A Drive Through the Best of Echigo-Tsumari
Although “Echigo-Tsumari Winter 2026” has come to a close, we’d like to introduce a tour route featuring facilities and artworks that remain open even after the event has ended. This “best-of” tour is packed with the highlights of Echigo-Tsumari and is highly recommended for first-time visitors.
9:15
Rent a Car at Echigo-Yuzawa Station
30 minutes
10:00
Art makes the breathtaking scenery even more beautiful
“Tunnel of Light” by Ma Jansson / MAD Architects
The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel was transformed into an artwork for the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Inside the approximately 750-meter-long tunnel, a space incorporating light, water, and scenery unfolds, creating an interactive artwork that changes its appearance with every step. At the farthest point of the tunnel, a fantastical space unfolds, reflecting the gorge’s breathtaking scenery like a mirror of water, inviting visitors into a world beyond the ordinary.This artwork, which blends seamlessly with nature and reveals different facets throughout the seasons, is one of the most popular attractions in Echigo-Tsumari.
*Open daily
*Open daily
30 minutes
11:10
Tracing the Memories of a Closed School
The Last Class
This exhibition makes use of the abandoned Higashikawa Elementary School, located deep in the mountains. It has since become one of the signature artworks of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Come experience the profound atmosphere of this historic school for yourself.
*Open only on weekends and holidays through April 19
*Open only on weekends and holidays through April 19
10 minutes
11:50
A treasure trove of rare plants and animals—and a huge hit with kids!
"Grove School" Kyoro-ro
The Satoyama Science Museum is nestled in a natural setting, adjacent to the "Bijin-bayashi" beech forest—said to be the most beautiful in Japan. In addition to research on the rare flora and fauna found only in Matsunoyama, visitors can also enjoy artworks from the local art festival.Inside the museum, the unique ecosystems and changing seasons of this snow-covered region are presented in an easy-to-understand manner, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the Satoyama landscape. The observation tower offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Grove, and the scenery that changes with the seasons is one of the highlights. Please take your time and relax while experiencing both nature and art.
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Starting in April, closed on Tuesdays only)
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Starting in April, closed on Tuesdays only)
15 minutes
1:10 PM
The flavors of the countryside, served buffet-style
Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Dining Hall
At Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo, you can enjoy popular dishes featuring creative twists on local cuisine. Please savor our delicious meals, packed with the bounty of the satoyama. On weekends and holidays, you can enjoy our hugely popular buffet. When you’re tired from touring the artworks, take a relaxing break with seasonal sweets and a warm drink.
*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
2:10 PM
Come and enjoy the newly renovated Matsudai "Nobutai"!
Matsudai "Nobutai"
As the snow melts, the Matsudai area is bathed in soft light. Directly connected to Matsudai Station, “Matsudai ‘Nobutai’” is a facility that can be visited regardless of the weather; the building itself is a unique architectural artwork designed by MVRDV.Inside, visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences, including a collection of artworks by Ilya&Emilia Kabakov, the “Chalkboard Classroom” where you can doodle on the walls, whimsical restrooms, a restaurant that doubles as an art installation, and a museum shop.
*Note: Many outside artworks, such as Ilya&Emilia Kabakov’s “The Rice Fields,” will open to the public starting April 25.
*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
*Note: Many outside artworks, such as Ilya&Emilia Kabakov’s “The Rice Fields,” will open to the public starting April 25.
*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
30 minutes
3:10 PM
To the hub of contemporary art in Echigo-Tsumari
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET
This museum serves as the hub and gateway to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed. Designed by Hara Hiroshi＋ATELIERΦ, one of Japan’s leading architectural firms, it is a beautiful square-shaped museum surrounding a central pond. In winter, the pond transforms into a snowy plain, and the museum hosts Special Exhibitions featuring snow.Following a major renovation in 2021, the museum now features compelling artworks by artists such as Nawa Kohei, mé, Kuwakubo Ryota, Leandro Erlich, and Nakatani Michiko. You can purchase local vegetables and other products at the adjacent roadside station, “Kurotsuten.” Also not to be missed is the “Umbrella-Hanging Hina Dolls That Bring Happiness,” which holds a Guinness World Record for the largest number of such displays.
*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
*Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
45 minutes
5:00 PM
Arrival at Echigo-Yuzawa Station; Return rental car
Summary
| Origin / Destination | Echigo-Yuzawa Station / Echigo-Yuzawa Station |
|---|---|
| Transportation | Car |
Recommended Tours / Itineraries
Contact us for consultation on group tours or travel agency original plans.
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Stay connected with the ETAT official social media to receive the latest news and event information, and the many seasonal faces of Echigo-Tsumari as well as new issue of the ETAT official media, “Art from the Land”.
