¥4,510per person
Interact with the locals
Japanese traditional sandals, "Zōri" has continued to make for a long time, but nowadays its makers are decreased, so this experience is very rare!
You may wear handcrafted "Zōri" at beach in summer or display it at home as a stylish interior.
Why don't you make your own original "Zōri" with locals?
¥3,850per person
Feel the snow
Why not try walking with snowshoes?
Not confident of your fitness? Bad at sports? Worried about being in the snow for too long? No problem, it's a short tour for everyone!
On a sunny day, you will be mesmerized by Echigo's mountains and scenery on this short tour.
You might also be able to catch glimpses of fox and rabbit tracks, mantis eggs, pupae, etc.
You may even be able to experience natures strength during a blizzard.
The guide will tailor the course based on weather and participants physical conditions so just enjoy the tour worry free!
Highlight:
-Enjoy snowcapped mountains and scenery on this short tour
-If lucky, catch glimpses of fox and rabbit tracks
-The guide will tailor the course based on weather and participants physical conditions
¥5,500per person
Experience food culture
Credit card payment
Half day course on making local delicacies that have been passed down for generations taught by local 'moms'.
Tokamachi's local dishes consist of many types of mountain vegetables. You will be taught local household dishes that are not served in eateries. You will also be provided with the recipe so that you may try it back home as well.
The menu will roughly consist of 3 dishes, rice and miso soup. As for the specific dishes, it will be a surprise for the day!
Highlights:
-Make local delicacies that have been passed down for generations taught by local 'moms’
-Taste Tokamachi's dishes which consist of many types of mountain vegetables
-Lean Japannese culinary secrets from experienced ‘moms’
¥9,000 – ¥12,000per person
Immerse in nature
Credit card payment
Voted one of Japan’s “100 Countryside Selection”, the expansive rice terraces of Hoshi-Toge is Tokamachi’s main picturesque spots that has over 200 plots of varying sized rice fields producing the famous Uonuma Koshihikari Rice.
As it is difficult to operate farming machinery in this terraces, most of the rice farming work are still done in the traditional ways with the cooperation of the region’s farmers.
In this guided tour, you will be able to enter the terraces and see the different aspects of this rice terrace. The local guide will also explain the history and recent developments of the rice terraces.
During the rest break, snacks prepared from the harvested rice and vegetables of this region will also be served. Munching on the Onigiri (rice ball) made from the local Koshihikari with the terrace view in front is an experience in itself!
The rice terraces will change in appearance depending on the seasons:
1) The water reflection of the fields during the spring shoot planting gives it a pinkish ambiance
2) The green paddy fields complementing blue skies in the summer
3) The golden fields ready for harvesting in the fall
4) Glistening white snow in the winter
By actually being close to the action, you will be able to visualize the life and workings of the people of this region. You might also be able to view the rice terrace in a different light!
In hopes of leaving this rice terrace for the generations to come, a portion of the tour’s cost will be donated to the Matsudai Rice Terrace Fund.
Highlights:
1) Get to know the history and background of the people and region of the Hoshi-Toge Rice Terrace.
2) Take in the refreshing countryside atmosphere
3) Contribute to the upkeep of the region for future generations
Recommended for:
1) Folks who enjoy the authentic Japanese atmosphere
2) Those who want to have a countryside adventure
3) Those interested in the lives of the people living in this postcard worthy place.
4) Those who want to contribute to the upkeep of the authentic Japanese countryside
Options:
Drop by for a soak in the local onsen at the end of the day (600 Yen). (Costs for transport and towels are not included. Not open on Wednesdays)
¥9,500 – ¥12,800per person
Experience food culture
Credit card payment
Discover the hidden snow country bars in Tokamachi, Niigata
Explore local bars in Tokamachi, Niigata, where normal tourists are not familiar with, but actually has many great bars.
Highlights
-Enjoy authentic food & drinks from this snowy region that we highly recommend
-Hop through 3 local bars and pubs with a local tour guide
-Have a feast with a variety of food and drinks that you can try
What's included
-5 drinks &3 dishes (you can select from our menu)
-Hop through 3 local izakaya bars with a local guide who speaks English or Chinese.
-Photographing during the tour
Local Specialties
-Tokamachi is famous for its high quality rice and veggies, which are fresh and rich in flavor. Some of veggies are aged under the snow or in the room covered by snow, so that its taste becomes sweeter and even more flavorful.
-Also local branded aged pork, Tsumari Pork, is very popular there. Since it is bred with healthy food and environments, it is very juicy and tender and contains 10 times more vitamin E than normal pork.
-Niigata's sake is one of the best in Japan, because of high quality rice and great sake brewing technique that has developed during long winter covered by snow. There are many sake breweries there, so you should try as many as you can!
Details:
On arrival at the meeting point in Echigo-yuzawa station, our tour guide will take you around the local alley in Tokamachi, about 30 mins. away from Echigo-yuzawa.
The first bar in the tour is located along the backstreets of a local alley. You can enjoy authentic snow country food like radish skin pickles, mountain vegetables, Ochazuke (rice in dashi soup), and local beer & sake there.
2nd and 3rd places are going to be surprises!
We're looking forward to meeting you and having fun together!
¥5,000 – ¥7,000per person
Immerse in nature
This is a plan that you can book now to experience Black Bass Fishing in the Shinano River, the longest river in Japan.
There are many types of fish living in Shinano River, the smallmouth bass included.
Basses in Shinano River are comparatively larger than average, ranging from 30cm to 40cm in length.
The fishing spot is hidden and private which only locals know how to get to. No worries of a crowded area!
For beginners, a local angler will teach you how to fish there, and fishing equipment is available to rent. Everything has been prepared for you so why not join us along with your friends and family, for everyone to enjoy sport fishing and the nature!
¥15,000 – ¥45,000per person
Immerse in nature
Credit card payment
Through this trip, you can fish for wild trout in hidden away fishing spots where only local guides know about. We also have native Japanese trouts, Iwana & Yamame, besides the released ones which were released by the local fisheries’ association.
These fishing spots are full of trouts, you may even touch trouts when you wade into the river. So you can also enjoy fly fishing in a private space in the middle of mother nature, without worry whether you will catch anything or not!
¥8,000 – ¥15,000per person
Interact with the locals
Why not try traditional Kimono weaving techniques under the guidance of Kimono textile artisans?
Tokamachi is well-known for high quality Kimono textile production since several centuries ago, so each Kimono factory has its own techniques which they have inherited and continuously developed.
In this special course, you will be able to weave your original stole, table runner, coasters or other woven items by colorful silk or cotton yarns of your choice under the guidance of Kimono textile artisans.
For a half day course, normally you can make a table runner or a few coasters;
For 1 day course, you can make a stole.
You may also have lunch there with +1,200yen.
¥6,480per person
Immerse in nature
Credit card payment
Highlights:
-Get up close and personal with nature
-See and understand the beauty of the region through the eyes of the locals
-The guide will introduce local lifestyle and history through cycling in the downtown
¥10,000per person
Feel the snow
Learn to capture Tokamachi's winter scenery from a professional cameraman.
Photographing winter sceneries can be a complicated task as settings such as white balance and exposure can be difficult in the all white background.
This half day tour offers to further your enjoyment of photo taking interest by providing you with a lesson, complete with lecture, photo shooting and viewing sessions by a professional photographer.
The photos taken on each season will be displayed at Hotel Belnatio and be voted upon by the hotel guests. There will be a prize for the person with the best photo. (Details of the prize to be announced later)
¥15,000 – ¥30,000per person
Feel the snow
Credit card payment
Snowmobile or any snow activities: Have the ski resort all to yourself
Live the skiers dream by having a 100 hectare ski grounds all to yourself. Ride a snowmobile, snow tube, sleds, backcountry ski, snowboard or even practice tricks. Do anything you want for the duration of this plan.
Those who not familiar with snow, don't worry! An instructor will lead you whole day, so you will know how to play proper and more fun.
Highlights:
-Having a 100 hectare ski grounds all to yourself
-Ride a snowmobile, snow tube, sleds, backcountry ski, snowboard or even practice tricks,
… do anything you want!
-An instructor will lead you whole day
¥3,300 – ¥4,000per person
Interact with the locals
Credit card payment
This experiential tour takes us through the craft beer brewing process from cultivating seedlings to brewing with Tsumari Brewing, a company founded only this year in Niigata's own Tokamachi.
This tour will be an in depth look at hops-- essential to the scent and bitterness of beer. In the afternoon will be Tsumari Brewing's Beer and Wild Game Barbecue (featuring wild game hunted locally!) Come and join us in brewing beer using local hops planted by your own hands!
Attendees can be picked up from JR Tokamachi Station's West Exit before the event. The application deadline is TWO DAYS before the date of the event.
¥3,700 – ¥4,000per person
Enjoy the art
Apply with group more than 4 people and get 1000yen discount!
Coupon Code: Yukata8 *Only available until 31st August
Have you ever wanted to experience a uniquely Japanese art festival while wearing a yukata?
This year the triannual Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale event will be held from 29th Jul to 17th Sep! This event is considered to be one of the largest art festivals in the world.
Why don’t you come and experience this unique event while wearing a yukata? Any photos taken wearing a yukata next to various artworks are sure to be a hit on Instagram!
We will provide everything from the wear to accessories to ensure you find the perfect style to suit you.
The times for return the yukata are flexible so if you wish to return it the next day this is possible.
Our shop is located just 5 minutes Tokamachi station, 10 minutes KINARE, very convenient location.
For those coming by car, you can park for free for 30 minutes at the parking lot next to the shop. Location the Daishi Bank, central shopping district parking lot.
We are open from 9:00-18:00, feel free to come to see our yukata!
Experience Details
1．Come to our rental shop
*Booking is not necessary, you also can just visit directly.
2．Show your passport or IC, fill the application form
3．Payment (If you paid through Web, no need)
4．Choose Yukata and other accessories which you like
5．Dress up
6．Take photos
7．Enjoy Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale
(Above photos are taken in KINARE, one of Art Triennale's center in Tokamachi)
8．Change & Return
Back in the shop by return time, change to your clothes and return yukata.
¥7,000per person
Experience food culture
Credit card payment
While enjoying ski vacation or art Triennale in Tokamachi, do want to take some hours off from skiing or traveling and learn how to make sushi? The chef is Yoko who taught foreigners how to make sushi in different countries.
Sushi cooking class in English is rare and expensive. Tokyo Sushi Academy charges 40,000 yen for three hours of lesson. If you want to impress your friends and families back home with your new sushi cooking skill, please contact us anytime.
¥5,500 – ¥8,000per person
Immerse in nature
Harvest & enjoy seasonal wild herbs & vegetables with a local guide!
Through this experiential tour, you can trek in the woods in mountains with a local guide to harvest the wild herbs and vegetables.
Many wild herbs and vegetables are grown in the mountains in Tokamachi, which are rich with natural minerals due to the mounds of melted snow. These seasonal wild vegetables have been proven to boost one’s immune system and help with detoxification after the long winters. This can be attested by any local since they have benefited from this for centuries!
After your harvest, locally famous soba chefs will teach you the secrets of cooking the buckwheat noodles and frying tempura with the veggies you have hand-picked. With this, you can taste the fruits of your labour while also gaining the knowledge to cook soba back home!
Highlights
1. Learn the art to making delicious vegan sushi
2. Explore the flavours of Tokamachi’s vegetables
3. Exquisite food, minus the guilt!
4. You can even harvest your own veggies in the summer and autumn seasons
Great for:
1. People that want to have a broader vegan recipe repertoire
2. Healthy eaters
3. Sushi lovers
4. Those in search of an exceptional vegan experience
*The menu changes based on the vegetables in season.
Highlights:
1) Experience the spring of a snowy region
2) Explore the hills while taking in the refreshing air of spring
3) Taste the freshly picked mountain vegetables in the best way known
Recommended for:
1) People who loves trekking and walking among nature
2) Those seeking the feeling of spring
3) Those who want to learn to forage and prepare the delicacies in the authentic ways
4) Those looking for a more unusual activity & adventure
Tokamachi city is the neighboring city of Echigo-Yuzawa, just 30 mins away by train. In the market, you will find local fortune dolls called "Chinkoro" which are made of rice flour and represent a wish for a good harvest next year. There are a variety of shapes, but the basic shape is usually a dog, they are cute and vividly colored! Also, locals set up stalls selling food and a variety of other stuff in the market. This is a good chance to soak in the local Japanese traditional culture.
We will have Japanese lunch made from local vegetable and meats at Ikote, which is an artwork turned restaurant. Enjoy the local produce of Tokamachi that it is famous for!
Tokamachi city is famous for its art festival, Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. It is held every 3 years and about 500,000 people all over the world have come in summer 2018. Its artworks are interesting and the modern art museums in the town are great places to take instagrammable photos.
Hi there, I'm Aki. I will be your guide!
I'm from Niigata, and I like winter sports very much.
I also love sharing cultures with people from other countries. I've traveled to Australia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and all over Japan so far.
Let's chat with me and share your culture!
