sightseeing
no matter what time of year
you visit satoyama jujo,
there is no lack of things to do
and places to see nearby.
No matter what time of year you visit Satoyama Jujo, there is no lack of things to do and places to see nearby. In winter, skiers and snowboarders will love the easy access to several ski slopes only 30 minutes’ drive away. Also about 40 to 50 minutes away by car are a couple local sake breweries where you can sample sakes made from some of Japan’s best rice and pristine natural spring water. Another interesting attraction is the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, where you can find pieces of contemporary art and sculptures amid the natural landscapes. Related events are held year-round, and an art triennale occurs once every three years.
Hakkaisan
Located at the foot of its namesake Mt. Hakkai, Hakkaisan was founded in 1922 and has since become one of Japan’s premier sake breweries. You can stop by the recently updated brewery complex for a tour, which will take you through the yukimuro, a modern take on the traditional Niigata-style snow-cooled storehouse. Tours last about 15 minutes and end with a sake tasting.
Aoki Shuzo
Founded in 1717, Aoki Shuzo is located in a period building on Bokushi-dori St. It is known for its Kakurei brand, an award-winning dry yet sweet sake that embodies the flavor of the delicious local rice and fresh mountain water. Sparing no expense on the best ingredients, this is the same sake that we use in our kitchen at Satoyama Jujo.
Art curator and Niigata native Fram Kitagawa established the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field as a way to revitalize the region through art. Applying his experience from the now-famous island of Naoshima and associated Setouchi Triennale, he turned the entire region into an open-air gallery featuring works by Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, and other contemporary artists from around the globe. The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, which has been held every three years since 2000, has since grown into one of the largest art events in the world.