30 Jun Summer Heat in Yuzawa

Summer seems to have come early this year with an almost non-existent rainy season, and we’ve transitioned straight into summer heat already in June. The rice planting is finished and everywhere is green, though there are a couple of patches of snow still visible high up in the mountains surrounding Yuzawa. We are hoping for a slightly more normal summer this year, and it seems that some of the summer matsuris/festivals look likely to happen, starting with the Firefly Matsuri in Nakazato on Saturday July 2nd.

We have no idea yet what the situation will be for winter 2022/23 and are hoping that borders will be open and any restrictions will be manageable so visitors can enjoy some skiing and snowboarding. A party of foreign tourists passed through Echigo-Yuzawa Station yesterday and it made the evening news!!! We’ll definitely be offering lessons again next winter and hope to be covering all resorts in the region again. Get in touch if you have questions on anything or would like further information on skiing and snowboarding options in Yuzawa and Minami Uonuma.

If you are in Japan and heading up here for summer there should be plenty to keep you occupied. The Tourist Office outside the West Exit of the station has some top of the range electric bikes (and some lower spec ones if you just fancy pottering about.) There should be summer skiing available for some of the green season. GALA is planning to open for the summer holidays and will also be offering mountain carting which is lots of fun. The rivers and swimming holes stay cool throughout the summer, and the Aurora Leisure Pool is also a favorite with the locals. The summer activities of Minakami are a short drive or train ride under the Tanigawa range – rafting, canyoning, bungy jumping, etc

The Fuji Rock Festival is at the end of the month and will see Yuzawa overrun with music lovers again for a long weekend.

All in all it is looking like it will be a good summer, and fingers crossed that winter too brings nothing but good news.