Immerse yourself in modern art in the countryside

A full course dinner of creative cuisine at its best that incorporates many unique aspects of Yukiguni cuisine; plants and mushrooms foraged from the mountain slopes, fermented ingredients, vegetables stored under snow to bring out their flavors are just some of the local specialities. Cooking around the coals of an open hearth is a traditional technique that has been passed down through the generations at ryugon and it is used to perfectly grill the meat and fish. Each dish reveals something about the history or culture of Yukiguni and the wisdom it has taken to survive the long winters. Another source of pride of the area is the delicious local sake. These and locally produced wine are the perfect accompaniment to this feast.

A stay in ryugon is an experience in itself. The original buildings were constructed from traditional dwellings of the area and then the whole facility went through an innovative redesign. There are three types of room that all offer a different style and experience: the Villa Suite, the Classic, and the Private Villa. It is almost like staying in a museum and every guest should explore the buildings to learn their secrets. There is a POP GUIDE audio tour to help you learn about this fascinating hotel.

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Field is a huge art exhibition that sees works of modern art dotted around the rural landscape. It covers an area greater than the 23 wards of Tokyo in total spanning around 760㎢. Throughout the year you can enjoy a huge number of artworks with around two hundred on display. This day out is self-guided so take your time and immerse yourself in the contemporary art set in amongst the beautiful natural backdrop of the area.

On the second day there is a change of pace and the chance to enjoy some time in your room with a boxed dinner. Choose from ryugon's original catering service menu with Japanese, Italian, or sushi options. After a relaxing dinner head over to the bar for a nightcap and some inspiring conversation. For some real local flavor try a glass of ryugon's home-made wildflower sake blended with flowers picked in the ryugon forest.

A stay in ryugon is an experience in itself. The original buildings were constructed from traditional dwellings of the area and then the whole facility went through an innovative redesign. There are three types of room that all offer a different style and experience: the Villa Suite, the Classic, and the Private Villa. It is almost like staying in a museum and every guest should explore the buildings to learn their secrets. There is a POP GUIDE audio tour to help you learn about this fascinating hotel.

Beyond ryugon stretch rice fields as far as the eye can see and a BESV e-bike gives you the opportunity to explore the by-ways that meander around the paddies. Rice is an important part of life in the valley and the rice fields receive constant care and attention as they change throughout the seasons. Flooded with water in spring they reflect the surrounding mountain peaks. By summer they look like a sea of green with a gentle breeze making waves across their surface. In fall the valley is covered in gold and then the harvest begins and the much awaited new season's rice is ready to be enjoyed. For a bit of variation to your ride you can visit Untoan, a beautiful zen temple that is rich in history, or Bokushi-dori which sits on the old trade road and has been restored to look like a period post town.