With Onsen and Serenity for the Soul, Our 12 Best Ryokans & Hotels in Echigo Yuzawa

When you are busy with "things you have to do" every day, you may think, "I want to change my mind once in a while!" In such a case, how about going to Echigo Yuzawa, onsen area that is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area? It is an elegant onsen resort that was the stage of Yasunari Kawabata's masterpiece "Snow Country", but it is easily accessible from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen, about 80 minutes one way. Even if you are busy with work or home, you can go out and refresh yourself.

In addition to onsen, rich gourmet food is one of the city's attractions. There are many delicious local foods such as vegetables grown in snowmelt water, rice, sake, and seafood from the Sea of Japan. In addition, there are various large and small slopes around JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, where you can enjoy winter sports in winter. onsen after exercising are exceptionally comfortable! You can refresh your mind and body.

In this article, we will introduce recommended onsen ryokan and hotels in the charming Echigo Yuzawa area. We have selected it with attention to the relaxing atmosphere for adults, soothing service, and cleanliness. Please refer to it when you want to refresh yourself.

"HATAGO Isen" is ryokan full of taste, reminiscent of an old-fashioned "hatago". It is both retro and modern in convenience, and you can relax comfortably in a stylish space. The compact size of the 16 rooms in total and the ease of access, which is just a short walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, are also appealing.

There are various types of guest rooms, such as rooms with a study and rooms with a DVD player. If you want to thoroughly enjoy the hot onsen, we recommend a room with an open-air bath that flows directly from the source. After taking a bath, enjoy beer or hot sake on the small porch. The room is equipped with internet and has a table counter, so you can spend a fulfilling stay.

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The hearth next to the front desk is also a recommended place. The old-fashioned atmosphere will soothe your soul. How about taking a break here when you arrive or after enjoying onsen in the public bath? If you sit around the irori fireplace, your little time will become a wonderful memory.

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At the cafe ``Mizuya'' on the first floor, you can enjoy a rare onsen coffee (Onsen Coffee) made with onsen water from Echigo Yuzawa. Apparently, by slowly drinking coffee in onsen water, the amount of caffeine extracted is reduced. It's easy to drink even for those who want to drink coffee but are concerned about caffeine♪ The ``Yuzawa Ruuro'' roll cake made with Koshihikari rice flour from Uonuma is also delicious. Let's have a wonderful tea time.

"HATAGO Isen" is also a restaurant where you can stay overnight. "Murangottsu" located within the hotel is a restaurant that mainly uses ingredients from Uonuma. The cuisine, which takes advantage of the natural flavors of the ingredients and adds a unique twist, is something out of the ordinary. I'm sure it will relieve your daily fatigue.

About a 3-minute walk from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, Yukemuri no Yado Yukinohana is a modern Japanese onsen inn managed by Kyoritsu Resort. The inside of the hotel has a stylish and natural atmosphere, so even women traveling alone can feel at ease. From the hallway to the floor of the large public bath, the floor is tatami, so you can relax comfortably with your bare feet.

Another recommended point is that the bath is fully equipped. The large public bath "Hanayama no Yu" on the top floor has a variety of facilities, including an open-air bath with a sleeping bath, a radium bath, and a dry sauna. There are also three private baths available for free, and you can take a bath whenever they are available. All of them have stylish designs that will make you feel good while bathing onsen. After your bath, enjoy a complimentary popsicle.

There are 86 rooms in total, including ``special rooms'' with natural onsen open-air baths, and 4 types of rooms. Each has a comfortable floor plan with a low bed and living space, and a stylish design that combines Japanese and Western styles. You can also enjoy natural onsen in the guest room baths on the upper floors. All rooms are equipped with coffee grinders and coffee beans, so you can enjoy freshly ground coffee whenever you like. Looks like you'll have a relaxing time.

Dinner is a gorgeous Japanese multi-course meal. Breakfast is a Japanese set meal with Koshihikari from Uonuma, cooked in an old-fashioned large furnace. The meal "Seppuan" is separated by a wall or partition for each seat, so you can enjoy the meal at a reasonable distance without worrying about the gaze of other guests.

The meal has a ``sake tasting area,'' where you can choose local sake from Niigata for dinner. Why not try out different drinks to go with your food? If you find your favorite brand, it's a good idea to buy it as a souvenir to take home.

Shiki Yuzawa QUATTRO, which is about a 5-minute walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, has a stylish space that makes it hard to believe that it is a onsen inn. The refined interior won the Good Design Award in 2013. Western-style rooms are more relaxing than Japanese-style rooms, and are perfect for those who like an urban atmosphere.

There are only 4 rooms, and all of them are equipped with an open-air bath with free-flowing hot springs floating on the waterside and an indoor bath surrounded by glass. The unique design will give you an extraordinary feeling. There are three types of room wear: bathrobes, yukata, and Samue. It's nice to be able to wear a bathrobe after a bath and a monk's work clothes when relaxing.

All guest rooms are maisonettes, with an open-air bath, dining room, and bedroom on the first floor, and a living room, minibar, and terrace on the second floor. After bathing, why not enjoy a drink from the mini-bar while enjoying the night breeze on the terrace? A coffee machine, BOSE audio system, 50-inch TV, and other fixtures and facilities are available. You can enjoy your leisure time.

For dinner, we had a Japanese-Western fusion banquet using Uonuma koshihikari rice, seafood from the Sea of Japan, wild vegetables, etc. Fresh sashimi and Niigata sake go perfectly together.

About a 5-minute walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, Shosenkaku Kagetsu is a Japanese-style hot onsen ryokan with a relaxing atmosphere. You can enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets at a chair-style tea ceremony called “Hotaru-an”, or take a leisurely look at the courtyard where carps swim. You will have a peaceful time. There is also a dedicated drying room in the building, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy skiing in Echigo Yuzawa.

There are 28 rooms in total. We have a stylish ``Modern Japanese Room'', an elegant ``Standard Japanese Room'', and a limited number of 5 guest rooms with open-air baths. Each guest room with an open-air bath has a different floor plan, so choose the room that suits you best. ``Saramachi Tsuki'' is impressive with blinds that let in just the right amount of natural light. ``Nemachi Tsuki'' has a deck terrace and a small garden, and you can also enjoy in-room dining.

The hot water in the open-air bath in the guest room is free-flowing from the source, so you can enjoy fresh natural onsen whenever you like. The design of the bathtub varies depending on the room, such as a stone semi-open-air bath, a cypress barrel bath, and a bath connected to the terrace. Enjoy a relaxing time in a bath full of emotion.

We also recommend the large hot onsen baths, "Garden Bath Iroha no Yu" and "Cypress Bath Hoheto no Yu." Despite being an inn with 28 rooms, it is spacious enough to stretch out and soak in the natural onsen. How about enjoying a taste different from that of the open-air bath in your room?

You can enjoy rice, vegetables, and seafood from Niigata. With a seasonal menu, you will be able to feel the deliciousness of the four seasons of Niigata.

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A unique inn where you can experience the rich charm of Satoyama from various angles such as space, art, and food. You can enjoy an experience that not only heals your fatigue, but also enriches your heart. About 20 minutes by taxi from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station. In a location where you can feel close to nature, the view from the open-air bath "Milky Way" and some of the guest rooms is as open as possible.

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The hot spring "Amanokawa" overlooks mountains with an altitude of 2000m, including Makihatayama, one of Japan's 100 famous mountains. In the open-air bath, you can take a bath while looking at the sky full of stars at night and the mountain range shining in the morning sun, and your fatigue and stress will be blown away. The hot water is Osawayama onsen, and the spring quality is smooth like a beauty essence and moisturizes your skin.

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There are a total of 13 guest rooms. There are various types of rooms, including renovated wooden buildings and detached buildings, and all of them have sophisticated interiors. There are rooms with private open-air baths where you can have the spectacular view all to yourself, and rooms with large desks that are perfect for solo travelers or workcations. Please choose the room that suits your travel situation.

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Dinner is different from Japanese food at a typical ryokan. Based on the cultural theme of "Sanaburi", which is held after rice planting at a farmhouse, it is a dish full of nourishment that mainly consists of wild plants and vegetables. How about enjoying the Niigata climate while feeling the atmosphere of the dining room in a renovated 150-year-old traditional Japanese house?

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About 30 minutes by courtesy car from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station. Nestled in the countryside, Ryugon Ryugon is a high-class onsen inn with several old folk houses on a vast site of about 1,500 tsubo. The interior, which was renovated in 2019, has a modern atmosphere while retaining the charm of an old private house. Enjoy a walk, immerse yourself in a book in a comfortable lounge, or soak in a hot onsen. You can enjoy your own time in a special space like no other.

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There are many unique facilities within the hotel, including the ``Irori Lounge'' where you can freely enjoy drinks and sweets, the ``Doma'' where local grandmothers prepare ingredients, and the ``Garden Lounge'' where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Sakado. Why not feel free to explore the premises as if you were traveling to another world? It is also recommended to participate in seasonal experience programs such as ``doma cooking'' and ``picking wild vegetables.'' You will have a memorable time.

There are a total of 30 guest rooms, including detached houses of about 55 to 92 square meters, Japanese-style rooms renovated from the mansions of village headmen and wealthy farmers from the 1800s, and traditional houses with gardens perfect for long-term stays or group stays. We also recommend borrowing a sutra copying set to spend a peaceful stay.

The waters of "Ryugon" are from Muikamachi onsen and are gentle on the skin. You can enjoy them in the large bath built in a storehouse. From the open-air rock bath, you can see the ruins of Sakado Castle, a nationally designated cultural property, and the mountains, which will evoke a sense of travel. You will feel like you have traveled back in time, experiencing an extraordinary experience.

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The theme of the cuisine is "Snow Country Gastronomy." Not only do they use ingredients from Niigata, but they also offer fermented foods and vegetables preserved in snow rooms, giving you a taste of the local food culture. For dinner, you can enjoy piping hot fish and meat dishes that have been carefully cooked on the hearth in the center of the dining room. The lively presentation makes the food taste even more delicious.

"Hotel Futaba" is a large Japanese-style ryokan located about 10 minutes on foot from JR "Echigo Yuzawa Station". There are a total of 28 types of baths, including private baths, cave baths, and large baths. Recommended for those who want to enjoy the hot springs at their leisure. "Sora no Yu" on the top floor is an open-air bath with a spectacular view, where you can enjoy a relaxing onsen bath while gazing at the panoramic view of the town of Yuzawa and the Tanigawa mountain range.

There are 78 guest rooms in total. Niigata There is a wide variety of room types, including stylish Japanese/Western-style rooms with a theme of traditional fabrics from the traditional textile industry of Japan, 29 rooms with an open-air bath, and standard Japanese-style rooms. You can enjoy your stay in a style that suits you.

If you are going to stay overnight, we recommend a room with an open-air bath. The baths in the guest rooms are not onsen, but couples and friends can soak in them without hesitation, so you'll definitely be satisfied. Enjoy an elegant adult moment while relaxing your daily fatigue.

In meal, you can enjoy it in a private space such as the private dining room "Hanareki" and the Japanese-style room "Manyo Koji" for 2~10 people. Dinner is a voluminous Japanese multi-course dinner using Niigata ingredients carefully selected by the head chef. You can fully enjoy seasonal Japan seafood and delicious vegetables grown in melted snow.

"Ichibo Senri Oyuyado Nakaya" is an inn with a refreshing view. It is located on a hill about 3 minutes by car from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and you can see the cityscape and mountains of Yuzawa from the observation bath and guest rooms. It is best for those who want to enjoy a sense of openness and those who want to spend a leisurely time surrounded by beautiful scenery.

If you want to enjoy some private time, we recommend the various types of rooms with open-air baths. The natural onsen are different from those in the large public bath, so why not try comparing the different baths?

"Yusui" is a spacious Japanese-style room of about 17.5 tatami mats, and you can feel the atmosphere of a Japanese ryokan. You can see the night view of Yuzawa and the Shinkansen bullet train outside the window, giving you an extraordinary feeling. How about enjoying a relaxing time while gazing at the romantic night view?

The hotel has large public baths for men and women with plenty of openness. The open-air bath with a view has an outstanding sense of openness, befitting the name of the inn, "Ichibo Senri". If you soak in the hot water flowing directly from the source while looking at the majestic Tanigawa mountain range, your daily stress will be blown away. There is also a sleeping bath and a low-temperature sauna, so you can enjoy a fulfilling bath time.

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meal, up to 4 people will be in the room, and 5 or more people will be in the meal room. In the evening, dishes are mainly Japanese cuisine using Niigata ingredients. The menu changes every two months, so you can enjoy the seasonal taste of Niigata. Among them, the "Echigo Mochi Pork Spare Ribs" is a menu that the inn is proud of. The three flavors of sesame, soy sauce, and miso change every season, and it goes well with Koshihikari from Uonuma. Delicious food will be a good memory of your trip.

"Echigo Oyado Inamoto" is a hot onsen hotel with an unpretentious and relaxing atmosphere. The convenient location, about 2 minutes walk from the west exit of JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, is also attractive. Even if it is your first time traveling to Echigo Yuzawa, you will be able to arrive with peace of mind. When you arrive at the inn, take a break in the atrium lobby overlooking the Japanese garden. Soothe the fatigue of your trip while drinking coffee at the on-site cafe lounge "Tanpopo."

There are 50 rooms in total, and there are various types such as rooms with onsen baths, twin rooms with a raised space, and traditional Japanese rooms. The “Japanese-Western style room with free-flowing hot spring bath” is impressive with stylish Asian-style furniture. There is also a cypress onsen bath, so you can enjoy a onsen bath whenever you like. It is also a nice point that amenities such as cleansing and lotion are prepared.

On the 1st floor, there is an indoor bath "Yamate no Bocha" with a sauna and baths with different temperatures, and on the 3rd floor there is an open-air bath "Koshi no Bocha" with a 100% free-flowing source. There are separate baths for men and women, so you can enjoy touring the hot springs without worrying about when to switch. You can see the Echigo mountain range from the open-air bath and feel refreshed. The warmth of the wood is comfortable and relaxing.

Meals are served at meal room or restaurant. For dinner, the menu is centered on Japanese cuisine that emphasizes the sense of the season. The ingredients of Niigata are cooked in a unique Niigata way, and it goes well with the local sake of Tanreishokuchi and the kettle-cooked Koshihikari rice from Uonuma. Their specialty, “Crab Miso Mousse Steamed Egg Custard”, is an addictive dish with a fluffy texture and rich flavor. It is also attractive that you can enjoy it at a temperature that matches the season, such as cold in the summer and hot in the winter.

It is an inn written by Yasunari Kawabata's masterpiece "Snow Country", which begins with a beautiful line, "When you pass through the long tunnel at the border, you reach the snow country." There are various highlights in the museum, such as exhibition rooms related to works, so you can immerse yourself in the world of literature. There are a total of 34 rooms, all of which are Japanese-style rooms that are filled with travel sentiment. From the upper floors, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tanigawa mountain range and the townscape of Yuzawa, giving you a sense of openness.

In the men's and women's large communal baths, you can enjoy 100% source "Tamago no Yu" without circulation or filtration. You can refresh your mind and body with the smooth texture of the hot water. The women's bath has an open-air bath, so you can bathe while gazing at the scenery of the four seasons.

After taking a bath, how about relaxing and immersing yourself in the world of literature in the study-like library? With hundreds of books, you are sure to find one that interests you. It seems to be a book of memories of the trip.

It is also best to wear a yukata and walk around the museum. The Kasumi-no-ma, where Yasunari Kawabata wrote his novel "Snow Country," is still preserved, and guests can tour it for free. There is a theater room next to it, where the movie "Snow Country" is screened (by reservation only). You will have a fulfilling time.

The menu focuses on Japanese cuisine, using plenty of ingredients from Niigata. Both breakfast and meal are served at the restaurant. What you want to thoroughly enjoy is the special A grade Koshihikari from Minamiuonuma. By cooking it in an old-fashioned pot, it is said to have a fluffy and chewy texture.

NASPA New Otani, located about a 3-minute drive from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, is a resort hotel where you can casually enjoy skiing. The on-site ski slope is very convenient and safe, as you can return to the hotel no matter which course you ski on. There are plenty of seasonal activities, such as an indoor pool, SUP (stand-up paddle board), and four-wheeled buggies, so you're sure to have a fulfilling time.

There are 214 guest rooms in total. There are various types of rooms, such as luxurious suites, modern family rooms with a blend of Japanese and Western styles, and rooms where you can stay with your dog. All rooms are designed with a calm atmosphere. After enjoying skiing and other activities, stretch your legs on the tatami mats and take a breather while enjoying the seasonal scenery from the windows.

You can also enjoy the magnificent natural scenery in the spacious natural hot onsen bath of about 250 tsubo. There are also open-air baths where you can feel the clear air of Echigo Yuzawa, and two types of private baths that flow directly from the source. The women-only collagen machine makes your whole body glow just by sleeping. Please heal your body and mind.

The hotel is fully equipped with four restaurants serving Western, Japanese and buffet cuisine, a garden BBQ, as well as a cafe and bar. At the buffet, you can enjoy New Otani's traditional roast beef, sweet red snow crab, sushi made by a skilled chef, and more. No reservations are required, so you can enjoy the luxury of indulging in as much of your favorite food as you like! (*Please note that it may not be available depending on the congestion situation on the day.)

Located just a two-minute walk from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, Yuzawa Grand Hotel is a onsen ryokan with easy access that offers a variety of ways to spend your time. The hotel has a ski rental room, a games corner, a karaoke bar, a lounge, and more, so you can enjoy your resort stay both indoors and outdoors. There are a total of 84 guest rooms, with a variety of styles including Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western style rooms, and special rooms. Some rooms even have an open-air bath. Enjoy the open-air bath all to yourself and refresh yourself from the fatigue of everyday life.

There are many other baths such as "Kiri no Yu" where you can enjoy the scenery of the bamboo grove and "Iwa no Yu" where you can feel the four seasons of Echigo Yuzawa. The winter snow baths unique to Echigo-Yuzawa, which is a heavy snowfall area, are also unique. There are various baths in the hotel, so you can relax your mind and body by visiting the baths while enjoying the different baths.

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Depending on the day, dinner will be either a Japanese, Western, or Chinese buffet or a Japanese kaiseki meal. About 50 kinds of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes are lined up at the buffet venue, and there is also a live kitchen where you can enjoy freshly prepared hot dishes. Savor the happiness of having freshly prepared authentic dishes. Please check the buffet calendar on the official website for the date of the buffet.

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On the Japanese Kaiseki days, you can enjoy colorful dishes made with an abundance of seasonal ingredients. Enjoy the seasons with dishes such as the "Botan Kaiseki" in winter and the "Violet Kaiseki" in summer, and be full of spirit. In addition to the Kaiseki, you can also order dishes such as "Boat-shaped platter" and "Heart-boiled local fish."

We introduced recommended onsen ryokan and hotels in the Echigo Yuzawa area where adults can relax. It's a onsen area with good transportation, so it's recommended to find your favorite inn and repeat it. If you have a place where you can refresh yourself when you're tired, you'll be able to get through the busy season. Please enjoy a relaxing time in Echigo Yuzawa.