The Story of Tsunan/Matsunoyama-Onsen
This area of Snow Country is well known for its artistic pedigree and folk art has played a large role in its past. Often snowed in over long winters the local population passed the time making fantastic kimono material which was prized by city dealers who made a beeline for this area as soon as the snow melted and left the roads passable. Tokamachi holds a kimono festival each year in spring to commemorate these days and it is also the home of the biggest snow festival in the area in winter. The onsen in Matsudai are renowned for their curative powers and are in the Top 3 in Japan for these beneficial effects.
Our recommended access from Tokyo
Transportation Step1
-Take Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa. The price is 5,980JPY each way.
-By bus, take an express bus from the West Exit from Ikebukuro station in Tokyo. The express buses arrive at Yuzawa IC so if you take an express bus then we need to request a pick up service from your hotel - please let us know. The price is 3,000JPY each way.
Transportation Step2
Change from the Bullet Train to a Local bus towards 'Morimiyanohara' (for stops in the Tsunan area) from Bus Stop No.4 outside Echigo-Yuzawa Station./ Change from the Bullet Train to a Hokuhoku line (local train) towards 'Naoetsu' from the Platform No.0 in Echigo-Yuzawa Station. The price is 840JPY to Matsudai Station located near from Matsunoyama Onsen.
