YUKIGUNI ＆ Oze Adventure

Day1

Tokyo ▶ Minakami

From Tokyo to YUKIGUNI

In just 70 minutes by bullet train, leave the bustle of Tokyo behind and arrive in the serene landscapes of Japan’s Snow Country — the heart of YUKIGUNI. Your first evening is spent in Minakami, where a traditional hot spring inn welcomes you with soothing baths and warm hospitality. Relax and restore your body in preparation for the hiking adventure that awaits tomorrow.

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.

Luxury Onsen Retreats in the Mountains of Gunma

Nestled in the mountains of Gunma, the hot spring town of Minakami is renowned for its remarkable variety of mineral-rich waters. From silky alkaline springs to sulfur baths prized for their healing qualities, each offers a unique form of relaxation and renewal. Among its many inns, we have carefully selected accommodations that embody refined comfort and authentic hospitality, ensuring that your stay captures the essence of Japanese onsen culture.

Day2

Minakami ▶ Oze ▶ Uonuma

Into the Wilderness of Oze

Today’s journey takes you deep into Oze National Park, one of Japan’s most pristine highland wetlands. Walk through tranquil marshlands surrounded by majestic peaks and seasonal alpine flowers, a landscape untouched for centuries. Your private adventure begins with a seamless approach by dedicated vehicle and boat, ensuring comfort and exclusivity. In the evening, retreat to an elegant mountain lodge, where refined cuisine inspired by the surrounding nature offers the perfect finale to an extraordinary day in YUKIGUNI.

Day3

Uonuma ▶ Tsunan ▶ Matsunoyama Onsen

Tracing the Roots of YUKIGUNI Culture

Travel by private vehicle into Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park, where a curator introduces the Jomon period — the ancient roots of Japanese civilization — and the enduring traditions of YUKIGUNI, shaped by millennia of harsh winters in Japan’s Snow Country. Continue to Ryugakubo, a crystal spring where dragon legends still whisper through clear waters, offering a moment of deep serenity. In the evening, stay at a refined ryokan in Matsunoyama Onsen, one of Japan’s most celebrated hot springs. Here, French-inspired gastronomy harmonizes with local sake, creating an elegant marriage of flavors.

Discover 8,000 Years of YUKIGUNI Heritage

Step into a former school transformed into a museum, where the ancient Jomon culture and the geological wonders of the Geopark come to life. Guided by a knowledgeable curator, uncover rare insights into the traditions of Japan’s Snow Country, which have flourished for over 8,000 years and continue to shape the cultural spirit of YUKIGUNI.

Ryugakubo: Sacred Waters of YUKIGUNI

Ryugakubo is revered as one of Japan’s purest springs, where dragon legends linger and abundant waters renew the pond each day. Fed by the deep snows of the region, these mystical waters have long sustained both nature and human life, embodying the enduring spirit of Japan’s Snow Country within YUKIGUNI.

Sacred Stillness at Midama Fudoson

Midama Fudoson is a revered temple where legend and nature intertwine. Within its grounds flows the “Enmei Water,” believed to bring longevity, flanked by towering cedar trees more than 700 years old. Embraced by forest and clear streams, the temple remains refreshingly cool even in midsummer, as if nature itself were providing air-conditioning. This hidden sanctuary invites you to pause, breathe deeply, and find quiet harmony in a space imbued with timeless spiritual presence.

A Hidden Frontier of YUKIGUNI

Venture into Akiyamago, a hidden frontier deep within YUKIGUNI, where few travelers ever go. Explore the artistry of traditional woodcraft shaped by remote mountain life, then indulge in a bold and rustic lunch of wild game at a lone inn perched above the valley — an unforgettable taste of wilderness and adventure rooted in Japan’s Snow Country.

Sake Pairing and Fine Dining at Matsunoyama Onsen

Stay at a refined ryokan in Matsunoyama Onsen — one of Japan’s three great medicinal hot springs. Here, gastronomy takes center stage with an exquisite pairing of creative French cuisine and local sake, offering an unforgettable dining experience rooted in the bounty of YUKIGUNI, Japan’s Snow Country.

Day4

Matsunoyama Onsen ▶ Jigokudani ▶ Shiga Highland

Snow Monkeys and Local Flavors

The highlight of the day is a visit to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where wild macaques soak in natural hot springs — a once-in-a-lifetime sight found only in Japan’s Snow Country. Along the way, stop at Michi-no-Eki, a local market offering regional specialties and glimpses of daily life, before enjoying an exquisite lunch at a renowned eel restaurant. In the evening, relax with an overnight stay, where the focus is simply on comfort and a soothing hot spring bath after a day of discovery.

Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani

Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, world-famous for its wild snow monkeys that bathe in natural hot springs. Watching these Japanese macaques soak peacefully in the steaming waters, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, is an enchanting and truly one-of-a-kind experience found only in Japan.

An Eel Gastronomy Experience at Honda

At Honda, a renowned specialty restaurant, savor the delicate flavors of Japanese eel — a dish rarely found outside Japan. Prepared with time-honored techniques that balance smoky aroma and tender texture, eel has long been regarded in Japan as both a luxurious delicacy and a source of vitality.

A Comfortable Hot Spring Stay

Spend the night in a comfortable hot spring inn, with the option of a traditional ryokan or a Western-style retreat. Relax in soothing baths and enjoy warm hospitality, ensuring a restful close to your day.

Day5

Shiga Highland ▶ Kusatsu Onsen

Highland Vistas and the Spirit of Onsen

Start in the Shiga Highlands with lunch at Japan’s highest bakery, where freshly baked bread is enjoyed alongside sweeping mountain views. For those seeking a touch of adventure, a buggy ride provides an exhilarating way to reach the summit. In the afternoon, stroll through the iconic Yubatake hot spring fields of Kusatsu, a timeless symbol of Japan’s onsen culture. As evening falls, retreat to a tranquil ryokan embraced by forest, where soothing hot springs and refined hospitality provide a graceful close to the day.