Travel / Tourism Spots in Yuzawa / Uonuma Area

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Yuzawa / Uonuma

Category

Travel / Tourism

Statue of Oze Saburo

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Uonuma-shi Utsuno

A statue standing on a hill on the western bank of Lake Okutadami. The statue memorializes Oze Saburo, who was chased out of the capital in the Heain period over a rivalry with the mighty Taira no Kiyomori over the love of a woman named Okisaki, later dying here in Uonuma City (once the village of Yunotani). When he left the capital, Okisaki gave him a statuette of Akasagarbha which he kept close throughout the rest of his life, and thus he is depicted carrying this figure. A memorial festival is held each year in late July, which includes events such as a fireworks show, floating lanterns on the lake, and a Bon Odori dance. The sight of the fireworks reflecting off the black surface of the lake engenders a romantic scene inspiring thoughts of the tragic love story.
Yakushido Komochi Sugi

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Uonuma-shi Tochiomata Onsen

A Bhaisajyaguru temple (Yakushido) stands behind the Jizaikan, a secluded hot spring bathhouse in Tochiomata Onsen. The Tochiomata Yakushido is surrounded by large trees believed to be 400 years old and is dedicated to Bhaisajyaguru, the patron Buddhist deity of doctors. Two sacred trees stand on the grounds known as the Komochi Sugi (“Childbearing Cedar) and the Meoto Keyaki (“Husband and Wife Zelkova”), and the spot where they grow is famously believed to grant the prayers of worshippers who wish to be blessed with children. According to legend, stepping over the sacred trees will bless one with children. An unending stream of visitors make their way to the shrine to offer kewpie dolls and ema votive tablets to pray for children to the shrine and Bhaisajyaguru, and to give thanks for their prayers having been answered.
Hoshi to Mori no Uta Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Niigata Tokamachi-shi Inaba 1099-1

This art museum was built in 1996 as part of social work conducted by the Maruyama Komusho company. Based on the idea of bringing relaxation and warmth to the city, the museum is surrounded by Japanese beech trees and displays pieces by artists connected to Niigata Prefecture. Literally translating to “Star and Forest Song Museum,” the facility’s distinctive name alludes to the centerpieces of its collection –“Forest of the Stars,” a woodblock print by Joichi Hoshi; Living National Treasure Akitsugu Amata’s “Sword of the Big Dipper,” a Japanese sword; and “Poetry of the Forest,” a sculpture by Nika Association member Hidemasa Fujimaki. Visitors say that being surrounded by the museum’s relaxing atmosphere warms the heart. The museum has no standing exhibition, instead only holding four special exhibitions each year.
Seven Waterfall Pools of Tashiro

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Tokamachi-shi Tashiro Hei

The waterfall is the general name for the seven pools scattered throughout the gorge of the Kamagawa River. Flowing out of the Mt. Naeba system, the river has a steep, vertical left bank and a right bank where the stratigraphic layers can be seen, an extremely unusual landscape in academic geological terms. A legend about the pools has been handed down in which a man breaks his promise to the goddess Benten and casts a net into the water. This act angers the large snake who is the master of the pools and who kills the man. In order to view the pools, visitors must walk down into the gorge along a steep path, so they should exercise caution. Every year in mid-July, the city of Tokamachi observes a seasonal tradition, the “Seven Pools Festival,” with performances of a traditional local stage art, Tashiro Kagura.
Another Singularity

Leisure / Hobbies

Niigata Tokamachi-shi Bo 913

This work of art was entered in the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. One of the world’s largest international art festivals, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is held once every three years in Echigo-Tsumari (Tsunan Town and Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture), one of Japan’s snowiest areas. Housed inside of a vacant home in Tokamachi, a city experiencing depopulation and population aging, the piece represents the beginnings of the universe. The home in which the piece is displayed has had its walls removed, leaving the pillars, beams, and other structural components exposed. The figure of a person emerges from a complex matrix in the center of 682 cords attached to the floor, walls, and celling. The piece was created by British artist Antony Gormley.
Nakatsugawa Gorge

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Nakauonuma-gun Tsunanmachi Oakasawa Tei

This gorge extends from Kiriake, Sakae Village, Nagano Prefecture to Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture through an area famous for its autumn leaves. The motive Mikurabashi suspension bridge over the jade green water of the river and the red arch of the Maekurabashi are among the sights that are found here and there along the river. Twelve little settlements are scattered along a 20-kilometer stretch in an area called Akiyama-go. Hemmed in by the steep Nakatsugawa Gorge, they were not developed as much as other settlements, so this is a region that preserves the flavor of rural life in the past. The gorge is beautiful in all four seasons and is full of hot springs. The autumn leaves, especially the yellow leaves of the beech trees and the simple atmosphere create an astonishing beauty.
Tsunan Museum of History and Folklore

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Nakauonuma-gun Tsunanmachi Nakafukami Otsu 827

A museum primarily focusing on Akiyamago which displays a large collection of folk items distinct to this heavy snowfall region. Exhibits include traditional implements such as kutsuzuppon, sugeboshi, and senakkoji from across the area; and precious artefacts excavated in Tsunan Town. Because of its tremendous snowfalls, the area once interacted very little with other regions, and as such the handmade tools which were once used as part of everyday life here often differ in design even from implements with identical names from adjacent locations. Over 4,000 of the museum’s folk implements, farm tools, snow gear, and artefacts have been designated National Tangible Folk Cultural Properties.
Roadside Station Minami-uonuma Imaizumi Memorial Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Niigata Minamiuonuma Shimo-hitoichi 855

An art museum adjoining Roadside Station Minamiuonuma Yuki Akari standing in front of the Uono River. The museum displays woodblock prints, paintings, and crafts by renowned artists from across Japan and the world, including Shiko Munakata masterpiece the “Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha.” The museum’s permanent exhibition, titled “The World of Shiko Munakata,” contains more than 40 works of art by the woodblock printmater. Enveloped in the museum’s stillness, visitors can take their time and immerse themselves in the artist’s worldview. The museum also displays South Pacific folk carvings collected by the late Ryuhei Imaizumi, whose efforts led to the building of the facility; it was not customary to preserve the carvings in the areas where they were produced, and as such today they are extremely precious cultural assets.
Sakado Castle Ruins

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Minamiuonuma Sakado

The former town of Muika sprawls in the center of the Uono River basin, and in ancient times it was a key transportation hub and militarily strategic position. It is believed that the grounds of Sakado Castle once encompassed the entirety of 634 meter high Mt. Sakado. During the strife-ridden time of the Northern and Southern Courts, this important mountain castle served as the home base of the Ueda Nagao clan, and after the forced relocation of the lords of Aizu, it became the Uesugi clan’s first line of defense for the Kanto region. Today, the ruins of the inner citadel residence can be found on the mountain’s top, while the ruins of an emergency refuge and residences for retainers stand midway up. A walking path can be used by visitors to see the various areas and imagine the castle’s bygone glory. The grave of Ueda Nagao clan head Nagao Masakage and stone monuments memorializing the births of samurai lord Uesugi Kagekatsu and chief vassal Naoe Kanetsugu are located at the base of the mountain, as well as Zenibuchi Park, a National Cultural Property-designated park built around a pond samurai lords are said to have tossed “zeni” coins into.
Juichiya – Souvenir and Art Gallery Coffee Shop

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Matsunoyamayumoto 9-1

Juichiya is a souvenir shop located in the Matsunoyama Onsen resort in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. It is a striking building with tiled roof and white walls. Many people come to browse and buy from the large selection of specialty products, cakes, and goods from Matsunoyama Onsen and the local area. Among them, popular items include Shinko Mochi, a local specialty of slightly sweet bean paste wrapped in the finest quality mochi, and their Western style Mukonage Manju (a bun with a bean paste filling), as well as cosmetics and skin-care products which use water from the hot spring.
Matsudai Furusato Kaikan Roadside Station

Transportation

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Matsudai 3816-1

Located on National Route 253 in Matsudai, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, this roadside station is part of Matsudai Station on the Hokuhoku Line operated by Hokuetsu Express. It has tourist information on Matsudai and Matsunoyama Onsen, road information, souvenir shops, and restaurants frequented by local people for both lunch and dinner, making this place a convenient place for shopping and meals while waiting for your train. There is also a small museum which displays artifacts relating to the Hokuhoku Line and a motor car used at the time of building the railway line.
Yunotani Roadside Station Miyuki no Sato

Transportation

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Yoshida 1148

You’ll find this roadside station along the Koide-Okutadami Line of Prefectural Route 50 in Yoshida, Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Besides providing tourism information, there’s also the adjoining “Miyuki no Sato” facility that contains a restaurant and specialty product shop. The restaurant serves local cuisine that makes generous use of local Uonuma ingredients; the set meals and rice balls all use Koshihikari rice. The Kenchin ramen with full of toppings is another popular option. The shop sells rice, local sake, seasonal produce, and processed marine products.
Mikura Bridge

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nakauonumaguntsunanmachi Kettou In the ground

The Mikura Bridge is a wooden suspension bridge located in the Ketto neighborhood of Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma County, Niigata Prefecture. It is famous for the marvelous view of the Nakatsugawa River valley that one gets when standing on the Bridge, and also for the beautiful silhouette of the Bridge itself. Known as the Treasure of the Akiyama-go region and as one of the “50 Most Beautiful Bridges in Niigata Prefecture,” the Mikura Bridge was used as a filming location for the movie “Yureru” (“Sway”).
Daigenta Kobo

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumagunyuzawamachi Tsuchidaru 6399-1

Daigenta Kobo is an experiential learning facility located along Prefectural Route 457 in Tsuchidaru in the town of Yuzawa, Uonuma County. Visitors can try their hands at making soba noodles with local Yuzawa buckwheat flour ground in-house, Anpo (a dish made with rice flour), Sasa Dango (mochi cakes with red bean paste, wrapped in a leaf), Chimaki (steamed dumpling wrapped in a leaf), miso, or konnyaku. Afterwards, visitors may eat what they have made inside the building. Daigenta Kobo can accommodate groups of up to 50 (depending on the food in question). The grounds of the building contain allotment gardens, and applications are accepted when a vacancy occurs.
The Meguro Residence (National Important Cultural Property)

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Suhara 890

Located in the Suhara district of Uonuma City, the Meguro Residence is a mansion that was built in 1797. The Meguro Family to whom the Residence belonged were wealthy farmers who served as village headmen of Itoigawa for several generations; as one of relatively few surviving early modern local officials’ houses, the Meguro Residence has been designated a National Important Cultural Property. The adjacent Meguro Residence Museum has displays on the lifestyle of wealthy farmers during the Edo period.
Ginzandaira Basin

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Utsuno

Ginzandaira is a basin in the Shimo-oritate district of Uonuma City that is ringed by mountains, including peaks such as Mt. Arasawa-dake and Mt. Echigo Komaga-dake that rise to over 2,000 meters. It lies within the boundaries of the Echigo Sanzan-Tadami Quasi-National Park. Visitors can enjoy marvelous views of the imposing mountains and Lake Okutadami; there are campsites and hotel accommodation in the vicinity, along with hot springs, a multi-purpose activity center, boat trips, etc., making this a place where visitors can relax and enjoy nature.
Tsunan Himawari Plaza

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nakauonumaguntsunanmachi Ashigasaki

Starting with some young famers, the Tsunan Himawari Plaza is filled with about 500,000 himawari (dandelions) across a four-hectare area from late July to late August. A number of exciting events are held during this time, including local street stall events, dandelion mazes, a temporary lookout, and a photo contest. The dandelion was designated as the town flower through vote of residents during the 50-year anniversary of Tsunan town. Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Tsunan Station.
Ryugakubo (Top 100 Waters)

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nakauonumaguntsunanmachi Yachi 6217

Formed by a large amount of groundwater, Ryugakubo is a swamp approximately 1.2 hectares in size, but one that maintains clean water and never gets turbid. It was designated as a nature conservation area for Niigata in 1974 due to its superb natural environment. It currently provides domestic water for residents in the region.
Okutadami Dam

Travel / Tourism

Fukushima Prefecture Minamiaizu-gun, Kinoki-mura, Niigata ken Uonuma-shi

A dam located on the upper reaches of the Tadami River straddling Hinoemata Village in Minamiaizu County, Fukushima Prefecture and Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. The dam is the greatest source of hydroelectric power in the country. Visitors can also board the paid Lake Okutadami Pleasure Boat and enjoy seasonal scenery such as fresh verdure in summer and fall foliage in autumn. Bus tours also operate in the area in autumn, and many tourists come here to enjoy the colorful leaves.
Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort/Panorama Park

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Minamiuonuma-gun Yuzawamachi Yuzawa 490

This alpine plant botanical garden within walking distance of Echigo-Yuzawa onsen town is about eight minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line. It is a seven minute ride on the ropeway to the peak, with a gorgeous view over the town the whole way. Open from late April to November, they offer walking and hiking tours through a garden of about 200 kinds of alpine plant, including the rare Himalayan blue poppy. Their activities like the Zipline Adventure, offering a thrilling ride through the trees, are also quite popular.

Niigata Yuzawa / Uonuma

Travel / Tourism

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Niigata Areas

Found along the northwestern coast of Japan, Niigata prefecture is celebrated for its high-quality rice and breathtaking nature, most notably its spectacular mountains, whose white peaks draw in snow sports lovers from far and wide over the winter months. Hit the slopes at Yuzawa, pick out your favourite modern artist at Echigo Tsumari, or take a ferry over to Sado Island for an extra adventure.