Arts & Crafts in YUKIGUNI

Day1

Tokyo ▶ Uonuma

From Tokyo to Tranquility

In just 70 minutes from Tokyo, leave the bustle of the city behind and arrive in the serene landscapes of YUKIGUNI. Your journey begins with a stay at a modern luxury inn where contemporary design harmonizes with traditional Japanese architecture. Here, silence and comfort provide the perfect setting to unwind at the start of your adventure.

From Tokyo to Nature in Just 70 Minutes

In only 70 minutes from Tokyo Station, find yourself immersed in Japan’s unspoiled nature. After arriving by bullet train, a private vehicle ensures a smooth and exclusive transfer to your destination — setting the tone for a journey designed with privacy and comfort in mind.

Modern Luxury Meets Tradition

our stay will be in a refined retreat that blends modern design with the spirit of traditional Japanese architecture. Surrounded by artful interiors and seasonal cuisine crafted from local ingredients, you will enjoy a seamless harmony of luxury, culture, and comfort.

Day2

Uonuma

Wisdom of Life in YUKIGUNI

Experience the ingenuity of life in YUKIGUNI, where people have long learned to live in harmony with deep winter. Begin the day with a hands-on farming experience at a local family farm, discovering how traditions of resilience and self-sufficiency continue in daily life. Continue to a sake brewery that uses natural snow cellars to preserve and refine its craft. Finally, step into a historic home to taste traditional pickles — flavors born from the art of winter preservation. Each encounter reveals how snow has shaped both culture and livelihood for generations.

Day3

Uonuma ▶ Matsunoyama Onsen

Art in the Satoyama, Rest in a Hidden Hot Spring

Journey into the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, one of the world’s largest outdoor art projects. Here, contemporary artworks are scattered across rural villages and terraced rice fields, blending daily life, local culture, and creativity in a way found nowhere else. As evening falls, retreat to Matsunoyama Onsen — counted among Japan’s three great medicinal hot springs — where the mineral-rich waters of this secluded retreat offer deep relaxation after a day immersed in art and culture.

Art Across the Satoyama

Spread across an area the size of Tokyo’s 23 wards, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field is one of the world’s most ambitious art projects. Contemporary artworks are scattered among rice terraces, villages, and forests, creating extraordinary encounters where rural life and global art intersect. This vast open-air museum not only invites you to discover art in nature, but also stands as an inspiring model of cultural revitalization.

Private Dawn at the Tunnel of Light

Begin your day with a rare privilege: a private, early-morning visit to the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel. Known worldwide for its contemporary art installation, the “Tunnel of Light,” this extraordinary site blends dramatic canyon landscapes with artistic vision. Experiencing it in solitude enhances the sense of wonder, making it a truly unforgettable moment.

House of Light: A Fusion of Tradition and Contemporary Art

Step into the House of Light, a masterpiece by world-renowned artist James Turrell. Here, traditional Japanese architecture harmonizes with contemporary art, creating a space that feels both unique and deeply spiritual. While our model itinerary does not include an overnight stay, guests seeking a fully immersive experience may request to spend the night in this extraordinary house.

MonET: Contemporary Art in the Heart of Satoyama

Discover MonET, a contemporary art museum nestled in Japan’s Satoyama landscape. Inside, a diverse collection of modern artworks invites reflection and inspiration, while the building itself is an architectural highlight. Don’t miss the well-curated museum shop, offering unique art-inspired items to take home.

Culinary Elegance in Tokamachi

Dine at Kaiseki Yuge in Tokamachi, where the rich food culture of a snowbound land comes to life. In this region, harsh winters have nurtured a deep respect for nature’s bounty, resulting in cuisine that highlights each ingredient at its purest. Every dish reflects refinement, seasonality, and a sense of place unique to YUKIGUNI.

Timeless Relaxation in Matsunoyama Onsen

Renowned as one of Japan’s three great medicinal hot springs, Matsunoyama Onsen is celebrated for its exceptionally rich mineral content and therapeutic qualities. Here, you will stay at a renowned Japanese ryokan that embodies timeless hospitality. After dinner, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the nostalgic hot spring town, soaking in the serene atmosphere of this historic retreat.

Day4

Matsunoyama Onsen ▶ Tsubame City

Masterpieces of Japanese Craft

Set out on a journey into Japan’s craft heritage. Begin with a hands-on experience at the Tsubame Industrial Museum, where you’ll hammer your own pattern into a copper tumbler. Continue to the workshop of Tamagawa Nobuo, a Living National Treasure, and marvel at the precision of hand-hammered copperware perfected over generations. The day concludes at a hot spring inn designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, where historic architecture and soothing baths provide a rare opportunity to rest within living heritage.

Inside the Studio of a Living National Treasure

Visit Gyokusendo, the workshop of Tamagawa Nobuo, designated a Living National Treasure for his mastery of tsuiki-doki, the traditional craft of hand-hammered copperware. Here, you’ll witness the artistry and precision of a master whose work represents the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship, and gain rare insight into a cultural heritage preserved at the highest level.

Crafting Your Own Copper Tumbler in Tsubame

At the Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum, you’ll experience the artistry behind tsuiki-doki—a traditional metalworking technique where a single sheet of copper is hammered into shape. Guided by this centuries-old craft, you will add your own hammered patterns to create a one-of-a-kind pure copper tumbler. It’s not only a hands-on introduction to Japanese craftsmanship, but also the chance to take home a unique work of art made by you.

Forge Your Own Frying Pan

At a long-established workshop in Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan’s renowned metalworking hub, you’ll craft your own original frying pan. Guided by skilled artisans, shape and finish a piece that is both practical and personal — a functional work of art to take home and use for years to come.

Craftsmen’s Ramen of Tsubame-Sanjo

For lunch, enjoy Tsubame-Sanjo Ramen, a hearty local specialty born in a town of craftsmen. Its rich soy sauce broth is infused with dried sardines and topped generously with pork back fat, creating a bold, satisfying flavor. Originally devised to fuel busy metalworkers, the ramen is crafted to be filling, long-lasting, and deeply comforting — a true taste of Snow Country’s working culture.

Stay in a Registered Cultural Treasure

Spend the night at a historic hot spring inn designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the inn’s timeless wooden architecture and soothing baths offer a rare opportunity to experience the elegance of traditional Japan within a living piece of cultural heritage.

Day5

Tsubame City ▶ Niigata ▶ Tokyo

Craft, Spirit, and the Sea

Craft your own fruit knife at the Tojiro Open Factory, experiencing the precision of Japanese craftsmanship firsthand. Then, receive a traditional blessing at the revered Yahiko Shrine, a moment of reflection and serenity. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive along the Echigo Nanaura Seaside Line, where sweeping views open to the Sea of Japan. The journey concludes with a stay in the port city of Niigata, where the presence of the sea and quiet elegance provide a graceful close to your YUKIGUNI adventure.