At Yaizu Port facing Suruga Bay, where the Oi-River flows, you can enjoy various things such as Yaizu Southern Bluefin Tuna, which is called “red diamond” because of its elegant fat and sweetness, bonito flakes which are royal gifts, as well as sashimi and tataki. The bonito fishes used to make these delicious dishes are caught here.
The bucolic beauty of the terraces is amazing enough to warrant a side trip when visiting the vast Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, an art show spread over 760 square kilometers. Enjoy the breathtaking terraced scenery as you seek out more than 200 art pieces which have been distributed throughout the area.
You can not only enjoy the magnificent view of Mt.Asama, but also the beautiful scenery of the rice and buckwheat fields. Additionally through out the town there are traditional buildings. The seasonal photogenic scenery will move your heart.
In the middle basin of the Oi-River, the Oi-River Railway, a steam locomotive, runs between the fresh green tea garden and the magnificent Oi-River. At Kawanehon Town there is a tea garden located over 500m above sea level and is called the “tea-producing area in the sky”, here you can see a magical landscape filled with fog.
Tokamachi is one of Japan’s preeminent kimono-producing regions. If you miss the kimono festival that is held each year, you can still experience kimono culture at close range through hands-on activities such as dyeing, fabric decoration, and weaving as part of a kimono workshop tour.
You can also experience the “brewing food culture” through making miso and visiting wineries.
Tea experience unique to the Oi-River basin With the “Tea room” experience (tea in tea garden space with a superb view), you can enjoy taste testing various teas, a high quality green tea / matcha tea room experience in a Japanese garden, tea farm visit, hand massage experience, tea girl experience, and tea factory tour.
The landscape of Hakuba is dominated by three majestic summits: Shirouma, Shakushi, and Hakuba-yari. At elevations of 2,933; 2,820; and 2,909 meters respectively, the three peaks form a striking backdrop to the Hakuba valley. Through the valley runs the Himekawa River, flowing down from its source on Mount Shirouma. The Oide suspension bridge crosses the Himekawa and leads to an area of thatch-roofed private homes. While beautiful in all seasons, the river view is particularly lovely in spring, when blooming cherry trees are framed against the towering mountains.
Hakuba is famous for its winter ski season, but there is plenty to do after the snow melts. Active experiences such as trekking in Hakuba Daisekkei, one of Japan’s three largest snow gorges, rafting on the Himekawa River, and paragliding to see Hakuba from the sky are very popular.
Shiga Kogen is the largest snow resort in Japan and located in the centre of Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park. ‘Yudanaka Shibu Onsen Resort’ has a large source of hot spring water and a history of 1,300 years. ‘Kitashiga Kogen’ is one of the prominent heavy snowfall areas, where traditional food culture such as haya-soba remains. Experience the attractions that coexist with nature, like globally popular the “Snow Monkey Park.”
