A Train Trip Through Echigo-Tsumari
A train journey through Echigo-Tsumari, where the first signs of spring are in the air. On this day trip, you can take your time enjoying the flavors of spring and local art while taking in the scenery of the countryside as it begins to bud.
7:48
Departure from Tokyo Station
About 2½ hours
Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then transfer to the Hokuhoku Line operated by Hokuetsu Express (*Depending on the time, you may need to transfer at Muikamachi Station along the way)
10:01
Arrival at Matsudai Station
2 minutes
Directly connected to the station
10:03
Unique architecture, a diverse collection of artworks, and lunch in an art space
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 wide 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.
*Note: Many outside artworks, such as Ilya&Emilia Kabakov’s “The Rice Fields,” will open to the public starting April 25.
Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo (*Buffet available only on weekends and holidays)
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 exploring the artworks, take a relaxing break with seasonal sweets and a warm drink.
Matsudai History Museum / Obana Kenichi’s artwork “Matsudai History Museum - Shiryo-Kan”
The Matsudai History Museum is a stately building typical of heavy snow regions, featuring a traditional hearth, tatami rooms, and a tea room preserved exactly as they were in the past. You can also see the rooms of the live-in maids and male laborers, as well as old tools, a bathhouse, and a kitchen.With the addition of artwork by Obana Kenichi, you can not only learn about the region through manga but also encounter about 20 adorable yokai (supernatural creatures) hiding throughout the museum! Don’t miss the Showa-era school handouts that regulated the use of local dialects. Whether you’re chatting with locals around the hearth or searching for the yokai peeking out from the shadows, this facility is packed with local culture and offers plenty of ways to enjoy your visit—it comes highly recommended.
2 minutes
1:38 PM
Matsudai Station
10 minutes
Hokuhoku Line (Hokuhoku Railway)
1:48 PM
Arrival at Tokamachi Station
15 minutes (usually 10 minutes, 15 minutes in snowy conditions)
Warm clothing and non-slip shoes are a must
2:00 PM
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET
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. With a museum shop and hot springs on-site, visitors can relax and enjoy a leisurely stay. Local vegetables and other produce are also available for purchase at the adjacent roadside station.
Echigo-Tsumari Exchange Center: Akashi no Yu
Why not warm up after a day of exploring the artworks? There is a day-use hot spring located inside the Echigo-Tsumari Exchange Center, designed by architect Hiroshi Hara. Relax and unwind in the spacious bathing area. We offer two types of saunas—dry and steam—which alternate daily between men’s and women’s use. Even if you don’t plan to bathe, we recommend taking a break at the café or shop. (Admission to the entrance area, café, and shop is free.)
15 minutes
To Tokamachi Station
4:55 PM
Departing from Tokamachi Station
About 2½ hours
Transfer to the JR Joetsu Shinkansen at Echigo-Yuzawa Station
7:00 PM
Arrival at Tokyo Station
Notice
*Train schedules shown are for reference only. Trains run at other times as well, but please note that schedules may change and delays or cancellations may occur due to snow. Please check the schedule using a route search app before visiting or traveling.
*The duration of winter Special Exhibitions at each facility varies by year. Please check the Events page on our website for the latest information.
Summary
| Dates | Around March to April |
|---|---|
| Origin / Destination | Tokyo (via Echigo-Yuzawa Station)/Tokyo (via Echigo-Yuzawa Station) |
| Transportation | train |
Recommended Tours / Itineraries
Contact us for consultation on group tours or travel agency original plans.
Stay In Touch
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”.
