YUZAWA TRAVEL GUIDE 🚠 | Things to do in Yuzawa + KIYOTSU GORGE and the Tunnel of Light 🌿✨

Today, we're taking you to Yuzawa, a town in the mountainous region of Niigata Prefecture, mainly known for its heavy snowfall and hot springs where we'll cover all of the top things to do in this travel guide. However, we visited in late summer, so there was no skiing for us!
Instead, we rode the ropeway up the mountain to visit an alpine botanical garden, hiked to the nearby Fudo Falls, and sampled sake at the Ponshukan Sake Museum inside Echigo Yuzawa Train Station.
We also visited lots of baths across town - hand baths, foot baths, and even a sake bath! Plus, we went on a day trip to Kiyotsu Gorge to visit the famous Tunnel of Light.
So join us in this Yuzawa travel guide for some ideas of fun things to do here on your own trip!
Things to do in Yuzawa Japan
01:01 - Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway
03:21 - Yuzawa Kogen Alpine Botanical Garden
04:55 - Hand Bath
06:25 - Foot Bath
07:45 - Chicken Katsudon and Ginger Pork
09:48 - Fudo Falls
13:28 - Nakanoya Soba Yuzawa Shop
18:52 - Ponshukan Sake Museum
24:51 - Sasa Dango
27:24 - Sake Onsen at Echigo Yuzawa Station
31:25 - Day Trip to Kiyotsu Gorge
35:35 - Tunnel of Light
40:00 - Suwa Shrine
#yuzawa #japan #japantravel
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Yuzawa, nestled in the mountainous Niigata Prefecture, is renowned for its heavy snowfall and hot springs, but our late-summer visit unveiled a different charm. As skiing wasn't an option, we embarked on a diverse exploration, starting with the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway. This scenic journey whisked us to an alpine botanical garden, a lush oasis showcasing the region's diverse flora.
Our adventure continued with a hike to the serene Fudo Falls. The cascade's natural beauty was a refreshing sight, distinct from Yuzawa's winter persona. Gastronomy was also a key part of our experience. We indulged in local delicacies like Chicken Katsudon and Ginger Pork, adding a flavorful twist to our journey. Not to be missed was the Nakanoya Soba Yuzawa Shop, where the soba noodles offered an authentic taste of Japanese culinary traditions.
The Ponshukan Sake Museum inside Echigo Yuzawa Train Station was a highlight, allowing us to sample various sakes and learn about their intricate brewing processes. Additionally, we discovered the unique pleasure of hand and foot baths across town, including a distinctive sake bath experience.
Our day trip to Kiyotsu Gorge was a journey into natural grandeur. The Tunnel of Light, a renowned attraction, presented a mesmerizing blend of art and nature. Finally, our visit to Suwa Shrine added a spiritual dimension, rounding off a trip that beautifully encapsulated Yuzawa's multifaceted allure. This Yuzawa travel guide is a testament to the town's year-round charm, offering myriad activities beyond its famed winter sports.
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[@cherylemaybury9967]

I have been following you for a few years now and don’t usually comment but I just wanted to say thank you for your beautiful scenery, for the delicious food and interesting sights. I especially want to thank you for speaking so clearly that I understand you perfectly. I used to love to travel and learn about places, especially off the beaten track. I’m too old and sick to go anywhere now so I enjoy watching travel videos. Yours are the best quality videos I have ever seen. I have also loved watching you renovate the family property in Argentina. I love when Audrey’s father comes with you as he is such a gentleman. Please keep sharing your wonderful videos. Love from Australia 😊😊😊

[@spankohyayo]

お二人の旅の記録を此れ迄も拝見して来ましたが、日本の自然と食事への愛に感銘します。日本人でも知らない日本の美に感動されていて、改めて身近にある日本の良さに気付かされました。多くの海外の方々の観光ではゴールデンルートを満喫されていますが、貴方方インフルエンサーの足跡を辿る旅を是非体感して欲しいと日本人の僕でも思いました。素晴らしい！の一言です。有難う。

[@samuelandaudrey]

温かいお言葉をいただきまして誠にありがとうございます。私たちは日本の田舎を旅して、その美しさを皆さんと共有するのが大好きです。

[@gladysherrerajoya873]

Aprendiendo, admirando y disfrutando los vídeos, muchas gracias por su profesionalismo, seriedad y amor en cada, presentación de los mismos. Saludos desde Bucaramanga, Colombia.

[@chyanpe]

この動画も楽しく見させていただきました。 久しぶりに緑豊かな湯沢温泉町を堪能しました。 日本人でありながら、なかなか行けない土地もあります。 引き続き楽しみにしていますね！ ありがとうございます😊 鶏肉と卵の丼は親子丼(チキンとエッグ)という名前ですよ~♪ 美味しさが伝わりました☺️

[@_Rich_S]

I went to Jigokudani in 2015 and saw the monkeys during the winter. Honestly it was such a beautiful experience that i cried walking back to the village. But i have to say that your footage of monkeys in the pool without snow on the ground are just amazing! When the weather is colder, steam from the onsen makes it impossible to see below the waterline. So you guys captured something that seemed really unique! I've seen the snow monkeys in the snowy wintery onsen on tv a few times since, but it never even occurred to me that it might look even better during warmer weather. Thanks for a great vid 😉

[@samuelandaudrey]

Aww, that sounds magical! I'm glad you got to see it in winter. We were debating whether it was worth going in summer and I think it was! The scenery was so lush and green, and the monkeys seemed so relaxed napping in the sunshine and splashing in the onsen. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 😊🐒

[@phiromthach550]

I came across your video looking for day trips from Tokyo. I think this will be my overnight stay for a city escape. Thanks for the video and i Subbed.

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

Great Japan series…. The small towns & neighbourhoods are so peaceful to walk around

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you! We're glad to hear you're enjoying the Japan videos.

[@virginiacorrea222]

Hermoso video!!! Súper editado y mostrando paisajes únicos. Gracias y un gran abrazo desde buenos aires. ❤

[@samuelandaudrey]

Muchas gracias, Virginia. Saludos! 😊

[@dagiminiutz]

Siempre muy felices de verlos Samuel & Audrey. Muy interesante todo su viaje a Japon. Saludos desde San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@michaelsylvester7272]

Hello to both of you- Thank you for sharing your adventures in Japan.

[@richavarghis4603]

i just wish i could travel like u guys too it will be my dream!!

[@andrecastillo6894]

Awesome, thanks!

[@clam371384]

I've been really enjoyed your Japan vids. Love how adventurous you guys are with food " I don't know what I am having but is kinda nice".

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, that was the theme of the trip. Trying new things even if we weren't entirely sure of what we were having. 😅

[@sabrinastraveladventures4263]

Lovely to see off the beaten track Japan 🇯🇵 Thank you both and look forward to see more Happy New Year Sabrina 🇬🇧🇫🇷

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Sabrina! We really enjoy visiting rural places, so we made that a priority on this trip. We've got lots of videos coming up from cute little places in the Japanese Alps. 😊

[@kurofune.uragabay]

Audrey, I know what you mean, me liky some umeshu (a.k.a Japanese plum wine. Choya is unexpensive and easy to find). And I don't know if you've heard this already but it is apparently super easy to make, I've seen a bunch of vids talking about it here on YT

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, it took me a while to figure out that I was drinking plum wine and not sake! 😅 Now I know what to look for. I'd love to learn to make wine! That's something we've talked about with Sam...perhaps a future hobby!

[@hegaukatze1599]

Do you know how i found your channel 3 years ago? I was looking for apartment tours in japan and your tokyo apartment tour was one of them. So happy i can watch japan vlogs with you again 😊 greetings from germany

[@samuelandaudrey]

A full circle moment! Glad you found us all those years ago. We've got loads of Japan videos coming up. 😊🇯🇵

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

So Good. So Comprehensive. The guide hits all the perfect notes . Arigato gozaimasu! 🙏🙏 Harriet, Jim and Yuki

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Jim and Harriet! Our favourite part of the trip was once we started travelling the small towns in rural Japan. Plenty of that coming up. I hope your 2024 is off to a great start! 😊

[@brewstergallery]

I really enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariainesvicario]

BELLEZA DE LUGARES CHICOS !!1 HERMOSO !!!!!ABRAZO Y SALUDOS !!!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Muchas gracias. Saludos! 😊

[@madeleineg2049]

Happy new year

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you! Wishing you a Happy New Year as well, Madeleine. 🎉

[@おざきいもた-m9v]

8:13 it`s called oyakodon oyako=parent and chijd chicken and egg=oyako

[@marianamorel9649]

I ve been watching all japanese videos. Japan is amazing. The landscape, the food, the people, everything so delicate and superb. The food machines, interesting, not the best option, the sake machines, a discovery, very appealling though I m not a drinker. What calls my attention is that architecture has not evolved. The combination of highways and structures and buildings from the late sixties or seventies I don t like. The culture, the manners, the hospitality outstanding. Tiny spaces, cozy but just for foreigners, not to live.

[@bertshutler5973]

wow just started watching and my Conure started screaming for my attention lol and I had to play ball with him and forgot to pause the vid, so back to the beginning :)

[@sergeykroitoruofficial]

fuji rock festival 2007 in this

[@stoneyim9751]

Typical weather in Niigata ,the sudden rain that hit you unexpectedly 😅😅😅, enjoy your stay in Niigata ❤

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, yes, we got quite a bit of rain in Niigata. One could say torrential! 😅

[@stephenjarzombek2903]

My dad took one business trip to Japan in the late 70s. The employees there took him to eat every day, and mostly to seafood restaurants, where they did all the ordering. When he asked what various items were when set in front of him, the Japanese folks often discussed among themselves how to say it in English...but always defaulted to "small sea creature"...so he still never knew what he was eating. 🤣

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, small sea creature suddenly doesn't sound all that appetizing! 😅 It reminds me of my first meal with my coworkers when I went to teach English in Korea back in the day. I was told we were going out for a very special meal and later discovered it was to eat eel!

[@thomass4785]

Green leafy Tempura looked " AoJiso" AKA " Ohba " . It is mint family herb.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Good to know! It reminded me of the perilla leaves or sesame leaves.

[@MirkoIlić-c7u]

OK, the moment of truth has arrived: this unquestionably interesting video featuring beautiful images of lush greenery and mouth-watering food has a dark secret hiding behind it: it has been edited in such a way as to conceal the fact that Audrey had no less than 17 cups of sake! It looks like she had several, but the truth is she had 17! One of the parts removed from the video is the one in which she's about to take her 16th cup and Sam tells her "I think that's enough, Audrey..." and she's like "I beg your pardon, Sam?! Then Sam says "I said that's enough." And then she says: "OMG, are you implying I have a drinking problem, Sammy boy, are you?! And Sam's like "No, woman, I just think 15 cups of sake is enough, it's too much, that's all..." And then Audrey's like "I am so sober I could name all the provinces of Argentina right now!" Then Sam says: "Oh, come on, Audrey, it's obvious you couldn't name the capital city of Argentina at this moment!" Then Audrey says: "Oh, take that back!" and Sam's like "¡Ni lo sueñes!". That reply of his was the last straw; looking at Sam with anger and determination she responds by saying: "Oh, boy, I'm definitely taking one more cup after this one! You're such a killjoy, Samuel Jeffery!" Being fully aware that insisting she should not do it, would be absolutely counterproductive, poor Sam just sighs and says to himself: "This woman's stubbornness is going to drive me to an early grave..." Joking aside, I really think your lovable personalities represent one of essential elements of these videos!

[@samuelandaudrey]

You cracked me up at, "I could name all the provinces of Argentina right now!" Really enjoying these hypothetical behind-the-scenes...or are they?! 😅

[@hermyt]

Ten minutes in and video's intro arrives. Audrey probably had the better deal during the sake onsen. The tunnel of light was very interesting.

[@carlosaretio7410]

Que espectacular es Audrey

[@kevinnaraezdragan8188]

saludos desde argentina