Echigo Yuzawa Onsen

When it comes to Echigo Yuzawa, skiing is a must! Located surrounded by many mountains such as the Southern Alps and the Tanigawa Range, this area is blessed with rich snowfall in both quality and quantity, making it a mecca for winter sports where many skiers and snowboarders visit during the season. In addition to the large slope used in the World Cup, the "Naeba Ski Resort" has 24 courses on a big slope. There are also many ski resorts within a 10-minute shuttle bus ride from the station. You can choose from a wide range of courses that satisfy beginners, children, and advanced skiers. The slopes are usually open from the end of December to the end of March.

While Echigo Yuzawa is known for winter sports, during the spring and summer green season, you can enjoy unique natural experiences that come with being in the highlands. Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park is a spot where you can experience trekking, attractions, and alpine plant viewing all at once. From Yuzawa Kogen Station's west exit, it's about a 10-minute walk to the boarding area for the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway, which takes you on a 1.3-kilometer aerial walk over Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort. Once you arrive, you'll be greeted by alpine plants and rare creatures. Attractions such as the "Mountain Go-Kart" and the "Summer Bobsleigh," which slides down about 706 meters, are also available, making it perfect for family trips.

In the nature-rich town of Echigo Yuzawa, the autumn foliage is a must-see sight. It starts in mid-September and lasts until mid-November, providing a long viewing season. The "Dragon-Dora" direct bus from Echigo Yuzawa Station is the longest gondola in Japan, connecting the "Tashiro Plateau" at the Naeba Prince Hotel, which houses the Naeba Ski Resort, to the summit of "Tashiro Plateau." You can enjoy the emerald green Futai Lake and the red-dyed mountain slopes along the steep stream. In addition, we recommend viewing the autumn foliage from above on the "Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway," which is within walking distance from Echigo Yuzawa Station. The stunning view of the autumn foliage reflected on the surface of the pond at Ayamega Ike, which is the center of the area around the mountaintop station, is also a must-see.

Echigo Yuzawa Onsen is a weakly alkaline simple spring. It has a gentle feel and is said to be effective for muscle pain, neuralgia, and fatigue recovery, making it perfect for soothing a tired body after activities. There is a wide variety of hot spring inns, from traditional long-established inns to resort hotels, and many day trip hot spring facilities within walking distance from Echigo Yuzawa Station. Free foot baths are also scattered throughout the area, including in front of the station, so you can enjoy hot springs without any worries during your stay.

Echigo-Yuzawa is a treasure trove of locally-sourced, flavorful ingredients, including the famous Koshihikari rice. At the "Yukin-to" restaurant located inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station, you can enjoy gourmet spots unique to a rice-growing region, such as the "bomb onigiri," which is a giant-sized onigiri that fits in the palm of your hand and made with one serving of rice. There are also many specialty shops around the station that offer local gourmet dishes such as "hegisoba," a local dish originating from the Uonuma region that uses nori seaweed as a binder. In addition, there are restaurants that use delicious brand pork called "Echigo Mochibuta," which is raised by a limited number of producers and has a great aroma and texture, as well as dishes made with spring vegetables. Enjoying a meal after playing is also one of the pleasures of Echigo-Yuzawa.

Niigata Prefecture is known as one of the top rice-producing regions in Japan. At the Ponshukan, located inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station, you can taste over 100 representative brands from all the sake breweries in the prefecture and experience sake tasting. For 500 yen, you can taste up to five small cups of sake and appreciate the differences in flavor, which is sure to make you feel the charm of Japanese sake. Just a 4-minute walk from the station is the famous Hakutaki Shuzo, known for its excellent sake "Jozanjosui," where you can tour the brewery with over 160 years of history. If you're looking for souvenirs, head to the sake shop "Takahashiya" near the station. It's a specialty store for Niigata's local sake, and they have many limited edition sake as well.

Wrap up your trip by choosing souvenirs at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. In front of the ticket gates, there is a souvenir street called "Gangi-dori Chuo Ichiba," which is designed to resemble Showa-era Echigo. One item not to be missed here is the Niigata specialty sweet, Sasadango. These ball-shaped sweets are wrapped in bamboo leaves and come in various flavors from famous local shops. It's recommended to try them freshly steamed on the spot! In addition to Sasadango, you can also find other souvenirs that keep well, such as rice crackers. At the "Ponshukan" in the back of the central market, you can find Niigata's local sake and unique seasonings and ingredients from the snowy region. There are also Italian restaurants and popular ramen shops that use plenty of Niigata's ingredients, so if you want to enjoy it all, it's recommended to arrive at the station about an hour earlier than the Shinkansen.