Yuzawa (湯沢町) is a town located in Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts due to its location in the Japanese Alps and its abundance of snowfall during the winter months.
The town is home to multiple ski resorts in the Yuzawa area, each offering a variety of slopes and courses for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Some popular ski resorts include Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort, Kagura Ski Resort, Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort, and Naeba Ski Resort. Yuzawa is also home to several hot springs, known as “onsen,” which are a popular destination year-round for visitors who want to relax and unwind.
In addition to winter sports, Yuzawa is known for its beautiful natural scenery, such as the Yuzawa Kogen highlands accessible by gondola, offering stunning mountain vistas and a field of alpine flowers in summer. Visitors can also take the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway to the summit for panoramic views. Additionally, Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park, also known as Alps no Sato, features an alpine botanical garden, footbaths, and a zipline adventure.
Yuzawa is renowned for its rice production, particularly the high-quality Uonuma Koshihikari rice. The town’s picturesque rice paddies are a popular attraction for visitors who want to experience traditional Japanese farming practices, especially during the summer months.
The town also boasts several historic buildings and sites, including the Yuzawa Kannon temple, a popular destination for those interested in Japanese culture and history. Throughout the year, Yuzawa hosts various festivals, including the Yuzawa Snow Festival in February, which features snow sculptures and other winter-themed events.
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen, the town’s hot spring district, offers various traditional Japanese inns and hotels where visitors can enjoy the relaxing hot springs and experience Japanese hospitality. With easy access from Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen, Yuzawa is a popular weekend getaway destination for both locals and tourists.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station to Echigo Yuzawa Station:
| Shinkansen | Tokyo Station ↓ Joetsu Shinkansen ↓ 1 hour 20 minutes (5 stops) Echigo Yuzawa Station (Cost 6,790 yen) |