Came here on 2 Dec and the leaves have mostly all fallen, but the place is still beautiful. Not a big area but still pretty serene and enjoyable!

Tranquil forest. Worth the drive out here to soak in nature. Also unexpectedly, Great spot for mushroom spotting. Don't eat them. Many are poisonous

This is the furthest I can go by the Google. The snow is like 6m height and you won’t be able to go to there.

A beautiful place worth a visit. Took slightly longer time and more effort to walk around the forest during winter time due to thick snow. But the scenery are quite impressive with all the trees are almost identical in height.

Enjoying a beautiful beechwood forest trekking at the Bijin Hayashi, Tokamachi, Niigata. The reason Forest Bath allows you to relax is because the minus ions, that are in a forest, give people's bodies energy.

Beautiful forest. All tree started growing at the same time around the 1920s. Two farm stands outside are fun too

Really pretty area. There is a bus that runs from the nearby station towards the Onsen, and you can get off and then it’s a 20 min walk.

Avalanches on 5th April damaged the great scene. Hugh piles of mud are everywhere blocking the view of the Kiyotsu Gorge. BTW, JPY200 discount for admission fee is given.

Went here on a tour bus. The area was really beautiful. It was a fun experience walking through the tunnel. Loved the cool air inside too. Enjoyed the art installations the most. It really was fun having your picture taken with those gorgeous backgrounds.

A super spectacular view. Just make sure you get there right as it opens or there is a potential of you standing in line for over an hour inside of the tunnel to see the very end. In my opinion it is not worth standing in the line just for a photo opportunity. If you choose not to wait in line you can walk past line to take a picture of the end of the tunnel. There is a shuttle that takes you back and forth to the parking lot on top of the hill however, it is quite the weight in between pick up and drop off.

It's a place to visit if you are close by. Other than few locations to take good social media photos there is not much to do Good place for a family visit

End of 800 meters tunnel is lookout for valley. Instagrammable place for tourists.

Beautiful place with more natural scenery. Entrry fee 800 . You will be walking inside tunnel for 800m and at the end you will be seeing this valley view point. Now due to corona registration is required.buy tickets at 7/11 or online in advance

This place is nothing but a tourist trap for people who want to do the influencer photo at the end. The views of the gorge outside the tunnel are better than inside. Any enjoyment of the experience is counteracted by the ¥1000 entry fee. Nature should be freely accessible to all. And outside of the nature all you get is random fun house mirrors and tables, a one way window toilet for some reason, and a reflection pool. You may as well just go on a real hike and spend the 1.5km actually being able to see stuff. I would only recommend it to huge fans of dark tunnels who want to see where the local SCPs are kept.

It's worth visiting by train, you need to be careful about the timetable since Iiyama Line only goes one way. There's an onsen on the same building so you can pretty much spend all day in here.

Went on a weekend, there wasn’t a lot of people but the exhibition is interesting and fun to walk through. The place is very quiet and it is a good getaway from the heat.

Interesting place for the Echigo Tsumari Art Festival. We came here on the first day of the festival, obviously some art installations were not yet set up. But still had some great artworks to share and experience.

Nice museum.. It's definitely worth visiting

Small but very cool museum.

Unexpectedly interesting art museum. Definitely worth a visit. The outdoor pool is beautiful with the snow falling.

Incredible museum!

Beautiful terraced rice fields This place is famous for its beautiful terraced rice fields. From web site Terraced fields are a form of rice field mainly used in mountainous areas. They are built to allow farming on steep slopes and to control water flow. It is also a popular tourist destination due to its scenic and cultural value. They are also important for preserving regional specialties and traditional agricultural methods.

I think it must be incredibly beautiful during summer, unfortunately right now as you can see on the picture we don’t see everything due to the snow ! Still a nice little walk to do :)

100% worth coming here, the view of the rice terraces and surrounding hills/mountains is absolutely amazing. I recommend renting an e-bike from Matsudai station and biking here. It's a quick 30-40 minute ride and you can see some nice scenery on the way as well.

My first terraced rice field… I went in summer but would love to see it too on fall or winter (with snow).

One more bucket list completed. I am in love with this beautiful place, what a view of stacked rice fields and mountains just amazing. This please is good to visit in Summer for lush green view to cool your eyes, and in winter for autumn colours.

Has been my favourite place to come to and photograph the rice terraces. The sunrise here is absolutely magical. However I must say that I am absolutely appalled by how loud and unmannered many japanese are. It's understandable that children are yet to learn to control their voice, but a grown person should be fully capable of doing so. Is it really necessary to shout the obvious to each other over and over disrupting the peaceful moments? Getting in front of the your camera with blatant disregard and then prancing about is seriously obnoxious. Doesn't matter if you token apologise and slightly bow - it doesn't make you well mannered, rather quite the opposite. I see many reviewes of landmarks always mentioning foreigners being loud, however it's japanese who has bad manners themselves in the first place! Shame!!

The snow was quite deep, even with our boots on. We got to the edge and we’re rewarded with a great view. I’d like to visit again with slightly less snow and at night to see the night sky reflect!

Wonderful experience for those appreciate James Turrell. Access was easy without a car. If more than one party books it is left up to the guests to determine who gets which of the three rooms. Fortunately we had lovely housemates, no issues there. The opening of the roof in the skyspace is weather dependent. A rare treat to stumble out of bed and into a Turrell work in the morning!

Great experience if you’re exploring the art sites in the area. Beautiful and surreal Turrell’s work. The only downside is the bathroom is very dark and thus a little scary at night, and you may have to share the house with another party (and thus you may not get the main room with Turrell’s roof)

Fascinating and unique experience staying here. We visited in winter so were able to get the whole house for our small group. As it was snowing the roof could not be opened but the sunset light show was still phenomenal.

Amazing work of art and guest house. If you can't stay go for the guided tour around the facility between check out and check in times. Beautiful building both inside and out, with lots of little details. If you can go during fine weather you may be able to see the sky through the viewing hole left by the retractable roof.

Great place, when you Like turell you Must Go there. To stay there for a night Must be a outstanding experience. The Woman at the place was so nice, thank you! Dont miss the Art field around the House

Great experience. It's not an easy spot to get to, though the train journey takes you through some very beautiful countryside. Take a taxi from the station, not the bus, as the walk from the bus stop is steep and not so nice at the end of a day's travelling with your bags. I won't say what to expect. Surprises are part of the experience. The food is excellent (beware of ordering too much). Be warned that there are no chairs - the decor is traditional Japanese. We were lucky enough to be there by ourselves which made things much easier. Not sure what it would be like if full.

Just an amazing place! We stayed for the night and we would put this experience on the top 3 most amazing experiences in our 4 trips in Japan in the last 7 years ❤️👊

Went on an early January Sunday ~2:30p. Not crowded at all. Snowshoe rental for 409 JPY, and you can start the walk directly from the museum into Bijinbayashi 美人林forest. Incredible. Note that you must pay the 600 JPY museum entrance as well.

Great collection of butterflies... stunning to see them all in one place !

This is a really good place to take kids. The building itself is part of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field project. You can climb the tall tower and get a good view from the big windows at the top. It's a 160 step staircase though and is hardly lit as it is also one of the art projects. The inside of the center is full of interesting items related to the local nature and countryside. There are snakes, frogs and fish close by and you can fish for crayfish in small ponds. There are stuffed examples of the local bird-life and an amazing collection of butterflies. The windows are made of a really think material and in winter you can see the deep snow piling up against it. There is a visual representation of the snowfall over the past decade or so which is very interesting. There is also a restaurant and a craft area where you can try your hand a making different objects out of objects scavenged from the nearby woods and fields. Perhaps our favorite thing were over 100 little drawers containing all sorts of different things related to the local environment - snake skins, bird nests, insects.

Interesting place to learn the nature life

My second time visiting. Never disappointed by the information I learn.

Cool museum, well worth a view

(Translated by Google) I went there for lunch on a weekend. The origin of Kyororo is explained in the quiz at the entrance, but it was fun enough for adults too, and would be even more fun if I brought children. From the entrance, there were many living creatures, especially a wide variety of frogs. There were also snakes, salamanders, fish, etc. The highlight was the butterfly specimens. I was mesmerized by the vibrant colors. By the way, the rust-proof stainless steel pins used in the specimens apparently took 20 years to develop. That's an incredible amount of passion and dedication. At the back, there is an observation deck with 160 steps to climb, and the view was spectacular. I descended the stairs out of breath, thinking of the rice terraces of Niigata. It's a great place to learn about the local creatures and plants, including the explanation of Bijinbayashi. (Original) 週末のお昼に利用。キョロロの由来は入り口のクイズにある通りだが、大人でも十分楽しめる内容で、こどもを連れてきたらもっと楽しめる場だった。 入り口から生き物がたくさんいて、特にカエルの種類が豊富。他にもヘビやサンショウウオ、魚など。あとは圧巻だったのは蝶々の標本たち。色鮮やかな蝶たちに釘付けになった。ちなみに標本に使っている錆びないステンレスのピンは開発に20年にかかったらしい。情熱と執念がすごい。。 奥には160段の階段をのぼる展望台があるが、良い眺めだった。新潟の棚田に思いを馳せながら、息を切らして階段をおりた。 美人林の解説も含め、このあたりの生物や植物を知れる良き場所。

I visited this Museum as a part of my study tour at Niigata. The Museum is beautifully decorated with 1500 years old flame style potary. The key attractions for me were digital visit of Hunting and gathering age, the family life of Japan in Niigata city during Heavy snowfall and video documentary... Highly recommended for visiting

Really interesting museum and lots of Expedition, which are shown in an extremely unique way. highly recommend it.

An excellent museum to visit, it worth the trip. They have many national treasures on display and they are all exquisite. Other displays are interesting too. I wish I had more time here. You can spend all day if you like Jomon era things. As some of the Jomon Doki was on lease and I could not view, I will definitely returning here.

Great exhibitions.of pottery, textiles and snow. Fun way to learn some history of the region.

Pottery from the Jomon period, a national treasure of Japan, is on display here. You will be amazed at the artistic sense of the ancient Japanese. There is a lot of pottery on display, and it is a wonderful place to appreciate these objects. In addition, the lifestyle and industry of the region are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

Worth a visit, very well made. The exhibitions are very easy to understand and provides all information in English. Entrance fee is only 500 yen. Enjoy!

Amazing to find such an interesting museum in country side. It’s brand new and have English explanations Very cool to see the history of this area

An old school turned into an art gallery/museum sort of a thing. It's a bit of a long drive from the city area. The staff at the reception was friendly and spoke a little english to help us. There is a cafe inside as well. Outside you can see some goats and can play around with the water fountain kinda structure.

This was one of the highlights of the Echigo Tsumari exhibits in the area. The art captures a youthful imagination that is excentuated by the setting in an old elementary school. Highly recommended.

Love the art …

lightly cursed but in a good way. stay awhile commune with the goats

I would definitely recommend people to visit this place. The only thing is that it is not very accessible to go to. It’s either you have a car or you avail a tour where in one of the main attractions is this museum. This was an old school turned into a museum offering art that felt like it came out of a story book. I didn’t post much pictures because you should visit it to know more of what it offers and you won’t be disappointed.

Full of wonder and thoughtful craftsmanship. Exceptional artwork.

fun place for kids

We were here in the winter, so the art was not in the field. Beautiful area, though!

Great outdoor museum - and the area is breathtaking!

The art wasn’t great. Mediocre at best.

(Translated by Google) Visited on October 27, 2024. The five-member Intelligent-chan group from college meets once a year, this time at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Festival. What on earth is this? The hanging laundry at the lift station is art. Maybe it's a pillowcase, but there were two orange tents nearby, but the tents don't seem to have anything to do with the Gejutsu Festival, maybe? I hung up my tattered Uniqlo pants to dry at home, but they were also stained. What on earth should I feel? Since I'm exhibiting something, am I making a statement or do I want people to feel something? Is it just smugness or is it OK for contemporary art to be anything that is different, something that has never existed before, or something that is rare? ? ? . One of the Intelligen-chan says that in Japanese, art and art are different, but art can be anything. To be honest, I don't really understand. Artificial objects in the grass. It's a foreign object, I can't feel any emotions. I have no impressions. There are ruins of a castle on top of the mountain, so I offer to go there. I agree too. No one has any regrets about watching Gejutsu, and no one is impressed by it. If you say something, you'll get beat up by the other four, all of them are cautious, and the intelligentsia-chans are smart. I'm not saying it's good or bad. The road leading to the castle ruins has disappeared into the bushes, and it is unclear where the castle ruins are. Where will contemporary art go? The road is in the bush (Original) 2024年10月27日訪問。 大学時の五人組インテリゲンちゃん年1回の集会、今回は越後妻有大地の芸術祭。 これはいったい何なの？リフト乗り場のぶら下がった洗濯物、これが芸術。たぶん枕カバーだけど、近くにオレンジ色のテントが2つあったけど、テントはゲージュツ祭とは関係無いらしい、多分？ 我が家で私のヨレヨレユニクロパンツを干したけどコレもゲージュツだ。 いったい何を感じればいいのか、展示しているからには、何かを主張している、何かしらを感じて欲しい？ 単なる独りよがり、現代芸術は人と違うこと、今まで無かった事、珍奇なものならなんでもOK？？？。 日本語では芸術とアートは違うとインテリゲンちゃんの一人は言うが、アートはなんでも有りだなー。 はっきり言ってよく分からない。 草の中の人工物。異物、感情が湧かない。感想が無い。 山の上に城跡があるというので、そちらの方に行くと言い出す。 私も賛成。誰もゲージュツを見る事には未練が無い、感激していないのだ。 能書きを言ったらほかの4人からボコボコにされる、全員用心深い、インテリゲンちゃん達は賢い。 良いとも悪いとも言わない。 城跡に行く道は藪に消え、何処に城跡があるか不明。 現代アートも何処へ行くのか、 道は藪の中

We arrived 15.30 and after buying tickets we had to hurry and start from the castle (drove the car up hill then walked) which closes at 16.00. Then drove down passing other outdoor arts before visiting the main building art the follows by another smaller building near by exhibiting traditional stories.

Very fun museum for families and everyone can be involved, kitchens food are so yummy! Can’t think we can get such nice heart warmed food out in the mountain! Thank you! 😊

(Translated by Google) You can park your car here and see the rice fields and Yayoi Kusama. Everyone here is kind. Pencil is about a minute's drive from here. When I asked this person, he said the road was wide, so I parked near the pencil and took a photo. Can you reach the summit from this information center? On the hill? It is said that there is a variety of art up to the castle. It seems that about two pieces of art will be added at each art festival. Since it was a weekday and not during the exhibition period, there were no people at all. (Original) 田んぼと草間弥生はこちらに車止めて見れます。こちらの方はみんな親切。鉛筆はここから車で1分くらい。こちらの方に伺ったところ、道幅広いからとのことで、鉛筆近くで路駐させて頂き写真撮りました。 こちらの案内所を起点として山頂？丘上？の城まで様々なアートがあるとのこと。毎回の芸術祭でアート二点ぐらいずつ増えるそうです。会期中でない平日なので、全然人いませんでした。

nice

(Translated by Google) On December 30, 2024, the area believed to be the parking lot had been cleared of snow, but the scenic spot was blocked by a wall of snow. Still, I was able to reach out and take a photo from above the snow wall. (Original) 2024年12月30日、駐車場と思われる場所は除雪されていたが、絶景スポットは雪の壁で立ち入れなかった。 それでも手を伸ばして雪壁の上から撮影できた。

(Translated by Google) I stopped by in early July 2025. It's located along the Hokuhoku Highway and has only a parking space and benches. It's not as large as the famous Hoshitoge rice terraces, but it's a good place to take a short break. (Original) 2025年7月上旬に寄りました。ほくほく街道沿いにあり、駐車スペースとベンチがあるだけです。有名な星峠の棚田程の規模はありませんが、小休憩するには、良いんじゃ無いでしょうか。

(Translated by Google) I visited for the first time on April 16, 2023. Although it is a small rice terrace, it is a beautiful rice terrace with a rounded shape that matches the natural topography, and the softness that is different from the divided rice fields was very soothing. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the farmers who continue to carefully protect these wonderful rice terraces. It has become a terraced rice field that I want to visit again every season. (Original) 2023年4月16日に初めて訪れました。小さな棚田ですが自然の地形に合わせた丸みのある美しい棚田で、区画された田んぼとは違う柔らかさにとても癒やされました。 素晴らしい棚田を今も大切に守り継がれている農家さんに心から感謝申しあげます。 季節ごとにまた訪れたい棚田となりました。

(Translated by Google) There is a parking lot opposite the observation deck, but please be aware of the heavy traffic on Route 253. The best time to visit is during cherry blossom season, but it is also beautiful in the season of fresh greenery. (Original) 展望台の向かいに駐車場がありますが国道253号の交通量は多いので注意しましょう。桜の季節がベストですが、新緑の季節も綺麗です。

(Translated by Google) It was nice to have space to park my car. There were many places along the way where I wanted to take photos, but I didn't want to park randomly on the mountain road and cause trouble for others or cause accidents. My photography skills aren't the best, so these photos don't really convey the power of the mountains, but the large rice terraces in the mountains are lush and refreshing. If you want to see lots of smaller rice terraces, head further down the mountain or towards town. The rice fields are terraced, even in places like this, using the gaps between houses. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take any photos. (Original) 車停めるスペースがあるのが良かった 途中何度も写真撮りたい場所があったんですが　山道適当な所に停めて人に迷惑かけたり事故巻き起こしたりではよろしくないですからね あまり写真のセンス良くないので山の迫力が伝わらない写真ですが　山の中に大きめの棚田があるのは青々しくて気持ち良いです ちっちゃい棚田がたくさんであるのを見たければ もっと山を降りたり街の方に行くと こんな所にまで〜ってぐらい民家の隙間とかまで使って田んぼが段々になってました。残念ながら写真は撮れませんでしたが。

(Translated by Google) It is easily accessible as it is located along National Route 253. This is an easy spot where you can easily see the rice terraces. Please note that there is no dedicated parking lot, and there are not many parking spaces as parking is required in the evacuation space on the roadside. (Original) 国道253号沿いあるため、アクセスしやすいです。気軽に棚田が見えるお手軽スポットです。 なお、専用駐車場はなく、路肩の退避スペースに駐車するため駐車可能台数は多くありません。

(Translated by Google) I visited in winter. The parking lot had been cleared of snow, so it was easy to park, but there was a wall of cleared snow in the direction of the rice terraces, making it difficult (almost impossible) to see. I managed to peek through the wall of snow to see the rice terraces, but they were covered in snow and I couldn't really see them. I cannot recommend visiting here in winter. (Original) 冬に訪問しました。 駐車場の所は除雪がしてあり、車を停めやすかったですが、棚田方向には除雪した雪の壁があり、見ることが難しい(ほぼ無理)です。 雪の壁越しに何とか棚田をのぞいてみましたが、雪に覆われ良く分かりませんでした。 こちらの冬の訪問はオススメ出来ません。

(Translated by Google) There are many rice terraces remaining in Matsushiro, Niigata. Hoshitoge is the most famous and largest, but the rice terraces in Gamo are medium-sized and have a lot of character. I wanted to see the rice terraces in the moonlight, but there was still snow left in the rice terraces. I was surprised that there was still so much snow left even during the May holidays. My friend from Hokkaido was also astonished. There were two parking lots. Teenagers can park there, but the toilets are natural and not open. Would you like to help out with the rice terraces? (Original) 新潟松代（マツダイ）には棚田がいっぱい残っていて、星峠が一番有名で広いけど、蒲生の棚田は中規模で味があります。田ごとの月でも見たかったが、田ごとの残雪だった。５月の連休でもたくさんの雪が残っていてびっくり。北海道に友人も仰天していた。駐車場は２つあった。１０代くらいは停められるけどトイレは自然なのでない。 棚田のお手伝いでもするか？

(Translated by Google) Both have their merits, but these rice terraces have a better angle than the ones in Gimei. There is a parking lot and toilets nearby. My parents also grow rice, and I imagine it must be very hard to farm on such a slope. In order to protect this landscape, they must be taking various measures and facing many challenges, such as a declining birthrate and aging population, overconcentration in one area, and the decline of the primary industry. As tourists, we would like to support them in some way. (Original) どちらの良さもありますが、儀明の棚田よりこちらの方が角度が良いです。駐車場、トイレも近くにあります。 私の実家も稲作やっていますが、このような斜面で農業をするのはとても大変だと思います。この景観を守るために、少子高齢化や一極集中、第一次産業の衰退など様々な苦労、対策をされているはずです。観光客である我々が何らかの形で応援したいですね。

(Translated by Google) ◆First visit in May 2020 On the way to the hot springs, I stopped by the nearby Gimei rice terraces on my way back. It's a bit far from the viewpoint, and there are some abandoned areas, but it's a nice view. There is a parking lot, and it is recommended for those who like photography. (Original) ◆令和4年5月初訪問 温泉ツーリング途中、近くにある儀明の棚田の帰りに立ち寄りました。 視点場からは距離かあり、放棄地もめだちますが、良き景観です。 駐車場が整備されており、カメラ好きの方にはおすすめ出来ます。

(Translated by Google) There is also a bench in the large observation space at the bottom of the stairs. The view from the T-shaped road is also very beautiful. I visited in the afternoon on September 12th, but I would like to visit again to see the view of the sunrise sky and haze as seen in other review photos. Looking at the website, it appears that they operate nearby accommodation facilities such as private lodging facilities, as well as Satoyama experience programs, and are involved in various activities aimed at preserving rice terraces and revitalizing the region. (Original) 階段降りた広い展望スペースにベンチもあり。T字の道からの景色もとてもきれい。9/12昼過来訪でしたが他の口コミ写真にもあるような朝焼けの空ともやの景色を狙ってまた訪れたい。HP見ると、近くで民泊等の宿泊施設や里山体験的なプログラムも運営し、棚田保全／地域活性にむけ色々活動されているようです。

(Translated by Google) This is what the terraced rice fields look like on a rainy day at this time of year. (Original) この時期、雨の日の棚田はこんな雰囲気。

(Translated by Google) Rice terraces in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture. One of the rice terraces in Matsushiro. About 15 minutes by car from the rice terraces of Hoshitoge. The rice terraces at Hoshitoge are nice, but I also like this one. Although it is a small terraced rice field, a sea of ​​clouds is likely to occur here, and the rays of light that can be seen just after sunrise are magical. The snowy rice terraces were also nice. Even when it snowed, the roads here were plowed. (Original) 新潟県十日町にある棚田。 松代の棚田群の一つ。 星峠の棚田から車で約15分。 星峠の棚田もいいが、私はここもお気に入り。小さな棚田だが雲海が発生しやすく、日の出直後に見られる光芒は幻想的である。 雪の棚田も良かった。 雪の時もここの道路は除雪されていた。

(Translated by Google) I was deceived. Insufficient explanation. Moms who are looking for a job, be careful! When I applied for admission to the nursery school, I was told that I could enter the nursery school for up to 3 months while looking for a job, but in reality I only had a short period of 2 months. A month after she entered the nursery school, she received a letter from the city informing her that she would be leaving the nursery school in another month. I don't understand what it means. I was preparing thinking I had 3 months. If so, please explain it properly first. I'm not a person from city hall or a nursery school person, so please refrain from writing or explaining anything that could lead to misunderstandings. (Original) 騙された。説明不足。これから求職活動をするママさん、気をつけて！ 保育園の入園申し込みの際に、3ヶ月以内であれば求職活動で入園できると説明を受けたのに、実際は2ヶ月と少ししか期間がなかった。入園して1ヶ月経つころ、市から手紙がきて、あと1ヶ月で保育園退園になるという手紙が来た。意味がわからない。3ヶ月あると思って準備をしていたのに。だったら最初にきちんと説明してほしい。こちらは市役所の人間でもなければ、保育園関係の人間でもないんだから、勘違いするような記載や説明はやめてほしい。

(Translated by Google) Well, I know you're busy, but I wish you'd be a little more supportive. (Original) うーん 忙しいのは十分わかるけどもう少し寄り添ってほしい

(Translated by Google) My wife is disabled and we go to Omma every month. I received a ticket and received pads and diapers, but there was a month when I forgot to get them, so I asked if I could get them for that month and was told no. The government is inflexible. Impossible in private sector (Original) 妻が障がい者で毎月オム。ツ券をもらってパットやオムツをもらっていたが、もらい忘れの月があったので、その月のをもらえるかと尋ねたらダメだと言われた。行政は融通がきかない。民間だとありえない

(Translated by Google) It's not like the higher-ups are not listening to the voices of the citizens at all. (Original) 上層部が市民の声を全く聞かない話にならん

(Translated by Google) When I asked the staff member's grandmother who was at the reception desk where the department in charge was, she let out a huge sigh. That's a crazy way to respond to a first meeting, isn't it? (Original) 玄関の受付にいた職員のおばばに担当課の場所を尋ねたらくそでかい溜息を吐かれた。初対面の対応として頭おかしいでしょ。

(Translated by Google) Good! Polite service (Original) いいね！丁寧な対応

(Translated by Google) For some reason, I often take care of them, and they are very kind. There are occasionally some unfriendly employees, but they are few. I will continue to take care of you, so I hope to do well. (Original) 訳あって、お世話になることが多いのですが、とても親切にしてくれます。たまーに愛想の悪い職員も居ますが、少数です。まだまだお世話になるので、うまくやっていきたいと思います。

(Translated by Google) When I passed in front of the shrine, I saw the shrine office, so I thought it was close to the shrine, but I was relieved to see the shrine after walking up the mountain where I couldn't see the path due to the snow. Take a photo of the refreshing snowy landscape overlooking the town after visiting the shrine. I wanted to visit the shrine, but I gave up because of the snow. You can get the goshuin at the priest's house. There is a sign with a map and telephone number. (Original) 神社の前を通ったら社務所が見えたので拝殿まで近いと思ったら、雪で道が見えない山肌を取りあえず歩いて登ったら神社が見えて一安心。 お参りをして町を見渡す清々しい雪景色を写メ。 末社もお参りしたかったけど雪で諦めました。 御朱印は神主さん宅で頂けます。 略地図とTEL番号の張り紙有り。

(Translated by Google) This is a shrine on a hill with a panoramic view of Tokamachi. Suwa Shrine, Miki Shrine, and Konpira-sama are also enshrined there. You can receive your goshuin at your home, which is a little far away. (Original) 十日町を一望できる高台の神社です。 諏訪神社、御機神社、金毘羅さまも祀られています 御朱印は少し離れたご自宅で受け取ることができます

(Translated by Google) You can see a great view of Tokamachi City. I also received a written stamp. (Original) 眺めの良く十日町市が一望できます。 書き置きの御朱印もいただきました。

(Translated by Google) It is located in a place where you can see a panoramic view of Tokamachi city. If you go up the slope and stairs, you will see a line of fine shrines. (Original) 十日町市内を一望できるところにあります。 坂道と階段を登ると立派なお社が並んでいます

(Translated by Google) The shrine office is downstairs, but the main shrine is I was so high up there that I hesitated to go. (Original) 社務所は下にありますが本殿は ずっと上にあり行くのをためらいました

(Translated by Google) The climb to get there is quite tough! Please be careful when it is frozen. I went to New Year's visit on the morning of the 2nd, but it was empty. The place to buy amulets is the chief priest's home, which is far away and difficult to find. The retention rate is high. (Original) 行くまでの登りがかなりキツい！凍ってる時は気を付けて下さい。初詣に2日の朝行きましたが、ガラガラでしたよ。御札買うのが宮司様の自宅で、離れていて分かりにくい。留守率高いし。

(Translated by Google) As expected, it has a solemn feel and cleanses the soul. (Original) やはり荘厳な感じがして、心が洗われます。

Nice

Good place with beautiful scenery

(Translated by Google) Roadside station Segae no Sato Senda is the perfect place to take a break on the up and down lines of National Route 252. Although it is a small roadside station, it can park about 70 regular cars, but in the winter, when the snow piles up, that capacity is reduced to about half. Depending on the season, the farmers' market sells fresh local vegetables, and in the fall, they also sell the specialty senda rice.Because they have a snow room, the senda rice remains delicious even after years of use. Thanks to the snow room, it stays cool even in the summer, and apparently there is no air conditioner installed. There is also a bus stop here, which is very convenient. Next door is Senda Rural Park, and you can take a walk in the park by crossing the Kappa suspension bridge. Just crossing the suspension bridge was fun. (Original) 国道252号線、上り下り線の休憩場所として最適な道の駅瀬替えの郷せんだ．小さな道の駅ですが普通車約70台停められますが冬場　雪が積もると半分ぐらいになります。季節により農作物直売所には地元の新鮮な野菜類などが並び､秋には特産の　せんだ米も販売しています、雪室があるので　せんだ米は月日が立ってもとても美味しく頂けるそうです。雪室のおかげで夏場も涼しくエアコンの設置は無いそうです。また、ここにはバス停もありとても便利ですね。隣には､仙田農村公園があり河童の吊橋を渡ると公園で散策をする事も出来ます。吊橋を渡るだけでも楽しかったです。

(Translated by Google) Arrived late at night. This roadside station is located in Senda Village Park, and the parking lot is spacious. The toilets may look old, but they are clean and well-maintained. Since the surrounding area is rich in nature, it is quite dark (^o^; If you are a woman or are unsure of your feet, it may be a good idea to have a light. That's why... so many stars looked so beautiful♪ The next morning, I stopped by the direct sales store (?) and it was quite compact. An image of a store... The display is beautiful. Mame ippai! If you have Mame Daifuku (white/mugwort)...buy it! Yes, it was delicious. The store clerk's grandmother was also heartwarming and cute (⁠*⁠´⁠ω⁠｀⁠*⁠) (Original) 深夜到着。 仙田村公園に位置する道の駅で、駐車場は広々。 トイレは老朽さを感じなくもありませんが、キレイに清掃されています♪ 周囲が自然豊かなな為、かなり暗いです(^o^; 女性や足元が不安な方はライトがあるといいかも？ その分…沢山の星がメチャメチャきれいに見えました♪ 翌朝、直売所(？)に立寄りましたが、かなりコンパクト。 商店…のイメージ。 陳列がキレイです。 豆イッパイ！の豆大福(白・ヨモギ)があれば…買い！です、美味しかった。 店員のおばあさまもほのぼのしてて可愛いかった(⁠*⁠´⁠ω⁠｀⁠*⁠)

(Translated by Google) “Roadside Station Segaego Senda” is a roadside station that will make you feel relieved. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a farmhouse convenience store in the mountains. First, I bought 5 pieces of Mame Daifuku for 750 yen and tried it. It's big and has lots of black beans inside, making it soft and delicious. My wife also ate it with ease. It's about three times the size of what you usually eat, making it perfect as a souvenir. There were 7 to 9 swallows flying around in the sky near the roadside station. Behind the building is the Shibuumi River, where you can hear the refreshing sound of murmuring water. Wisteria on the mountainside dyes the mountain's green color purple. There is a suspension bridge 2-3 minutes walk from the parking lot. It shakes a little when you cross it. You can also take a walk. For souvenirs, go to the shop and get 5 pieces of delicious mame daifuku with mountain udon and bracken. (Original) ”道の駅瀬替え郷せんだ”は 気持ちがホッとする道の駅です。 山の中の農家コンビニと思う雰囲気です。まず豆大福5個入り750円を購入し試食しました。大きいです中の黒豆も沢山入って柔らかく美味しいです。妻もペロリと食べてました。普段食べている3倍位の大きさでお土産に最適ですね。道の駅軒下巣の付近にツバメが7~9羽空を飛び回っていました。建物の後ろは渋海川で水のせせらぎの音が聞こえ爽やかです。山肌には藤が山の緑色を紫色を染めています。駐車場から歩いて２,３分の所に吊り橋が有ります。を渡ると少し揺れます。散策もできます。お土産は売店で山ウドとワラビと美味しかった豆大福５個入りにします。

(Translated by Google) A small roadside station along the national highway. 120m above sea level. The parking lot is quite large. It's quiet because there isn't much traffic. The restaurant is closed. The toilet is small, but has a washlet. Free Wi-Fi is not available. (Original) 国道沿いの小さめの道の駅。標高120m。駐車場は結構広い。交通量少な目なので静か。食堂は休止中とか。トイレは小さめ、ウォシュレットあり。 Free Wi-Fiは使えません

(Translated by Google) Visited for the Hokuriku Roadside Station Stamp Rally. Niigata No. 27 Sekae no Sato Senda. A roadside station where stamps can be stamped 24 hours a day. It is reminiscent of some of the unlit roadside stations at Chubu Roadside Station, but the roadside station itself has lights. The restroom had normal lights, so I guess it's enough for a roadside station. (When I visited the Chubu area at night, it was pitch black and I couldn't even tell where the restrooms were...) However, there is no light in the place where the stamps are placed (I think they are probably turned on during the day, but...), so unless there is some kind of light, it will not be possible to stamp the stamps. Although stamps can be stamped 24 hours a day, it felt... (Original) 北陸道の駅スタンプラリーのために訪問。 新潟27番 瀬替えの郷せんだ。 24時間押印可能な道の駅。 中部道の駅にもあった明かりの無い道の駅を一部彷彿とさせますが、道の駅自体には明かりがあります。お手洗いは普通に明かりが付いていたので、道の駅としては十分でしょうか。（中部エリアには夜間に訪れるとガチで漆黒状態でお手洗いの場所もさっぱり分からないところがあったので…） ただ、スタンプの設置場所には明かりが無い（恐らく昼間は点灯されると思いますが…）状況なので、何かしらの形で明かりを確保しないとスタンプを捺すどころじゃないです。 24時間押印可能ではあるものの…な感じでした。

We came on a Friday at midday. Tickets purchased on site. We were the only guests at this time - which added to the ambiance. This artwork evokes a lot of emotions. At times, felt scary and creepy. However it can also be interpreted as a “pulsing” glimmer here from the revitalisation efforts that is being added from the art installations in the area itself (in my opinion, I can see how many would disagree w this take). A worthwhile visit if interested in depopulation and how Japan has changed since its crash in the 90s leading to many dead towns.

Check their open days before you go. I only visited the outside since it's not a open day. So sad.

Exquisite exhibition. One of the must go places in Echigo Tsumari at festival.

(Translated by Google) I visited for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, and it appears to be a permanent exhibit.The inside of the school is completely dark, and you can experience a variety of art. It looks bright in the photo, but it's so dark that you can barely see it until your eyes adjust. The fear and light in the darkness makes you feel the awesomeness of art. It's a three-story building with a variety of artworks, but the space itself is an impressive experience. It's interesting to see how things change on the way home as your eyes adjust. (Original) 大地の芸術祭で訪れましたが、常設展示のようです学校の中が真っ暗で、数々のアートを体験できます。写真だと明るく見えますが、目が慣れるまではほとんど見えないくらい暗いです。暗闇の中にある怖さと光がアートとしての凄みを感じさせます。3階建てで色々な作品がありますが、空間自体が印象に残る体験。帰り道では目が慣れてきて見え方が変わるのも面白い。

We went on a rainy weekend just before closing so it is very dark and slightly chilling. Feels like a scene straight out of The Last of Us — post-apocalyptic and intense.

(Translated by Google) 2021.7 visit Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Echigo-Tsumari Art Festival 2006 work. A collaboration between Christian Boltanski and Jean Calment, it is a permanent installation in an abandoned school. Unfortunately, my first visit was on a day when the museum was closed, so it was my long-awaited return visit. Maybe it's because I'm scared, My legs were not moving forward as much as I expected. The first and final class was intense for me. The smell of straw, like a silo of earth and straw, the feeling of the wind on my skin, the light and shadow, the sound, the sound of my heart pounding as it approached, left a particularly strong impression on me, and even thinking about it now brings back my anxiety. This anxiety and fear is different from being afraid of spiders or being afraid of the dark, but I think it's similar to that of the wife played by Shelley Duvall, who encounters the scene near the end of Kubrick's movie The Shining when the hotel elevator door slowly opens with a bang. It's like the scene I saw when I was a child is stuck in my mind, and I don't know if it's been engraved into my DNA at some point, like something I'd seen in a dream when I was sick, a scene that would have made me scream with anxiety and despair if I had dreamed of it, but it was quietly real here, and I was inside it. Proceed through the hallway lined with portraits painted in black. Was it the setting sun or a searchlight? The strong light shining in and the slowly rotating ventilation fan were so disturbing. A scene from Schindler's List comes to mind. I couldn't get into the room where the explosion sounded, which was right on the second floor after climbing the stairs, and I stood there at the entrance, and that's when I realized the extent of my anxiety. Resisting the urge to cover my ears from the sound of the explosion, I couldn't help but take a good look at the white room, so I quickly walked out into the sunlight without looking back. When I saw the tranquil scenery of Satoyama, I felt glad and happy to be able to return to my daily life. Even in the parking lot outside the building, the sound of cicadas and the faint sound of a heartbeat could be heard. I remember and reflect on this experience every day. It was scary, scary, scary. It was really scary. For some people, this work may go beyond just appreciating a bit of scary art, and before they know it, they may find themselves drawn into a nightmare. The reason you can have such an experience is because it is a work with such a strong and powerful message. I wonder how it will feel the next time I visit. In memory of Christian Boltanski. A closed school in the middle of summer, the echoing sound of cicadas, and cheerful ghosts. What a perfect piece for summer. (It seems that it was released in the middle of winter in January in 2021) 2024.8.11 revisited. (Original) 2021.7訪問 越後妻有里山・大地の芸術祭2006年の作品。クリスチャン・ボルタンスキーとジャン・カルマンとの共同作で、廃校を利用した恒久設置作品となっています。 初訪問は生憎の休館日、再訪で念願の入館です。 私が怖がりなのかもしれないのだけれど、 思った以上に足が前に進まない状態だった。 初の最後の教室は、私には強烈なものだった。 藁の、土と藁のサイロのようなにおい、風が肌にあたる感覚、光と影、音、あの爆音で響く心音が近づく、あの部屋に向かう廊下は特に印象が強く、いま思い出しても不安が蘇る。 その不安や怖さは、けむしが怖いとか、暗がりが苦手で怖いとは異なり、例えるなら、キューブリックの映画シャイニングの終盤近く、ホテルのエレベーターのドアがゆっくり開いてドバ〜ッと…のシーンに遭遇したシェリー・デュバル演じる奥さんのそれに近いと思う。 幼少期に観たそのシーンが脳裏にこびり付いているように、いつかどこかでDNAに刻み込まれたのかもわからない、具合の悪い時の夢で見たような、夢の中なら不安と絶望で叫びそうな光景が、静かに現実にここにあって、その中に自分がいるという状態だった。 黒く塗り潰された肖像が並ぶ廊下を進む。西日だろうか、サーチライトだろうか。差し込む強い光、ゆっくり回転する換気扇があんなにも不穏だなんて。シンドラーのリストのワンシーンが思い浮かんだ。 階段を上った2階すぐにある、あの爆心音の部屋には入れず、入口で立ち竦んでしまい、それで自分の不安の大きさに気付いてしまった。 爆心音に耳を塞ぎたくなるのを我慢しつつ、白い部屋をよく観覧するのもままならず、振り返らずに、気持ち早足で陽の光のあたる場所に出た。のどかな里山の景色を見た時、日常に戻れて良かった、幸せだと思った。 建物の外にある駐車場でも、セミの鳴き声と共に、微かに聞こえた心音。 この体験を毎日思い出し反芻しています。怖かった、怖かった、怖かった。本当に怖かった。 この作品は、人によってはちょっと怖いアートの鑑賞の枠を超えて、いつのまにか悪夢の当事者に引っ張りこまれてしまうかもしれない。そんな体験ができるのは、それだけメッセージ性が強く強烈な作品だということ。 次に訪れたときは、どんな感覚で受け止められるのだろう。 クリスチャン・ボルタンスキーに追悼の意を込めて。 真夏の廃校、響く蝉の声、愉快な幽霊たち。 なんて夏の似合う作品。 (2021年は1月の真冬にも公開していたようです) 2024.8.11再訪。

(Translated by Google) I found it on Google Maps and it looked interesting so I went there. When I first entered, my eyes weren't used to the darkness so I couldn't tell where anything was. Some customers had fallen. It was dark and the location was an abandoned school, so it was a little scary. I don't have any artistic sense myself so I don't know the artist's intentions, but I personally don't dislike it. However, the air conditioning was barely working inside the building and it was muggy. (Original) Googleマップで見つけ面白そうなので行ってみました。 入ってすぐは目が暗闇に慣れていないため、何がどこにあるのかわからない状態。転んでいるお客さんもいました。暗いし廃校という場所的なこともあり少し怖かったです。 自身の芸術的なセンスが無いので作者の意図はわかりませんが、個人的には嫌いじゃないです。 ただ、建物内は冷房がほとんど効いておらず蒸し暑かったです。