7 Activities Leaving Gunma via the SCT C. Rio Following the Snow Country Trail from Gunma to Niigata, I managed to snag a sweet campsite with spectacular views down into t...
8 Activities Neaba Valley to Saragakyo Valley C. Rio This summer I set upon the goal of trying to hike all the parts of the Snow Country Trail, the 280 mile loop that connects th...
Food Patisserie Sphere in Yuzawa Rufus Starbuck Most new builds out in this part of the countryside seem to be old peoples' homes these days, so it was with some excitement ...
7 Activities Sunset Hike up Tanigawadake C. Rio It was late afternoon and the weather was too good not to try to head up into the mountains. Tanigawadake from a distance wa...
Food Urajiro Restaurant in Shukuyu no Yu Rufus Starbuck An onsen and art gallery just past Tashiro Ropeway but the real find is a little restaurant inside serving great Thai food.
Culture Exploring Echigo Tsumari Art Field Rufus Starbuck Echigo Tsumari Art Field is a massive exhibition with lofty ideals of reconnecting art and nature. All the works are dotted a...
Culture Michelangelo of Echigo Alena Eckelmann In search of a master carver in Japan whose skills equaled those of Michelangelo
Culture Bokushi Street in Shiozawa Manish Prabhune If you want to time travel to the Edo period and experience its architectural beauty, Shiozawa in Niigata should be on your r...
Food Badbest Sports Bar in Yuzawa Rufus Starbuck Huge sports bar, restaurant and event space on the road out of Yuzawa that fills a hole in the nightlife of the town. Food, d...