October 10-12, 2024
Niigata
Thursday, 10/10/24
Jōetsu Shinkansen
TAKE THE BULLET TRAIN FROM TOKYO TO NIIGATA
Train: Toki 327
Train Departs (Tokyo Station): 3:40PM
Train Arrives (Echigo-Yuzawa): 4:56PM
Member #: 410652052
Reservation #: E90479
Name of train: Toki 327
Facility: Green (First Class)
Car: 11, Seat: 7C (Roo)
IC Number:JE80F124061927500
Car: 11, Seat: 7D (Shep)
IC Number:JE80F024091426812
Get off at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Within the station, walk to Ponshukan.
Arrive in Niigata.
Saké Tasting: Ponshukan
The Ponshukan Saké Tasting Room features 100 types of saké from Niigata’s 90 breweries. Pay ¥500 at the door to receive a saké cup and five tasting coins.
Sample up to five cups of saké or use multiple tasting coins to sample premium saké.
Enjoy for approx. 1 hour, then taxi to ryugon.
Check into ryugon.
Confirmation: T887B44C39CBE
Check In: by 6:30-7pm so you make dinner
Room: Villa Suite Premium. Details: Snow Country Gastronomy Full Course, Breakfast Included.
Dinner: Served at 7:30pm. Don’t miss it.
Address: 1-6 Sakado, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture Sakado 1-6
Friday, 10/11/24
breakfast at ryugon. 7:30am.
ryugon is situated in Minami Uonuma city which is the area that produces a brand of Koshihikari rice that is famous all over Japan. Breakfast is freshly cooked white rice accompanied by a selection of side dishes that are unique to the Snow Country Region and the perfect accompaniment to rice. There are also freshly baked breads, pastries, cookies, and fresh juices. Once you have woken and depending on what you feel like for that day you can come along and enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Reserved: 8:30am taxi
ryugon to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (approx. 8,000 yen)
Echigo Tsumari Art Field Tour (In Japanese)
Departure Location: Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Information Desk (East Exit). Registration opens at 9:10am and closes at 9:25am.
Tour Ends: 6:00pm
Reservation ID: 1350763
Passport Ticket Book ID: 153004JQ6632
This is a digest tour of all six areas of Echigo-Tsumari. It follows the history of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, focusing on the main facilities where new works and special exhibitions are displayed.
Tour Details
1
The entire tunnel is a work of art
Ma Yansong / MAD Architects "Tunnel of Light" (Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel)
The first stop on the tour is the Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel, which has been popular since it was first opened.
Kiyotsukyo is one of Japan's three major gorges, born from 16 million years of earth history. Inside the 750m-long tunnel, you can see the fusion of the beauty of the gorge and art. Don't miss the spectacular views of nature that change with the seasons.
2
Experience the nature of Satoyama
"For Lots of Lost Windows" by Akiko Utsumi
The windows, which reflect different scenery depending on the season, will impress viewers with the nature of Echigo-Tsumari. The curtains, which sway differently depending on the weather, will let you feel the sunlight and the rustling wind. The windows, which blend in with nature, will invite you into the overwhelming scenery of Echigo-Tsumari.
3
A "playground" installed at the power plant
"The Objects from Another Place" by Nikita Kadan
Nikita Kadan's new work will be exhibited in the Shinano River Power Plant Water Tank of Tokyo Electric Power Company. The park, made of mirror-finished metal, is a space where no one is allowed to enter. It is a happy space that is out of reach, and at the same time, a place that recalls a childhood gone by.
4
Thinking back on the memories that a place holds
"The Last Class" Christian Boltanski + Jean Kalman
This work by Christian Boltanski and Jean Kalman is being installed at the former Higashikawa Elementary School, and you can experience it with your whole body through the faint light, the smell of straw, and the sounds echoing through the hallway. Follow the history that has been accumulated in the school building, which has been covered in snow for a long period of time.
5
Hands-on art that both children and adults can enjoy
Nunagawa Campus "Children's Five Senses Experience Museum"
A school where children can learn about the value of the region in a practical way will open as a "five senses experience museum." Together with artists, we will create a space where children can experience using all five senses, such as touching wood, capturing light, and feeling sound. It is also the activity base for FC Echigo-Tsumari, and the "Earth Sports Day" will be held during the event.
6
Lunch
Tsumari Kitchen
Chef Fumio Yonezawa, owner of "No Code" in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, will create a menu exclusively for this tour. He has visited Echigo-Tsumari regularly and has created a menu that reflects the local food culture. The set course menu uses the branded pork "Tsumari Pork" and local vegetables.
7
The concept is "urban and rural exchange."
Matsudai "Nohbutai" Field Museum
You can view around Matsudai Station, where there are about 40 artworks scattered around. In addition to the base facility, Matsudai Nohbutai, you can also view artworks in the Matsudai Local History Museum and the Shiroyama area. In addition, new works will be added to the project "Kabakov's Dream" by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, a pair of artists who are symbols of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.
8
The concept is "urban and rural exchange."
Matsudai History Museum
The local museum is located within the Nohbutai grounds, in a two-story wooden old house with a hearth and a tatami room. It exhibits and records folk and farm implements that are symbolic of the area, as well as materials that provide insight into Matsushiro's history and life. During the exhibition period, there will also be an exhibition by artists who continue to create works based on the landscape and history of the area.
9
A closed school building becomes the setting for the Picture Book Museum
Hachi & Seizo Tashima Museum of Picture Book Art
This museum, which depicts the world of picture books set in an abandoned school, weaves a story with a variety of creatures and artworks made of driftwood. The museum is an experiential space with the main characters being the "three last students of the school." New works will also be on display to coincide with this exhibition.
10
A museum representing Echigo-Tsumari
Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET/Akashinoyu
This is the base facility of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, where works by famous contemporary artists such as Kohei Nawa, Michiko Nakatani, and Me [mé] are on display. During the event, there will be a special exhibition using the corridors and courtyards of MonET, as well as works by up-and-coming Ukrainian artists. You can leave the tour here to enjoy Akashi no Yu and the illuminated special exhibition.
*If you would like to leave the tour, please let us know at the time of application.
6:00pm | Tour Ends
Arrival at: Echigo-Yuzawa Station
Take a taxi to ryugon
Dinner at ryugon. 7:30pm.
The main dining room menu gets its inspiration from Snow Country Gastronomy which includes wild ingredients which have been eaten in the region from time immemorial as well as other dishes from the local folk culture that have been passed down through the ages and are still eaten today.
Snow Country Gastronomy centers around wild plants and mushrooms foraged from the mountains, fermented foods, and vegetables that have been stored and preserved in the snow, as well as other ingredients that are necessary for life in Snow Country.
Continuing the traditions from the orginal Ryugon including charcoal grilling and roasting on skewers, the center of the restaurant has a traditional open hearth known as an irori. Over dinner the staff will grill the seasonal ingredients, meats, and fish. A glass of locally made sake or wine is the perfect accompaniment to the meal.
Saturday, 10/12/24
Check out of ryugon
Reserved: 7:00am taxi
ryugon to Niigata Airport (KIJ) (approx. 40,000 yen)
duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Flight: Niigata (KIJ) to Hokkaido (New Chitose)
JAL2871 | Confirmation #: 6LK445
Seats: 6A (Roo), 6C (Shep)
Departs: 11am
Ticket #: 1312498295557 (Roo), 1312498295556 (Shep)
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
