"From eco-lodge to eco-lodge, walking along old paths"!

We're looking for someone to monitor the tour.

Come join us on a journey along the Snow Country Trail! This special route connects two traditional hot spring inns in a national park. As you walk along spectacular ridgelines and ancient paths, you'll experience the unique nature and snow country culture created by a snowy environment that is rare in the world.

We're looking for people who can conduct and participate in a monitoring tour. Your input will be used as a reference for future trail product development.

【Open Dates】"October 21 ～ 24, 2024 "　　3 nights, 4 days

【Location】Joshinetsu National Park, Niigata and Gunma

【Price】　￥１５５，０００／person（Monitor tour special price）

　　　　（A portion of the tour fee will be allocated to trail preservation initiatives.）

【What's included】

　　Pick-up fee, accommodation fee, meals, admission fee , guide fee, insurance, trail conservation contribution.

　　※Transportation to the meeting point, transportation after the tour, drinks, etc. are not included in the tour fee.

【Meeting point】　Snow Country Tourism Activity Center

　　　　　　　　　　（Echigo Yuzawa Station West Exit）

【Meeting time】　１３：００

【Highlights】

■Snow Country Culture　　　　　　　

Experience the natural scenery nurtured by the heavy snow environment that has continued for 8,000 years, and the culture of architecture and food unique to snow country.

■Walking the Snow Country Trail　　　

Enjoy walking along the historic roads where samurai once traveled, and the spectacular ridgeline created by the rounded mountain shapes caused by periglacial action.

■Staying at a high-quality eco-lodge　　

A traditional hot spring inn surrounded by the nature of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park is also an eco-lodge that takes the environment and the local area into consideration.

■About　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

The Snow Country Trail, located on the border between Niigata and Gunma prefectures in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, is a long trail that connects the villages. It takes two days to walk from a hot spring inn on the Niigata side across the prefectural border to a hot 　spring inn in Gunma.

At the start and end of the trip, stay in a wooden inn that feels Japanese and enjoy natural hot springs and traditional local cuisine. Each inn is also mindful of energy savings, with water-cooled air conditioning and floor heating that uses hot spring heat.

【Itinerary】

　Day 1　10/21

13:00 A guide will meet you at "Snow Country Tourism Activity Center"（Echigo Yuzawa Station West Exit）and take you to the Snow Country Museum to learn about the connection between snow and culture. We will then go to the Eco Lodge in Kaigake Onsen, where we will stay for the first night. Before dinner, you will be informed about the history of the route and precautions to take when climbing the mountain. Soak in the hot spring and have a good night's rest in preparation for trekking the next day.（Around 15:00）

Accommodation：Kaikakeonsen　※This hotel is for 2 people per room.

　Day 2　 10/22

5:30 We will leave early in the morning and walk along an ancient trail that was also traveled by medieval samurai. After crossing several mountain passes, we will take the trail to the summit. It will be a long trek to the top of Mt. Tairappyo((1983.8m)On this day, we will stay at a mountain hut that has been protecting the mountain and the trail for three generations, father and son.（Around 15:30）

Mountain hut：Tairappyoyamanoie

　Day 3　10/23

7：00　After breakfast, leave the summit and head down the trail to the ancient path at the foot of the mountain. The ancient path in the forest is also home to the remains of medieval samurai battles, giving you a sense of history. Walking from the ancient path, you arrive at the Eco Lodge at the Houshi Hot Springs. Relax and unwind from your trek in the historic wooden hot springs.  （Around 14:00）                                                             

 Accommodation：Hoshionsen Choujukan　※This hotel is for 2 people per room.

　Day 4　10/24

Please relax at the traditional inn until check-out. You can also take a walk in the nature around the eco-lodge. 　Around12:00 Travel by car to Jomo-Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.

【Guide】　iida Chikako

She began skiing at the age of three and has been skiing on snowy mountains in Japan and abroad, including in New Zealand, North America, and Europe, since her late teens. Her primary primary focus is traveling to snowy mountains and seas around the world. She is a committee member of the International Mountain Leaders Association (UIMLA) of the Japan Mountain Guides Association and is also active in giving presentations on Japanese mountains and nature at the headquarters general meeting in Munich.

【Minimum number of participants】　４people

【Maximum number of applicants】　 ８ people

【Application Deadline】　October 15, 2024

【Cancellation Policy】

① Cancellation before the 8th day counting back from the day before the trip start date: Free

② Cancellation after the 7th day counting back from the day before the trip start date: 30% of the trip price

③ Cancellation the day before the trip start date: 40% of the trip price

④ Cancellation on the day the trip starts: 50% of the trip price

⑤ Cancellation after the trip has started or in case of no contact or non-participation: 100% of the trip price

【Notes】

※The course and time may change depending on the weather and other conditions.

※In the event of bad weather, the tour may be canceled. We will contact you in advance.

<Clothing and what to bring>

- Long sleeves, long pants, cold weather clothing, rain gear, gloves, hat (waterproof is better), socks, trekking shoes,wet tissues

- About 1.5L of drinking water, snacks, headlamp, cell phone and spare battery, backpack, picnic sheet, change of clothes

- Anything else you think you might need (medicine, towels, etc.)

<Useful items to bring>

- Sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, trekking poles

<How to use the mountain hut>

-The mountain hut does not have single rooms, and therefore you must share a room with several people.

-The hut does not have baths or showers, so you should take wet tissues to wipe your sweat.

-Toilets at the hut is subject to a fee, which ranges from 100 to 300 yen, so please bring some coins with you.

　Apply here　

　About　ECO LODGES JAPAN in YUKIGUNI　

　About Snow Country Trail