[2 Day/1 Night] Tanaka Min "Ryōkan in the Snow" & Stay at Matsunoyama Onsen one-night Tour

Finished
A special two-day tour featuring Min Tanaka "Ryōkan in the Snow", Yukimi Gozen (snow viewing dinner), and Matsunoyama Onsen in winter. You will stay at Hinanoyado Chitose, located in Matsunoyama Onsen, one of the three major medicinal hot springs in Japan. Lunch will be a Yukimi-gozen, stopping at a village in Echigo-Tsumari, where you can experience traditional preserved food and the hospitality of the village.
*The itinerary is subject to change. Please check the itinerary that will be sent to you before the tour.
This tour is fully booked.

Details

11:00 Meet at and depart from Echigo-Yuzawa station
55 min.
11:55 Contemporary art museum representaing the Echigo-Tsumari.
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET
The base facility of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, featuring works by prominent contemporary artists such as Kohei Nawa, Michiko Nakatani, and 目 [mé].
A winter-only exhibit will be held in the pond in the center of MonET, which will be transformed into a field of pure white snow. (Photo: Special Exhibition: Suzuki Yasuhiro "Horizontal Being|Seeing Snow" Image, Exhibition Series vol.4 Tanaka Ai “Reverse String”)
15 min.
13:00 Enjoy a unique local "Hare Day" flavor for lunch.
【Lunch】Yukimi GozenYukimi
Gozen dishes, prepared with great care by the village mothers using local rice and vegetables, are not only nutritious but also delicious and satisfying to keep you going strong during the harsh winter months. The dishes are served in traditional lacquerware, which was once used for weddings and funerals in the village and has been treasured and stored carefully.
20 min.
14:30 Dancing Ryōkan on a snowfield
Tanaka Min Performance “Ryōkan in the Snow”
The spirit of the Echigo region shines brightest in the winter season, when snow blankets the land. Ryōkan, a local 18th-century Buddhist monk, who entertained children while waiting for the return of the spring, is a religious figure embodying the winter spirit of Echigo. As we await the return of ETAT 2024, Tanaka Min dances Ryōkan through deep drifts of snow.
20 min
16:10 Let's play in the snowy satoyama
Matsudai NOHBUTAI
The center of Matsudai area for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. The Special Exhibition "Satoyama Snow Amusement Park 2024 is currently being held! You can enjoy artworks and activities on the snow.
60 min.
17:00 Three major medicinal hot springs ranking with Arima and Kusatsu
Hinanoyado Chitose Check-in
You will stay at "Hinanoyado Chitose" located in Matsunoyama Onsen, one of the three major medicinal hot springs in Japan, which was selected for the first time in 2023 as one of the "100 Best Hot Springs in Japan and 250 Popular Hot Spring Inns and Hotels" by tourism professionals (sponsored by Tourism Economic News).
Dinner *The photo is an image only.
Hot salted nigiri made from terraced Koshihikari rice is served in a rice-bran pot using rice husks as fuel. The "Toji-buta" of Tsumari pork, cooked at low temperature using only hot spring heat, is served freshly sliced in front of the guests, allowing them to enjoy the food culture of the local bounty and eco-friendly food experience.
9:00 Walking in the historic street of Hot Spring
Matsunoyama Onsen Street Walk
You can take a stroll through the hot spring street area, which is covered with more than 3 meters of snow in winter and boasts a long history as a therapeutic hot spring, with 10 hot spring inns huddled together in the valley. You will stop by Yakushido, where the Echigo-Tsumari Art Trienniale artwork and the "Muko-tossing and Sumi-nuri" festival are held in the hot spring street area.
9:15 Departure from Hinanoyado Chitose
15 min.
9:30 Large-scale installation that transforms the entire abandoned school into a work of art
Christian Boltanski + Jean Kalman "The Last Classroom”
In an area that is closed by deep snow for nearly half of the year, this work densely and heavily traps the memories of a former elementary school in the entire school. A contemporary art artist and a lighting artist team up to take viewers into another world with an expression that appeals to all five senses.
35 min.
10:35 The entire tunnel is a work of art.
Ma Yansong / MAD Architects, “Tunnel of Light”
Kiyotsu Gorge is one of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan, created by 16 million years of earth history. Visitors can view the fusion of the beauty of the gorge and art in the 750-meter-long tunnel. The spectacular natural scenery, which changes with the seasons, is also a must-see.
*There is a possibility that the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel will be closed due to heavy snowfall. In that case, the tour will be changed to a stopover at another artwork.
35 min
about 12:00 Returns to Echigo-Yuzasa Sta., the tour completes.
Notice

*The itinerary may be changed or cancelled due to natural disasters or road conditions.

*We will walk on snow when viewing artworks and walking around the site. Please bring waterproof snow boots or boots that are at least ankle-length.

*Tnaka Min’s performance event and the snowshoe walk will be held outdoors. Please bring warm and waterproof clothing.

*The Yukimi Gozen event will be held on a tatami floor. Please consult with us if you have poor mobility.

*Arrival time at the final destination may be delayed. Please book your return bullet train well in advance.

Summary

Dates Febrary 23-24, 2024
Admission Adult ¥56,000 / 13-18 years old ¥53,500 / 6-12 years old ¥25,000 / Under 5 years old (with meals and seats) ¥10,000 (without meals and seats) ¥5,500
*Includes bus fare, 2024 Passport with Tanaka Min's "Ryōkan in the Snow," artwork viewing fee, dinner, breakfast, lunch, guide fee, stay fee, and consumption tax.
*Reservations are accepted from 2 persons.
Deadline February 20 until 24:00 (JST)
Origin / Destination Echigo-Yuzawa Station East Exit Bus Terminal
Transportation Charter bus(Minami-Echigo Kotsu)
Capacity Minimum number of participants: 1
Host Travel planning and execution: Niigata Prefecture Governor's Registered Travel Agency Region-440, NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization 3743-1 Matsudai, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan Travel Agents Association regular member 025-761-7749 / tour@tsumari-artfield.com
Note
  • The guide will be available only in Japanese.
  • Please read the terms and conditions of this tour, including the cancellation policy, before participating.
    NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization Travel Conditions
  • 【Inquiries】
    Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Information Centre
    TEL : +81 (0)25-761-7767 (9:00-18:00, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)
    MAIL : officialtour@tsumari-artfield.com
Contact us for consultation on group tours or travel agency original plans.
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