Pop in and say "Hi"

Everything is clicking into winter mode and everywhere is getting busier as the snow arrives. It is great to see the town come alive again and getting ready for the New Year influx of skiers and snowboarders. We get a good view over everything that is going from our vantage point next to 7-11 on the main onsen street outside the West Exit side of the station. [Turn right onto the main road and we are the first building on the right hand side after the convenience store; up the stairs to the first floor, door on the right.]


Our door is always open during business hours so feel free to drop in. If you have questions, need some local area information or would like to sort out your discount Super Pass, ski/snowboard lesson or rental package, we are always happy to help.

We've got free wireless and can probably rustle up a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate...

Yuzawa Area Bus Tours

Yuzawa is incredibly convenient to get to by train being just over an hour from Tokyo by shinkansen. Once you are here though there is so much more to see if you can get out and about. You could always hire a bike or a car, but there is another option if you are looking for a way to see some of the best sights in the area - the town bus tour.

The guides are locals and will show you around the area that they know so well. There are several different tours to choose from with usually a couple of different ones going out each day, AM (0930 departure) and PM (1330 departure). Shrines, museums, temples, beauty spots and view points are all on the different itineraries.

The tours run daily through the Golden Week holidays starting at the end of April, and then Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from mid-May until mid-July. It is a great way to spend part of your day and you will discover some amazing places. Pop into the Information Center outside the West Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station for more details.

Yuzawa Kogen Downhill Race - Mar 31

For any budding racers out there looking for a fun day on the slopes, the 52nd Yuzawa Kogen Downhill Race is slated for the Sunday March 31st.

It is a fun race that is open to everyone which takes place on a gentle slope at the top of the resort. It is over 2 kms long and is run against the clock. If you have never taken part in a race before this could be a great chance for your debut. Don your bib and feel the excitement as you wait for the beeps in the starting gate.

Yuzawa Kogen has some of the best views of the valley in the whole area so if we get good spring weather on that Sunday it will be a fantastic day out.

Snow Picnic at GALA Yuzawa - Apr 6 & Apr 21

Spring, sun, snow, stunning views and beautiful nature.... It will all be on offer at GALA in April. It is a long season over there with the ski slopes planning to be open through the Golden Week holidays at the beginning of May. There is also plenty going on off the slopes. As part of their series of events for women they are running a couple of snow trekking and picnic events on April 6th and April 21st.

Make your way through the forests at the top of the resort to a special view point with stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a specially prepared picnic on a table crafted of snow.

It was a great success last year and sure to be another great couple of days this time around.

Yuzawa Snowmobile Land

If you haven't tried snowmobiling before you should definitely give it a go. Goodbye peace and tranquility, hello revving engines and the sound of the wind rushing past. Yuzawa Snowmobile Land is a great location for your first snowmobile excursion, or if you have done it before, has plenty of terrain to let you open up the throttle.

If you've driven to Iwappara from the center of Yuzawa you may well have driven past it. They are located just by the Aurora Water Slide pool. The large carpark serves as the base where you learn the basics of snowmobile operation, and once you have mastered that, they have several other areas for you to explore. Ungroomed areas with deep snow, trails and terrain courses will all keep things interesting.

It is a great activity for all ages and will certainly give you something to boast about when you get home.

SBJonSnow/Airmix at GALA - Mar 15-17

There is a busy competition schedule around Snow Country throughout winter with lots of chances for aspiring snowboarders to try their hand against the best riders out there. Then there are times when the pros hit the slopes and show how it is really done. March 15th to March 17th will see some of the top riders in Japan take to the skies above Yuzawa, and if previous performances are anything to go by it will be amazing - SBJonSnow & Airmix

It is a chance to see some of the guys you may have watched in videos and seen in magazines to some unbelievably big tricks. The jumps they use are specially crafted for this event.

If you get the chance, find a spot nearby, take your skis off and just sit down to watch. You will be amazed.

Check out the video from last year to get excited.

GALA Spine Session - Feb 23

For those of you that either enjoy hurling yourself of giant jumps crafted of snow, or for those of you who enjoy watching other people hurling themselves off said jumps, the GALA Spine Session this weekend is probably the place you want to be.

It is a 2,000 yen entry fee for those of you feeling brave and will surely be a great day down in the GALA Park. There are some talented riders in the area keen to show what they are made of and it will also draw competitors from much further afield so you can expect some real gravity defying stuff.

It starts at 0900 so if you find yourself in Yuzawa this weekend, head up to GALA and enjoy the show.

Yuzawa Onsen Snow Festival - March 2nd

Here's a date for the diary - Saturday March 2nd. It seems a long way off but will be here before you know it. It is the date for the 61st Yuzawa Onsen Snow Festival which is always a great event.

The main activities take place around Yuzawa Kogen and Nunoba Ski Fields, with fireworks, candle displays, snow sculptures and a torchlight descent. There is also a whole street of food stalls where you can get some nice warming drinks and snacks - dried fish in hot sake anyone? Last year there was a clash between the Yuzawa Snow Festival and the Naked Man Festival in Urasa so the food stall were a bit few and far between. This year though the Naked Man Festival is on the Sunday so there should be plenty of eats. If you are here for the weekend it would be a good double-header of festivals.

Happy My Birthday in Echigo Yuzawa

If you are lucky enough to be in Yuzawa on your birthday you can reap the rewards this year. From December 10th until April 30th anyone with a birthday (and photo ID to prove it) can take advantage of the Happy My Birthday Campaign.

Pop into the Yukiguni Kankou Sha just outside the West Exit of the Station on your birthday with your ID and you could be the recipient of a free day pass, a onsen ticket and plenty of other goodies. There are a whole bunch of ski resorts, restaurants, hotels and shops that are taking part in the campaign so free food and drinks could be yours too.

A Safe and Prosperous Season

Winter is just around the corner. Some resorts have already opened and some are just waiting for one big snowfall to get their season cranking. It is a busy time of year for the ski resorts and any help is much appreciated. Many resorts have a ceremony to encourage a safe and prosperous season and that was the case today at GALA Yuzawa.

Everyone involved in the operation for the upcoming season, led by a priest from the local temple, raised a glass of sake and said a prayer for Winter 2013.

It is a big year for GALA and for the resorts in the area with celebrations for 100 years of skiing in the region still taking place. This November was also the thirtieth anniversary for the Joetsu Shinkansen line, that trusty workhorse that whisks people up from the capital to the mountains in just over an hour. You step off the bullet train right into the base of GALA's base building - an amazing set-up.

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway is a popular spot for tourists visiting Yuzawa in all seasons. Once the largest gondola in the world, holding 160 passengers, it whisks you up to the top of the mountains that flank Yuzawa town. From there you get an amazing view of the Uonuma valley below.

It pretty much runs all year round with a few short breaks for routine maintenance. They have just finished operation for Green Season 2012 and will shortly be up and running for Winter 2012/2013 - the maintenance period is set for Nov 26 2012 - Dec 14 2012.

Head up to the top to enjoy the views, or have a play in the snow. If you are a skier or snowboarder you can spend some time at Yuzawa Kogen ski resort, which has a run all the way back down to village level. It also has a gondola that takes you across to GALA Yuzawa resort as part of the 3 Mountains area. There are some great restaurants at the top of the ropeway too.

Being right in the center of Yuzawa it couldn't be more convenient...

Day Return Snow Trip from Tokyo

The winter season is almost upon us with Kagura still aiming to open the first of their lifts on Friday 23rd November. A escape to the snow is a great day out and Kagura is the perfect location for it.

Snow Country is incredibly close to Tokyo making a trip to the slopes very easy. So quick and easy in fact that is simple to do a day-return trip from Tokyo. Catch an early shinkansen up to Echigo-Yuzawa, where you are met by a mini-bus from the rental company. They fit you out in all the gear you need and drop you at Kagura for a day of riding. They'll be back there to meet you at a pre-arranged time, and will drop you, exhilarated and exhausted, back at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Grab a bite and head back to the concrete jungle. It couldn't be easier.

You owe it to yourself to spend some time on quality R&R and there is no better place than the mountains. This hassle-free package is designed with convenience in mind. Check out the Day Return Ski/SB Trip page for details and prices.

Back in the day....

History plays a big part in small town Japan, especially in Snow Country. Families have been here for generations, many of them running the same business which is passed down from parent to child. If you are lucky enough to stay in a ryokan in this area you are likely to see some photos from back in the day adorning the walls of the hotel. They are fascinating glimpses of the past and how the town used to look. The height of the snow next to some of the old buildings is staggering and makes you realize what a battle winter must have been. It is a far cry from the built up town we know today.

If you haven't seen some of these photos you can head on over to the website of Yuzawa Shoji, one of the real estate agents in Yuzawa (who'll also be able to help you if you are looking to buy or rent a holiday home in the mountains.

They have collected together a whole bunch of old photos and it is an amazing sight.

They have photos from several parts of Yuzawa, Iwappara, Nakazato, Futai and Naeba. If you have been to the area then you are sure to see some familiar sights. Today's resorts would do anything to have the crowds that you can see in some of the photos.

Chrysanthemum in Yuzawa

The annual chrysanthemum contest entrants are adorning the East Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station at the moment. It is the 25th year of this display and is certainly an impressive sight. We mentioned it last year and always look forward to the show. This year is better than ever with masses of entrants and some truly impressive blooms that brighten up the station concourse.

If you have time on your hands before you catch you train you should check out the flowers. There are plenty of other distractions available in Echigo Yuzawa Station too - it is fast becoming a little hub within the town with restaurants, shops and exhibitions.

3 Mountain Pass

One of the better areas to ski in Snow Country is the 3 Mountains but it isn't as well known as it should be. It is a pass that covers Yuzawa Kogen, GALA Yuzawa and Ishiuchi. 3 resorts all on one ski pass and easily linked together. It is really good value and opens up a large amount of terrain to explore.

It also means you can pick and choose the best bits from each resort.

How about...

The convenience of the bullet train station at GALA

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An amazing lunch at Alpina in Yuzawa Kogen

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Fantastic terrain parks and half pipes in Ishiuchi

Yuzawa Kogen has a ropeway right in the center of town so it is super convenient. And with the slope-side accommodation in Ishiuchi you have a choice of staying in Yuzawa town or right on the snow.

Each one of these areas is good on its own, but bundle them all together and it will keep you occupied for the whole weekend.

 

Yuzawa Area Ski Resort Videos

Heading to Yuzawa for a bit of snow action this winter but not sure where to go?

Or just looking for some shots of snow to get you pumped up for your turns when the snow falls?

Then check out these video intros to some of the ski resorts in the Yuzawa area of Snow Country. There are guides to Yuzawa Kogen, Snow Wood, NASPA, Nakazato, Naeba, Ludens, Yuzawa Kogen, Iwappara, Ipponsugi, GALA, and Yuzawa Park.

Start getting excited about the snow.....

La Festa roars into town

A real treat for classic car fans in Snow Country as La Festa roared into town today. A visual treat to be sure and you could even hear them coming a mile off - that deep throaty roar of high performance engines bouncing off the surrounding mountains.

A brief stop for lunch at NASPA New Otani in Yuzawa after passing through Tsunan and Tokamachi. This afternoon sees the tour heading over the other side of the mountain range into Gunma on the way to Shibukawa. They'll be back in Harajuku on Monday.

Plenty more images at the La Festa Gallery - check it out later for some great shots of these beautiful machines passing through this beautiful area.

Yuzawa Harvest Festival - Oct 21

It is almost time for one of the best festivals of the year - the Yuzawa Autumn Harvest Festival.

It takes place in the Yuzawa Chuo Park by the Culture Center on Sunday 21st October which is a great location, next to a small lake and surrounded by a selection of trees showing their autumn colors.

There are loads of stalls and activities with plenty to do for the whole family. But best of all there is food and lots of it.

All the local favorites are available, showcasing the very best of the region. It is harvest time and the star of the show will be the freshly harvested rice. If you have never had new season Koshihikari Rice, you do not know what you are missing.

WiFi Rental in Yuzawa

Life is easier if you are connected all the time - upload those holiday snaps on the go, access to instant translations and of course, making sure you can find out what is going on in Snow Country.

If you are heading to Snow Country this winter you can get quick, easy WiFi Rental from the Information Centre on the West Side of Echigo Yuzawa Station.

If you are interested, you can get further information by sending an enquiry form from this page.

Yuzawa Kogen in Autumn

Stunning panoramic views back down in Yuzawa this morning from the top of Yuzawa Kogen.

It is a great place for sightseeing and it is about to get a whole lot better as all that green turns in to red, orange and yellow. There is lots to do up there in autumn too. A playground for the kids, a petting zoo with some friendly goats, the Zipline adventure course, go karts, a rock garden and candle making. There is even a foot onsen to bathe your weary feet if you take a stroll along the Panoramic Hiking Course.

Of course there is always the food and as well as the Restaurant Edelweiss there is one of the best pizzas you will ever eat at Ristorante Pizzeria Alpina. Top notch pizza fresh from the wood fired oven.