Winter transforms Echigo-Tsumari into a quiet, snow-laden wonderland where nature’s harshness and beauty coexist.

The Winter Echigo-Tsumari Course was designed to let guests fully experience the region in winter, its snow-covered landscapes, seasonal art installations, and traditional preserved cuisine rooted in local culture. This full-day tour takes you deep into the heart of the region, offering warm hospitality from the local community and revealing seasonal art accessible only in winter.

Your journey begins at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, where you’ll meet your host and settle into the comfort of the tour bus.

The bus will take you through snowy landscapes to your first stop, the Tunnel of Light by Ma Yansong and MAD Architects, where gentle lights glow against the winter scenery. Then visit the MonET Satoyama Museum, where contemporary art blends with the quiet beauty of winter.

Echigo-Tsumari was once an isolated region with no tunnels or snow-melting pipes. In winter, life was shut in by deep snow. While the men traveled away for seasonal work, the women who stayed devoted themselves to protecting their households, pooling their wisdom to survive harsh winters and cultivating a rich, unique food culture.

This history is reflected in your lunch: Yukimi Gozen, a “Hare no Hi” (special celebratory day) meal prepared by local village women using preserved seasonal ingredients. Served in lacquerware once used for weddings and ceremonies, each dish is rich, comforting, and full of tradition, warming you against the crisp winter air.

By the end of the tour, you’ll take home lasting memories of snowy landscapes, inspiring art, and Echigo-Tsumari’s welcoming hospitality.