Niigata | Grandma's Warm Dining Hall in the Snow Country: Minami-Uonuma Koshihikari Rice Cooking Experience, Local Cuisine Class, and a Relaxing Day at Ryugon Onsen 065
| Departure / Meeting Point: | 新潟・南魚沼「ryugon」土間工作坊空間 |
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| Duration | Half-day experience (2 hours or 3.5 hours) |
| Operating Period | 2026-04-01 ~ 2027-03-31 |
| Minimum Number of Participants | 2 ~ 6 people |
| Price (per person) |
Adult: ¥6,500 Child: ¥6,500 |
| Age Restriction | 6 歲以上（需家長陪同） |
Itinerary Details
The Soul of Rice Country: Hagamama and Koshihikari Rice
In Minami-Uonuma, white rice is the star of the show. The Koshihikari rice grown here absorbs nutrients from the clear snowmelt, making each grain plump and translucent. Under the guidance of Grandma Seki, you will experience the traditional “hagama-zushi” (rice cooked in a hagama pot): from washing the rice and controlling the heat of the stove to listening to the subtle crackling sounds inside the pot. The moment the pot is opened, the burst of aroma will redefine your understanding of “white rice.”
The Slow Food Philosophy of Snow Country: Midday Time with Grandma Guan
Grandma Guan is not only a culinary expert but also a living encyclopedia of life in the snow country. While preparing mountain vegetables and sauces, she shares how to utilize nature’s bounty and how to pickle wild vegetables to survive the harsh winter. After the activity, you can visit a large public bath converted from an old rice granary. In the cozy wooden atmosphere and with the slightly alkaline hot springs, you can quietly watch the snowscape or vegetation outside the window and experience the most authentic slow-paced life in the snow country.
Itinerary
Doma Cooking and Local Cuisine Class
Ryugon arrival and environment introduction
Upon arriving at the Ryugon Doma Workshop, meet Grandma Kan in the charming kitchen of a traditional folk house and listen to her opening remarks about the food culture of Minami-Uonuma.
Cooking practice: Hakkama rice and mountain vegetable juice
We wash rice with melted snow water, light a fire in the stove, and follow Grandma’s rhythm to chop and wash seasonal vegetables and wild herbs, personally preparing steaming hot local soups.
Snow Country Lunch and Hot Spring Therapy
Enjoy freshly cooked Koshihikari rice lunch
Enjoy the freshly cooked rice in a hakama pot, accompanied by homemade side dishes and soup. Chat and take photos with Grandma in a warm atmosphere, bringing this delicious lesson to a close.
Enjoy hot spring bathing and relaxation in the main building area
Move to the main building’s relaxation area to enjoy coffee and snacks, or head to the traditional open-air bath for a soak. Experience the changing seasons in the open-air bath until the tour concludes at 3 PM.
Important Information & Cancellation Policy
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Notes: * Communication is primarily in Japanese, but even if you don’t understand Japanese, you can still deeply appreciate the experience through body language and the cooking process.
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The menu changes seasonally; please inform us when making a reservation if you have severe food allergies.
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The hot spring is open from 13:00 to 15:00. Please note the time of day you are using it.
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Cancellation Policy:
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Once a reservation is made, a 5% system cancellation fee will be charged if the reservation is cancelled due to personal reasons.
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7 days before departure: 30%
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3 days before departure: 50%
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Previous day and current day: 100%
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