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Yuzawa (official full name
actually Echigo Yuzawa) is a small onsen town
located in Chuetsu region of Niigata Prefecture, just to the north of
Minakami in
Gunma Prefecture. The town only has a
population of around 9000 people, but in winter it
becomes one of the most popular and busy ski towns
in Japan. It takes only about 80 minutes
to get from central Tokyo to Yuzawa using the Joetsu
Shinkansen (bullet train), and about two hours by
car usng the Kanetsu Expressway (tollroad) from
northern Tokyo. This ease of access makes it
especially popular with visitors from the Tokyo
region, many making day trips.
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Yuzawa is well-known as the setting of Yasunari
Kawabata's prize
winning novel "Yukiguni" (Snow Country), also written
while the author was staying in the town... so the town can
perhaps claim to be the best know 'Snow Country' in Japan! The
area is home to more than 20 ski and snowboard resorts,
including the famous Naeba along with other popular large
resorts, many
if which are close to the main town area. The Naeba
area is a 30 minute or so drive from the central town area but
still within the boundaries of Yuzawa town.
Bordering Yuzawa just to the north is Minamiuonuma-shi, also
home to some major ski and snowboard resorts with some less than 10 minutes
or so from the main Yuzawa station area. |
Yuzawa is separated from Minakami town in Gunma
Prefecture, just to the
south, by the magnificent Tanigawadake mountain range.
Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma
(Niigata) and Minakami (Gunma) |
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