No car? No problem! A leisurely train trip through Echigo-Tsumari
A train journey through Echigo-Tsumari, where you can sense the thawing snow. 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
Departing from Tokyo Station
About 1 hour and 20 minutes
JR Joetsu Shinkansen
9:14
Departing from Echigo-Yuzawa Station
About 40 minutes
Hokuhoku Line (Hokuhoku Express)
9:52
Arrival at Tokamachi Station
15 minutes
10:10
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET
This museum serves as the hub and gateway to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field. 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 snow-covered plain, and the museum hosts Special Exhibitions featuring snow installations.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. Visitors 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.
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. Please 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
12:16
Departing from Tokamachi Station
10 minutes
Hokuhoku Line (Hokuhoku Express)
12:26
Arrival at Matsudai Station
2 minutes
Directly connected to Matsudai Station
12:30
Unique architecture, a diverse collection of artworks, and lunch in an art space
Matsudai NOHBUTAI
As the snow melts, the Matsudai area is bathed in soft light. Directly connected to Matsudai Station, “Matsudai NOHBUTAI” is a facility that can be visited regardless of the weather; the building itself is a unique architectural artwork 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 incredibly popular buffet. When you’re tired from exploring the artwork, 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 snowfall regions. It preserves features such as an irori hearth, a traditional tatami room, and a tea room exactly as they were in the past. Visitors can also explore the rooms of live-in maids and male laborers, as well as view 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! The handouts distributed in schools during the Showa era, which restricted the use of local dialects, are also a must-see. 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—we highly recommend it.
2 minutes
4:44 p.m.
Matsudai Station
46 minutes
Hokuhoku Line (Hokuhoku Express)
5:30 PM
Arrival at Echigo-Yuzawa Station
5:41 PM
Departing from Echigo-Yuzawa Station
About 1 hour and 20 minutes
JR Joetsu Shinkansen
7:00 PM
Arrival at Tokyo Station
Notice
*The train times listed 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. We recommend checking a route search app or similar service before traveling to the venue.
*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 | April 25–November 8, 2026 (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except holidays) [Lunch: Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo] |
|---|---|
| Origin / Destination | Tokyo (via Echigo-Yuzawa Station)/Tokyo (via Echigo-Yuzawa Station) |
| Transportation | Train |
Official Tours / Itineraries
Contact us for consultation on group tours or travel agency original plans.
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