Together
We’ll chat about your style, budget, and travel dates to create a personalized itinerary that’s perfect for you.
Step 3: Confirm & Explore
Once you love the plan, we’ll finalize the details. Then, all that’s left is to set off on an unforgettable Snow Country adventure customized just for you!
