[From the Tokyo Area] An Autumn Trip to Echigo-Tsumari: Exploring Art and Fall Foliage
Here are some recommended driving routes for those coming by car from the Tokyo area to fully enjoy autumn in Echigo-Tsumari. Enjoy a trip unique to autumn as you explore artworks, local cuisine, and hot springs while taking in the scenic countryside views adorned with autumn foliage.
9:00
To the Home of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field
[Kan-Etsu Expressway] Exit at Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange
Depart from the Tokyo area, take the Kan-Etsu Expressway, and exit at the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange. If you’re coming from the Tokyo area, the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange is the gateway to Echigo-Tsumari. This is where your fall drive through the rural landscapes of Echigo-Tsumari begins.
30 minutes
9:30
The Entire Tunnel Is an Artwork
“Tunnel of Light” by Ma Yansong / MAD Architects (Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel)
This is a must-visit, hugely popular spot on an autumn drive from the Tokyo area to Echigo-Tsumari. You can enjoy Kiyotsukyo Gorge—one of Japan’s three great gorges—from a 750-meter-long tunnel. The breathtaking autumn scenery, with the valley’s beauty and art blending together, is a must-see.
[2026 Periods Requiring Advance Reservations]
September 19 (Sat) – 23 (Mon, Holiday), October 10 (Sat) – 12 (Mon, Holiday), October 24 (Sat) – November 3 (Fri, Holiday)
[2026 Periods Requiring Advance Reservations]
September 19 (Sat) – 23 (Mon, Holiday), October 10 (Sat) – 12 (Mon, Holiday), October 24 (Sat) – November 3 (Fri, Holiday)
5 minutes
10:35
An art museum that houses and exhibits the artworks of artist Isobe Yukihisa
Isobe Yukihisa Memorial Echigo-Tsumari Kiyotsu Soko Museum of Art ［SoKo］
A hub facility in Echigo-Tsumari, created by renovating the Kiyotsukyo Elementary School, which closed in 2009. Large-scale contemporary artwork is exhibited in the spacious, minimalist space created by repurposing the school’s gymnasium. In 2017, the school building was also renovated and reborn as an art museum dedicated to housing and exhibiting the works of Isobe Yukihisa. It’s a spot worth visiting during an autumn drive, especially when combined with the fall foliage of Kiyotsukyo Gorge. *Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
10 minutes
11:25
Experiencing the Nature of the Satoyama
"For Lots of Lost Windows" by Utsumi Akiko
This artwork features curtains that sway differently depending on the weather, allowing you to experience the sunlight and the gentle breeze. Along with the autumn scenery of the rural hills, we invite you to appreciate the natural beauty unique to Echigo-Tsumari.
15 minutes
11:50
An Artwork That Brings Winter Memories to Life
"The Last Class" by Christian Boltanski＋Jean Kalman
This artwork, created after the artist revisited the area during the record-breaking snowy winter of 2006, captures the memories of the region and the school. Objects left behind in the former school and items collected from local residents are quietly displayed. This is an artwork best appreciated while reflecting on life in the snow-covered Echigo-Tsumari region and the passage of time etched into it.
15 minutes
12:45
The concept is "Urban-Rural Exchange"
Lunch: Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo
This buffet features a variety of dishes that put a modern twist on traditional local flavors, made with plenty of fresh vegetables grown by local farmers and wild mountain vegetables nurtured by the vibrant nature of Echigo-Tsumari. Enjoy the rich, wholesome flavors of Echigo-Tsumari while taking in the view of the Rice Fields and the rural mountainside stretching out before you.
Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum
In addition to the Matsudai NOHBUTAI—the festival’s main venue—you can also visit the Matsudai History Museum and view the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale artworks in the Shiroyama area. You can also see “Kavakof’s Dream,” a project by Ilya & Emilia Kavakof, one of the artist duos that symbolize the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field.
10 minutes
2:30 p.m.
Museum of the Five Senses
NUNAGAWA Campus
This art museum, housed in the former Nunagawa Elementary School—which closed in 2014—allows children to enjoy art through all five senses. Following its renovation in 2024, the museum now features a wide range of interactive works that go beyond simply “looking”—visitors can touch materials like soil and trees and listen to sounds. In addition to viewing the artworks, visitors can also experience artists’ techniques and materials firsthand through workshops. It’s a place where everyone, from children to adults, can enjoy themselves using all five senses.
30 minutes
3:30 p.m.
"People" Who Return to Nature Over Time
"The human re-entering nature" by Thomas Eller
A 4-meter-tall human-shaped structure featuring photographs of the artist’s own face, hands, and feet imprinted on it. The panels and pillars of the structure form the shape of the Chinese character for “person” (人), embodying the hope that the local population will grow. Over time, ivy will entwine around it, allowing it to return to nature.
20 minutes
3:50 p.m.
A leading art museum in Echigo-Tsumari
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET / Akashi no Yu
This is a hub facility for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, featuring artwork by renowned contemporary artists such as Nawa Kohei, Nakatani Michiko, and Mé. Here, you can break away from the tour to enjoy the illuminated art installations or soothe the fatigue of your journey at Akashi no Yu.
50 minutes
5:50 p.m.
[Kan-Etsu Expressway] Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange
Summary
Official Tours / Itineraries
Contact us for consultation on group tours or travel agency original plans.
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