Spot

Tokamachi Station

The west side of the Tokamachi Station is home to the Tourist Information Center, full of knowledgeable staff ready to help you during your trip. Tourist maps are freely available, a luggage service is offered, and there is a shop so you can easily pick up some souvenirs from your trip.

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Tokamachi City Museum

The Tokamachi City Museum is an interactive history and culture museum that showcases how people have lived in Tokamachi through the ages. The National Treasure, “Kaengatadoki,” or “flame-style pottery,” a magnificent piece of pottery dating 5000+ years ago that was found almost entirely intact, is on permanent display here. Come step into a replica of an old snow country house, create your own Jomon period avatar, and learn all about what it is like to live in Tokamachi.

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Crossten & Kinare

Tokamachi’s Contemporary Art Museum. Kinare is home to unique, seasonal artwork including the “Snow Fun Exhibition,” which is a hit in the winter. (Seasonal offerings may vary.) Next door is the rest area and souvenir mall known as “Michinoeki Crossten,” chockfull of local Tokamachi specialties. This building is also home to a Guinness World Record for the biggest set of “tsurushi-hina,” or handmade dolls hung from the ceiling.

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Lunch (Hegisoba)

“Hegisoba” is Tokamachi’s specialty type of soba, or buckwheat noodles. They are called such for the tray they are served in, known as “hegi.” Usually, soba noodles are served in one pile, but hegisoba is served in individual loops meant to resemble sewing threads, in a nod to Tokamachi’s history of textile production. These noodles have funori seaweed in them as their binding agent, which contributes to a smooth, delicious taste.

Spot

Tokamachi Station

The west side of the Tokamachi Station is home to the Tourist Information Center, full of knowledgeable staff ready to help you during your trip. Tourist maps are freely available, a luggage service is offered, and there is a shop so you can easily pick up some souvenirs from your trip.

Spot

Matsudai Station

The Matsudai Station doubles as a special rest stop known as "Michinoeki Matsudai Furusato Kaikan," which houses the Tourist Information Booth, souvenir shops, a restaurant and multi-purpose rooms. Take a load off here!

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Nohbutai and Matsudai Cultural History Museum

Nohbutai is right next to the Matsudai Station, which is surrounded by rice fields, forests, walking trails, and artworks that can be found all over the satoyama landscape. Take a stroll around this gorgeous area that is full of nature.
Just across the walkway from the station is the Matsudai Cultural History Museum, a renovated farmhouse that tells the rich history of life in Matsudai among the snow. Leave behind the present while you sit around the old hearth and hear stories about the old life.

• Art

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Matsudai Station

Hokuhoku Line (about 30 minutes)