A 1-Night, 2-Day Model Course to Enjoy Summer Activities Around Niigata Station and Echigo-Yuzawa

1. START

   Enjoy An Extraordinary Breakfast in the Highlands

   6 Restaurant Azalea

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   On the second day, start with breakfast. There is something truly special about enjoying breakfast in the grand highlands! At 'Restaurant Azalea' located on the restaurant floor of the 3rd Building in Naeba Prince Hotel, you can take your breakfast to go and savor a peaceful time surrounded by greenery and fresh air. The meals are served in takeaway containers, and there are benches in the highlands, making it easy to enjoy your meal outdoors! If dining outside is not available, you can also enjoy your meal in the comfort of your room.

   Restaurant Azalea

   Address

   3rd Building Restaurant Floor, Naeba Prince Hotel

   Business Hours

   7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
   (Takeaway available during operating hours)
   ※Starting from May 7th (Tue), operating hours will begin at 7:00 AM
   Period: April 8th, 2024 (Mon) - November 4th, 2024 (Mon, substitute holiday)

   Budget

   Adults	:¥3,000
   Children (6–11 years old)	:¥2,000
   Toddlers (4–5 years old)	:¥1,000

   Google Map Official Website
   • Hotel guest-only shuttle bus
     (reservation required)
   Echigo-Yuzawa Station

   8-minute walk

2. Arrival!

   An 8-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, experience a 7-minute ride on one of the world's largest ropeways.

   7 Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

   On the second day of your Niigata trip, take in the summer nature around Echigo-Yuzawa Station. The Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway is a famous attraction in the area, and it is just an 8-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to the ropeway station. The ropeway cabin is 8.8 meters long, 4.25 meters wide, and 2.45 meters high, with a size equivalent to two buses, making it one of the largest single-floor ropeways in the world. The ride takes about 7 minutes, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal beauty of the surrounding nature.

   Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

   Address

   490 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, 949-6101 Japan

   Business Hours

   Ropeway Station Hours: 8:20 AM - 5:00 PM
   Ropeway Operating Hours: 8:40 AM - 4:40 PM
   (Last ascent at 4:20 PM, last descent at 4:40 PM)

   Budget

   Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway Round Trip (Adult): ¥2,800
   Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway Round Trip (Child): ¥1,400

   Google Map Official Website
   Board the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway
   (About 7 minutes)

3. Arrival!

   Enjoy breathtaking views, photo spots, and a variety of attractions with your family.

   8 Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Yuzawa Highlands Panorama Park Alp Village」

   Taking the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway will bring you to Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park. On a sunny day, the views are absolutely stunning.

   Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park offers a variety of attractions, including a restaurant, photo spots, and activities like bobsledding, making it a fun place for both families and couples. Having lunch at the park's restaurant is also a great option.

   Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park

   Address

   90 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, 949-6101 Japan

   Business Hours

   Ropeway Station Hours: 8:20 AM - 5:00 PM
   Ropeway Operating Hours: 8:40 AM - 4:40 PM
   (Last ascent at 4:20 PM, last descent at 4:40 PM)

   Google Map Official Website
   • About 7 minutes by Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway
     during normal operation
   Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway Station

   8-minute walk

4. Arrival!

   Experience the Best of Niigata's Local Products and Sake

   9 Ponshukan

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Ponshukan in Echigo-Yuzawa」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Ponshukan in Echigo-Yuzawa」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Ponshukan in Echigo-Yuzawa」

   Niigata is known as a famous region for Japanese sake, thanks to its abundant water resources, cold climate, and the high skill of its tōji (master brewers). At 'Ponshukan', you can fully enjoy the delights of sake. Located in Echigo-Yuzawa Station, Niigata Station, and Nagaoka Station, Ponshukan offers a unique experience.
   
   The main attraction is the 'Sake Tasting Corner,' where you can sample about 100 different types of sake, carefully selected from breweries throughout Niigata Prefecture, allowing you to easily explore a wide range of flavors.
   
   In addition, Ponshukan features a retail area stocked with Niigata's famous products and specialties, where you can purchase delicious local foods and crafts. The selection includes a variety of snacks that pair well with sake and products made from regional ingredients, making them perfect for gifts.
   
   At the Echigo-Yuzawa Station Ponshukan, there's also a unique hot spring facility called 'Sake Bath'. Bathing in water infused with sake ingredients is believed to have skin-beautifying and relaxing effects, making it a great way to relieve travel fatigue.

   Echigo Yuzawa Station/Ponshukan (Echigo Yuzawa Station Branch)

   Address

   2427-3 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, 949-6101 Japan

   Access

   About 50 meters from the ticket gate of Echigo-Yuzawa Station

   Business Hours

   Ponshukan Echigo-Yuzawa Station Store
   Regular Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
   Extended Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
   ※Please check the official website for details.

   Google Map Official Website
   1-minute walk

5. Arrival!

   Get Your Echigo-Yuzawa Souvenirs Before Returning Home

   10 Gangi-dori

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Gangi-dori」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Gangi-dori」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Gangi-dori」

   In snow-covered regions, there was a unique adaptation called 'Gangi,' where eaves were extended from the roof to create covered walkways as protection from the snow. Inside Echigo-Yuzawa Station, there is a small street called 'Gangi Dori' where you can find a variety of Yuzawa’s local specialties. It is the perfect spot to buy souvenirs from Echigo-Yuzawa.

   Gangi Dori (Ga JR Echigo Yuzawa)

   Address

   2427-1 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

   Access

   Inside JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station

   Business Hours

   Varies by store

   Google Map Official Website
   1-minute walk

6. Arrival!

   No transfers needed from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Tokyo

   11 Echigo-Yuzawa Station

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Echigo-Yuzawa Station」

   It is possible to return to take the Shinkansen directly from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Tokyo without any transfers.

   Echigo-Yuzawa Station

   Address

   2427-1 Mondō, Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, 949-6100 Japan

   Google Map Official Website

▲From PIXTA 「Niigata Station」

For those interested in taking a trip to Niigata Station, here is an extra section introducing some spots around the station.

1. The first

   Enjoy Full of Delicious Local Food!

   1 Minato no Marche Pia Bandai

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Pia Bandai」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Pia Bandai」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Pia Bandai」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Pia Bandai」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Pia Bandai」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Pia Bandai」

   Minato no Marche Pia Bandai is a market located in Niigata City's Bandai City, where you can fully experience the local flavors. It offers a wide variety of fresh local produce, seafood, and processed goods, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal tastes of Niigata.
   
   The freshly harvested vegetables and fresh seafood, in particular, are highly praised for their freshness and taste. The market also has cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious dishes made with Niigata's ingredients right on the spot. Additionally, the regular events and workshops provide a great opportunity to experience the local culture.

   Minato no Marche Pia Bandai

   Address

   2 Bandaijima, Chuo Ward, Niigata City, 950-0078, Japan

   Access

   Bus:

   Niigata Kotsu Route Bus From Niigata Station Bandai Exit Terminal, Platform 3: Take the "Toki Messe / Sado Kisen Line" and get off at "Pia Bandai Mae". From Niigata Station Bandai Exit Terminal, Platform 9: Take the "Airport / Matsuhama Line" and get off at "Miyaura Junior High School Mae". From Niigata Station Bandai Exit Terminal, Platform 10: Take the "Kawado Line" and get off at "Miyaura Junior High School Mae". Niigata City Tourist Loop Bus From Niigata Station Bandai Exit Terminal, Platform 2: Take the "Niigata City Tourist Loop Bus" and get off at "Pia Bandai" after city sightseeing (runs every 30 minutes).

   Car:

   From Bypass / Expressway Detour via "Toki Messe" by turning right after passing it. From Niigata Bypass Sakuragi Interchange Head towards Niigata City Hall, then turn right at the Niigata East Police Station. From Niigata Bypass Mame Interchange Head towards Niigata Prefectural Office, turn right in front of the office, and pass under the JR Echigo Line guard (on the left). Expressways Hokuriku Expressway – Niigata West IC (Niigata Bypass) – About 10 minutes from Shichikuyama Interchange. Banetsu Expressway – Niigata Chuo JCT – About 15 minutes from Niigata Kameda IC. Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway – About 15 minutes from Niigata Kameda IC.

   Business Hours

   9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

   Budget

   Lunch: ¥1,000〜¥3,000
   Dinner: ¥3,000〜¥5,000

   Google Map Official Website
   • 20-minute walk
   • Niigata Station
     Niigata Station Bus Stop
   • About 20-minute by bus
   Get off at
   Ikutopia Shokuhana-mae Bus Stop

   6-minute walk

2. The second

   Experience the Seasonal Flowers and Local Flavors

   2 Ikutopia Shokuhana

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Food and Flower Education Center」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Ikutopia Shokuhana」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Food and Flower Education Center」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Ikutopia Shokuhana」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Food and Flower Education Center」

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     ▲From PIXTA 「Ikutopia Shokuhana」

   Ikutopia Shokuhana is an experiential facility in Niigata City themed around food and flowers. The garden area is filled with beautiful seasonal flowers, offering seasonal flower fields and themed gardens. The spring tulips and summer sunflower fields are particularly stunning and are popular photo spots.
   
   In addition to flowers, Ikutopia Shokuhana is also a place to fully enjoy the charm of 'food.' There are restaurants and cafes where you can savor dishes made with fresh, local Niigata ingredients, offering delicious farm-to-table meals. Visitors can also participate in harvest experiences, cooking classes, enjoy a mini zoo with animal interactions, and attend regular events and festivals.

   Ikutopia Shokuhana

   Address

   401 Seigorō, Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, 950-0933, Japan

   Access

   Bus:	From Niigata Station South Exit Bus Stop 1 Take the S7 Sports Park Line towards Shimin Byoin, get off at "Ikutopia Shokuhana-mae," and it's right there. From Niigata Station Bandai Exit Bus Stops 0 or 1 Take the B1 Bandai Bridge Line (BRT) towards Aoyama, transfer at Shiyakusho-mae to the S1 Shimin Byoin Line, and get off at "Toriyanogata Koen-mae" or "Tokyo Gakkan-mae," then walk 15 minutes.
   Car:	Expressway Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway – About 7 minutes from Niigata Kameda IC About 5 minutes from Niigata Chuo IC Niigata Bypass (National Route 8) – About 10 minutes from Meike IC Kameda Bypass (National Route 49) – About 5 minutes from Ubukayama IC

   Parking

   Parking Lot 1: 300 spaces, open 24 hours
   Parking Lot 2: 120 spaces, open 24 hours
   
   Free for the first 90 minutes
   ¥100 per 30 minutes for 90 minutes to 6 hours
   ¥1,000 for 6 to 24 hours

   Business Hours

   9:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Hours may vary by area)
   Irregular holidays

   Admission Fees

   Free (Only The nighttime "Kira-Kira Garden" Adults: ¥500,
   Child: ¥300)

   Pet

   Allowed (Some areas have restrictions)

   Google Map Official Website