Afternoon

• • Meet the guide/driver at Echigo-Yuzawa Station
•  
  • [Experience] Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel “Tunnel of Light”
    

    Walk through the artistically restored tunnel to the famous Light Cave water-reflection pool, offering panoramic views of the dramatic snow-draped columnar jointing cliffs.

•  
  • Check-in at Yukinoya Furusawa-tei
    

    Arrive at your private 150-year-old farmer’s mansion. Relax under massive wooden beams in an authentic Japanese setting.

Evening

• • [Dinner] Special shabu shabu dinner featuring regional Tsumari pork and winter vegetables inside the villa. (You can alter to chicken sukiyaki.)
    

Accommodation: “Yukinoya Furusawa-tei”

A private renovated 150+ year-old traditional house with spacious tatami rooms and authentic architectural heritage, limited to one group per stay.

Morning

• • [Experience] Private Kimono Factory Tour
    

    Tokamachi is renowned as one of Japan’s leading centres for the production of high-quality silk fabrics. Observe expert artisans performing intricate dyeing and hand-painted silk coloring (yuzen) in the textile hub of Tokamachi.

     

  • [Lunch] Enjoy Tokamachi’s famous Hegi Soba noodles that has its origins in the region’s long-standing weaving tradition.
    

Afternoon

• • • [Experience] House of Light by James Turrell
      

      Experience the subtle interplay of light and architecture inside a traditional house created for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

       

    • [Experience] MonET (Echigo-Tsumari Art Museum)
      

      Explore contemporary art installations inside this striking cloistered building.

       

    • [Experience] Traditional “Chinkoro” Craft Making
      

      Learn from local craftspeople inside Yukinoya to mold colorful rice-paste figurines, a traditional winter good-luck charm.

       

Evening

• • [Dinner] Dinner near Yukinoya

Accommodation: “Yukinoya Furusawa-tei”

Morning

• • [Experience] Bijinbayashi Beech Forest Kanjiki Walk & Kyororo Science Museum
    

    Put on traditional snowshoes (kanjiki) and stroll through the snow-bound, 100-year-old slender beech forest. Afterward, visit Kyororo to learn about snow ecology and satoyama life.

•  
  • [Lunch] Local Satoyama cuisine lunch.

Afternoon

• • Check-in at Matsunoyama Onsen Ryokan
    

    Settle into your ryokan and soak in thermal waters renowned as one of Japan’s Top 3 Medicinal Hot Springs.

Evening

• • [Dinner] At the accommodation

Accommodation: “Matsunoyama Onsen Ryokan”

Morning

• • [Experience] Rice Terraces Snowshoe Walking & Snow Day Camp at Kamo Rice Terraces
    
    Trek across the vast, pristine snowfields of the Kamo Rice Terraces using kanjiki snowshoes. Followed by a relaxing snow day camp with warm drinks and local snacks.
    

Afternoon

• • [Experience] Matsudai “Nohbutai” Center & Cafe Time
    

    Enjoy tea or coffee while looking out at snow-covered outdoor art sculptures from the warm museum interior.

     

  • Return to Matsunoyama Onsen for hot spring bathing and relaxing. 

Evening

• • • [Dinner] Seasonal ryokan Kaiseki dinner.

Accommodation: “Matsunoyama Onsen Ryokan”

Morning

• • Check-out
  • [Experience & Lunch] Uonuma no Sato & Hakkaisan Snow Storage Cellar (Yukimuro)
    

    Tour the massive natural snow-cooled storage facility used for aging sake and fresh food. You can also enjoy tasting sake and popping into the shops and cafés/restaurants.

Afternoon

• • [Lunch & Activity] Bokushi-dori Street Walk (Shiozawa)
    

    Stroll along a historic post-town street featuring traditional snow arcade roofs (Gangi).

  • Drop-off at Echigo-Yuzawa Station and end the tour