Activities Matsunoyama Onsen Royal Backcountry Rufus Starbuck A backcountry ski tour retracing a route taken by an Imperial party in the 50s leaving from Matsunoyama Onsen Ski Area, throu...
Culture Bishamondo Naked Man Festival, Urasa 2027 Rufus Starbuck The Naked Man Festival at Urasa's Bishamondo is one of the top bizarre festivals in Japan and a wonderful night out each year...
Activities Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort - Niigata Sarah Chaney With a large number of slopes, breathtaking scenery, and a European style resort and hotel, Joetsu Kokusai is highly recommen...
Accommodation Maruyama Onsen Kojyokan, Ishiuchi Rufus Starbuck Kojyoukan is an old ryokan in Ishiuchi. The outside is old and striking whereas the inside has a modern, stylish look but sti...
Culture The Ito Mansion Alexis Guiral A description of my experience at the Ito mansion in Niigata prefecture. This is a translation of my previous article, approv...
Spontaneous Day Trip to Murakami Bridget Ye As with quite a few places in Japan I visited, Murakami was a spontaneous visit. I’ll admit, I decided to get off the train a...
Culture Niigata's Ancient Flame-shaped Pots Rufus Starbuck Amazing pottery from 5,000 years ago. The birth of art in Japan. Flame-shaped pottery from the Shinano River area of Niigata.
Food Gastro-Tourism in Snow Country Rufus Starbuck Learn about Snow Country food culture as a local guide takes you foraging for mushrooms in the forests and mountains of Yuzaw...
Activities Fuji Rock Festival 2016 Jerome Lee Fuji Rock Festival 2016, had its 20th anniversary this year at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata prefecture. Headliners...
Culture Echigo Tsumari Art Field Sophia Warren Nestled out in the countryside of Niigata prefecture, Echigo Tsumari does not seem to be frequented by foreign travelers in t...
