ryugon
Minami Uonuma / 南魚沼
Discover the seasonal rhythm of life in Snow Country. Settled for over 8000 years, this rich land en
THE STORY
Discover the seasonal rhythm of life in Snow Country. Settled for over 8000 years, this rich land endures not despite the heavy winters snows but because of them. During the long winter, the accumulated snow grows tall enough to dwarf a man, but never freezes to a hard iciness in temperatures hovering around zero. In spring, the downy drifts protect the shoots of wild vegetables until foragers pluck them up, tender and sweet. In summer, snow preserved under thatch provides a cooling respite from summer heat. While in autumn, soil that was allowed to rest in earnest for half the year bursts into life with a bounteous harvest.
Ryugon is a ryokan with Snow Country in its DNA. It's 29 rooms are situated in an early 19th-century farmhouse that has been lovingly renovated to preserve the most beautiful elements of the traditional architecture, including a sitting room registered as an Important Cultural Property, while adding amenities that meet the highest standards of modern luxury. A hyper-local ethos transforms timeless regional recipes into innovative fine dining and stocks the cellars with a treasure trove of Niigata-made libations, which the passionate local staff can tell you all about. Even the modern furniture nods subtly to the life-giving snow, with chairs resembling the local igloos known as kamakura and headboards slanting off to one side like a wind-blown drift.
Nestled between the steep slopes of Sakado Mountain and the picturesque farmlands around Untouan Temple, the property is well situated both for enjoying modern outdoor sports and exploring the time-honored practices that have sustained and nourished this community.
Enjoy a taste of a highly unique regional culture, steeped in long tradition and rich terroir.
Ryugon is a ryokan with Snow Country in its DNA. It's 29 rooms are situated in an early 19th-century farmhouse that has been lovingly renovated to preserve the most beautiful elements of the traditional architecture, including a sitting room registered as an Important Cultural Property, while adding amenities that meet the highest standards of modern luxury. A hyper-local ethos transforms timeless regional recipes into innovative fine dining and stocks the cellars with a treasure trove of Niigata-made libations, which the passionate local staff can tell you all about. Even the modern furniture nods subtly to the life-giving snow, with chairs resembling the local igloos known as kamakura and headboards slanting off to one side like a wind-blown drift.
Nestled between the steep slopes of Sakado Mountain and the picturesque farmlands around Untouan Temple, the property is well situated both for enjoying modern outdoor sports and exploring the time-honored practices that have sustained and nourished this community.
Enjoy a taste of a highly unique regional culture, steeped in long tradition and rich terroir.
ROOMS
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VILLA Villa Suite Terrace Villa Suite Terrace was added in September 2022. This suite has a water basin in front of the private open-air bath that vividly reflects the nature of Mt. Sakado. In addition, the hot spring water supplied to its open-air bath is made to flow directly from the source. Experience the slow flow of time in a space where the entire room feels like a terrace. Also, this suite has a private kitchen. If you wish, ryugon can arrange private dining with a chef visiting your room. Please enjoy this new style of Villa Suite. RESERVATION
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VILLA Villa Suite Premium Part of a 2019 extension into the sprawling Japanese-style pond and garden, the spacious villa suites (75-92m²) are connected to the original building via an open-air passage. While the chic gray-toned interior has a modern flavor, the suites maintain the all-important requirement in traditional Japanese architecture of connection to nature through a private deck with open-air bath facing the garden. Classic elements like earthen walls and wooden transoms join modern luxuries like heated flooring for an atmosphere of serene comfort. Overstuffed sofas and lounge chairs with plump ottomans hand-crafted by environmentally conscious Youbi Furniture provide ample space for relaxing and socializing, while a kitchenette with thoughtful touches like fair trade coffee beans and a hand mill ensure you needn't even venture out for a fresh cup of coffee. RESERVATION
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VILLA Villa Suite Standard The standard villa suite still has the same exclusive location, serene comfort, and eco-conscious design of the premium class villas, as well as their distinctive blend of traditional and modern architecture, at a slightly smaller size (55-78m²). Views from the private veranda and open-air bath are not as expansive but still open onto the Japanese-style pond and garden, providing the opportunity to slip directly from the warmth of the room into heated thermal spring waters. As with the premium class, the villa suite is outfitted with custom hand-made furniture from Youbi and luxurious touches like fair-trade coffee beans and fresh milk for superb private relaxation. RESERVATION
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ROOM CLASSIC Premium Classic rooms in the main building offer a more traditional ryokan experience. The deluxe class offers two Japanese-style rooms for separate sleeping and relaxing areas and views on the garden. Low beds are used rather than the traditional futon mats for guest comfort. Charming touches from bygone days like a glossy old rotary telephone or antique calligraphy scrolls written by a priest from nearby Untouan Temple add a particularly nostalgic atmosphere. Room 106 has a deck overlooking the garden. RESERVATION
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ROOM CLASSIC Standard A Classic rooms in the main building offer a more traditional ryokan experience. The standard rooms are characterized by classic elements like sliding shoji doors, sections of tatami flooring, and recessed tokanoma alcoves for displaying artworks. The layout of each is unique, with floor plans ranging from 43 to 60m². Many of the rooms in this class have a Japanese-style enclosed veranda called an engawa, equipped with a heated table known as a kotatsu. Enjoying a cup of tea with your legs tucked under the kotatsu's toasty skirt is a uniquely Japanese pleasure. Other rooms have a small open-air deck where guests can enjoy a natural breeze in warmer months. RESERVATION
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ROOM CLASSIC Standard B Classic rooms in the main building offer a more traditional ryokan experience. The standard rooms are characterized by classic elements like sliding shoji doors, sections of tatami flooring, and recessed tokanoma alcoves for displaying artworks. The layout of each is unique, with floor plans ranging from 43 to 60m². Many of the rooms in this class have a Japanese-style enclosed veranda called an engawa, equipped with a heated table known as a kotatsu. Enjoying a cup of tea with your legs tucked under the kotatsu's toasty skirt is a uniquely Japanese pleasure. Other rooms have a small open-air deck where guests can enjoy a natural breeze in warmer months. RESERVATION
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ROOM CLASSIC Standard C Classic rooms in the main building offer a more traditional ryokan experience. The standard rooms are characterized by classic elements like sliding shoji doors, sections of tatami flooring, and recessed tokanoma alcoves for displaying artworks. The layout of each is unique, with floor plans ranging from 43 to 60m². Many of the rooms in this class have a Japanese-style enclosed veranda called an engawa, equipped with a heated table known as a kotatsu. Enjoying a cup of tea with your legs tucked under the kotatsu's toasty skirt is a uniquely Japanese pleasure. Other rooms have a small open-air deck where guests can enjoy a natural breeze in warmer months. RESERVATION
FACILITIES &
SERVICES
EXPERIENCE
Map &
Transportation
Closest Train Station | Muikamachi Station | |
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Closest Bus Station | N/A | |
Free pick-up service | YES | |
Complimentary transfer from/to HATAGO ISEN in front of Echigoyuzawa Station (30min) / Reservation Required. Depart HATAGO-Isen at 15:15 and 17:15 / Reservation Required |
Key Gate Way Int'l Airport and Train (Shinkansen) Station
MOVIE
Ryokan Data
Area | Minami Uonuma / 南魚沼 |
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Name of Ryokan | ryugon / 龍言 |
Address | 1-6 Sakado, Minami-Uonuma, Niigata 949-6611 〒949-6611 新潟県南魚沼市坂戸1-6 |
Total Number of Rooms | 29 rooms |
Check-in Time | 15:00 |
Check-Out Time | 12:00 |
Credit Card | Yes |
Meals
Dinner Start Time | 17:30 / 19:30 |
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Breakfast Start Time | 7:30 - 10:00 |
In Room Dining Available | No |
Bar | |
Special Dietary Arrangements | YES |
Vegan Friendly | Yes |
Western Breakfast Available | YES |
Other Facilities & Services
Communal Bath | Yes |
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Family Bath | No |
Private indoor bath in room | Yes |
Private open-air bath in the room | Yes |
Room Rates

Room Type | Description | Number of guest per room (JPY) | |||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
Villa Suite Terrace | 55 - 92m² | ||||||
93,500 | 55,550 | 42,900 | 36,575 | N/A | N/A | ||
Villa Suite Premium | 75 - 92m² | ||||||
84,820 | 49,620 | 37,886 | 32,020 | N/A | N/A | ||
Villa Suite Standard | 55 - 78m² | ||||||
71,620 | 43,020 | 33,486 | 28,720 | N/A | N/A | ||
CLASSIC Premium | 48 - 54m² | ||||||
56,220 | 35,320 | 28,353 | 24,870 | N/A | N/A | ||
CLASSIC Standard A | 44 - 60m² | ||||||
40,820 | 27,620 | 23,220 | 21,020 | N/A | N/A | ||
CLASSIC Standard B | 40 - 58m² | ||||||
34,220 | 24,320 | 21,020 | 19,370 | N/A | N/A | ||
CLASSIC Standard C | 43 - 57m² | ||||||
34,220 | 24,320 | 21,020 | 19,370 | N/A | N/A |
Non-smoking room: All
Barrier free: NO
Ryokan rate is for one person, includes one night accommodation, Japanese full course dinner, breakfast, service charge and tax.
Please be advised that rate will change depending on number of guests and dates. Please contact us for details.
- The mentioned rates and service are available only for LRC Members who book through LRC's website.
Barrier free: NO
Ryokan rate is for one person, includes one night accommodation, Japanese full course dinner, breakfast, service charge and tax.
Please be advised that rate will change depending on number of guests and dates. Please contact us for details.
- The mentioned rates and service are available only for LRC Members who book through LRC's website.
- The rates are subject to change without any prior notice.
- Please note that a particular room cannot be guaranteed in advance unless otherwise stated by The Ryokan Collection