Once a quiet onsen village in Kawabata’s “Snow Country,(YUKIGUNI)” Yuzawa and its surroundings now thrive as global tourist spots. Press coverage, foreign visitors, ski mania, and adventure tourism mark ongoing changes. With climate shifts and geothermal initiatives on the horizon, YUKIGUNI embodies both Japan’s heritage and a sustainable future.
Japan’s ancient Jomon culture, thriving over 10,000 years ago, is gaining global interest. Known for egalitarian communities that coexisted with nature, their distinctive pottery and artifacts fascinate researchers and museum-goers worldwide. Comparing Jomon with other early societies inspires us to embrace sustainable living and preserve natural environments for future generations.
Local tourism leaders in Japan’s Snow Country discuss preserving traditions, nurturing sustainable cuisine, protecting nature, and celebrating Jomon roots. They highlight onsen culture, evolving culinary practices, and intergenerational cooperation. Emphasizing responsible tourism and environmental stewardship, they hope to pass down a thriving, rich, and sustainable Snow Country to future generations.
Every February 11th in Uonuma City, the Hanamizu Iwai Festival revives a traditional snow ceremony wishing for healthy children. Grooms endure freezing water, local performers drum and dance, and visitors enjoy food stalls, mochi, and cultural traditions. This once-banned ritual now attracts travelers seeking authentic rural festivities in Snow Country.
The Yukigunikan museum in Yuzawa offers an in-depth look at Yasunari Kawabata’s Snow Country. Visitors discover the novel’s origins, view Kawabata’s personal artifacts, and explore exhibits on local history and culture, from Jomon-era relics to a traditional geisha’s home. These galleries reveal the real-life world behind Snow Country.
Explore the unique winter culture of YUKIGUNI, Japan’s Snow Country. From ancient Jomon traditions and snow-covered forests to sustainable eco-lodges and local cuisine, YUKIGUNI blends natural beauty with rich history. Experience snowshoe tours, preserved food traditions, and vibrant festivals. Discover how this region continues to thrive, preserving its heritage for future generations.
Experience YUKIGUNI’s rich preserved food culture. Discover traditional pickles like nozawana and kirizai-don, visit eco-lodges using sustainable methods, and enjoy local specialties at unique ski areas and historic pickle shops. YUKIGUNI blends heritage and innovation, offering delicious, healthy preserved cuisine for every visitor.
Discover the wonders of onsen in YUKIGUNI, home to over 70 hot springs across Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma. From healing sulfur baths to rare radium springs, each onsen offers unique minerals, health benefits, and history. Visit iconic locations like Matsunoyama Onsen or Takahan, where tradition meets relaxation. Explore Snow Country’s timeless onsen culture today!
Explore the rich history of YUKIGUNI through its ancient temples and shrines. Visit the 1,300-year-old Untoan, famous for its treasure hall and zen meditation lessons, Kankoji with its legendary miso, and Mt. Hakkai’s sacred shrines surrounded by breathtaking nature. Each site offers a unique blend of history, culture, and tranquility.
Discover the diverse museums of YUKIGUNI, showcasing art, history, and nature. Highlights include Yasuo Toyama’s Wildflower Museum, the nostalgic Time Capsule Museum, and the Tenichi Museum’s eclectic art collection. Explore Tomioka White Museum’s snow-inspired works and the immersive Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale sites. Each offers unique cultural experiences amidst stunning landscapes.
Discover the fascinating myths and legends of Snow Country, including tales of the Yuki Otoko (Japan’s snowman), the spiritual power of Abbot Hokko, and the mysterious Dragon Cave on Mt. Naeba. From heroic bears to weaving rituals, these stories reveal the deep cultural and historical roots of this unique region.
Discover the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Japan’s oldest and largest outdoor arts festival, showcasing stunning installations across six rural areas in Niigata. Immerse yourself in a blend of art and nature, explore iconic exhibits like the Tunnel of Light, and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine. Tours, accommodations, and special events make this a must-visit cultural experience.
Experience the beauty of traditional Japanese kimono in YUKIGUNI, a region rich in textile history. Visit the Itsuwa Kimono Shop in Tokamachi to rent or purchase handmade kimono crafted from local silk. Discover kimono culture through guided fittings, modern trends, and exhibits at the Tokamachi City Museum, blending history with contemporary elegance.
Discover Bokushi Suzuki, the literary pioneer who introduced YUKIGUNI to the world through his book Snow Country Tales. This captivating work blends real-life accounts, folklore, and cultural insights, showcasing the hardships and beauty of Snow Country. Visit the Suzuki Bokushi Memorial Museum and Bokushi-dori to step back into his world and explore YUKIGUNI’s rich heritage.
Discover YUKIGUNI’s famed Echigo Jofu cloth, a centuries-old textile crafted from ramie using traditional methods. Known for its beauty and durability, it undergoes a unique snow-bleaching process each winter. Designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Echigo Jofu reflects the artistry and heritage of Snow Country. Experience its creation during winter tours.
Experience the unique Mukonage “Groom-Throwing” Festival at Matsunoyama Onsen, a lively celebration blending tradition and fun. Witness the groom tossed into the snow and enjoy the ancient Suminuri ash-painting ritual, filled with blessings, sake, and community spirit. Stay to explore the renowned medicinal hot springs and charming ryokan.
Explore the unique winter festivals of YUKIGUNI, blending ancient traditions with snowy fun. Highlights include the Mukonage groom-throwing event, snow sculpture displays at Tokamachi Snow Festival, spirited snowball competitions, and cultural marriage celebrations. Don’t miss iconic events like the Echigo Urasa Naked Festival and Tsunan’s sky lantern show for a truly unforgettable experience!
Discover the fascinating Jomon culture, Japan’s earliest society, and their stunning Kaengata pottery in YUKIGUNI. Known for its abstract, flame-like designs, Kaengata reflects Jomon’s connection to nature and animistic beliefs. Explore this rich heritage at museums like Najomon in Tsunan, and see its influence on modern artists and contemporary art festivals.
Discover the artistry of Uncho Ishikawa, the “Michelangelo of Japan,” whose intricate wood carvings and paintings adorn temples in Niigata. Visit masterpieces at Saifukuji, Eirinji, and Ryukokuji temples to experience his unique blend of traditional Buddhist art and Japanese mythology. These timeless works offer a rare glimpse into YUKIGUNI’s rich artistic heritage.
Echigo Jofu, a historic textile from YUKIGUNI, embodies centuries-old craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Entirely handmade through a 50-step process, including the unique snow bleaching technique, it is prized for its crisp texture and elegance. Alongside silk fabrics like Shiozawa Tsumugi and Hon Shiozawa, Echigo Jofu represents Japan’s rich traditional artistry.
At the heart of the diversity of Japanese culture lies, in fact, a single cultural source. This is the topic of the Jomon culture, which after a long time has once again become an enigmatic and fascinating place.
A culture that has lasted for 10,000 years, unparalleled in world history. Living in harmony with nature. Villages arranged in a circle so that they can see each other, which develops the connections of people. Plenty of time because we are buried in snow in winter. Something that has been left behind in modern times is there. Something fundamental. Jomon asks us “What is richness?”
Let’s close our eyes, sharpen our senses, and contemplate the ancient Jomon culture of Japan.
Through the Jomon culture, which lived in harmony with the forest for 10,000 years, you may find hints for thinking about modern society.
Scattered across YUKIGUNI are fabric production areas. These fabrics have, since ancient times, had a deep connection with the climate, nature and the life of the people of YUKIGUNI. We visited local people involved in the production of these fabrics.
What kind of place is “YUKIGUNI (Snow Country)”, a place that was visited, loved and written about by the famous Japanese writers such as Kawabata Yasunari, Dazai Osamu, Sakaguchi Ango and Suzuki Bokushi? Let us take you on a journey in their footsteps.
Many people who come to the YUKIGUNI (snow country) for skiing or snowboarding probably only remember places like the ski resort or the train station. And that’s a real shame!
YUKIGUNI’s heavy snowfall shapes its culture and lifestyle, from seasonal traditions to unique crops and textiles. Rooted in the ancient coexistence with nature seen in Jomon culture, this region offers insights into sustainable living and artistic heritage, exemplified by snow-inspired customs, preserved wild foods, and iconic flame-shaped earthenware.
Winter in YUKIGUNI is marked by numerous unique festivals and events that celebrate tradition, community, and the snow-covered landscape. From the fiery “Hyakuhatto” praying for harvests to the symbolic “Flower Water Celebration” for newlyweds, these gatherings bring warmth and meaning to the long, snowy season, preserving cultural heritage and fostering unity among locals.
Japanese onomatopoeia is deeply tied to YUKIGUNI’s snow-filled life, reflecting the natural environment and cultural heritage. Unique words describe snow-related phenomena like “Yukimakuri” (snow rolls) and “Shinshin” (quiet snow), while ingenious practices like snow preservation for carrots and snow bleaching showcase ancestral wisdom. This vocabulary enriches the experience of living in harmony with snow.
