Uonuma Water Corridor: 3-Day Private Tour Tracing Japan’s Purest Waterways

• Table of Contents
• Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture: A town of gentle water nurtured by abundant nature
• Learn about the benefits of the gentle waters of the Echigo Sanzan mountains
• Explore the magnificent nature of Okutadami Dam and its water source
• Enjoy the magnificent blessings of nature in this gentle water town.

Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture: A town of gentle water nurtured by abundant nature

Uonuma City is located in the southeastern part of Niigata Prefecture, and is an area that spreads out around the Uonuma Basin. This basin is surrounded by high mountains and has a rich natural environment. The area is blessed with a climate that changes with the seasons, and in summer the highest temperatures are recorded in Niigata Prefecture, and the heat can be particularly severe. On the other hand, the winters are very cold and the area is known for its heavy snowfall, with snowfall sometimes exceeding three meters. The heavy snowfall creates beautiful snowy scenery, and skiing and playing in the snow are popular winter activities.

Uonuma City is also famous as a rice-producing region, and "Uonuma Koshihikari" in particular is widely recognized as a high-quality brand of rice.

The secret to the deliciousness of Uonuma Koshihikari rice is the meltwater from the surrounding mountains. This meltwater is an important factor in nurturing Uonuma's rich natural environment. In this article, we will introduce you to the spots you can visit on a private guided tour where you can learn about the blessings of water that have nurtured the rich natural environment of Uonuma City.

Click here to apply for a private guided tour

Learn about the benefits of the gentle waters of the Echigo Sanzan mountains

The Echigo Sanzan mountains (Hakkaisan, Nakanodake, and Echigo-Komagatake) are beautiful mountains located in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Their meltwater is known as "ultra-soft water," giving a rich flavor to local agricultural products and cuisine. This water not only nurtures branded ingredients such as Uonuma Koshihikari rice, but also plays an important role in processed products such as koji amazake. The water blessed by the Echigo Sanzan mountains is deeply connected to the local nature, and provides a valuable learning opportunity for visitors to experience its blessings.

Factory tour of Uonuma Brewery

At Uonuma Jozo, one of the world's largest rice koji factories, you can observe the manufacturing process of fermented foods such as koji amazake, which makes use of the bounty of Uonuma's abundant nature. In the theater room, a video is shown explaining the background of the factory's construction in search of meltwater from the Echigo Sanzan mountains, and the process of making amazake using pure water and rice. In addition, in the snow room inside the factory, you can enjoy the stored snow while experiencing the cooling techniques unique to snowy regions.

After the tour of the factory, you can enjoy tasting samples of the rich, deep-flavored "Koji Amazake," which is delivered directly from the factory and can only be tasted here, and the addictive koji amazake soft serve ice cream, which has a taste similar to cream cheese.

Field work on the Minami River and alluvial fan

During the Minami River and alluvial fan fieldwork, you will drive along the river in a rural landscape, tour the alluvial fan that nurtures Uonuma's brand agricultural products, and visit a shrine that gives a sense of the region's history. Afterwards, you will follow the Minami River upstream from the tip of the alluvial fan, and head to the top of the fan while listening to an introduction to agricultural products nurtured by the underground waters of the Echigo Sanzan mountains and enjoying tastings of the spring water. At the top of the fan, you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view of the Echigo Sanzan mountains, and a deep sense of the blessings of nature.

As its name suggests, the Mizunashi River is a river that sometimes does not flow. However, near the apex of the fan, you can see the clear stream made up of melting snow before it is absorbed into the earth. If the weather is good, you can also see the magnificent view of the Echigo Sanzan mountains.

Many brand-name agricultural products are grown in the alluvial fan of the Echigo Sanzan mountains, centered around Yashikihara, such as forced mountain vegetables in the spring, Yashiki watermelons and blueberries in the summer, rice in the autumn, and Yashiki cabbage (winter vegetable) in the winter.If the time is right, you can even enjoy a harvesting experience.

Explore the magnificent nature of Okutadami Dam and its water source

Okutadami Dam is a huge dam located on the border between Niigata and Fukushima prefectures, surrounded by magnificent nature. This dam is an important facility for generating electricity, and its water source, Lake Okutadami, boasts a spectacular view along with the beautiful surrounding mountains. The area around the dam is filled with colorful flowers that bloom from spring to autumn, and in winter, snowscapes spread across the land. On a journey following Okutadami Dam and its water source, you can feel the power of nature created by the pure water and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the four seasons.

The fantastical "waterfall clouds" created by nature and water

The mist that arises in the hidden area of Okutadami/Ginzandaira in Uonuma City fills the mountain valleys and eventually creates a waterfall of clouds. This is a fantastical sight created by the combination of nature and water.

The clouds can be seen from mid-late June to early November, and outside of that season, the nearby roads are closed for the winter, so you can't go. Furthermore, the best time to see them is early in the morning, around sunrise. The clouds usually disappear within 1-2 hours of sunrise.

You can only see it if the weather conditions are right, so you'll need some luck.

The viewing of the waterfall clouds starts early in the morning, so please bring a thin jacket even in the summer. Also, it gets quite cold from September onwards, so warm clothes are essential. The moment when the fantastic scenery unfolds in the cool early morning air is exceptional.

Trekking to Lake Ozenuma

Lake Oze is a beautiful highland lake located in Oze National Park and is one of the important water sources for Okutadami Dam. Located at an altitude of about 1,660 meters, it is a naturally rich area surrounded by mountains such as Hiuchigatake. Lake Oze is filled with meltwater and rainwater, and the clear water eventually flows into Lake Okutadami via the Tadami River. The surrounding area is covered with marshes, and alpine plants such as Asian skunk cabbage and day lilies bloom in full glory from spring to summer, allowing you to enjoy beautiful scenery in every season.

Lake Ozenuma is also a popular spot for hiking and nature trekking, where you can experience the circulation of water and its blessings in the midst of nature. On a private tour, you will travel to Lake Ozenuma by sightseeing boat and bus, and enjoy a 90-minute trekking trip one way on a course that is safe even for beginners.

You will stay overnight at Chokuragoya, a mountain hut that stands on the shores of Lake Oze. It is a historic wooden building built in 1934. The wooden corridors have been polished over the years and have a beautiful black shine. In the lounge, you can enjoy drip coffee made with natural water from Oze while feeling the warmth of a wood fire.

Mt. Hiuchigatake reflected in Lake Oze: commonly known as "Upside-down Hiuchi" is a must-see. If the weather is good, you can also see a sky full of stars.

Okutadami Dam and Electric Power Museum

The Okutadami Dam, one of the largest in Japan, boasts an overwhelming scale and was once touted as the largest in the Orient, just like the Wushantou Dam in Taiwan. You can see the impressive dam up close, surrounded by the majestic mountains and rich nature.

Due to major construction work underway, the underground power station is currently closed to visitors until 2027, but special tours are available to those taking private tours, where possible.

At the Okutadami Electric Power Museum, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary and reopen in September 2023, you can learn about the history of the dam and how hydroelectric power works.

Enjoy the magnificent blessings of nature in this gentle water town.

By touring the hometown of delicious Koshihikari rice and unraveling the secrets of its deliciousness, you will surely discover the charms of Uonuma City. Uonuma City is rich in nature and food, but it is also a treasure trove of hot springs, so much so that it is called Yunotani Onsenkyo.

Why not come and discover scenery that can only be seen in Uonuma City?

Click here to apply for a private guided tour

How to get to the tour meeting point:

Nearest station: JR Urasa Station (Joetsu Shinkansen) *Approx. 90 minutes from JR Tokyo Station by Joetsu Shinkansen / Approx. 33 minutes from JR Niigata Station by Joetsu Shinkansen