#JR East #Echigo Yuzawa #GALA Yuzawa

Addressing Dinner Time Congestion in Echigo Yuzawa

Echigo Yuzawa, a popular winter destination in Japan, has been facing significant congestion in its dining establishments during evening hours. To tackle this issue, a collaborative effort between several organizations, including East Japan Railway Company Niigata Branch, JR East Niigata City Create, JR East Cross Station Foods Company, and Gala Yuzawa, is underway. Utilizing the “Hakobyun” train luggage delivery service via the Joetsu Shinkansen, a trial to enrich the lineup and quantity of station bento (railway lunch boxes) was successfully conducted on January 10th and 11th.

The trial received positive feedback from customers, indicating notable effectiveness. As a result, the initiative to enhance the menu and availability of bento will continue going forward.

Continuation of Station Bento Service

Overview

By utilizing the stable transportation capabilities of the Joetsu Shinkansen, the “Hakobyun” service allowed for the trial sale of station bento manufactured in the Tokyo area at the “CoCoLo Yuzawa Gangi-dori” station building. Due to the positive response from customers, this initiative will be maintained in the future.

Transport Procedure

The bento will be transported via the Joetsu Shinkansen, specifically on train No. Tani 83, departing from Tokyo Station at 9:52 AM and arriving at Gala Yuzawa Station at 11:16 AM.

Bento Sale Dates

The bento sales will occur every Saturday and Sunday from January 24 to February 28, 2026.

Bento Sales Overview

1. Sales Location:
- CoCoLo Yuzawa Station Building, “Gangi-dori Central Market”
2. Sales Time:
- 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM each day (sales will end once items are sold out)
3. Estimated Quantity:
- 200 bento boxes per day.

Example of Bento Items

(Note: The products offered may change.)

Information Sharing for Inbound Tourists

To enhance the experience for inbound tourists visiting the Echigo Yuzawa area, efforts are being made to provide information on dining and sightseeing options in the surrounding regions, including Nagaoka and Niigata areas. This initiative aims to alleviate congestion in local restaurants during dinner hours by widening the choices for visitors who may enjoy skiing in Echigo Yuzawa.

As part of this program, information will be featured on the tourism website