Hiking the Snow Country Trail: Joshin’etsu-Kogen National Park
Trek to the dramatic summit of Mount Tairappyo while staying at eco-lodges within Joshin’etsu-Kogen National Park. With easy access from Tokyo via bullet train, this national park encompasses five major mountain peaks formed by explosive volcanic upheavals, resulting in dramatic vistas and stunning hikes.
A portion of tour proceeds will be contributed to sustainability initiatives focused on preserving the natural environment and trails within the park.
A portion of tour proceeds will be contributed to sustainability initiatives focused on preserving the natural environment and trails within the park.
Open Dates
June ~ November
Length
3 nights, 4 days
Location
Niigata and Gunma Prefectures
Price
¥420,000~ /person
Highlights
Embark on the Snow Country Trail
The “Snow Country Trail” is a long-distance trail spanning the highlands of the national park. This region offers some of Japan's best hiking and views of natural landscapes, set in the backdrop of the distinctive culture of the “snow country.”
Memorable Stays at Traditional Eco-Lodges
Hikes will be punctuated by rejuvenating stays in traditional hot spring inns dotting the trail, including Houshi Onsen, one of the most beautiful and iconic in Japan. These inns are designed as eco-lodges, offering a full immersion into Japanese hospitality while minimizing their environmental impact on the surrounding nature.
Easy Access from Tokyo
The Snow Country Trail is just over an hour away from Tokyo by the shinkansen bullet train. This is the perfect adventure for those looking to add a multi-day national park hike and onsen experience to their Japan Itinerary.
About
This adventure offers a chance to hike and enjoy the dramatic landscape of Joshin’etsu-Kogen National Park while enjoying some of the most iconic and beautiful traditional hot spring inns in Japan.
The park’s highlands are home to some of Japan's most famous peaks, many of which have been worshipped since ancient times. You will hike to one of these peaks, Mount Tairappyo, while moving along the Snow Country Trail.
The Snow Country Trail provides a unique opportunity to explore historic trade routes, scenic landscapes, and vibrant local culture during seasons often overlooked by visitors drawn to the region's winter attractions. This adventure lets you experience a portion of the trail while relaxing in some of Japan's most renowned hot springs.
The park’s highlands are home to some of Japan's most famous peaks, many of which have been worshipped since ancient times. You will hike to one of these peaks, Mount Tairappyo, while moving along the Snow Country Trail.
The Snow Country Trail provides a unique opportunity to explore historic trade routes, scenic landscapes, and vibrant local culture during seasons often overlooked by visitors drawn to the region's winter attractions. This adventure lets you experience a portion of the trail while relaxing in some of Japan's most renowned hot springs.
What's included
- One night of accommodation in a mountain hut on Mount Tairappyo
- Three days of guided hiking by a local expert guide
- All meals throughout the experience
- All transportation by private car
Joshin’etsu-Kogen National Park
Joshin’etsu-Kogen National Park is an enormous national park spanning Gunma, Niigata and Nagano Prefectures.
As Japan’s fourth-largest national park, Joshin’etsu-Kogen is defined by its dramatic peaks and landscapes shaped by millennia of volcanic activity. While many of the park’s mountains are dormant volcanoes, Mount Asama and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane remain active, fueling the region’s renowned hot springs with their rich thermal waters.
The park’s diverse landscapes are a harmonious blend of alpine forests, serene grasslands, and striking rock faces that rise above the treeline. This dynamic environment not only offers breathtaking views but also supports a rich variety of flora and fauna for exploration.
As Japan’s fourth-largest national park, Joshin’etsu-Kogen is defined by its dramatic peaks and landscapes shaped by millennia of volcanic activity. While many of the park’s mountains are dormant volcanoes, Mount Asama and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane remain active, fueling the region’s renowned hot springs with their rich thermal waters.
The park’s diverse landscapes are a harmonious blend of alpine forests, serene grasslands, and striking rock faces that rise above the treeline. This dynamic environment not only offers breathtaking views but also supports a rich variety of flora and fauna for exploration.
Guide
CHIKAKO
Chikako is a pro snowboarder who started skiing at the age of three. She has skied across New Zealand, North America, Europe, and Japan, among other parts of the world. Her life work is travelling the world's mountains and oceans and she is passionate about nature conservation.
As an active member of UIMLA and the Japanese Mountain Guides Association, she recently delivered a presentation on Japanese mountains and nature at the 2023 UIMLA General Assembly, attended by representatives from 30 countries.
She currently lives in Niigata Prefecture and is a certified Stage II Mountain Guide by the Japanese Mountain Guides Association.
As an active member of UIMLA and the Japanese Mountain Guides Association, she recently delivered a presentation on Japanese mountains and nature at the 2023 UIMLA General Assembly, attended by representatives from 30 countries.
She currently lives in Niigata Prefecture and is a certified Stage II Mountain Guide by the Japanese Mountain Guides Association.
Itinerary
Day 1: Introduction to Snow Country Culture
Your guide will meet you at Echigo Yuzawa Station and you will introduce you to the snow country culture that exists in this region. You will have the option to visit an atelier of Echigo Jofu, a traditional hemp textile woven in Niigata Prefecture and a work of art unique to this region famous for heavy snowfall. Echigo Jofu is meticulously handmade using techniques passed down for generations and was Japan’s first ever textile to be registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. It is spread on snowfields where ultraviolet light from the sun bleaches it white.
After this cultural introduction, you will be transferred to the Kaikake Onsen eco-lodge, where you can relax in the hot springs and enjoy your dinner for the first night.
After this cultural introduction, you will be transferred to the Kaikake Onsen eco-lodge, where you can relax in the hot springs and enjoy your dinner for the first night.
Day 2: Mount Tairappyo Hike
After enjoying breakfast at Kaikake Onsen you will depart on your hike along an ancient trail that was traversed by medieval samurai. As you ascend its peaks, the scenery transitions from lush greenery to awe-inspiring vistas of jagged cliffs and expansive skies. After crossing several passes, you can enjoy a spectacular ridge to the summit of Mount Tairappyo.
On this day, you will stay at a mountain lodge where three generations of the family-run inn have worked to protect the mountain and the trail.
On this day, you will stay at a mountain lodge where three generations of the family-run inn have worked to protect the mountain and the trail.
Day 3: Trail to Houshi Onsen
After enjoying the spectacular sunrise on Mount Tairappyo, you will depart the summit after breakfast and head down the trail via the ancient path at the foot of the mountain. This ancient path in the forest is also home to the remains of medieval samurai battles, hinting at this region’s place in history.
Walking along this ancient path, you arrive at the Houshi Onsen eco-lodge which features one of the most iconic hot spring baths in Japan. Relax in the historic wooden hot springs before enjoying dinner.
Walking along this ancient path, you arrive at the Houshi Onsen eco-lodge which features one of the most iconic hot spring baths in Japan. Relax in the historic wooden hot springs before enjoying dinner.
Day 4: Relaxing Breakfast and Departure
Take in the morning while eating a relaxing breakfast served by Houshi Onsen, followed by a leisurely walk in the surrounding area before being picked up by private transfer where you will be dropped off to take a bullet train back to Tokyo.
Accommodations
On this adventure you will stay at three hot spring inn eco-lodges lining the Snow Country Trail. One of these, Houshi Onsen Chojukan, is one of the most famous in Japan. Registered as a national tangible cultural property, Houshi Onsen is an inn that dates back over 140 years, attracting renowned artists and writers with its historic charm.
Each of the accommodations have been classified as eco lodges in accordance with sustainability initiatives in this region, with a portion of proceeds to be donated to further these initiatives.