Staying at Hidden Onsen Ryokan in Japan’s Snow Village | Satoyama-jujo Niigata

🌟This ryokan is English friendly! A great place to get away from modern life for a few days and relax.

📌It’s Time to Travel Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1jon84Y-_3WyjALR0oQSPBDFw3KPLcLA&usp=sharing

💻Website (Thank you for the cooperation in filming!)
https://en.satoyama-jujo.com/
*This video was filmed with permission in all places including the public bath.

🗒How to book
Official: https://en.satoyama-jujo.com/
Trip.com: https://www.trip.com/hotels/minamiuonuma-hotel-detail-7018994/satoyamajujo/?Allianceid=3822208&SID=21734476&trip_sub1=&trip_sub3=D166770

🚃🚶‍♀️How to get there
About 5 minutes by reservation-based free shuttle bus from Osawa Station. Or about 20 minutes by fixed-price taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDKmyep3KwEyW4Ug7

💰Price
Total 126,246 yen (839.20 USD / € 774.43) for 2 people including dinner and breakfast.
*Prices vary depending on plan and season.

🚃JAPAN RAIL PASS is the economical and convenient means of traveling throughout Japan by rail!!
https://click.jrpass.com/aff_c?offer_id=19&aff_id=1038

⌛️Time Stamp
0:00 Opening
0:12 How to Get to the Ryokan
1:58 Ryokan Lobby
3:40 Guide to the Room
5:10 Room Tour
10:14 Public Bath and Snow Viewing Open-Air Bath
12:42 Dinner
19:26 Night Lounge
20:17 Night Room and View
21:17 Morning Snowscape
22:03 Private Open-Air Bath in Room
22:50 Original Blend Coffee
23:22 Breakfast
25:05 Check-Out Time and Experience Fee

♫Ending Music
Akira Okumura (https://lit.link/akiraxxxx)

#japantravel #onsen #snow #niigata #cc_for_subtitle

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・Titles, descriptions and subtitles done by auto translation so may not be correct.
・The price in the video uses the exchange rate at the time of editing.
・Prices may change depending on the season.
・We may be using affiliate links.

Hi! Today, we’re staying at a hot spring inn in Niigata Prefecture. First, we’re heading to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, about an hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo. There are many tunnels along the way because of the mountains. Finally out of the tunnel. And just like that, we’ve arrived at Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

Echigo-Yuzawa Station is known as a premier hot spring and ski resort in Niigata Prefecture. You can also get to the Manor House Ryokan we stayed at before from this station. Now, we’ll take the Joetsu Line from here to Ohsawa Station. Ohsawa Station is just a 10-minute train ride from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

The weather today is cloudy. Ohsawa Station is an unmanned station. “Ticket and Fare Box” There are no shops around. It’s surrounded by nature, giving it a secluded feel. We’ll head to the ryokan by taxi or reservation-only free shuttle. It’s about a 5-minute ride.

We heard that this year, there’s only about a third of the usual snow accumulation. Here. This onsen ryokan was renovated over two years from a closed business and opened in 2014. The reception building is a 150-year-old traditional house. The building is made entirely of wood, assembled without using any nails.

A 10-meter-high atrium lobby. It’s impressive. A large sculpture welcomes you. Is it supported by just one person?! There are many seats and rooms available. Let’s check in. Welcome drink and sweets. You can choose alcohol, too. This is wine. Sweet potato yokan (Japanese sweet). “Guide to Your Stay”

Seems like there are various activities to enjoy during our stay. >> Staff: This is the front desk. >> Staff: From 5:30 pm, we’ll have about six types of local sake available. Please enjoy. >> Staff: If you look behind, you’ll find the lounge. >> Staff: You can help yourself to tea, coffee, and snacks.

>> Staff: There’s also beautiful furniture, so please enjoy it with your bar time drink. >> Staff: This is the second lounge. >> Staff: We have coffee and tea, among other things. >> Staff: You can use it with the feel of being in a library.

>> Staff: This is our souvenir shop, open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. >> Staff: It has a bright atmosphere. >> Staff: We offer tea, coffee, sweets, and Niigata’s unique rice. >> Staff: Antiques are also available. >> Staff: Let’s go up to the second floor.

>> Staff: Your room 202 is on the same floor as the public hot spring. Thank you. The room type is “Maisonette With Open-air Bath.” It’s a two-story room. You can see the snowy landscape from the large window in the back. Private slippers are provided. Pure white.

You can’t go outside from here, but you can enjoy the beautiful snowy landscape. You can clearly see the mountains. Beautiful. If you look closely, you can see stink bugs on the snow here and there. The balcony has cute chairs and an open-air bath! Shower and shampoo products are also available.

The bathwater is from Osawa Mountain Hot Springs. It’s a sodium chloride and bicarbonate spring. The water is clear, with a silky feel, good for the skin. There’s a small study by the window of the room. A user guide and some books are also provided. This is a stink bug repellent kit.

This storage box is cute. Electric kettle, glasses, and a lidded cup. Original blend coffee. On the table are hot spring buns… No, they’re rice crackers. Niigata is famous for its rice. The restroom is near the entrance, spacious and clean. Electric towel warmer. It’s warm.

The wash area offers toothbrushes, cotton buds, and skincare items. There’s no handrail on the stairs to the second floor. It might be scary for those with a fear of heights. The second floor is the bedroom area. It has a tatami floor. The ceiling has thick beams, enduring the heavy snowfall every year.

There are two semi-double beds. Let’s change into the loungewear. There’s a minibar in the room corner. The wooden phone is cute. Original coffee and cups, the same as on the first floor. Safety box. You can drink the beverages in the fridge without additional charges.

The bottles are water, roasted tea, and original blend herbal tea. Let’s toast with mandarin juice and beer. The view from the second floor looks even wider. The terrace has stylish tables and a hanging chair. A small study area. There’s also a toilet and washbasin on the second floor. Clean.

Towel warmer and toothbrush, etc 👀. Almost the same amenities as on the first floor. Slippers. Soft, fabric ones. The hair dryer is by Salonia. Nice. There’s a shower room. Might not use it since there’s a hot spring. Bath towels are also available under the stairs. Let’s go to the public onsen bath.

There are two room keys, so you can carry them separately. “Hot Spring Amanogawa” Separate baths for men and women, but they switch at 10 PM. Dressing room. Nice vibe. There’s only one washbasin, but skincare and dryers are provided. Lockers with keys. Indoor bath. Of course, there are showers, and shampoo products are available.

And, there’s an open-air bath with a stunning view in the back! It’s the best. It is the same hot spring as the open-air bath in the room. It feels smooth to the touch. Here’s another open-air bath with a rotation system. A perfect, superb snow-viewing hot spring. Truly great.

An infinity bath where the edge of the bathtub is invisible. The view and water quality are really attractive. You can soak here forever… This hot spring is a must-try experience at least once in your lifetime. Free ice cream after the bath. Niigata’s local ice cream “Momotaro” and frozen oranges.

The frozen oranges were too hard to eat without waiting for a while😂. It’s time for dinner. >> Staff: I’ll guide you to your seat. Please, this way. A restaurant where you can enjoy unique meals typical of snow country. >> Staff: I’ll take you even further back, to a more exciting spot!

>> Staff: Here is your seat for today. Please come in. Thank you. >> Staff: Welcome today to Satoyama Jujo and the restaurant “Sanaburi.” >> Staff: Our restaurant is called “Sanaburi”. >> Staff: Let me introduce today’s menu. >> Staff: Could you please turn over the first page of the menu in front of you?

>> Staff: Our menu is primarily vegetable-focused. But it’s not just vegetables. >> Staff: We also have fish and there will be meat at the end. The snowman is cute. >> Staff: This is pure rice sake, exclusive to this region. >> Staff: We’ve mixed Chinese quince in syrup with soda.

>> Staff: It’s good for your throat and body. First up, sesame tofu. >> Staff: It’s freshly made and homemade. Cheers with Niigata’s sake and homemade non-alcoholic juice. Let’s eat. It’s creamy. There’s a small dollop of wasabi on the turnip. A dish made with Niigata Prefecture’s soybeans “Satoirazu.”

>> Staff: It’s made by grinding soybeans and turning them into a paste. It contains mushrooms, adding a nice texture. >> Staff: Please open the lid. >> Staff: Were you surprised by the black content? >> Staff: It’s rock seaweed. >> Staff: And on top are the roots of Japanese parsley.

>> Staff: At the bottom, there are sardine dumplings. Please enjoy it while it’s hot. The seaweed is silky. It has a gentle flavor. A dish with tempeh (Indonesian fermented soybeans). Topped with winter vegetables stored in a snow room. Ah. Crab. >> Staff: Next is something interesting.

>> Staff: It’s called “kajika,” a river fish. >> Staff: This one is adult-sized. >> Staff: Kajika is caught by plunging hands into the cold river during this season. >> Staff: It’s considered a fish for entertaining important guests. Wrap it like a seaweed roll to eat.

The Niigata sushi rolls are characterized by having walnuts inside. The rice is cooked in a clay pot right at your table. When it starts bubbling, open the lid once. >> Staff: The reason we open the lid now is for “tenchikaeshi.” >> Staff: It’s to mix the rice thoroughly by flipping it over.

>> Staff: This prevents the bottom from burning and ensures even heating. >> Staff: We’ll close the lid immediately. >> Staff: Now, we’ll simmer it gently. About 5 minutes later… >> Staff: Now we stop the fire. The cooking is finished. >> Staff: We’re evaporating the moisture.

>> Staff: But please try a spoonful right now. >> Staff: At first glance, the rice might seem a bit watery and shiny. >> Staff: It might seem a bit like porridge… but it’s different when you eat it. >> Staff: It’s very hot. It’s al dente. It has sweetness and texture, very good.

A dish with a fish called mahata. The flavor makes sake even more enjoyable. Minami Uonuma rice is especially famous in Niigata for its taste. Served with a dish of wild boar meat. Soft and crumbly texture. The rice is sweet and chewy, truly delicious.

Once you’re used to this, regular rice might not satisfy you anymore. Rice can be refilled. Any leftovers can be made into rice balls for you to take back as a late-night snack. The final dessert. This herbal tea smelled so good and was very tasty. Kiwi and amber sugar. (ASMR).

This is sweet bean paste. Though the menu was quite unique compared to typical ryokan meals. Everything was good. Thank you for the meal. The reception table offers free drinks at night. There’s plenty of local sake, but I wonder if it’s too much… It’s hard to decide.

Ended up choosing yuzu green tea. Looks good. A Belgian-made wood stove. So warm. A soothing night. We’re back. This is what our room looks like at night. You can roam the inn in just socks, a common way to relax at home in Japan. Curious about the outside view. It’s nice without unnecessary lights.

It’s cold outside. Made me realize how warm and cozy it is indoors. Apparently, the building is insulated with the best materials. Getting ready for bed and soon saying goodnight. Good morning. Woke up to it snowing! The heavy snow season is from late January to February. Last year it piled up over four meters.

This year has been a warm winter. A snow hut in the making. Now, let’s go into the room’s open-air bath. It’s just the right size for one adult. Hahaha. The source temperature is low, so it’s heated and kept warm with a circulation system. Thanks to that, the water temperature is just perfect.

Inn’s original blend coffee. Enjoying the outside view from the warm comfort of our room. Time for breakfast. Add as many ingredients as you like to the boiling broth. Once the ingredients are warm, turn off the heat and dissolve the miso. Miso soup is done! Breakfast is a Japanese meal full of Niigata vegetables.

It tastes gentle on the body, giving a healthy feeling. Good. Pickles are winter survival foods, key to the region’s culture. Tottoko eggs. How cute name. A beautiful pale yellow color. We had a choice between white rice and brown rice. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Check-out is by 11 am. It’s nice to be able to take it slow. The food, facilities, and service… It was a very good stay. Its unique Niigata experiences and English friendliness explain the many repeat visitors. The total for two was 126,246 yen (839.20 USD / € 774.43). Thank you for watching this far.

If you found this video soothing, please subscribe, like, and comment. See you next time.