Top Niigata Prefecture Outdoor Activities

The departure location is selectable from Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen and Madarao Kogen. Starting with a visit to the famous Snow Monkey Park. Get up close and watch as the Snow Monkeys relax in the naturally occurring hot springs of Jigokudani. Thanks to the tour's early morning start you will see the Monkeys as exclusively as it gets! Following this, we will commute to Shibu Onsen town. The first place to stop is Tamamura Honten, a sake & beer brewery established in 1805 attached to a traditional art gallery. After that, our guide will offer you insight into the historic Onsen village. This village was once frequented by Samurai, poets, and travellers alike. Good fortune is said to come to those who bathe in each of the Onsen in town. This section is a walking tour, but if you would prefer to relax in an Onsen, you may do so for just ¥800! Finally, during the green season, we visit Kokugonji, a serene and beautifully maintained temple nestled in rural Nakano and founded in 825.

Escape the city and discover the peaceful beauty of Yuzawa on a half-day guided E-Bike tour to Lake Daigenta, just 70 minutes from Tokyo by train. Ride through quiet villages, rice fields, and shady forests with the ease of electric assist. Take in stunning mountain views, seasonal colors, and enjoy a lakeside break before a smooth downhill ride back. Perfect for a quick countryside escape, especially in summer or autumn. Golden rice fields in September, fiery colors in October–November, there’s something different to see each month. Relax, breathe, and ride — a slow travel experience you won’t forget. If you are staying in Yuzawa, We may be able to arrange the meeting location to/from your accommodation. Contact us (email) after the booking to arrange it. Due to being on tour, we do not answer to phone call. Contact us by e-mail or Line Messenger.

You can go cycling through the streets of this manufacturing town, and visit some local workshops which are usually closed to the public, and witness the craftsmanship up close. On this tour, you'll ride a high-performance e-Bike, slicing through the breeze as you're guided to historical workshops and local spots that are usually inaccessible, thanks to the unique insights of a local tour guide. Moreover, you will get a tiny-size machete as a gift from a craftsman. Throughout the tour, you are able to experience the dedication and craftsmanship of artisans while gaining a deeper understanding of life in the Tsubame-Sanjo area. The activity is available for both solo travelers and groups.

I teach snowboarding in a heavy snowfall area in Yuzawa, that is an hour away from Tokyo by Shinkansen. The venue is in a ski resort located at Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture, which is a heavy snowfall area that can be reached from Tokyo in just over an hour by bullet train. I will film with a GoPro if you wish. I am a Japanese guy and I have a snowboarding certification at the 2nd level. I speak fluent English. I also have a certified public accountant qualification of the United States. I lived in Manhattan and Philadelphia for 2 years previously. The lesson is suitable for beginners. Below is an example of the itinerary. 8:15 am: Meet at JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Move to a ski resort by free bus. 8:45 am: Arrive at the ski resort. Rent equipment and change clothes. 9:30 am: Start lesson. Noon: Lesson ends. We will NOT provide stuff below. - Ski ticket (1-day ticket) - snowboard - snowboard wear - goggle - hat - gloves - Helmet - Shinkansen ticket to the nearest station

Get personalized instruction no matter what level you are at from your ski teacher in Yuzawa. You’ll be skiing at Iwappara Ski Resort all day today, surrounded by mountain views and fresh air. Your lesson starts at 9am. Note that lunch, ski equipment and clothing, and your lift ticket are all at an extra cost.

You can go cycling through the streets of this manufacturing town, and visit some local workshops which are usually closed to the public, and witness the craftsmanship up close. On this tour, you'll ride a high-performance e-Bike, slicing through the breeze as you're guided to historical workshops and local spots that are usually inaccessible, thanks to the unique insights of a local tour guide. Throughout the tour, you are able to experience the dedication and craftsmanship of artisans while gaining a deeper understanding of life in the Tsubame-Sanjo area. The activity is available for both solo travelers and groups.

Nigata is known for the best sake producing area - Myoko isn't the exception with 3 sake breweries of unique history and product line-up. They are all small-sized truly local breweries. You can see more and communicate with the business owner and/or workers with a guide. After the brewery tour, we'll check and try local food at a local farmer's market or authentic local restaurant of your choice/guide's recommendation.

Guests will journey deep into the hidden region of Nagano known as Akiyamago, a remote mountain valley rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Here, they’ll soak in one of the wildest open-air hot springs in Nagano, where the healing waters bubble up directly from the riverbed — a rare and unforgettable experience. Important Note: The outdoor hot spring may be unavailable during bad weather if the river overflows. In that case, we’ll visit a local indoor onsen instead. The tour also includes a taste of tradition with a hearty bear meat hot pot lunch, called "Kumanabe", a local specialty passed down through generations. On the way back to Iiyama Station, we’ll stop by a local sake brewery, where guests can enjoy tasting some of Nagano’s finest rice wine. Akiyamago is usually closed off in winter due to extreme snowfall that even surpasses ski resorts, but we operate guided car tours to this remote area.

Experience the best of Nagano with this immersive tour starting from Myoko Kogen and Madarao Kogen. Begin your journey with a visit to the renowned Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, home to Japan’s famous hot spring-bathing monkeys. Afterward, savor a delicious winter lunch before heading to the historic Zenkoji Temple, one of the country's most significant Buddhist sites. Led by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, the tour concludes with a sake tasting, offering a perfect blend of culture, nature, and local flavors.

At the blacksmithing shop with a 150-year history, you can craft your own frying pan out of a piece of iron plate. The entire process, from forging to installing a handle, is completed by your own hands with great care. Furthermore, BBQ with a freshly made frying pan is exceptional. It’ll be fun to use one-of-a-kind frying pan that fits in your hands the more you use it and you can use for your lifetime. Tour guides will take you on a bicycle tour through the streets of Tsubame-Sanjo, showing you local spots where you can meet locals.

Immerse yourself in the winter culture of Niigata by booking this private, full-day snowboarding lesson. Whatever your level of snowboarding experience—whether you're a beginner or a seasoned snowboarder—spending time on the snow with your instructor is sure to enhance your skills and techniques. As this is a private lesson, you can be sure of your instructor's undivided attention.

You can visit Otake Confectionery (sandwich bread), Ameya (traditional sweets), the former division commander's residence, Mochiya (grilled rice dumplings), Takada Castle Three-story Turret, Takada Komachi, Taga Tea Shop (tea and Japanese sweets), and more. You can go there by bicycle and return by local train.

Exclusive VIP Niigata Tours Our VIP Niigata Tours offer locally guided, exclusive experiences, taking you beyond typical tourist spots to hidden gems only locals know. Why Choose Our Tours? Local Experts Discover secret locations and experience Niigata like a local. Exclusive Hidden Spots Explore secluded nature trails, private artisan workshops, and untouristed hot springs. Authentic Culture & Cuisine Visit renowned sake breweries, dine at exclusive local restaurants, and explore Tsubame-Sanjo’s master craftsmanship. ❄️ Seasonal Highlights Enjoy hidden cherry blossoms, private fireworks views, off-the-map fall foliage, and uncrowded ski resorts. ♨️ Local-Only Hot Springs Relax in authentic onsen with healing mineral waters, away from tourist crowds. For luxury, adventure, and cultural immersion, our VIP tours provide an unforgettable, insider experience of Niigata. Enjoy an unforgettable Exclusive Tour, crafted to create lasting memories.

(Available for 1 person! Transportation included) Minamiuonuma City is a renowned flower-viewing destination where clusters of the nationally famous “spring ephemeral flower, the Erythronium japonicum,” can be seen everywhere. A local guide will drive you to the best viewing spots during the season, where you’ll enjoy a roughly 2-hour stroll through the rural hills. No special hiking gear is required. Casual attire suitable for a walk in the park is sufficient. For lunch, we’ll visit a restaurant serving local cuisine. Afterward, we’ll stop at a popular local Japanese confectionery shop for some shopping. To conclude the tour, we’ll visit the “Yasuo Toyama Wildflower Gallery,” a gallery featuring watercolor paintings of wildflowers from all four seasons. - Please note: On Wednesdays, Ueda no Sato and the Wildflower Gallery are closed, so we will instead take you for a lunch of Hegi soba and a visit to the Minamiuonuma Roadside Station.

A tour to fully enjoy the night in Takada, a historic castle town in the snowy region. The dining venue features a special lunch at "Centennial Ryotei Ukisyo," a traditional restaurant with over 140 years of history and designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property. You can explore the lavish four-story wooden architecture and savor authentic ryotei cuisine.

Explore the essence of Japanese culture through an immersive journey that intertwines history, food, fermentation, and nature. Wander through a breathtaking landscape shaped by mountains and forests, discovering how traditional practices in agriculture and craftsmanship developed over time. Engage in hands-on experiences at historical sites and craft workshops, while indulging in local culinary delights, including rice cultivation and sake brewing. This exploration reveals the deep connections between community, spirituality, and the environment, offering a rich understanding of Japan’s cultural evolution.

This is a program which introduces a deep understanding of "Japan" through "rice" in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture. Participants will stay in an old minka (traditional Japanese house) with a kayabuki roof (shingled roof), watch cooking rice in a kamado (a traditional Japanese cooking pot), with a master of rice, and experience seasonal agricultural activities. Visitors can also enjoy some "experiences related with rice" such as Futomaki Sushi making experience with a local chef, and a visit to an award-winning sake brewery. This tour also includes visit in a beautiful historical residence of major landowner of this area, where the emperor Showa stayed during his visit to Niigata prefecture. On the second day, you will enjoy a full-course rice dinner that is specially created for this tour. The program offers real country life and warm interaction with locals that will make an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy the culture and nature of Japan's snow country in Takane, a mountain village on the outskirts of Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, where snow accumulates to 2 meters during the winter months. This program is an experience in the deepest part of the unexplored Takane area, where the snow is deep and usually not removed. You can experience snow play, food culture of snow country, and snow activities as a nature experience. snow activities as nature experiences. Each experience will be guided by a local guide. Snow play is a symbol of Japan's snow country culture, where visitors can try their hand at making a kamakura or snowman with a “kamakura and snowman making expert. In the Snow Country Food Experience, visitors can make “Takane Rice Rice Balls” with a local woman using local ingredients and preserved foods from the snow country. In addition,

Everyone has heard of Geisha, popular female entertainers in the 19th century Japan. However, before Geisha’s popularity grew, Oiran were considered the trend-setters of the Japanese fashion world. These highly educated women had the precarious nickname Keisei (or Castle-toppler), for their reputation of stealing the hearts of upper-classmen. In Niigata, Oiran were always very popular in the Furumachi area. Today, in the near-by Honcho area there are many places that allow visitors to experience all the splendor of Oiran fashion. Allow yourself to explore your sensuality and project to the world your inner beauty, through the transforming experience of expertly selected dress and make-up. No one has ever walked away unchanged.