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Visitor Centers
The Shin-etsu Trail has eight visitor centers. To ensure a safe and enjoyable hike, lease check the latest information on the current trail conditions and seasonal environment in advance. Official Shin-etsu Trail maps are also available at each center.
Shinestu Shizenkyo Activity Center
On the first floor of the JR Iiyama Station, 772-6 Iiyama, Iiyama City, Nagano 389-2253
TEL 0269-62-7001URL https://shinetsu-activity.jp/
●Hours: 8:30～18:00
●Closed: Open year round
●Access: By car: 15 minutes from the Toyota-Iiyama IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway
By train: Exit at JR Iiyama Station; located within station building
●Parking: Available (municipal lot, charge for more than 1 hour)
●Services: Available rental items (trekking shoes, rain wear, backpacks - 1000 yen/day each, snowshoes - 1500 yen/day, trekking poles - 500 yen/day)
Located within Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. Information on the Shin-etsu Trail and Shizenkyo area can be obtained at this location. They also rent trekking equipment, sell official Shin-etsu Trail maps, and issue certifications of achievement. Madarao Kogen, the western terminus of the Trail, can be accessed by local bus from Iiyama Station.
Madarao Kogen Yama no Ie
11492-70 Madarao Kogen, Iiyama-shi, Nagano 389-2253
TEL 0269-64-3222URL http://madarao.tv/
●Hours: 9:00～17:00
●Closed: Wednesdays
●Access: By car: 25 minutes from either the Toyota-Iiyama IC or Myoko-Kogen IC of the Joshin-etsu Expressway
By train: Take the Iiyama City Community Bus from Iiyama Station, 30 minutes to the Yama-no-ie-mae stop
●Parking: Available
●Services: Various hands-on programs and rentals (daily fee: rain boots - 300 yen, snowshoes, trekking poles - 1,000 yen)
The visitor center stands at the southern entrance of the Shin-etsu Trail at Madarao Kogen. Information on the Shin-etsu Trail, as well as information on the 50-km trail in the Madarao Kogen area, nearby sightseeing, lodging, etc., can be obtained here. Relaxing lounge and terrace with an excellent view available.
Green Pal Kogen-so
4046-6 Sekida, Itakura-ku, Joetsu-shi, Niigata 944-0116
TEL 080-8858-9776(June - October)
URL https://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/soshiki/itakura-ku/itakura-ss-02-php.html
●Hours: 10:00～16:00
●Closed: Winter season (November - May)
●Access: By car: 50 minutes from the Joetsu IC of the Hokuriku Expressway ●Parking: Available ●Services: Equipped with showers and self-catering rooms. The Shin-etsu Trail's designated tent sites are also available here (Hikari ga Hara Kogen Campground)
By train: 40 minutes by taxi from Arai Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line of the Echigo Tokimeki RailwayBy train: 40 minutes by taxi from Arai Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line of the Echigo Tokimeki Railway
The visitor center is located near Sekida Toge pass on the Shin-etsu Trail, along the Route 95 connecting Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture and Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture. It is at an elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level in the Hikari ga Hara Kogen. There is an approach trail from the main trail that leads to this location.
Shin-etsu Trail Club head office
Nabekura Kogen Mori no Ie
1571-15 Teruoka, Iiyama-shi, Nagano 389-2601
TEL 0269-69-2888URL www.nabekura.net/
●Hours: 8:00～18:00
●Closed: Tuesdays (irregular closings possible)
●Access: By car: 40 minutes from the Toyota-Iiyama IC of the Joshin-etsu Expressway
By train: 20 minutes by taxi from Togari-Nozawa Onsen Station on the JR Iiyama Line
●Parking: Available
●Services: Variety of nature-related activities, 10 cottages, a cafe, rentals (daily fee: rain boots - 300 yen, winter boots (with gaiters) - 1,000 yen, snowshoes - 2,000 yen, trekking poles - 500 yen)
The visitor center is accessible from the Maki Toge pass and the Utsunomata Toge pass on the Shin-etsu Trail. The Shin-etsu Trail Club head office is also located in this building and provides detailed information on the Shin-etsu Trail including Mt. Nabekura, as well as instructor services.
Echigo-Tsumari Daigonji Kogen Campsite
3140 Amamizukoshi, Matsunoyama, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata 942-14350
TEL 025-596-2994URL http://daigonji.com/
●Hours: Reception desk; 9:00～16:30, Day camp; 9:00～17:00
●Closed: Winter season (mid-November to mid-April)
●Access: By Car: 60 minutes from the Joetsu IC of the Hokuriku Expressway, Toyota-Iiyama IC of Joshin-etsu Expressway, and Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC of Kan-etsu Expressway
Matsudai Station on the Hokuhoku Line, get off at Matsunoyama Onsen Iriguchi stop, then 20 minutes by taxi to the site.
●Parking: Available
●Services: Cafeteria and day-trip bathing are available at an adjacent lodging facility, lodging is also available (reservation required; 2 cottages and 3 bungalows). The Shin-etsu Trail's designated tent sites are annexed to (Daigonji Kogen Campsite).
The visitor center is located near Mt. Amamizu, a northern entrance to the Shin-etsu Trail. It is surrounded by pastures, and at the base of the plateau is Matsunoyama Onsen, which is famous for its medicinal properties. Visitors can relax and unwind here, and the beech forest, visible wile en-route to Mt. Amamizu, is a must-see.
Kizuna, Reconstruction Memorial Hall
3586-4 Hokushin, Sakae-mura, Shimominochi-gun, Nagano 389-27024
TEL 0269-87-2200URL http://www.vill.sakae.nagano.jp/docs/286.html
●Hours: 9:00～17:00
●Closed: Mondays; Tuesdays when Monday is a national holiday
●Access: By car: 40 minutes from the Toyota-Iiyama IC of Joshin-etsu Expressway, parking lot available
By train: 1 minute walk from JR Mori-Miyanohara Station
●Parking: Available
●Services: Rental e-bikes (sport-type; 1,800 yen for half a day / 2,800 yen for a day, city-type; 1,800 yen for half a day / 2,300 yen for a day)
The visitor center is located next to the JR Mori-Miyanohara Station, the starting point for sections 7 and 8. Exhibits related to the Northern Nagano Earthquake are on display. The Sakae Village Akiyama-go Tourism Association is also located here, and provides sightseeing information on the surrounding area.
Katakuri no Yado Akiyama-go Ketto Onsen
450-1 Ketto, Tsunan-machi, Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata 949-8316
TEL 025-761-5205URL http://www.tsumari-artfield.com/katakuri/
●Hours: Reception desk; 10:00～15:00
●Closed: Irregular closings possible, winter recess
●Access: By Car: 80 minutes from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC on Kan-etsu Expressway, parking lot available
By train: From JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, 70 minutes transferring 2 bus lines and on-demand taxi (reservation required)
●Parking: Available
●Services: Day-trip bathing and lodging are available (reservation required, 2 rooms for 3 persons, 3 rooms for 4 persons, 2 rooms for 6 persons). Shin-etsu Trail's designated tent sites are also available (Katakuri no Yado tent site).
The visitor center is located at the starting point for sections 8 and 9. This village landmark was originally the wooden Ketto Elementary School. Hikers can tent in the school yard, lunches served, and area tours available (reservation required for those usage).
Snow Country Tourist Office
2431-1 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6101
TEL 025-785-5353URL https://www.snow-country-tourism.jp/
●Hours: 9:00～18:00 (irregular closings possible)
●Access: By car: 5 minutes from the Yuzawa IC of the Kan-etsu Expressway, parking lot available around Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
By train: 5 minutes walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station
●Parking: No (use nearby toll parking lot)
●Services: This site serves as a tourist information center, providing a wealth of information on Yuzawa Town. Baggage storage available.
Located on the rotary at the west exit of the JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station. The gateway to Mt. Naeba, the eastern terminus of the Shin-etsu Trail. Information on the Snow Country Trail (SCT), which runs along most of section 10 of the Shin-etsu Trail.