Bus Tour E - Wild flowers, cold storage and a curious temple

Bus tour E leaves from Echigo Yuzawa station and has an eclectic mix of highlights - a famous artist, a traditional method of cold storage and a very unexpected collection of curios.

The first stop is Yasuo Toyama's wild flower gallery. This artist, who appears on NHK, draws beautiful, life-sized pictures of the seasonal flora. Each picture has one of the species next to it which makes for a visually stunning display.

There is a full range of works for sale with the postcards and business cards being especially popular.

Next stop is a storage facility with walls packed with snow. The temperature is just above freezing and offers a great respite from the summer humidity outside.

The cold temperatures from the snow keep the rice and vegetables in the perfect state and help them become sweeter and more tasty. The proof of any pudding is in the eating so you are invited for a tasting of some of their wares, including one of the best rice balls you will ever eat.

The last stop on Tour E is Yakushouji. It is a hard place to classify but is a treasure trove of curios in a temple. The outside gives nothing away but when you venture through the door there is plenty to take in.

Beside the temple, there are shrunken heads from New Guinea, intricate treasures from Tibet, works of art from famous Europeans, relics from Burma alongside ancient works of art from Japan and China. It is not what you expect to find in rural Japan but a fascinating surprise nonetheless. (No photos inside unfortunately so you'll have to check it out for yourself.)

The bus tours runs to a schedule until the end of July 2011. For more information contact the Snow Country Association: info@yuzawaonsen.gr.jp

Bus Tour B - Hakkai Shrine & Ropeway

 One of the new initiatives in the area is a series of bus tours that take you to points of interest in the region. Leaving from Echigo Yuzawa station and taking about 3 hours each, they are a great way to check out the stunning scenery, learn a bit about the area and see the sights.

Tour B drives up the valley towards Muikamachi to take in Hakkai Shrine for its first stop. It is known as a "powerspot" and drinking from the fresh spring water here is purported to supercharge you.

Set at the foot of Mount Hakkai and surrounded by over 200 giant cedars (planted to guard against droughts) it is a beautiful location and incredibly peaceful.

The next stop is Mount Hakkai where you board the ropeway for a seven minute ride up almost 800 vertical metres. The top station commands a fabulous view down over the valley and a short walk up from there takes you to a panoramic lookout that will take your breath away.

Mount Hakkai or Hakkaisan is well known as ski resort in winter but in summer is the playground for hikers, tourists and mountain bikers.

It is also well known for its world class sake. In fact the sake is probably better known than the mountain from which it takes its name.

The bus tours run to a schedule until the end of July 2011 and for full information you can email info@yuzawaonsen.gr.jp

Welcome to Snow Country

Snow Country is a region in Japan encompassing towns in Niigata, Gunma and Nagano prefectures within easy reach of Tokyo. There's a clue in the name what it is famous for, but there is a wealth of things to do all year round and the aim of this blog is to introduce some of them to you. Come and check them out.