The Echigo Sake Museum at Echigo-Yuzawa Station celebrates Niigata’s status as Japan’s top sake-producing prefecture. Housed in the CoCoLo Yuzawa facility, it showcases over 90 local breweries with interactive exhibits on brewing history, rice varieties, and Echigo toji master brewers. Visitors sample 100+ sakes at Kikizake Bansho, enjoy sake baths, and shop souvenirs like sake-infused sweets.
Futai Dam, often enjoyed as part of the scenic Futaiko lakeside area, is a rock-fill dam on the Kiyotsu River. Rising 87 metres, it forms an emerald-green reservoir sometimes called Lake Futai, framed by Naeba’s forested mountains that glow with autumn colors. The dam serves as the lower reservoir for the Oku-Kiyotsu pumped-storage power station and can be viewed from Naeba Dragondola and nearby scenic routes.
Naeba Dragondola is Japan’s longest gondola lift at 5,481 metres, connecting Naeba Ski Resort to Tashiro Ski Resort. Named for its dragon-spine-like path over mountains, it offers panoramic views of Lake Futai, valleys, and forests – vibrant with autumn foliage or winter snow. Popular for skiing access and year-round sightseeing.
The ski resort ranks among the nation’s largest, spanning 134 hectares with 24 varied runs for all skill levels. Connected by a 5.5 km gondola to Kagura Ski Resort, it offers 46 km of total skiing terrain, snow parks, and family activities.
The resort offers a cosy base for ski adventures at Naeba Ski Resort, just minutes away. This family-friendly property features spacious suites with panoramic mountain views, blending Japanese tradition and modern comfort, including heated floors and a laundry facility. Guests enjoy on-site dining with local cuisine and a lounge. It is located approximately 80 minutes from Tokyo by train.
A traditional Japanese Ryokan resort in scenic Nagano, blends Western and authentic Japanese styles across its 36 rooms. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor onsens with natural hot spring water renowned for skin benefits, meticulously prepared meals featuring Shinshu specialties and seasonal local ingredients, and amenities like a cocktail bar, karaoke, gardens, and banqueting halls for up to 130 people.
