Immerse yourself in nature at remote Ginzan-daira.
Leave the city behind and make time for the mountain road. Ginzan-daira is a base for Oze excursions, hikes among 2,000-metre peaks, lake fishing, stand-up paddleboarding and stargazing. An action-packed day or an extremely unproductive afternoon? Both count as a holiday.
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15:00
Pick up local ingredients at the roadside produce market Michi-no-Eki Yunotani, near Uonuma Interchange.
Buy drinks and snacks at the Uoroku supermarket opposite. -
15:30
Drive through the long tunnel and emerge into Ginzan-daira.
The nearest convenience stores are back near the interchange,
so make sure you have everything before coming up. -
16:30
Check-in starts at 15:00 at neighbouring Oze Jujo. -
17:30
Make dinner in the spacious shared kitchen.
When the weather is fine, eating outside feels wonderful.
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19:00
Read Takeshi Kaiko over a glass of whisky.
This beloved Japanese writer won the Akutagawa Prize and travelled the world fishing. Let his books bring out your inner explorer.
You are welcome to bring your own drinks.
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20:30
Step outside into the darkness and look up at a sky filled with stars.
Tomorrow starts early,
so have a hot-spring bath and turn in for the night.
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5:00
Rise early and drive to Shiori Pass to see the waterfall-like sea of clouds.
What an extraordinary sight! -
7:00
While you are in Uonuma, try its famous rice.
Cook the local Koshihikari bought at the roadside market
and make onigiri rice balls. -
8:40
Today, head for Oze. First, drive to Lake Okutadami.
Check your reserved boat-and-bus departure in advance and allow time to park and board. This route operates seasonally. -
9:25
Take the seasonal Uonuma–Oze boat-and-bus route, booked in advance.
Cross Lake Okutadami to Ozeguchi, then change to the bus for Numayama Pass. Keep the return timetable handy. -
11:15
Start the walk to Lake Ozenuma.
The lake is less than an hour away. -
12:05
Choose a lakeside walk that leaves plenty of time for your return bus and boat.
A full circuit of Lake Ozenuma takes roughly 2½–3 hours, plus the walk to and from Numayama Pass. For a gentler day, explore a shorter stretch and stop for lunch near Chozo Hut. The mountains are not going anywhere. -
13:45
Leave Lake Ozenuma with plenty of time for photographs.
Oe Marsh has one of Oze’s richest concentrations of plants. -
15:00
Take the bus to Ozeguchi, then connect to the sightseeing boat.
Do not miss this departure — you will not be able to return by this route. -
16:50
The view from the evening boat is quite different from the morning.
From the dam, drive back to 10 Stories Stay Oze. -
18:00
Freshen up in the hot spring, then prepare dinner.
Tonight it is Kaiko-meshi — wild-vegetable fried rice said to have been a favourite of Takeshi Kaiko.
Foraging for wild vegetables in the surrounding area is not permitted. -
19:00
Do a little work after dinner.
A lounge that is comfortable to work in makes all the difference.
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5:30
Head out in search of a 30-centimetre iwana char.
Read Opa! to get into the spirit, then go! -
9:00
There is Shirogane no Yu, a large bathhouse with an outdoor bath,
but the freely flowing source water in our own indoor bath feels wonderful too.
Is it check-out time already? There is never enough time!
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10:00
There is still Echigo-Komagatake and Hiragatake to climb, and SUP to try.
Next time, bring some work and stay a week!
