Have you decided yet where to go for winter in Japan? As well as the famous hot springs (onsen), Japan is also famous for its skiing experience. You can get both of them in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture. Yuzawa Town is one of most accessible ski resorts from Tokyo. JR East, in particular, serves the route between Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa station via the Joetsu shinkansen.
From the gorgeous scenery to the adrenaline satiation, Yuzawa Town is the perfect gateway in Japan. The charming Yuzawa is surrounded by snowy mountains, a natural resource empowered by the ski resorts. You will find many ski rentals dotted around the main street. Yuzawa is also blessed with hot springs and you can even find many foot hot spring pools just besides the street, not to metion an onsen just by Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
Just pack your things and jump on to the Joetsu shinkansen. From Tokyo Station, the journey takes about one and a half hours. After the wonderful journey, you arrive at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. This is one of the most convenient stations that I’ve ever visited. From the comprehensive guides to the many places to shop, Echigo-Yuzawa Station is a worthy starting point as you arrive in Yuzawa.
When I decided to visit Yuzawa Town, I didn’t know any much about this charming city. My curiosity was answered by the travel information at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. The English-speaking staff they gave me some recommendations, as well as some brochures and maps. Besides the travel information office, there is also a cafe and a nice waiting room, which makes it a great place to research the town or even wait for your return train journey home. There is also a local market inside the station, selling everything from local handicrafts and local snacks. I didn't really see anything like this elsewhere in Japan and thought it was a great addition.
