The place you will be visiting during our tours is Tokamachi City and Echigo Yuzawa area in Niigata Prefecture, said to be one of the regions in the world with the heaviest snowfall. It is an area rich in nature where the original scenery of Japan remains.

Japan’s longest river, the Shinano river flows through this area where snow accumulates up to several meters high during the winter and many people have lived since the Jomon period tens of thousands of years ago. Wisdom and ingenuity are packed into the lifestyle, culture, food, and industry unique to Snow Country that have been cultivated over such a long history.

The unique ‘satoyama’ lifestyle in the Snow Country still exists in this area until today. As snow melts in spring, families feel a sense of new beginnings; in summer, people head out to the fields and wish for a good harvest; give thanks to the harvest in autumn and families prepare for the harsh winter; the families stay close together to endure the winter season. A glimpse into the strong and resilient way of living awaits visitors on our tours.