A unique guesthouse in Japan’s snow country

Art, meditation, light, and shadows

East meets West at Niigata’s House of Light, a singular work of art and lodging all in one. Artist James Turrell united skylights and fiber-optics with Japanese touches like shoji screens and outside porches to create an immersive experience meant to catalyze discussion and meditation amongst guests. 

The House of Light was featured on the unique stage of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. The facility caters to both stayover guests and day-trippers, with reservations easily booked online in English. 

The surrounding city of Tokamachi is worth exploring, with art museums showcasing everything from the most impressive prehistoric pottery collection in Japan to contemporary masterworks. It is home to healing hot spring waters and stunning scenes of nature, including virgin beech forests, spectacular gorges, and some of Japan’s most beautiful tanada—terraced rice fields. With car-rental agencies and sightseeing taxi services available, it’s easy to see it all. Then for dinner, why not try some of the best rice in Japan while sipping some of Niigata’s sublime sake?

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (about one hour 15 minutes), then transfer to the Hokuhoku Line to Tokamachi Station (about 30 minutes) and take a taxi to the House of Light (about 20 minutes).

House of Light