Echigo-Yuzawa Day Trip ItineraryFun Beyond the Slopes! Eating, Drinking, and Strolling Around Echigo-Yuzawa Station

Your first stop in Echigo-Yuzawa is Ponshukan, located inside COCOLO Yuzawa, and you don't even need to leave the station! This venue is famous for its spectacular sake wall. For just ¥500, you get five tokens and a small tasting cup, ready to explore over 100 varieties of Niigata's local sake.

The best part about Ponshukan is the incredible freedom it offers. You can pick popular choices from the ranking board on the wall, or simply choose a sake based on a label that catches your eye. They even thoughtfully provide various special salts and miso to pair with your drinks. Whether you're a seasoned sake connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this place is like an adult playground. Just deciding which sake to try will keep you entertained for quite a while!

Echigo Sake Museum Ponshukan

• Address: 2427-1 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata
• Hours: 09:30-19:00
• Average Spend: ¥500

Just a short walk from the station, you'll find Koji Latte, a cozy café with a warm, wood-toned interior. This venue is run by a local business known for its excellent water quality and rice koji fermentation techniques, specializing in a variety of natural fermented drinks and desserts.

The amazake ice cream is a must-try! Don't worry, it has no alcohol taste—just a delicate rice aroma and natural sweetness from the fermentation, with a smooth, refreshing texture that's never cloying. Imagine sitting by the window, watching the snow outside, and enjoying a spoonful of ice cream, savoring the delightful contrast between the warm indoor heating and the cool, sweet treat. If you're not in the mood for ice cream, try a signature hot Koji Latte or a ginger amazake. Their mellow warmth glides down your throat, comforting your stomach and promoting good health—perfect for a rejuvenating afternoon tea break.

Koji Latte

• Address: 新潟県南魚沼郡湯沢町湯沢2427-1
• Hours: 09:30-19:00
• Average Spend: ¥500-1,000

After a good walk, you're probably ready to eat! When you're in Echigo-Yuzawa, you absolutely can't miss the popular local favorite, Ninjintei. This venue specializes in Niigata's famous "Echigo Mochi Buta" pork, known for its tender texture, sweet fat, and complete lack of any unpleasant pork odor.

We highly recommend their "Thick-Cut Loin Pork Cutlet Set Meal"—the sheer thickness will amaze you when it arrives! The exterior is fried to a golden crisp, with the breading clinging tightly to the meat. With each bite, a satisfying crunch gives way to a burst of juicy flavor. Paired with Niigata's prized Koshihikari white rice, that rich combination of starch and fat is truly the best seasoning for any trip. We suggest avoiding the peak lunch hour to fully savor the joy of this hearty meal.

After a satisfying meal, a leisurely stroll is in order. Head up the hot spring street, and you'll discover the serene and solemn Suwa Shrine. It's a world away from the bustling train station and shopping arcade.

Within the shrine grounds stand massive cedar trees, over 400 years old. In winter, their branches and the torii gate are blanketed in thick white snow, creating a spectacular and spiritual scene. This is a renowned power spot in Echigo-Yuzawa, and a place where Yasunari Kawabata, author of "Snow Country," once walked. Strolling along the snow-covered path, breathing in the crisp, cool air, and feeling the solemn tranquility of nature beneath the giant cedars instantly calms a restless mind. It's a perfect, picturesque spot to unwind and relax.

Suwa Shrine 諏訪社

• Address: 18-15 Uenishiyamamachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan