[Experience Report] " UONUMA Water Corridor " 2-night, 3-day private tour of Uonuma City , the home of gentle water

We held a 3-day, 2-night private guided tour of the UONUMA Water Corridor from Thursday, October 2nd to Saturday, October 4th, 2025. We will introduce the tour with photos.

Day 1: Discover the benefits of Echigo's three mountains and underground water

At 9:30 in the morning, we met up with our guide at JR Urasa Station on the Joetsu and traveled by jumbo taxi.

The first place we visited was Uonuma Brewery, where we observed the manufacturing process of koji amazake and fermented foods, which are brewed using Uonuma's ultra-soft water, and learned how the softness of the water makes a difference in taste.

For lunch, we had a local cooking experience at Kakehashi. We enjoyed cooking together with local mothers, who taught us how to cook. We had dishes such as simmered fern, perilla, stir-fried eggplant with miso, and salt koji pickles. A delicacy from Uonuma.

In the afternoon, participants went on a fieldwork trip to the Mizunashi River basin. By walking around the alluvial fan and observing the flow of underground water, they gained a real sense of how water supports our lives.

Our accommodation this time was "10 stories hotel Oze" in Ginzandaira. We ended the day relaxing in this quiet mountain lodge with a hot spring bath and a dinner of local ingredients.

Day 2: Follow the waterway to Oze, the source of the Okutadami Dam

Early in the morning, before dawn, we took a jumbo taxi to Shiori Pass to see the "waterfall clouds." This view can only be seen when the conditions are right, but on this day it was a beautiful sight. The clouds flowing down the mountainside like a waterfall created a fantastical sight. We were able to welcome a mystical morning.

After breakfast, we finally headed to the highlight of our "Water Journey." We boarded a sightseeing boat from Okutadami Dam, then took a bus through a beech forest to Oze National Park. The road continued from Numayama Pass to Oe Marsh and Lake Oze. The leaves had begun to change color, turning the entire area orange. As we walked along the boardwalk, we learned about the importance of Oze's natural conservation and water circulation through our guide's commentary.

We stayed at Chokuragoya, located on the shore of Lake Ozenuma. It was a simple lodging experience, unique to mountain huts, but outside the window we could see the silence and sparkling water. Although we weren't able to see it on this day, if there are no clouds, we could see a starry sky at night.

Day 3: Discover the Okutadami Dam

On the final day, we returned from Oze to Okutadami and took another cruise on the lake on a sightseeing boat.

After lunch, we visited the Okutadami Electric Power Museum, where we learned about the mechanisms of hydroelectric power generation and the history of the Okutadami , where they realized how the abundant nature of Uonuma also supports the region as an energy source.

On the way back, stop by "Miyuki no Sato" to shop for local specialties. You can also buy souvenirs such as the koji sweet sake and Uonuma koshihikari rice you saw at the start of your trip.

We arrived at Urasa Station at 5pm, bringing our three-day water-themed trip to a close.

Summary: " UONUMA Water Corridor " around Uonuma City , the home of gentle water

As the Oze- Uonuma route from Uonuma ended on October 15th, applications for this year have now closed.

We are currently accepting applications for next year's event, which is scheduled to run from June to October. Please come and experience a three-day trip themed around "water" in Uonuma City.

Please see the special website for details on the itinerary and how to apply. You can also download a brochure.

[ UONUMA Water Corridor ]

[ UONUMA UONUMA Water Corridor(English) ]

[ UONUMA Water Corridor/ Uonuma Water Corridor (Traditional Chinese characters) ]