Immerse yourselves in the Echigo-Tsumari region, where art and nature co-exist, and truly feel that art is around you. Located south of Niigata, witness approximately 200 permanent artworks, in various museums and buildings scattered throughout the region’s 760-kilometre landscape, which is divided into 6 areas. These art pieces, made by both Japanese and foreign artists, were inspired by the local culture and nature of Niigata – famous for its high-quality rice and sake – to add more value to its rural untouched beauty. Various artists have contributed their artworks to represent the symbiotic relationship of human beings to nature.
Aside from art and nature, Echigo-Tsumari’s culture also makes it unique as locals live a sustainable lifestyle co-existing with nature called satoyama. The artworks dotted across 200 villages also serve as landmarks to further enhance the essence of satoyama. It also helped strengthen the sense of community as volunteers of young and old collaborate with artists to create these pieces. The satoyama lifestyle along with the scenic landscapes, small villages, and terraced fields will provide you the opportunity to appreciate the simple things in life.
Price
Adult: 2,500 yen (1,500 yen worth of coupons included); Child (7 – 15 years old): 1,000 yen (500 yen worth of coupons included) *ticket pricing is subject to season
Address
Echigo-Tsumari Region, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours
10:00 – 17:00 *times vary depending on the museum/facility
Website
https://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/en/
Contact
+81 025 761 7767
How to get there
By train and from Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen until Echigo-Yuzawa Station (approximately 1.5 hours), then transfer to Hokuhoku Line and get off at Tokamachi City (30 minutes).
By car and from Tokyo, follow Kanetsu Expressway to Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC, and continue to National Route 353 until Tokamachi City. Alternatively, following Kanetsu Expressway take Muikamachi IC, then continue to National Route 253 until Tokamachi City.
