Finding Spring in Echigo-Yuzawa: "Wild Vegetable Picking Experience 2026" to Enjoy the Blessings of Snow Country

NASPA New Otani (Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture; General Manager: Junji Araki) will hold its popular spring event, the "Wild Vegetable Picking Experience 2026," set in the rich natural environment of Echigo-Yuzawa. This is a seasonal nature experience where participants can enjoy strolling through the natural surroundings of the hotel while searching for wild vegetables with a local guide, feeling the blessings of spring unique to the snow country.

After a long winter, this is the season when the earth awakens. Picking freshly sprouted wild vegetables with your own hands and feeling the scent of nature and the warmth of the soil is an irreplaceable experience that can only be found in Echigo-Yuzawa.

After picking, a lunch incorporating wild vegetables (soba lunch) will be provided. You can enjoy the seasonal tastes nurtured by the nature of Echigo-Yuzawa at the dining table.

The guide is Junko Fueda, a Vegetable Sommelier Professional who also collaborates with NASPA New Otani's popular food education project "Morning Harvested Vegetable Picking Experience." This is a special spring-only day recommended for families, couples, friends, and everyone who loves nature.

"Wild Vegetable Picking Experience 2026" Event Overview

Dates: Sunday, April 26 Sunday, May 3, Monday, May 4 (Substitute Holiday), Tuesday, May 5 (National Holiday), Wednesday, May 6 (National Holiday), Sunday, May 24 Total 6 dates

Venue: Inside NASPA New Otani Garden (Mt. NASPA area)

Time: 10:00 Gather/Depart - 13:00 Dismissal (scheduled)

Schedule for the day (tentative): 10:00 Gather at the lobby and depart 11:50 Finish picking wild vegetables 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Dismissal

Fees: Adults: 6,000 yen Children (4 years old to elementary school students): 5,000 yen * Lunch menu is the same for adults and children. * NOC members and owners receive a 500 yen discount each.

Experience Details: - Wild vegetable picking guide by Vegetable Sommelier Professional Junko Fueda - Nature walk in the surrounding area - Includes lunch incorporating wild vegetables (soba lunch)

Reservations & Inquiries: NASPA New Otani Sales Promotion Tel: 025-780-6333 (Reception hours: 10:00 - 17:00)

About NASPA New Otani Opened in 1992 in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture, as an authentic resort hotel of the Hotel New Otani (Headquarters: Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) group. The hotel's concept of wanting to be "kind to people and nature" has remained consistent since its opening. Even after many years, it is a place that boasts rich nature, delicious water, and wonderful hot springs.

In this blessed environment, we will continue to take on new challenges while balancing comfort for our guests with consideration for the global environment, accumulating our gratitude to our guests, to Yuzawa Town, and to the four seasons and great nature of Echigo-Yuzawa, just like the snow falling in Yuzawa.

[Access] Joetsu Shinkansen: Approx. 70 mins from Tokyo Station / Approx. 45 mins from Niigata Station. Approx. 3 mins by free shuttle bus from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station West Exit. Kan-etsu Expressway: Approx. 115 mins from Nerima IC, Approx. 90 mins from Niigata Chuo IC, Approx. 5 mins from Yuzawa IC.

[Facility Overview] Name: NASPA New Otani Location: 2117-9 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture 3 minutes by free shuttle bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen Tel: 025-780-6111 (Main) Hotel Website: https://www.naspa.co.jp