Last month, we told you all about culturally-enriching tour destinations celebrating our deep history here in YUKIGUNI. There is also plenty to do while outdoors on the Discovering YUKIGUNI Tour, even in the chilly winter months! Simply put, the natural scenery here is second to none in Japan, and even more so in the winter when you can see the snow-covered mountains and pristine undisturbed white forests of Snow Country up close and personal.
View prized works of modern art in nature
2025 marks the 24th year of the oldest large-scale rural arts festival in Japan, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Also known in Japanese as the Dai Chi no Geijiutsusai, this festival is not held in just one location, but all over YUKIGUNI! Seeing the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is much more than looking at pretty pictures, for not only are there all sorts of stunning artwork in a variety of disciplines, but just as important is the undisturbed “satoyama” nature where these works are set.
Just like the artists who made these breathtaking works of art, you too will have the opportunity to get inspired by the creativity all around you on the 2nd and 3rd days of your tour, with visits to the Museum on Echigo-Tsumari “MonET,” previously known as the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by the famous Tunnel of Light at Kiyotsu Gorge.
While there are new exhibits every Triennale, and no visit is ever quite the same, there are also museums-worth of permanent exhibits that you can see! The MonET Museum is conveniently located 10 minutes from the Tokamachi Train Station, and features over 200 stunning works, including its reflecting pool called “Palimpsest” – which means “a manuscript or piece of writing material on which later writing has been superimposed on effaced earlier writing”. This art piece can be viewed from multiple floors of the museum where it reflects the beautiful sky above. Take a moment to contemplate these thoughtful works of art, which are not simply sterile museum pieces, but instead intimately connected to their place in nature- the same place you are in right now!
Click HERE to learn about other museums in Snow Country.
No trip to the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale is complete without experiencing their crowning achievement: the famous Tunnel of Light at Kiyotsu Gorge! Located inside of Joshin’etsu-kogen National Park in Minamiuonuma City, it is considered one of the top 3 canyons in Japan. The tunnel also offers a unique way to view the surrounding natural scenery through three separate observatories. At the very end is the Panorama Station with its “Light Cave” where guests can enter a small pool which reflects light off the tunnel ceiling. These majestic canyons completely transform depending on whether you visit them during the lush green season, or amidst deep snow.
Trek through a beautiful winter wonderland
On the 3rd day of the tour, you will also have the opportunity to go to Tsunan, the most remote area of the Snow Country Tourism Zone, and go snowshoeing! Tsunan is known for having some of the heaviest snowfall in all of Japan, and much of the terrain becomes completely impassable…unless you are on snowshoes! It is a rare opportunity to enter a world virtually untouched by modernity, and instead feel refreshed while you walk through breathtaking and unique scenery. The Tsunan Snowshoe course runs through river terraces, a unique point of Tsunan geography, and goes up to the Tenbodai observation point, with a great view of the river and forest below. River terraces, known as “kagan dankyu,” were created slowly over hundreds of thousands of years by erosion from the Shinano River, the longest and widest river in the entire country. Tsunan’s river terraces are also said to be the largest in Japan.
Though we now snowshoe for fun, it is not so different from how people living here used to get around before there were cars and trains. In the past, people in YUKIGUNI would traditionally wear wooden snowshoes, called kanjiki, but the modern variety you will be using are sturdy and relatively comfortable to wear with only a little practice! The sensation of walking is not so different from heavy boots, though these snowshoes extend quite a bit farther behind you. The beauty of such nature walks in YUKIGUNI lies in the ability to see all manner of wildlife in an unspoiled landscape. Even in the dead of winter the forests of Tsunan are still full of life, and you can probably see animal footprints and other evidence of YUKIGUNI’s thriving ecosystem all around you on the trail.
Click HERE for information about other snowshoe courses in YUKIGUNI.
Naeba Sanroku Geopark: The natural treasure trove of Snow Country
The town of Tsunan, as well as the nearby village of Sakae in Nagano, are home to the Naeba Sanroku Geopark, which is one of only 43 such “Geoparks” in Japan. The Naeba Sanroku Geopark was originally created by volcanic activity around Mt. Naeba, which was last active approximately 300,000 years ago. This caused movement in the Earth that gradually allowed rivers and lakes to form, and eventually, human settlement. Around the same time as the great ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia over 12,000 years ago, groups of hunter-gatherers formed largely permanent settlements all around Japan, including the area around the Shinano River Basin in Tsunan Town. Because of this, the Naeba Sanroku Geopark has had significant archeological finds over the years, which you can see up close at Tsunan’s Najomon Museum.
The current Naeba Sanroku Geopark is a giant natural preserve and historical site all rolled into one. There is so much to see, including (of course) snowshoe trails, archeological dig sites, temples and shrines, restaurants, and even onsen, so it is recommended you come with an experienced guide to get the most out of your trip. Whether you come for the snow or during the green season, we encourage you to explore and experience this rare place where nature and humankind have coexisted for countless millennia up to the present day.
Click HERE for more information about warm-weather activities at the Geopark.
See Snow Country from over 2000 feet!
On the last day of the tour, you will return to Yuzawa. Yuzawa Kogen is conveniently located just a few minutes from the bullet train station, and has its own ropeway to boot, which is the biggest ropeway in Japan! It can hold over 160 people, and the view from over 870 meters up at “Panorama Station” is second to none. Below you, you can now see in full an entire thriving country town- try to locate the places you’ve been, and remember all the things you have learned on the way. Viewing this same Snow Country that people have marveled at for centuries is a testament to the power and importance of nature, even in our modern lives.
While at Yuzawa Kogen, do take some time to partake in a bit more winter fun before you depart! There are all sorts of snow activities for children and adults aside from just skiing, including snowboarding, airboarding, snow cycling, tubing, and more! It’s a perfect way to end your long journey in YUKIGUNI.
If you are interested in hitting the slopes yourself, click HERE for more information about skiing in Snow Country.
How to book your tour
Let us customize a unique tour plan just for you! If any of the above experiences sound like your cup of tea (or glass of sake!) then let us work together to create your perfect Snow Country vacation!
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!
