Up the ropeway
After lunch we walked to the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway, right in town. ¥6,800 for the two of us, up and back.
The town disappears into the snow on the way up.
Playing in the snow
At the top it was just white. Rilakkuma got planted in a snowdrift first.
Then the photoshoot. Minmin wanted the lift.
A coffee to warm up (¥550), and back down.
The trees on the way back down:
Down at the bottom is the Yuzawa Kogen ski base, where we watched people come down the slopes, and a snowy tunnel back to town.
Then the tunnel back to town.
Checking in
Back at the ryokan our room was ready: tatami, futons, and tea with a sweet waiting on the table.
Snowboard rental
We sorted out snowboard gear for the next two days at a rental shop in town: boards, boots, jackets, pants, helmets and goggles for ¥19,600.
The private onsen
The ryokan has private onsen you can book: a wooden tub in a little garden, with snow falling on you. Very good.
Then into the yukatas for dinner.
Sobadokoro Shimbashi
Dinner was soba at Sobadokoro Shimbashi. This area is known for hegi soba, served on a wooden tray. With tempura. ¥4,488 for two.
Tomorrow: our first day on a snowboard. Onward to Gala Yuzawa!
Information About the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway
A big ropeway right in Echigo-Yuzawa town, up to the Alp no Sato area and the Yuzawa Kogen ski slopes. A 10-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.