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Echigo-Yuzawa Station Guide | Ultimate Travel, Sake & Onsen Tips

Cultural Experiences

Discover Echigo-Yuzawa Station in Niigata—your ultimate stop for food, sake, hot springs, and shopping. Enjoy 100+ sake tastings, onsen baths, and local crafts in one convenient spot.

Echigo-Yuzawa Station|Your Easy Gateway to Niigata’s Nature & Hot Springs

Echigo-Yuzawa Station in Niigata Prefecture is just about 1.5 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen
This area offers year-round charm—from skiing in winter to hot springs and nature walks in summer
Connected directly to the station, CoCoLo Yuzawa & Gangi Street is more than just a passageway. It’s a vibrant complex where you can enjoy food, culture, and relaxation all in one place, making it a top pick among international travelers. 

Ponshukan at Echigo-Yuzawa Station|Sample 100+ Sake Varieties

Niigata is famous for its delicious rice and sake, thanks to pure meltwater from snow-covered mountains. 
The quality of this water—known as shikomimizu—is key to Niigata’s exceptional sake. 
At Ponshukan, you’ll find sake from all 92 breweries in Niigata. For just 500 yen, you can sample five types from over 100 varieties using a unique coin-operated tasting machine, with English guidance available

Unique Sake Bath|Relaxation Experience at Echigo-Yuzawa Station

Inside Ponshukan, you’ll also find Sake Spa,  a bath infused with Japanese sake. 
Towel rentals make it easy to drop in during your trip. 
Though compact, the bath warms you to the core for a uniquely soothing experience. 

Niigata Gourmet at Echigo-Yuzawa|Rice Balls, Soba & Koji Ice Cream

CoCoLo Yuzawa’s dining options range from ramen and sushi to soba and Italian cuisine, all highlighting Niigata’s local ingredients. 

  1. Bakudan Onigiri (Giant Rice Ball) 
    Made with premium Uonuma Koshihikari rice, these hearty rice balls come with your choice of fillings, showcasing the natural sweetness of the rice. 
  2. Hegisoba with Maitake Tempura 
    Niigata’s signature soba noodles made with funori seaweed for a smooth texture, best enjoyed with crispy maitake mushroom tempura and a sake tasting set. 
  3. Koji Soft-Serve Ice Cream 
    Mildly sweet with a gentle koji aroma. Koji, a fermented food essential in making miso, soy sauce, and sake, is known for its umami and health benefits. 

Souvenir Shopping at Echigo-Yuzawa|Local Flavors & Traditional Crafts

The souvenir area offers everything from miso, soy sauce, pickles, and seafood to Japanese sweets and traditional crafts
Don’t miss the large tsurushi-bina (hanging ornaments) display at the back—perfect for photos. 

Echigo-Yuzawa Foot Baths & Onsen Town Walks|Relax Like a Local

Right outside the station is a free foot bath to relax tired legs. 
A short stroll leads you to Echigo-Yuzawa’s hot spring town, lined with nostalgic sweet shops, sake stores, and local izakayas—perfect for sampling onsen manju (steamed sweet buns). 

New to Japanese Bathing (Onsen)? Check this perfect guide!

Echigo-Yuzawa Station Facilities|Wi-Fi, Multilingual Support & Comfort

The station offers free Wi-Fi, a multilingual tourist information center, and coin lockers
With direct access to hot springs, even first-time international visitors can enjoy a stress-free stay. 

Echigo-Yuzawa Station|Why This Gateway Stop Is a Must-Visit in Niigata

CoCoLo Yuzawa and its surroundings bring together the best of Niigata’s food, culture, and hot springs. 
It’s not just a stopover—it’s a destination worth setting aside time for. 
Take your time and enjoy all it has to offer. 

Basic Information (Please check before visiting)

ItemContents
NameCoCoLo Yuzawa & Gangi Street (CoCoLo Yuzawa)
Location2427-1 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6101, Japan 
(Directly connected to JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station)
AccessBy Train: Direct access from JR Joetsu Shinkansen / Joetsu Line “Echigo-Yuzawa Station” (right outside the ticket gates) 
By Car: About 2 km / approx. 5 minutes from the Yuzawa IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway via National Route 17 
Business HoursRegular Hours: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry 6:45 PM) 
Extended Hours: On specific dates from July to November (e.g., July 19–20, Aug 3–4, and consecutive holidays from September to November): 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM (last entry 7:15 PM) 
Hours vary by store or facility. Please check the official website or on-site information before visiting. 
Closing dayOpen year-round (except for temporary closures)
Admission feeFree entry. Some facilities, such as sake tasting at Ponshukan or the sake bath, require a fee.
Approximate time requiredApproximately 60–120 minutes (1–2 hours) is ideal for enjoying food, shopping, sake tasting, and the foot bath.
Official Sitehttps://jenic.jp/cocolo/index.php?sc_name=yuzawa
Phone number 
remarks
Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and multilingual support available 
Credit cards and e-payments accepted (VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, etc.), as well as transportation IC cards and mobile payments (available at select stores) 
Directly connected to the station for sheltered access in rainy weather; barrier-free, coin lockers, baby rest areas, and multipurpose restrooms available 
Parking available 

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Travel-loving foodie writer. A directionally-challenged certified national tour guide, constantly on the hunt for stories that make both repeat visitors to Japan and locals happy.

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