The Ryokan Collection is delighted to welcome a new member to its group of fine ryokan - ryugon in Minami-Uonuma, Niigata. Nestled in the mountains of one of the country's best ski areas, this beautifully renovated 19th-century farmhouse is surrounded by an exquisite Japanese garden and boasts a unique local gastronomy sure to surprise even the most seasoned visitors to Japan.

Experiences
Snow Country Gastronomy

Snow covers the ground for nearly half the year in this region, resulting in a unique food culture that rests on foraging, farming, and preserving to ensure full bellies through the winter months. Diners can explore a new side of Japanese cuisine, full of tender mountain shoots, wild mushrooms with no English name, pickles made with sake lees, root vegetables sweetened by long storage under the snow, and many other unfamiliar delights. ryugon's chefs transform timeless regional recipes into innovative fine dining to rival Tokyo's chicest restaurants. Gourmands can explore this gastronomy even more deeply through tours to local sake breweries, cooking lessons over the farmstead's original wood-fired stove, and other tailored experiences.

Ryokan Style, Hotel Experience

ryugon's sprawling farmstead epitomizes the historic architecture of snow country, with peaked roofs to shrug off heavy snow, long eaves to provide cover in inclement weather, and even a sitting room registered as an Important Cultural Property. With well-preserved elements like an irori sunken hearth and gorgeous lacquered beams, ryugon has the elegant beauty of a traditional ryokan. However, the style of service breaks free from the classic mold to allow guests the freedom and comfort more typical of a 5-star hotel. The the common areas are open throughout the day, even before check-in or after check-out, so guests can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks in the lounge, homemade plum wine at the bar, or a massage at the private spa with products from luxury French cosmetics brand Themae Paris.

Hot Spring Heaven

ryugon's hot springs are a special kind of heaven: soaking outdoors in a natural stone bath, while billows of steam rise up to meet falling snow or a night sky studded with far more stars than city dwellers would believe. Every now and then, the silence is broken by the gentle susurration of snow slipping from the slanted awning into the dark waters of the garden pond. The soft alkalinity of the thermal waters is said to be beneficial for muscle and joint pain, while Cotte amenities from local sake brewer Hakkaisan, made from the same snowmelt water and amino acids as the famed sake, help preserve youthful skin.