This is a one-night, two-day overnight tour where you can experience winter in the unexplored region of Akiyamago, one of the world's heaviest snowfall areas.

This plan is available only on Saturdays and the day before a holiday (2/23) during the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Winter Program “Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Winter 2025”.

Even in Echigo-Tsumari, Akiyamago is difficult to get to on your own in winter. It's a bus tour that departs from and arrives at Echigo Yuzawa Station, so it's safe.

You can also see the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, a popular spot, and ≪Akeyama≫, an art center in Oakasawa Village of Akiyamago, which gained popularity at last year's Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

Please enjoy two days in this unexplored region that can only be experienced in the depths of winter.

[Tour itinerary]

Day1

10:00 Meet by the vehicle of Morimiya Kotsu at Echigo Yuzawa Station East Exit Bus Terminal (parking lot on the right just outside the East Exit)

*Morimiya Kotsu driver will be waiting for you with a board marked “To Akiyamago”.

10:30-11:30 Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel (admission fee to be paid by individual)

12:40-13:30 Lunch at Katakuri house (Tsumari Sugoroku, an artwork, can be viewed.)

14:00-15:00 Akeyama (admission fee to be paid by individual)

15:30 Katakuri house check-in

18:00 or 18:30 Dinner starts

★After checking in, you can freely enjoy the Tsumari Sugoroku. (Available from check-in until 22:30 and from 7:00 until check-out the next morning.)

*During heavy snowfall, the stop at Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel/Akeyama may be canceled and the itinerary and stop locations may be changed.

Day2

7:00 Breakfast

7:45 Departure from Katakuri House

8:25 Arrive at Tsunan Town Hall ★You can transfer to the bus going to Tokamachi (8:35 departure from tthe bus stop in front of the Tsunan Town Hall)

9:10 Returns to Echigo-Yuzasa Sta., the tour completes.

Connection to another tour is available. Enjoy “Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Winter 2025”!

If you board the bus on February 22-23, 23-24, March 1-2, or March 8-9, you can transfer to the “Yukimi gozen & Echigo-Tsumari Winter Tour” after getting off at Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the second day.

Ma Yansung MAD Architects “Tunnel of Light” Photo: Nakamura Osamu

Meal

We pay attention to the balance of flavor, color, and nutrition when preparing our meals so that you can enjoy the flavors of the ingredients.

Some are made by trial and error using ingredients for the first time, some are adaptations of local cuisine, some are learned from mothers in the village, and the sauces, tsukudani, pickles, and desserts are all handmade.

We will serve you with all our heart so that you can enjoy your precious meal.

【Example Dinner Menu】

[Appetizers]

Edamame tofu

Fried eggplant with shishito peppers and wild garlic

Rock pear agar with red shiso leaves

Bell pepper and seaweed salad

Sweet potato mochi and foxtail millet salad

[Steamed Dish]

Cold chawanmushi with Tsunan-grown corn

[Vinegared Dish]

Mozuku seaweed with sweet flower roots and okra from Izumozaki

[Fried Dish]

Maitake mushrooms, pumpkin, fava beans, and wild grape tempura with kinome (Japanese pepper) salt

[Main Dish]

Tsunan pork, grilled with buckwheat and rice koji marinade, served with Ishigaki-grown Koshihikari rice and miso soup

[Dessert]

Yūgao (moonflower) jelly, served with Tsunan milk pudding, and accompanied by mulberry jam, red berry jam, and rhubarb jam.

【Example Breakfast Menus】

About children's menu

For infants (1 to 5 years old), we offer a one-plate children's menu.

Tsumari pork hamburger, vegetable side dish, rice, miso soup, dessert

About allergies

We will do our best to accommodate allergies, so please let us know when making your reservation.

About meal location and meal start time

Meals will be served in the dining room on the first floor.

Dinner start time: 18:00 or 18:30 (not selectable, time may change depending on accommodation situation)

Breakfast start time: 7:00

Event overview

Schedule

2025 (Saturday, day before holiday)

January 25th

February 8th, 22nd, 23rd

March 1st and 8th

Travel fee

General (high school students and above) 33,000 yen

Elementary and junior high school students 28,000 yen

Infants 8,500 yen

Infants without meals (0 to 2 years old) 2,000 yen

*If you wish to have infants without meals, please press the "Co-sleeping" button on the reservation screen.

*Includes accommodation fee, bus fare, meal fees(lunch, dinner and breakfast), and tax.

*Admission to each artwork is not included.

Deadline：18:00 two days prior to the date of operation, or as soon as capacity is reached.

Origin / Destination：Echigo Yuzawa Station East Exit Bus Terminal

Transportation：Chartered bus (Morimiya Kotsu)

Capacity：min. 1 person

Host

Travel planning and execution: Niigata Prefecture Governor's Registered Travel Agency Region 2-440, NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization

3743-1 Matsudai, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan Travel Agents Association regular member 025-761-7749 / officialtour@tsumari-artfield.com

Note

No tour operator or guide will accompany the tour.

There are no interpreters on the tour.

Please read the terms and conditions of this tour, including the cancellation policy, before participating.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel your participation in the tour due to customer's convenience, the following cancellation fee will be charged per customer. From 10 days before the start date of the trip (for overnight trips, from 20 days before the start date of the trip): 20% of the travel fee Up to 7 days before the start date of the trip: Travel 30% of the tour fee The day before the start of the trip: 40% of the travel fee On the day of the trip: 50% of the trip fee Cancellation after the start of the trip or non-participation without notification: 100% of the trip fee

NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization Travel Terms and Conditions

NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization Standard Travel Agency Terms and Conditions

Notice

 *Itineraries are subject to change or cancellation due to natural disasters or road conditions.

*No refunds will be made in case of itinerary changes.

*Please be advised that junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

*When viewing the artworks, visitors will be walking on snow. Please wear snow boots or boots at least ankle-length.

*Arrival time at the final destination may be changed. Please make sure to reserve your return Shinkansen train with enough time to spare.

Inquiry

Katakuri House Contact/Access

TEL: Katakuri House 025-761-5205 (9:00-18:00/Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

MAIL: katakuri@tsumari-artfield.com