The Snow Country is a large area of over 300 km, and especially to a first time traveler it can seem a little overwhelming. Why not leave it to the experts? The tour desk at the Snow Country Tourism Activity Center can help you with all your travel needs!
Q: What exactly will the tour desk do for me?
A: From planning to sightseeing, we can do it all!
The tour desk at the Snow Country Tourism Activity Center can suggest and arrange accommodation and tours all at once, and will also provide support during your stay. We are a one-stop shop for all your travel needs in the Snow Country Tourism Zone!
Q: What’s the process for booking a custom-made trip?
A: It only takes three steps to achieve your dream YUKIGUNI vacation:
Step 1 – Make an inquiry
First, send a one or two-line summary of where you would like to stay. Do you want to be in a mountain lodge or a hot springs village? Or perhaps a hop, skip, and a jump away from the bullet train for maximum convenience?
Then, include the things you would like to do while you’re with us. Whether your pleasure is nature tours, delicious food, or fine works of art, we have you covered here. You can even combine all three into a custom order-made tour!
Step 2 – Discuss your budget and schedule
After contacting us, we’ll discuss creating you an itinerary that matches your schedule within your budget. See below for some examples of tour pricing in the Snow Country area.
Step 3- Confirm the details
Confirm your travel dates, the number of people in your party, as well as any last-minute questions you might have about your upcoming trip!
Q: Can you give me a rough estimate for prices?
A: Tour prices range widely, from a few thousand yen for a half-day tour to 3,500 USD or more per person for a 6-day luxury model plan.
Let us know your budget, either per person or in total, and include information about your priorities (wanting to spend it on accommodation, convenient transportation, etc.).
If you would like some specific examples, we offer our model 4-day Discover YUKIGUNI Tour for approximately 1,300 USD per person. Our cycling and sansai vegetable picking tour, on the other hand, is 5,000 yen (approx. 32 USD) per person for the day, and includes a guided bicycle tour of the Kandatsu mountain region and then the opportunity to pick, cook, and eat a fresh meal full of local mountain vegetables called sansai. Click HERE to learn more about it.
Q: How long can you schedule a tour from?
A: We feature everything from short day trips to week-long private tours.
There are a wide variety of both shorter and longer trips available. As an example, there is a 6-day model itinerary through the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field and ending in the highlands of Nagano. One of our most popular tours is a 2-hour snowshoeing experience. If you include the number of days you’ll be staying and the days you would prefer some free time, your proposal will be more realistic. The Snow Country Tourism Zone is also a great place for people to bring work with them, with prime “workcation” destinations all over. A YUKINGUNI Workcation is a unique opportunity to have a longer trip at your own pace without leaving your entire life behind!
Q: What season is best? Are there any times when a trip is not possible?
A: The sort of experience you can have depends largely on the season.
Prime green season experiences include our Oze excursion from around June to October. The winter season often involves activities in the snow, see HERE for some examples.
Of course, there is also a selection of year-round activities, like museums, cultural workshops, and tours of our local producers and industry.
As you might imagine, the winter season is busiest especially around the New Year, so book early!
Q: How do I get there from Tokyo?
A: The Snow Country area is just a 70-minute Shinkansen ride from Tokyo.
You can choose to come visit us right outside the Echigo-Yuzawa bullet train terminal, or you can let us come to you! Upon arrival in Tokyo, you can arrange to be transported by private vehicle. Some experiences can also accommodate a bus pick-up from the station. Write down your point of departure (Tokyo/another city), whether you’ll have large luggage, and how far you’d like to travel by car, and let us discuss the details together.
Q: What about local transportation?
A: The Snow Country area can be travelled by car, bus, or train.
The Echigo-Yuzawa bullet train station is also serviced by the local Joetsu and Hokuhoku line trains, which you can take to visit the modern MonET museum in Tokamachi or learn all about the production of silk in Shiozawa. There is bus shuttle service through different times of the year, including to the famous Dragondola in fall. There are also jumbo taxis you can take through the mountains or to other destinations.
Q: Can I consult freely in English?
A: Yes!
The Snow Country Tourism Activity Center has been designated a Category 2 tourism center by the Japanese National Tourism Agency (JNTO), which means that it includes not just the immediate area around the town of Yuzawa, but also the entire Snow Country Tourism Zone, including towns within surrounding Gunma and Nagano Prefectures. Being category 2 also requires full time English speaking staff, so you can be assured of peace of mind. Lastly, category 2 offices have regular office hours, including on weekends, so you can receive the same great service even during the peak winter season!
Q: Is it okay if I’m not confident in my physical strength? Can children and beginners participate in tour activities?
A: Depending on the location and activities, there are tours designed to be safe and enjoyable for beginners, as well as experiences that are open to people of all ages.
For example, there are stretches of our Long Trail hike that were designed to be enjoyed safely and comfortably even by beginners. Experiences like airboarding and snow cycling at Matsunoyama Onsen Snow Park are generally enjoyable for both children and adults. There are now many more barrier free locations even in the rural Japanese countryside, everything from steamy saunas, museums, and the world-famous Fuji Rock festival. When using our contact form, you may specify the amount of time you’d like to be walking in a day, if you have any injuries or muscle weakness, or if you are traveling in a group with elderly people.
Q: Can you recommend some more things to do?
A: Of course!
There are all sorts of interesting activities, to look through them yourself click HERE. Other highlights include visiting hidden onsen and unique “strange festivals” both during the winter as well as the green season.
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!
