On 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th of January each year Tokamachi hosts a traditional craft market, the Chinkoro Market. It’s roots go back to...

Bokushi Street in Shiozawa is a recreation of an Edo era post town along the Mikuni Highway. The buildings have old-style facades and the...

There are several places in Japan that are on most people’s “must visit” lists. There are many, many more places deserving of time and...

A short walk from Urasa Station is a small temple complex. If you didn’t know it was there it would be easy to walk past it. Follow the...

Hiking in Japan is a pleasure. It is a country of outstanding natural beauty, and the big changes between seasons means that the views...

This is simply one of the most amazing places to visit. Saifukuji Temple in Uonuma can be the highlight of any trip. The inside of the...

Eirinji Temple is an old temple in Uonuma, probably most well known for its carvings by Uncho Ishikawa. He carved the transoms between...

Morimiyanohara Station is a quaint little JR station in Sakae Village, Nagano. It is very different from the hustle and bustle of a town...

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Field is an amazing project that sees works of art dotted around the Tokamachi area. Old schools, rice terraces,...

Kyororo is an amazing facility in Matsunoyama. The building itself is part of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field and is a huge iron structure...

Bijin Bayashi is a beautiful beech forest in Matsunoyama. All the trees were planted at the same time so have a uniform size that is very...

The changing of the seasons is very noticeable in Japan and autumn brings with it some amazing scenery as the leaves change color. Snow...

The Snow Country Tourism Zone, or Snow Country Region is an area on the main island of Japan to the north west of Tokyo. It is made up of...