The town is 77 minutes from Tokyo by Bullet train, which whisks you in a flash from the wonders of Tokyo to the 20 ski resorts surrounding this unique town.

Nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps, Yuzawa is surrounded by spectacular mountains, making it truly a winter sports paradise.

One of the most amazing things about Yuzawa and the surrounding area is the huge amount of snowfall. The record 24 hour snowfall is 2.32 metres, which fell in one amazing day in 1986.

In the modern era, the town has developed a water-sprinkler system to melt the snow from the roads. Before this, locals used to make their 1st floor bedroom window into a door. This was used as a front door during the peak winter months - the usual entrance being completely buried in snow!

Given the huge amounts of snowfall and mountainous terrain, it was only natural that Yuzawa should become a mecca for skiing, snowboarding and winter sports.

Yuzawa has 20 ski resorts within 20 minutes of the train station, which allows for a huge variety of resorts. Back-country powder, friendly family resorts, terrain park jumps - Yuzawa offers it all.

Click here for information on the local resorts in the area.

After a full day hurtling down the slopes, nothing is better than a hot bath. Japan, and particularly Yuzawa, has raised this concept into an art form.

Yuzawa was originally established as an 'onsen' town - the term refers to natural volcanic hot-spring baths. Yuzawa has dozens of onsen, providing an amazing bathing experience.

The picture to the left shows the onsen at the Ishiuchi Jung Parnas

The huge amounts of snow in Yuzawa provide for exceptionally clean water. Thanks to this, the "minami-uonuma" rice grown in the region is nationally renowned as being the highest grade and tastiest rice in Japan.

Japanese visitors flock to Yuzawa to try the rice, but also other rice products such as 'senbei' rice crackers and 'sasadango' - mochi rice cakes mixed with yomugi herb and wrapped in sasa bamboo leaves [pictured].

Apart from rice, the pure clean water is put to good use in making some of the finest and most famous sake in the country.

'Hakkaisan' is the most famous brand, brewed in neighbouring town, just 30minutes from Yuzawa.

Yuzawa train station has a sake tasting area, where you can taste various brands. The station also has an onsen bath with added sake - not for drinking, but said to improve the circulation!

Yuzawa also has a hugely rich history.

Yuzawa is known throughout Japan as "Snow Country". This is a title of a novel written by Yasunori Kawabata - the story was set in Yuzawa, and indeed was written whilst Kawabata was staying at the Takahan Ryokan in Yuzawa.

Takahan Ryokan contains a museum dedicated to Kawabata, showing a glimpse of Yuzawa life from the 1930's.

Yuzawa town boasts a huge variety of hotels, restaurants, 'onsen' hot baths, and other facilities.

The town does everything it can to make your visit as enjoyable as possible: there is even a free foot onsen on the high street, so that passers-by can soak tired feet.

Our handy guide shows you where to find this, and other facilities: Yuzawa town map

This Yuzawa area map offers a map in printable pdf form.