This is a one-night, two-day accommodation tour that allows you to experience the spring of the secluded Akiyamago, where snow still lingers. The plan is limited to departures on Saturdays in March.

In Akiyamago, known for its heavy snowfall, you can enjoy the snow even in March when temperatures rise.

Let's fully enjoy the spring snow through snow play and snowshoeing experiences. Wearing snowshoes, you can also take a stroll through "Ketto Stone-Walled Rice Fields," selected as a "Connecting Terraced Rice Field Heritage." If you're lucky, you might even encounter a Japanese serow.

This accommodation plan includes round-trip transportation from Echigo-Yuzawa, making it convenient for those without a car. Additionally, the tour stops by the popular artwork "The Last Classroom" from the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

A snow-covered Katakuri House

Stone walled rice fields in Ketto

[Schedule]

13:30 Meet in front of the Morimiya Transportation vehicle at the Echigo Yuzawa Station East Exit Bus Terminal (the parking lot on the right side as soon as you exit the east exit)

*The Morimiya Transportation driver will be waiting with a sign saying "To Akiyamago"

14:20-14:50 The Last Classroom (entrance fee paid by each person)

15:40 Check-in at Katakuri no Yado

18:00-18:30 Dinner starts

★After checking in, you are free to view the work "Tsumaari Sugoroku" at Katakuri no Yado.

(Available times: check-in until 22:30, check-out from 7:00 the next day

7:30-8:00 Breakfast

9:45 Depart Katakuri-no-Yado

10:25 Arrive Tsunan Town Hall (can get off) ★Can transfer to a bus going to Tokamachi (10:30 departs from Tsunan Town Hall)

12:00 Arrive Echigo Yuzawa Station/disband

Christian Boltanski + Jean Kalman "The Last Classroom"　Photo: T.Kuratani

Rintaro Hara + Yu “Tsumari Sugoroku”　Photo: Kioku Keizo

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 starts at 18:00 or 18:30 (cannot be selected, time may change depending on accommodation)

Breakfast starts at 7:30 or 8:00 (can be selected, time may change depending on accommodation)

Free snowshoe rentals

Snowshoes are available for free rental.

If you would like to use them, please wear clothing suitable for walking on snow (skiwear, long boots, etc.).

★Snowshoes for children are also available. (The size may not fit children with small feet.)

Event overview

Schedule

2025

March: 15th, 22nd, 29th

Travel fee

General (high school students and above) 27,000 yen

Elementary and junior high school students 22,000 yen

Infants 6,500 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(dinner and breakfast), and tax.

*The Last Classroom admission fee 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