Echigo-Yuzawa

Easily accessible from Tokyo is Echigo-Yuzawa, famed as the location where Japan’s Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata wrote his most famous work “Snow Country” From a quiet onsen town then, to a major skiing resort now Yuzawa still has a lot of the traditional charm that gives a glimpse into Kawabata’s world. And it really is a snow country. This was our view from the hotel room:

While the hotel itself was on a forested hillside which made for quite a romantic backdrop:

In town there is a small but well-exhibited Yukiguni-kan museum with items related to Kawabata and (hard) life in Yuzawa at the time:

And the town has a pleasant atmosphere to spend time walking around. And, of course, snow. A lot of snow:

Yuzawa is most famous now for the skiing though it’s fun to go out to the slopes even if you don’t ski:

One of the most enjoyable places for sightseeing is actually the station! It has some, interesting, displays of local culture:

In the station is an area where you can sample a variety of local sake and also buy souvenirs of food and other things produced in the area. Well worth a visit.

Even if you don’t ski, Echigo-Yuzawa makes for a great relaxing weekend away only 75 minutes on the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station.