Living the History Retreat "Mitsumata" ~The Story of Echigo Yuzawa on the Mikuni Kaido~

Why not go and discover the lost history of this town that flourished as a post town on the road during the Edo period? Kyohei Tamura, our guide for this Snow Country Retreat, majored in history in college and is a big fan of the Sengoku period. He fell in love with the history of the Mimata region. Although it is not famous, there are anecdotes that allow you to feel the breath of the people of the Edo period, and stories of the head of a family that lived in the village from its early days and continued to protect the oldest wakihonjin that still exists on the Mikuni Kaido road. Let's trace the history together, which is full of emotion that cannot be conveyed by words alone. Nowadays, the area is famous for its ski resorts, but the lives of the people who have been living here since the Edo period are the backbone of how it got to where it is today. There are things that become clear when you focus on the lives of the people who lived and continued to live strong lives despite being tossed about by the flow of history. It's not just skiing, but you can feel the charm of this mountain village. Although it is a "history retreat," no specialized knowledge is required. We will guide you not only through historical facts but also the feelings of the people at that time.

The location of this retreat, the Mimata area, is not a popular tourist spot, but it is a very attractive place. During the Edo period, this area flourished as a post town on the Mikuni Kaido road, and traces of that time still remain in the townscape. Just looking at the scenery that combines the atmosphere of the past with the atmosphere of the countryside is somehow calming, making it the perfect place for a retreat. Why not visit this area, which you don't usually get to visit, for a retreat?

Lunch is a feast unique to snow country, lovingly prepared by local mothers. You can enjoy freshly cooked rice, kenchinjiru soup, and snow country side dishes in a buffet style. You can listen to anecdotes about the side dishes from local mothers and talk with other participants while eating, which is sure to be a very memorable experience. Even if you don't have meat or fish, come and enjoy the luxury of rice, soup, and side dishes that will satisfy both your body and mind.

Joining the participants on this retreat will be Kyohei Tamura, who loves history. During the walk around the town, he will help you imagine the history of the Mimata area and how people in the past felt. Rather than just listening to a one-sided history talk, walking around the town while putting yourself in the shoes of people in the past will help you develop a stronger attachment to the Mimata area. After spending a day here, it will have become a place that is important to you, like a second home.