The Daigenta Canyon area of Yuzawa is well known for its beautiful natural scenery which makes it the ideal location for a scenic stroll through the snow. The Snow Country Tourism Information Center have chosen this as the route for their snowshoe experience tour.
The tour meets at the Daigenta Koubou which also happens to be the lunch restaurant once you have finished.
Issued with your snowshoes and poles (provided by the guide) it is a short walk to the start point where you strap in and start padding through the snow. The day we went, it was boot deep snow on the ground with more falling all the time. The snowshoe tour follows a pretty trail through the forest and with snow falling around you it is magical.
There was interesting information about the local flora and fauna, as well as history and traditions relating to the region from the guide. The silence in the woods is really peaceful with the only sound being the snow snow compacting under the snowshoes. Snowshoeing is a fun experience and anybody can enjoy it. Even in the deep snow the snowshoes are easy to walk in, and the guide striding ahead made an easy path through the snow.
It was a great experience and by the time we got back to the restaurant for lunch we had worked up a big appetite. Soba and tempura taste even better after a trek through the forest and across snowy rice fields.
The tour is available daily (except Wednesdays) until March 27th and more information is available from the Snow Country Region Tourist Information just outside the West Exit of Echigo-Yuzawa Station.