June 2019 | Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan
(Originally posted on May 4, 2020)
Hello! Hope this blog post finds you happy + healthy! Today I am going to be introducing Yuzawa Kogen, a park that I visited in Japan last summer! My family had a great time there and I personally think that it’s very underrated, so why not write a blog post about it?
↳ What is Yuzawa Kogen?
Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park is a ski resort in Niigata that is repurposed as a park during the summer (from the end of April to early November, to be specific). Situated at an elevation of 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), a beautiful view awaits at the end of the ropeway ride. They offer tons of activities in all seasons and was a super fun spot to explore when we were there last June!
↳ How to get there / when to go
Yuzawa Kogen is in Echigo Yuzawa, Niigata, in Japan. we took a shinkansen (bullet train) to reach the Echigo Yuzawa Station. The ropeway station (to take you up to the park) is only a ten minute walk from the train station so it is very accessible–though the walk may take a little longer if you are going with kids. Taxis are also available if that is a better option for you! My family went in June, and we loved it! June happens to be smack dab in the middle of tsuyu, or rainy season, in Japan, so it was cloudy and humid when we visited. that made for barely any other people there, though! If you’re looking to go when it’s a little sunnier, July might be perfect (though it will get hotter)!
↳ How to get around
The park is very large, and getting around is part of what makes it such a fun place to explore. Once you reach the park via ropeway, multiple means of transportation are offered for free with your admission to the park. We took a bus and a couple of lifts (think ski lifts) once in the park. Beware if you are afraid of heights!
↳ Play + Explore
Yuzawa Kogen offers a large variety of things to do, including some paid ones, such as ziplining, summer bobsleds, and go-karts. However, we had a blast without having to spend any additional money on activities!
There are multiple playgrounds within the park, but we happened to like Gorone no Hana the most (pictured above, left). Situated in between hills, it really does seem like a playground in the clouds ☺ There was also a goat petting pen inside this corner of the park, and he was absolutely adorable (though he had no interest in us until we held up leaves for him)!
If playgrounds aren’t your thing, thank goodness Yuzawa Kogen has so much beautiful nature! There were so many trails that we had all to ourselves for the most part. We had a great time looking for pretty flowers and stunning waterfalls (I mention where to see one below)! We loved walking around Alp no Sato (pictured above, middle).
↳ What to eat
There are multiple restaurants inside the park, but we unfortunately did not get a chance to eat at them. However, we did grab some delicious gelato in the park, at a shop called Gareba House! it is located in between Gorone no Hara and Alp no Sato.
↳ Best views
One of my favorite parts about this park were exploring the beautiful views it offered. Some of the best spots for “sightseeing” were not very obvious, so I of course have to introduce them so you guys can see them for yourself! For stunning views of Yuzawa, make sure to stop at the ashiyu (a hot spring foot bath) or check out the lookout, which are both located fairly close to the ropeway station. For a glimpse at a waterfall hidden from sight, stroll through Alp no Sato for a stunning view of a (manmade) waterfall.
I hope you found this post insightful and a nice little escape from the chaos of home! Yuzawa Kogen was a perfect, hilly oasis away from the bustle of the town center and it was absolutely lovely. Hopefully you will all get to visit someday soon!!
