Tsubame(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Yone City, stay at Tsubakiya Ryokan, a centuries-old ryokan nestled beside the Kogane River. This authentic Japanese inn offers wooden-beamed rooms, open-air baths (rotenburo), and daily kaiseki cuisine featuring local rice and mountain vegetables. Guests can participate in hands-on Yone lacquerware workshops, learning the ancient maki-e technique. The inn’s commitment to preserving Noto craftsmanship and seasonal ingredients provides a deep immersion into Niigata’s artisan heritage and harmonious living with nature.

The Yone Station District is the ideal base for travelers, offering easy access to major sights. Stay at Yone City Hotel, just a 5-minute walk from the Yone Art Museum and the historic Kogane Street district. Explore the Kogane River promenade at night, illuminated by lanterns, and enjoy breakfast featuring Niigata Koshihikari rice. This central location blends modern comfort with historical charm, perfect for experiencing Yone City’s unique blend of past and present.

Yone Onsen is renowned for its mineral-rich sodium bicarbonate springs, particularly at Ono Onsen Inn. The inn features outdoor baths with panoramic views of Akagane Mountain and misty rice fields. Baths are enhanced with locally gathered herbs and Niigata sake infusions for therapeutic benefits. Guests can join onsen history tours, learning about the region’s geology and long-standing bathing traditions. The combination of natural beauty and wellness culture sets it apart.

Must-try experiences in Yone City include the Yone Lacquerware Workshop at Kogane Lacquer Hall, where you’ll learn the intricate maki-e artistry using traditional tools. Attend the annual Yone Festival, showcasing iron forging, washi paper making, and textile dyeing. In the evening, visit a restored old town teahouse to savor Echigo-ni stew and Niigata matcha, surrounded by Edo-period ambiance and stories passed down through generations.

Yone Family Stay is a top choice for families, located near the Kogane River Trail. It offers child-safe accommodations, hands-on pottery workshops, and family farming experiences planting Koshihikari rice and pumpkins. Daily nature walks led by local farmers teach children about wetland birds and stream ecosystems. The hotel also features a children’s onsen pool (tempered to 38°C), ensuring safety and fun—ideal for nurturing young explorers’ connection to agriculture and nature.

Begin your culinary journey at Ichinoya, a century-old restaurant in Old Kogane Street. Famous for Echigo-ni and Yone specialty miso soup, their signature dish, Yone Beef Hot Pot, uses locally raised Echizen beef simmered in a broth of Niigata Koshihikari rice. Dine in a traditional Edo-style interior with tatami mats and sliding screens, while the staff shares stories of family recipes and regional sourcing—a true fusion of flavor and heritage.

Yone Sky Lodge atop Akagane Mountain offers glass-roofed rooms perfect for capturing night skies and morning fog. Equipped with professional tripods and lighting, the lodge hosts photography workshops teaching how to shoot Kogane River reflections, seasonal flower fields, and snow-covered streets. Monthly sessions feature local photographers sharing techniques for documenting lacquerware crafts, festival rituals, and winter landscapes. Early-morning drone photography tours are also available for panoramic views.

Winter in Yone City shines with snow-lit street tours. Stay at Yuki no Yado, a traditional inn in Old Kogane Street, where snow-draped courtyards glow under paper lanterns. Participate in snow sculpture workshops, carving designs inspired by Yone lacquerware patterns, or soak in private snow-viewing onsens beneath Akagane Mountain. Each evening features bonfire storytelling sessions, recounting legends of snow spirits and master craftsmen, creating a magical atmosphere.

Yone Accessible Stay is the only certified accessible hotel in Yone City, featuring ramps, non-slip floors, and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms with lift systems. It provides audio guides, Braille menus, and guide dog accommodation. Nearby attractions like the Kogane River Path and Yone Art Museum are fully adapted for mobility devices. Customized tours are available, including guided visits to lacquer studios and historic homes, ensuring all guests enjoy seamless, inclusive experiences.

Yone Gokaku-kan, the city’s only five-star resort, sits in the tranquil foothills of Akagane Mountain. Each private villa features smart climate control, floor-to-ceiling windows, and direct views of the Kogane River and cherry blossom groves. Enjoy Michelin-starred kaiseki meals crafted with hyper-local ingredients. Personal butlers arrange exclusive experiences: custom lacquerware creation, private forest hikes, and midnight tea ceremonies, delivering unparalleled privacy and sophistication.