Today, we're taking you to Yuzawa, a town in the mountainous region of Niigata Prefecture, mainly known for its heavy snowfall and hot springs where we'll cover all of the top things to do in this travel guide. However, we visited in late summer, so there was no skiing for us! Instead, we rode the ropeway up the mountain to visit an alpine botanical garden, hiked to the nearby Fudo Falls, and sampled sake at the Ponshukan Sake Museum inside Echigo Yuzawa Train Station.
We also visited lots of baths across town - hand baths, foot baths, and even a sake bath! Plus, we went on a day trip to Kiyotsu Gorge to visit the famous Tunnel of Light.
So join us in this Yuzawa travel guide for some ideas of fun things to do here on your own trip!
Things to do in Yuzawa Japan
01:01 - Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway
03:21 - Yuzawa Kogen Alpine Botanical Garden
04:55 - Hand Bath
06:25 - Foot Bath
07:45 - Chicken Katsudon and Ginger Pork
09:48 - Fudo Falls
13:28 - Nakanoya Soba Yuzawa Shop
18:52 - Ponshukan Sake Museum
24:51 - Sasa Dango
27:24 - Sake Onsen at Echigo Yuzawa Station
31:25 - Day Trip to Kiyotsu Gorge
35:35 - Tunnel of Light
40:00 - Suwa Shrine
#yuzawa #japan #japantravel
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🌧️🏞️ Rain or Shine: Yuzawa’s Hidden Mountain Paradise! 🛁🔥
Craving a cozy, off-the-beaten-path escape? Join us in Yuzawa, Niigata’s charming onsen town—where every corner is a bath, every bite is bliss, and every view is pure magic! ✨
👣 Forest Foot & Hand Baths
– Start your morning with a toasty communal foot spa right on the main street
– Discover secret hand baths tucked behind cafés—perfect for a mid-hike pick-me-up!
🍜 Soba Feast & Fireside Eats
– Slurp ice-cold zaru soba piled high with nori & wasabi 🤤
– Savor mouthwatering sets: chicken katsu-don, ginger pork & miso ramen under the train station lights 🚉
🚡 Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway & Alpine Garden
– Glide up the misty slopes on the ropeway, feel the temp drop & breath that mountain air
– Wander the botanical alpine garden, snap shots of rhododendrons, maples & panoramic peaks 📸
🐸 Rainy-Day Adventures
– Laugh along in the Tunnel of Light: neon installation meets echoing footsteps 🎵
– Pee-in-the-know at the quirky Toilet Art Gallery 🚽✨
– Hunt for mossy “Jumping Frog” temple statues hidden in the cedar forest
🍶 Sake, Sweets & Onsen-surprises
– Sip your way through 20+ sakes at the station’s self-pour bar
– Indulge in plum wine, sake-infused hot springs & the world’s only sake onsen!
– Treat yourself to Sasa Dango (bamboo-leaf mochi) and Koji latte sweetened with amazake
🏡 Cozy Ryokan Living
– Tour our tiny-minshuku room, tatami-floored dreams & sliding-door secrets
– Share communal baths, bamboo-lattice windows & nightly kaiseki feasts
This vlog has it all: foot—hand—sake spa bliss, epic mountain rides, insta-worthy eats & art-meets-nature in every drizzle-drop.
#Yuzawa #OnsenTown #JapanTravel #SobaLife #HiddenGems #TravelVlog #SakeOnsen #TunnelOfLight
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YUZAWA TRAVEL GUIDE 🚠 | Things to do in Yuzawa + KIYOTSU GORGE and the Tunnel of Light in Japan 🌿✨
Yuzawa, nestled in the mountainous Niigata Prefecture, is renowned for its heavy snowfall and hot springs, but our late-summer visit unveiled a different charm. As skiing wasn't an option, we embarked on a diverse exploration, starting with the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway. This scenic journey whisked us to an alpine botanical garden, a lush oasis showcasing the region's diverse flora.
Our adventure continued with a hike to the serene Fudo Falls. The cascade's natural beauty was a refreshing sight, distinct from Yuzawa's winter persona. Gastronomy was also a key part of our experience. We indulged in local delicacies like Chicken Katsudon and Ginger Pork, adding a flavorful twist to our journey. Not to be missed was the Nakanoya Soba Yuzawa Shop, where the soba noodles offered an authentic taste of Japanese culinary traditions.
The Ponshukan Sake Museum inside Echigo Yuzawa Train Station was a highlight, allowing us to sample various sakes and learn about their intricate brewing processes. Additionally, we discovered the unique pleasure of hand and foot baths across town, including a distinctive sake bath experience.
Our day trip to Kiyotsu Gorge was a journey into natural grandeur. The Tunnel of Light, a renowned attraction, presented a mesmerizing blend of art and nature. Finally, our visit to Suwa Shrine added a spiritual dimension, rounding off a trip that beautifully encapsulated Yuzawa's multifaceted allure. This Yuzawa travel guide is a testament to the town's year-round charm, offering myriad activities beyond its famed winter sports.
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