Niigata, Japan

Heart of
Minami Uonuma

Heart of
Minami Uonuma

Live like a local in Niigata's snow country.
A family-run place to come back to.

Concept

Experience Niigata
as a local

Another tadaima — a place to come home to.

Experience Niigata not as a tourist, but as a local. Discover the warmth of everyday life, beautiful nature, and meaningful connections that you won't find in guidebooks.

Niigata coast Cherry blossoms Autumn foliage Winter snow

Our Story

Hello, we are
Yuko & Colin

Born and raised in Tokyo, we traveled the world, lived in the United States — and somehow, we found ourselves here. In Minami Uonuma, a quiet town in Niigata, nestled between mountains and deep winter snow.


What we discovered here was far richer than we imagined. Crystal-clear water, vast rice fields swaying in the wind, the beauty of four seasons — and above all, the warmth of the people who welcomed us in.


We moved here during the pandemic, an uncertain time for everyone. Yet the people of Minami Uonuma embraced us quietly and wholeheartedly. It is that warmth we want to give back — to share the beauty of this place with the world.


The scenery that no guidebook can capture. The culture that lives in everyday moments. The connections that stay with you long after you leave. Come and feel the real Niigata — with us.


Colin is also a ski instructor, and we are happy to offer lessons for beginners and children during winter. Our goal is to create a place where you feel: "I want to come back here again."

Yuko and Colin family
Family in rice fields

Experiences

Choose your
experience

Each experience is private and fully personalized.

Half Day

Half Day Experience

from ¥12,000

Full Day

Full Day Experience

from ¥22,000

Premium

Premium Experience

from ¥35,000

Customize

Create your own
journey

Sake brewery

Sake Breweries

  • Shirataki Brewery – Sake blending
  • Aoki Brewery – Tour & tasting
  • Hakkaisan – Snow storage & tasting
Temple

Shrines & Temples

  • Untoan Temple
  • Saifukuji Temple
  • Zen meditation
  • Yahiko Shrine
  • Koryu Shrine
Onsen

Onsen

  • Yomogihira Onsen
  • Takaragawa Onsen
  • Kaikake Onsen
  • Muikamachi Onsen
Nature seasons

Nature & Seasons

  • Snow activities (winter)
  • Cherry blossoms (spring)
  • River & festivals (summer)
  • Autumn leaves & harvest
Food culture

Food & Culture

  • Soba noodle making
  • Japanese sake experience
  • Local food & rice culture
  • Onigiri making
Rice harvest Koi fish Taiko drum Local ramen

Tokyo Connection

Add Tokyo to your journey

We have strong local knowledge of Tokyo too. We can help you combine your Niigata experience with Tokyo sightseeing and a Shinkansen journey.

Why Us

01

Family-style, warm and personal hosting

02

Real local life, not tourist experiences

03

Fully customized and flexible

04

Hosted by locals who truly love this region

Featured

As seen in

Niigata Culture Tourismn-story.jp → 南魚沼市観光協会m-uonuma.jp → YouTube — Life in Minami UonumaYouTube →
Mountain autumn Local harvest Ski slopes Water lily

Booking

Book your
experience

Feel free to contact us anytime — we will get back to you within 24 hours.

Limited availability — small, personal experience only