Echigo-Tsumari Course [Satoyama Shokudo Lunch Set]

Open
A highlights tour of masterpieces in Echigo-Tsumari. Join a guide and enjoy the artworks while taking in the view of the lush green countryside.
<TOUR Highlights>
・Perfect for first-time visitors to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed
・You can see many artworks even without a car
・Lunch features a healthy buffet made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients

Details

9:00 Echigo-Yuzawa Station Information Center for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed: Participant Reception Now Open
9:30 Departure from Echigo-Yuzawa Station
30 minutes
10:00 The entire tunnel is an artwork
“Tunnel of Light” by Ma Yansong / MAD Architects (Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel)
The tour begins at the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, which has remained a popular attraction since its opening. Kiyotsukyo Gorge, one of Japan’s three great gorges, was shaped by 16 million years of geological history. Inside the 750-meter-long tunnel, you can admire the fusion of the gorge’s natural beauty and art. The breathtaking natural scenery, which changes with the seasons, is also a must-see.
20 minutes
11:20 Experience the nature of the satoyama
“For Lots of Lost Windows” by Utsumi Akiko
The curtains, which sway differently depending on the weather, let you feel the sunlight and the gentle breeze, drawing your attention to the beauty of Echigo-Tsumari.
15 minutes
12:00 I let my thoughts wander to the memories accumulated in this place
“The Last Class” by Christian Boltanski and Jean Kalman
Through the faint light, the scent of straw, and the sounds echoing through the hallway, you can experience the artwork with your whole body. Come and feel the memories that have accumulated over a period of time in this school building, long enveloped in snow.
10 minutes
1:00 PM The concept is "urban-rural exchange"
Lunch: Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo
This buffet features a selection of dishes that put a modern twist on 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, hearty flavors of Echigo-Tsumari while taking in the view of the Rice Fields and the rural mountainside landscape stretching out before you.
"Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum Matsudai NOHBUTAI"
In addition to the main venue, Matsudai “Nobutai,” you can also visit the Matsudai History Museum and view the artworks in the Shiroyama area. You can also see “Kavakov’s Dream,” a project by Ilya & Emilia Kavakov, one of the artist duos that symbolize the Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed.
25 minutes
2:30 PM A Spatial Picture Book Museum Set in a Closed School
Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art
Set in an art museum housed in a defunct school, artworks crafted from driftwood and nuts weave a tale depicting the adventures of the school’s final students. The “Suzuki Koji Clay Caravan” spring-summer Special Exhibition is also currently on view at the Museum of Picture Book Art.
20 minutes
3:40 PM A leading art museum in Echigo-Tsumari
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET / Akashi no Yu
This is a key venue for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed, featuring artworks 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 your travel fatigue at Akashi no Yu.
*If you wish to break away from the tour, please let us know when you make your reservation.
60 minutes
5:30 PM Arrival/Dismissal at Echigo-Yuzawa Station
Notice

・The itinerary may be changed or canceled due to natural disasters or road conditions.
・Seats on the bus are assigned. If you are traveling with others who booked separately, please note their names in the remarks section.
・Some artworks require a short walk after getting off the bus. Please wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off. On hot days, please bring a hat and something to drink; in case of rain, please bring rain gear.
・Arrival times at the final destination may vary. Please allow plenty of time for your return Shinkansen reservation.

Summary

Dates Saturdays and holidays from Saturday, May 9, 2026, to Saturday, July 25, 2026, plus Sunday, July 26
Admission Tour Price: Adults 15,500 yen; Elementary and junior high school students 12,000 yen; Preschoolers 3,000 yen
*Includes bus fare, lunch, guide fees, and admission to artworks (including the Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed 2026 Common Ticket), plus consumption tax
Deadline Registration closes at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the event, or once capacity is reached
Origin / Destination Echigo-Yuzawa Station East Exit Bus Terminal
Transportation Minami-Echigo Kotsu Bus
Capacity 25 people (minimum number of participants: 1)
Host Travel Planning and Operation: Niigata Prefecture Governor-Registered Travel Agency No. 2-440, NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization, 3743-1 Matsudai, Tokamachi city, Niigata Prefecture. Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA). 025-761-7749 / officialtour@tsumari-artfield.com
Note

・No tour guide will accompany the group.
・Please review these travel terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, before participating.
NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization Travel Terms and Conditions
NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization Standard Travel Agency Terms and Conditions

[Inquiries]
“Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed” General Information Center: 025-761-7767 (9:00 AM–6:00 PM / Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
/officialtour@tsumari-artfield.com

Contact us for consultation on group tours or travel agency original plans.
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