The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama, an observation terrace at Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort in Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture, is heading into a busy autumn lineup for September, October, and November. As the summer heat eases, the terrace looks out over the Uonuma Basin just before its rice paddies turn gold ahead of harvest, and over the Echigo Sanzan mountains as they gradually change into fall colors, and the venue is marking the season with new services and events.
A new "Autumn Views BBQ Plan" has started, along with a weekday-only discount plan available in September and October. During Silver Week, from September 19 (Saturday) through 22 (Tuesday, holiday), operating hours are extended for this year's final "Night Terrace" evenings, with a trailer sauna experience on September 19 (Saturday) and fireworks on September 20 (Sunday), 21 (Monday, holiday), and 22 (Tuesday, holiday).
For an outdoor experience that only autumn can offer, The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama has plenty on offer.
Hands-Free BBQ With a View: New Weekday Set Plan for Fall
At The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama, the Uonuma Basin, one of Japan's leading rice-growing regions, and the Echigo Sanzan mountains spread out in front of guests, who can barbecue from a front-row seat over the view. The unobstructed, wide-open panorama is unusual for a BBQ venue, and dogs are welcome too, making it a spot families and groups of friends can enjoy together. There's no need to bring food or cookware — everything for a hands-free BBQ is provided. A quiet favorite on the menu is rice balls made with freshly harvested Uonuma-grown Koshihikari, one of Japan's top brand rice varieties, which pair especially well with the view in front of you.
This fall, a new weekday-only plan bundles the BBQ experience with a round-trip gondola ticket at a discount: the "Weekday-Only Light Plan." It also comes with discount coupons for the resort's popular buggy cruise and dome tents. After the BBQ, guests can take the popular buggy cruise across the ski resort's wide-open fields for an active outdoor experience — not just taking in the autumn scenery of Niigata and Uonuma, but looking at it, eating in front of it, and experiencing it, all part of what makes The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama distinct.
The fall foliage surrounding The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama terrace: as autumn deepens, the surrounding mountains turn a colorful red (best viewing from mid-October).
The rice-paddy scenery of the Uonuma plain below: at harvest time it becomes a carpet of gold (from mid-September).
Freshly grilled BBQ pairs perfectly with rice balls made from newly harvested Koshihikari.
The buggy cruise: the weekday plan comes with a discount coupon.
Autumn Views BBQ Plan details
- Season: August 31 (Mon) to November 8 (Sun), 2026
- Closed on October 17 for a separate event.
- The weekday-only plan runs weekdays only, from August 31 (Mon) through October 30 (Fri).
- The BBQ operates rain or shine, but the plan may be canceled if the gondola stops running due to weather.
- Hours: A 120-minute session between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM
- Pricing (tax included)
| Site | Plan | Price | Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site A | Deluxe Plan | ¥4,900 | BBQ experience only |
| Site A | Light Plan | ¥3,900 | BBQ experience only |
| Site B | Deluxe Plan | ¥4,400 | BBQ experience only |
| Site B | Light Plan | ¥3,400 | BBQ experience only |
| Site B | Weekday-Only Light Plan | Adults ¥3,900 / Students ¥3,600 | BBQ experience + round-trip gondola ticket + buggy cruise discount coupon |
Site A is a smaller site for families or small groups (up to 5 people), while Site B is a larger site for bigger groups (up to 20 people).
Food (Light Plan, per person): pork shoulder loin (80g), pork belly (80g), coarse-ground sausages (lemon-parsley and cherry-smoked, 60g each), assorted vegetables (bell pepper, zucchini, onion, cabbage, king oyster mushroom), and Minamiuonuma-grown Koshihikari rice balls (2 pieces)
Food (Deluxe Plan, per person): beef shoulder loin (100g), pork shoulder loin (80g), pork belly (80g), thick-cut bacon (50g), coarse-ground sausages (lemon-parsley and cherry-smoked, 60g each), assorted vegetables (bell pepper, zucchini, onion, cabbage, king oyster mushroom), Minamiuonuma-grown Koshihikari rice balls (2 pieces), and a drink voucher
Included in every plan: BBQ ingredients, use of the BBQ site (120 minutes), and cooking equipment (grill, gas, cooler box, tongs, kitchen scissors, small plates, disposable chopsticks, wet wipes, yakiniku sauce, salt and pepper)
Weekday-Only Light Plan also includes: a facility pass (round-trip gondola ticket) and a 10% discount coupon for the buggy and dome tent experiences
Bookings can be made through the Autumn Views BBQ Plan page; please apply at least two days before your visit. Operating dates, hours, and other details may change due to weather or safety considerations — check The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama's official website for the latest information.
This Year's Final Night Terrace, With Fireworks on September 20, 21, and 22
Over the Silver Week holiday period, from September 19 (Saturday) through 22 (Tuesday, holiday), the terrace holds this year's final "Night Terrace" evenings.
During this period, hours are extended from the usual 4:30 PM closing time to 8:00 PM, letting guests watch the sweeping panorama below Minamiuonuma shift from a sunset-orange glow at dusk to the twinkling night lights of Minamiuonuma City, a limited-time view that changes with the hour.
The dome tents, a favorite for their photogenic private setting, also stay open in the evening during Night Terrace hours. Families and groups can spend time together taking in the night view, and there's a "bonfire experience" for gathering around the fire, plus a trailer sauna experience for enjoying the open-air feeling that only a mountaintop location offers (September 19 only).
On top of that, fireworks will go up on three nights within the period — September 20 (Sunday), 21 (Monday, holiday), and 22 (Tuesday, holiday) — for a magical, one-of-a-kind night with large fireworks set against the night view from the mountaintop.
Because the terrace closes by 8:00 PM, there's still time to comfortably make your way back to the greater Tokyo area, making it a solid option for a day trip too.
Autumn is the best season to enjoy the warmth of a bonfire's flame.
The observation terrace lets guests enjoy a sunset gradient that shifts over time.
The dome tent offers a private space to have the night view all to yourself.
On September 19 only, guests can try Niigata's "Trailer Sauna HOKUTO."
Night Terrace details
- Dates: August 8 (Sat) to 15 (Sat), and September 19 (Sat) to 22 (Tue, holiday), 2026
- Hours: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM (last ride up at 7:30 PM)
- Fireworks: launching around 7:30 PM (on September 20 (Sun), 21 (Mon, holiday), and 22 (Tue, holiday))
- Dome tent: 10:20 AM to 7:40 PM (last entry 4:40 PM)
- Bonfire experience / hand-held fireworks experience: 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Trailer sauna experience: two sessions, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (September 19 only)
- Terrace Café Rokka: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Resort Center: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Operating dates and hours may change due to weather or safety considerations — check The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama's official website for the latest information.
As the summer heat eases, autumn's more comfortable outdoor temperatures make it an ideal season to get outside — with BBQ and activities surrounded by nature, a view that shifts from sunset to night lights, bonfires and saunas, and fireworks lighting up the night sky.
Whether it's a fall outing with family or friends, or a day away from the everyday spent in nature, The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama offers a special kind of time that can only be found on the mountaintop this autumn.
Green Season operating information
- Season: through November 8 (Sun)
- Night Terrace period: September 19 (Sat) to 22 (Tue, holiday)
- Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (until 8:00 PM on Night Terrace days)
- Pricing: round-trip gondola ticket — adults ¥2,000, children ¥1,200, students ¥1,500
- Access:
- By car: Kan-Etsu Expressway, about 120 minutes from Nerima IC or about 90 minutes from Niigata Chuo IC; about 3km (5 minutes) from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC either way.
- By public transport: about 80 minutes from JR Tokyo Station, an 8-minute walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, or about 10 minutes by free shuttle bus from Yuzawa Kogen.
Operating dates and hours may change due to weather or safety considerations — check The Veranda Ishiuchi Maruyama's official website for the latest information.
