冬天去越後湯澤,不滑雪的話,可以玩什麼!

If you go to Echigo-Yuzawa in winter, what can you do if you don’t ski?

Phew~hoo~ If you come to Yuzawa in winter, of course you have to ski! 🎿 But wait! Is there anyone in your friends or family who doesn’t skate? · Snow? ! This... what should I do? !

Don't panic, don't panic! Snow Country Echigo-Yuzawa is not just about skiing! Even if you don’t ski, there are still a bunch of fun activities and attractions here that are guaranteed to keep your friends entertained until they don’t want to go home! Let us take you to play!

✨ The wonders of nature: Chongjin Gorge

Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

Qingjin Gorge is one of the three major valleys in Japan. The scenery here can really be described as "majestic"! It’s even better in winter! The snow-covered peaks and clear streams are simply a dreamy landscape! Walk along the trail and admire the magnificent canyon. When you reach the observation deck at the end, you can have a panoramic view of the entire scene. You are guaranteed to be snapping photos non-stop!

Transportation:
  • Take the bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station for about 30-40 minutes and get off at the "Kyotsukyo Entrance" stop.
  • In winter, you can take the bus provided by the Snow Country Tourist Circle to Chongjin Gorge. For detailed information, please refer to the official website of the Snow Country Tourist Circle.

    🍓 Winter is all about eating strawberries: Yuzawa Strawberry Village


    Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

    Winter is the season for strawberries! When you come to Yuzawa Strawberry Village, you can not only pick strawberries by yourself, but also pick and eat them freshly! And there are a variety of strawberry desserts, strawberry cake, strawberry ice cream... you can eat enough at one time! If you don’t ski, come here and you’re guaranteed to be in a sweet mood!

    Transportation:

    • It takes about 5 minutes by taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
    • About 20 minutes walk.

    🍶 I want both sake and beer: Uonuma no Sato


    Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

    Uonuma no Ri is not only beautiful in scenery, but it is also the origin of the famous sake "Hakkaisan"! Here, you can visit the Hakkaisan Snow Chamber, learn about the brewing process of sake, and try out various sakes with different flavors. Let me tell you secretly, there is also the Sarukurayama Beer Brewing House here. Friends who like beer should not miss it! After visiting the winery, you can also stroll around the antique streets and feel the traditional Japanese style. It’s super impressive~

    Transportation: Take the bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station for about 40-50 minutes and get off at "Uonuma no Sato" station.

    ❄️ Play in the snow without skiing: Snow Walking Experience

    Not skiing? It doesn't matter! We also have snow walks! Put on your cool snowshoes and explore on the snow, feeling like you’re filming the Discovery Channel! A professional tour guide will take you to a secret place in the snow, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, and explain snow ecological knowledge to you, turning you into a snow expert!

    Transportation: Snow walking experiences usually gather at specific locations, such as Ogenta, Yuzawa Plateau, Mt. Naeba, etc. It is recommended to confirm the gathering location and transportation method in advance.

    🏍️ Super exciting speeding in the snow: snowmobile experience


    Picture quoted from:スノーモービルランド沢

    Want something a little more exciting? Then try snowmobiling! Under the guidance of professional coaches, push the accelerator, run on the snow, and enjoy the speed and passion! Guaranteed to make your blood boil!

    Transportation: Snowmobile experience locations are usually near Iwahara Ski Resort. It is more convenient to take a taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

    🥂Ami transparent tent afternoon tea: Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort


    Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

    Even if you don’t ski, Ishiuchi Maruyama Snow Resort is still super photogenic! The most popular thing here is The Veranda’s transparent tent in Ishiuchi Maruyama! Sitting in a warm tent, drinking hot coffee and eating delicious desserts, the dreamy snow scene is in front of you. No matter how you take pictures, it will be beautiful!

    Transportation: Take the free shuttle bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, which takes about 15 minutes.

    ♨️ It’s so comfortable to relax in the hot spring: Echigo Yuzawa Hot Spring


    Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

    After a long day of playing, of course I want to take a dip in a hot spring to relax! There are hot springs everywhere in Echigo-Yuzawa, and many hot spring hotels provide day-return hot springs, so friends who don’t ski can enjoy the hot springs and relieve fatigue!

    • Echigo-Yuzawa Station West Exit Footbath: Just outside the west exit of the station, if you are tired from walking, you can soak your feet first to warm your body and relieve fatigue.
    • Komako no Yu: This is the stage of the novel "Snow Country", full of nostalgic atmosphere. The spring quality is a weakly alkaline simple hot spring, which has a soothing effect on neuralgia, muscle soreness, joint pain, etc.
      • Transportation: About 10 minutes' walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
    • Egami Common Bathhouse: The spring quality here is sodium-chloride and bicarbonate spring. It is said to have skin-beautifying effects and your skin will be smooth and tender after soaking in it!
      • Transportation: About 5 minutes on foot from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

    🚶‍♀️ Go for a romantic walk on the snowy street: Makinodori


      Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

      Makino-dori is a very atmospheric old street in Echigo-Yuzawa, with traditional Japanese buildings on both sides. Covered in snow in winter, it’s like walking into a fairy tale! Stroll along the snow streets and feel the peaceful winter atmosphere, or find a cafe and enjoy a leisurely afternoon, both are great options!

      Transportation: Take the train from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Shiozawa Station, which takes about 15 minutes. Then walk from Shiozawa Station to Makinodori in about 10 minutes.

      👐Experience the fun of snow country handicrafts: Dai Genta


      Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

      Want to experience more in-depth snow country activities? Then come to Dayuantai! It provides a variety of interesting experience itineraries, such as making soba noodles, bamboo leaf dumplings, etc. You can make local specialties by yourself, which is fun and delicious!

      Transportation: It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

      🍶 No need to go to the brewery, you can drink all you want at the station: Sake tasting


      Picture quoted from: Enjoy Niigata

      There is a sake tasting service at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. For 500 yen, you can taste a variety of local sakes, so you can drink enough at one time!

      Transportation: From Echigo-Yuzawa Station

      🍲 Try local food: Food around Echigo-Yuzawa Station

        There are so many delicious things to eat in Echigo-Yuzawa! Such as Koshihikari rice, Japanese sake, soba noodles, and Wagyu beef... Friends who don’t ski can take the opportunity to explore the delicious food in Yuzawa, which is guaranteed to make your belly full!

        Transportation: There are many restaurants and izakayas around Echigo-Yuzawa Station and on the hot spring streets.

        Look! Even if you don’t ski, Echigo-Yuzawa is still a lot of fun! Next time you invite friends or family to play, don’t worry about someone being bored if they don’t ski. Quickly refer to these itineraries so that everyone can have a fun and unforgettable time!

        🚄 Getting to Echigo-Yuzawa: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and arrive at Echigo-Yuzawa Station in about 70 minutes.

        💡 Little reminder:

        • It is recommended to check the business hours and transportation schedules of each attraction in advance to avoid missing out.
        • The transportation methods of some attractions may be adjusted due to season or weather. It is recommended to confirm again before departure.
        • The bus frequency in Echigo-Yuzawa may be less, so you may consider taking a taxi or renting a car, which will be more convenient!
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