Search Tokyo and Niigata

Tokyo Midtown, a mixed-use development in Akasaka, comprises office, hotel, retail, residential, and leisure spaces, including the MITSUI FUDOSAN ICE RINK, which is open for outdoor skating during the winter months. It's one of the largest outdoor skating rinks in Tokyo and is surrounded by illuminations at night, creating a space where skaters can glide through a magical atmosphere. The rink offers a unique city skating experience that's great for friends and families alike.

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In the middle of Shinjuku/Yoyogi, a major urban center, is a neighborhood where, at first glance, time seems to have stood still. In March 2017, a whole row of old private houses was renovated to offer “something new,” while maximizing existing resources and preserving the spirit of present-day Tokyo. The result is Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai, a district filled with a variety of colorful and distinctive stores with a uniquely Japanese charm.

As a project, Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai was launched with the aim of revitalizing old private houses and stimulating the food and beverage industry.Visit Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai to experience both tradition and reinvention!

Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Park in Myoko-city, Niigata Prefecture, is one of the oldest ski parks in Japan, having been open since 1927. The park boasts one of the widest runs in the country. Its routes make the most of the long skirt of Mt. Myoko, offering a safe and smooth descent for skiers of all ages and abilities, while allowing snowboarders full access to any zone within the park. Even experienced snowboarders can enjoy terrain and challenging obstacles. The Kids' Garden at the bottom has a moving carpet belt that skiers can ride on for free; it's surrounded by safety netting so children can go skiing and sledging safely.

Sake brewing has been active in Niigata Prefecture since ancient times, and there are many sake breweries here. Kiminoi Shuzou Co., Ltd is located in Myoko, a region rich in nature with more than 32 feet of snowfall in winter, and has a long history, having been established in 1842. The brewery's sake, made from high quality local Myoko rice grown in the rich snowmelt, is highly regarded for its original flavor and has won awards at competitions in Japan and abroad. In the company building, which is over 100 years old, you can see the elegant beam structure and the pot that is still in use today.

Lotte Arai Resort in Myoko-city, Niigata Prefecture, is a ski resort blessed with plentiful, high-quality powder snow. When the skies are clear, it offers skiers the unique experience of enjoying a splendid view extending to the Sea of Japan while descending on wide and open courses, where snowboards are also welcome. From December to May, the illumination event Light Parks by FeStA LuCe is held at the park, entertaining guests with a magnificently festive light display.

• Night Hike is not a regularly held program.

Every winter, the Marunouchi business district in central Tokyo is illuminated in a stunning golden color. From early November to mid-February, more than 330 trees along the three-quarters-of-a-mile-long Marunouchi Naka-dori are decorated with 1.2 million “Champagne-gold” LED lights. In addition, the Light Gate in the Yurakucho area (at the front of the International Building and the New International Building), the beautifully lit Otemachi Naka-dori, and various illuminations around Tokyo Station add to the festive atmosphere, making a stroll here even more enjoyable.

This new observation facility in Shibuya is a must-visit spot for tourists in Tokyo. From the rooftop observation area, you can take in everything from the famous Shibuya Crossing to the iconic Tokyo Skytree, and even get a glimpse of Mount Fuji on clear days. The CLOUD HAMMOCK on the rooftop is a great place to lie back and relax under the great big sky, in the heart of a bustling metropolis. On the 46th floor is the SKY GALLERY, which is an indoor observation corridor. There you can experience visual content that brings together videography, sound, and the scenery outside, or shop for souvenirs. It's a great hangout spot even on rainy days.

The hot spring town of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture is well known as the setting of "Snow Country", the most famous novel written by Nobel Prize–winning novelist Yasunari Kawabata, but it is also a hub of winter sports. Among them is GALA Yuzawa. It is particularly popular for its accessibility, magnificent panoramic mountain views, and high-quality powder snow. The ski center connected to the Shinkansen station has plenty of amenities, such as storage lockers, changing rooms, and a ski/snowboard rental shop, as well as hot spring baths and pools where you can relax after skiing.

New Greenpia Tsunan is a resort comprising a hotel, campsite, ski park, adventure playground, hot spring baths, sports facilities, and fairground. From the end of December to the end of March, the park hosts a flying lantern festival during which lanterns are released every day (except when the park is reserved or closed). Visitors can purchase a lantern balloon made only of natural materials for ¥1,500 and write their wish on the lantern. The lantern will then be lit by one of the trained staff and all of the lanterns are launched at once. The spectacle of bright orange lights flying across the night sky will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale.

Niigata is one of the most renowned sake-producing regions, equivalent to Burgundy in France or Tuscany in Italy for wine. At CoCoLo Yuzawa Ponshukan, you can taste sake made at all of the region's breweries. Pay ¥500 at the door to receive an ochoko sake cup and five tasting coins and sample up to five cups from a wide range of locally brewed sake. The shop offers a selected range of locally produced specialty food items, including sweets made from sake, rice crackers, and the famous Koshihikari rice. If you are hungry, you may want to try a gigantic rice ball or soft-serve ice cream made from koji (malted rice), followed by a relaxing soak in a sake-infused bath.