The Snow Country Tourism Zone is not a closed-off exclusive manmade resort, but a thriving ecosystem with a deep local culture and history. While on the Long Trail tour, you will have a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of our mountains and forests from the people who live and work along the way! Let’s hear what they have to say:
Knowledge from a local innkeeper
Kaikake Hot Spring is one of our premier ecolodges, located nearby Mt. Tairappyo in Yuzawa. It can be reached approximately 20 minutes from the bullet train station and has a longstanding importance to the history of YUKIGUNI. What originally began as a remote stopover for travelers with damaged eyes hundreds of years ago is now a full-service accommodation and the perfect gateway to our “hidden Japan.”
While at this inn, enjoy local cuisine and learn about Japanese table manners, etiquette, and local history from your guide and other staff. Regarding the charm of her family’s onsen, Proprietress Hidemi Hasegawa says, “The onsen (water) is good for eyes, and they used to sell it as eye drops. It’s not too hot, so we can soak for a long time and then (be) more relaxed. I want all the guests to experience Japan, how people here used to live, (and to feel that nostalgia) when they come to Kaikake Onsen.”
Afterward, you will travel through Mt. Tairrapyo. 300 feet from the summit you’ll stay at the Tairrapyo Mountain Hut, also known as Yama no Ie, which is run by Akira and his family. They have preserved these mountain roads for three generations, and still adhere to the old way of life, carrying supplies up the mountain on foot and using the bare minimum of electricity. It was on this very mountain that Proprietor Akira met his wife Yuki, and it’s said that dozens of other couples have met here the very same way.
Says Akira, “It is a traditional Japanese belief that everything in the natural world contains a spirit within, so therefore everything is sacred. It’s like the gods are in charge of everything; that’s the feeling (I get). The same goes for trees and insects, the same goes for rocks. When everyone’s soul is connected, you don’t have to take more from nature than you need. Yeah, I want to cherish that kind of…well, it’s not telepathy, but I want to cherish that kind of atmosphere and mentality. It’s the biggest difference between life on the ground, and life up here.”
Your final night will be spent at Hoshi Onsen Chojukan, a renowned architectural marvel hidden away in a national park. It is thought that this area was used as a hot spring going as far back as 400 years ago. In the 1870s the land was purchased by the Okamura family, and Hoshi Onsen as we now know it was born. Since then, this historic inn has remained under the ownership of the Okamura family for seven generations, who are also known among other things for helping to fund the Joetsu line train that now runs through Gunma and Minakami town into Niigata Prefecture. Owner Takeshi Okamura says: “The current building was built over 100 years ago, and the scenery definitely adds to its own striking character. It’s become something more precious as time goes on, and we carefully renovate little by little while doing our utmost to preserve its unique character and appearance. It was built with the same lumber you can see all around us, and we still contract with local carpenters to repair it in the same way.”
In a place like this, which was secluded and remote from Tokyo for so long, it is important to pass down knowledge, just as a respect and reverence for nature is passed down. According to another Okamura family member who works in the family business, Nao Okamura, “This place feels very connected to nature. We help people feel a little bit of the old way of life: for modern customers, there are (perhaps) some inconveniences, but there are also inconveniences from the past… that are good for you. It is our hope that guests will come, experience this taste of how people lived, and find that they can enjoy it!”
The wisdom of nature from local guides
Along the trail you will learn all about this region from your guide. Long Trail guide Chikako Iida talks about how “Hiking is approached differently in Japan. Maybe because it’s more popular with the older generation, or maybe because here, there is this traditional belief that gods reside in large trees and rocks. The sense that their spirits live on through our natural environment, and their presence is only felt through walking, and walking slowly.”
This trail and tour was created and maintained with the cooperation of Snow Country Trails. According to SCT Course Director Masato Tanaka, a professional adventure racer with Team East Wind, “The SCT began as an idea to organize a long trail running race, inspired by the famous Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in Europe. While the initial concept centered on a 100-mile race circling Mt. Tanigawa, the vision evolved to encompass a broader area, connecting multiple municipalities across the Snow Country Tourism Zone. The result is a flexible and dynamic trail system that continues to evolve, with local residents maintaining their sections of the trail and rediscovering the charm of ancient paths. The SCT isn’t just about natural beauty—it’s a journey through the lives and culture of the locals. From vibrant fields of zenmai ferns drying under the sun to seasonal changes in rice paddies, the trail offers glimpses of rural lifestyles that are both enduring and deeply connected to the land.”
Jun Nakamaru of SCT adds: “We operate based on the philosophy of ‘Creating the future via connecting person to person, and place to place.’ We hope to spread the word more and more, so that more travelers can enjoy hiking through the Snow Country and learn about our nature and culture during the green season. Through Snow Country Trails, we aim to raise the level of the local economy by increasing the number of people who interact with each other, and to create a strong and stable community that can continue on even 100 years from now. We have a variety of other courses available, so please find one that suits you and set off on a journey to discover the wisdom hidden in our ‘pure white world’.”
Join us on the trail!
When you are ready to begin your journey, whether aboard the Long Trail tour or anywhere else that strikes your fancy, we will be ready and waiting to greet you!
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!
