Snow Country Radiation Checks - All Resorts Safe

Radiation has been big in the news over the past year and it has been a concern for many visitors, especially from overseas. The powers that be have been keen to allay any fears and have been conducting test on all tourist spots in the region. Geiger counter wielding scientists have been a bit of a common site over the past few months here.

The good news is that everywhere has been given the all clear with radiation levels sitting well within the acceptable zone. With that fear out of the way you can head to Snow Country and enjoy the amazing snow that has fallen of late.

We've just been hit by almost 6 days of snow, giving us a very White Christmas and masses of the fluffy stuff piling up everywhere. Lots of work for the locals as they get their houses clear and dig the car out, but awesome for those here to enjoy it. Tsunan even made the news as one of the heaviest hit.

For those of you of a scientific bent the radiation results for each area can be found here:

Minami Uonuma

http://www.city.minamiuonuma.niigata.jp/site/tohoku-taiheiyooki-jishin/ski-dadiation-kekka.html

Uonuma

http://www.city.uonuma.niigata.jp/modules/momenttopic/index.php?content_id=218

Minakami

http://www.town.minakami.gunma.jp/01news/2011/files/163sokuteikekka.pdf

Yuzawa

http://snowcountryjapan.blogspot.com/2011/12/yuzawa-resorts-radiation-checks-no.html

Head up soon for some awesome snow conditions. Snow Country fully living up to its name.

Minakami Ryokan on CNN.com

We've long been recommending a stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan and a soak in a hot spring as an essential experience if you come to Japan. It seems CNN.com also think that the Japanese ryokan is a great way to experience the relaxing effects of hot spring bathing. Of all the ryokan in Japan, the one that made it into their article was Senjyuan in Minakami.

Senjyuan is a stunning example of the modern ryokan. The design of the building and the rooms takes the very best of the ryokan tradition and brings it up-to-date with the best materials and beautiful styling. They have hot spring baths in the rooms as well as the main bath area, and if natural is your favorite, their is even one down on the banks of the river. The views are always mentioned as well for good reason.

For the full article check out the link -

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/21/travel/five-hot-springs/index.html

or check out their English website for some great views of the ryokan

http://www.senjyuan.jp/e/

Matsunoyama Onsen Power

Matsunoyama Onsen was in the news tonight for their new geo-thermal power generation steam. They are using some of their abundant hot spring resources to produce renewable, environmentally sound energy. Today they had the opening ceremony for their power generation facility amidst plenty of press interest. With the power issues caused as a result of the events in March, safe,renewable energy sources have been much in the news. For a country rich in volcanic hot springs, projects like this seem to be a natural choice and many towns will be watching this with interest.

Matsunoyama Onsen falls under Tokamachi and was originally a staging post on the troop route from Snow Country to Joetsu. It is a quaint little spa town tucked away in the mountains and home to the fantastic Chitose Ryokan which has an amazing outdoor bath which alone is worth the trip when the snow is falling.

It is also home to one of those quirky local festivals that let you see a different side of Japan. This one sees newly wed grooms tossed into a snowdrift.

Taste of Snow Country Tour - Jan 21-22

Occasionally offers come around that are almost too good to be true and this is certainly one of them. In an effort to convince people that there is more to Snow Country than skiing and snowboarding, the Niigata Prefectual Government is sponsoring a tour to introduce international visitors to some of the other highlights of the region - festivals, food, culture and sake.

As it is being subsidised, it is a crazy 1,000 yen per person. This includes 1 night of accommodation, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, all tour fees and insurance. Too good to be true, right? The only thing you have to do is go home and wax lyrical about the wonders of Snow Country. Pretty fair swap if you ask me.

There are only 20 spots on this tour available so get in early. And you have to be signed up before Jan 10th.

So if you like snow festivals, shrines, food fresh from the Sea of Japan and dining out in izakayas drop us a line.

Staying at a Ryokan

We've written before about the joys of staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan with their great food, onsen and awesome hospitality. At least one night in a ryokan should be on your list if you are visiting Japan. There is an association for ryokans over here - the Japan Ryokan Association - and they have a great guide on the ins and outs of staying in a ryokan. There are good tips on how to choose one, what to expect and important things you should know.

It is always good to be prepared but no one is expecting you to be au fait with the intricacies of Japanese etiquette - people are just happy that you have come to their country and are keen to introduce you to their culture.

The Japan Ryokan Association's guide is an interesting read with lots of good tips to make your stay a more enjoyable one. If you really want to come prepared they also have a printable guide that you can keep at hand during your stay, so if you can't remember how to tie your yukata...

Belnatio Snow Paradise

Belnatio is plush resort hotel just outside Tokamachi. It is a little off the beaten track as it sits on its own large estate. Come winter time this estate turns into a Snow Paradise offering a whole host of family activities.

There is a snow park for the kids to play in. Tubing. Snowmobiling. Snowshoe trekking and nature walks. Sled rides. Snow Rafting. And that is just some of the outdoor fun.

There are also extensive activity facilities inside with a pool, craft workshops and kids room, as well as an onsen and plenty of places to grab refreshments. It's an action packed day out if you only have one day but it is best as a base for the family vacation. Plenty to do in and around the hotel as well as daily shuttles to local resorts - you could be happy here for weeks.

Adaptive Snow Sports

As the flyer for the adaptive ski program at Neige notes, "Anyone can enjoy the snow." They have a highly trained cast of instructors who specialize in teaching all aspects of adaptive snow sports. People with all manner of disabilities have the opportunity to hit the slopes and experience the freedom of sliding down the mountain.

You may well have seen a sit-ski of some design rip past you on the slopes or seen a blind skier being led down the slopes by their guide while you are out in a resort. With the right equipment and instructor snow sports can be accessible to almost anyone, and just a glance at the top-level athletes in adaptive snowsports show you how dynamic it can be.

Neige have a full range of equipment from mono- and bi-skis, tethers, speakers for visually impaired skiers, outriggers for 3 and 4 track, and of course highly trained instructors who are equally comfortable introducing people to adaptive snow sports or honing already developed skills. They were previous based at Kayama Coast but due to the closure of that resort, they have made Yuzawa Nakazato their new home for this season.

Happy My Birthday in Yuzawa

If you are lucky enough to have a birthday between 10th December and 30th April you are in line for some free stuff in Yuzawa this winter. It's the Happy My Birthday Campaign.

Head to the Tourist Information Office on the West Side of Echigo Yuzawa Station on your actual birthday to register and you will get your birthday card (and lanyard if you are one of the first 500.) You are now set to pick up a whole bunch of free stuff from resorts, restaurants, shops and hotels in the area.

There are 8 resorts offering free lift passes (Nakazato, Yuzawa Park, Iwappara, Kandatsu, NASPA, Ipponsugi, Yuzawa Kogen and GALA) and a whole host of accommodations and shops offering free drinks, cakes, discounts, etc. Some pretty good bargains to be had among the 40 odd establishments taking part so well worth trying to get the day off and head up to Yuzawa on your birthday.

Happy My Birthday Campaign flyer - you are going to need to produce some official photo ID with your birthday on to get the goodies.

It's Snowing in Snow Country

Winter has well and truly descended on Snow Country. The snow started falling last night and has continued all day today, covering everywhere in white.

It is great timing as tomorrow is due to be the opening day of several resorts including Naeba, Tashiro and Tenjindaira.

You can keep an eye on opening day at Naeba on their live webcams

Snowshoe Tours

As part of our series of other winter activities to take part in while you visit Snow Country, today's offering is snowshoeing.

Snowshoeing is another one of those activities that is suitable for almost anybody of any age. Snowshoes strap to your boots and increase the surface area of your footstep, allowing you to hike across the snow. This opens up a whole new world as you can head off into the woods to explore the beauty of the winter environment.

It is incredibly peaceful. All around you is white and quiet as you break trail deeper into nature. There is plenty of wildlife around and even if you don't see an animal you will definitely see their tracks. The guides are very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, as well as local legends, so will make sure you get the most out of your time in the snow.

Snow Country has a wealth of great snowshoeing locations, so no matter where you find yourself there is a good chance that there is a tour close by.

Walking through Japan

Hitting the news at the moment is the story of a Swiss travel agent who has just finished walking the length of Japan. It is a self-funded mission to demonstrate to people that Japan is still a great destination, the food is safe and the people are as friendly and welcoming as ever - you can read the backstory here. It is an amazing undertaking and also makes for a great read as Thomas Köhler writes a daily update of his adventures with plenty of photos.

Mr. Köhler also briefly passed through Snow Country on his trek back in October even making it onto the radio in Tokamachi.

It is a fantastic effort and deserves to be applauded. Hopefully it helps spread the message that Japan should still be on your list as a place to visit.

Ski Resort Opening Dates - Sakae, Tsunan & Tokamachi

Rounding off the opening dates for resorts in Snow Country. Again - planned dates only at this date. It has been snowing today in the region but all the resorts need more snow yet so it is possible that certain places may have to postpone their opening or receive one of Snow Country's legendary dumps.

Sakae

Sakae Club - 23 December


Tsunan

Greenpia Tsunan - 17 December
Mountain Park Tsunan - 23 Tsunan


Tokamachi

Matsunoyama Onsen - TBC
Nakasato Kiyotsu - 23 December

Ski Resort Opening Dates - Uonuma

The schedule dates for the resort in Uonuma. If you are looking for other resorts in the area you can try the posts for the Minami Uonuma area or the Yuzawa town area. All dates are the planned opening and will depend on there being enough snow for the resort to open. If the conditions aren't right they will push this date back a bit.

Okutadami Maruyama - as soon as there is enough snow
Yakushi - 17 December
Suhara - 23 December
Ohara - 23 December
Koide - 23 December
Oyu Onsen - 23 December

Ski Resort Opening Dates - Minami Uonuma

We have listed the opening dates for resorts in the Yuzawa area and here are the planned opening dates for resorts that are further up the valley in the Minami Uonuma City district. Again it is worth noting that these are the planned days and will depend on there being enough snow for the resort to open. Delays are likely if the weather does not cooperate.

Joetsu Kokusai - 10 December
Ishiuchi Maruyama - 17 December
Centreleisure Maiko - 17 December
Muikamachi Hakkaisan - 23 December
Itsukamachi - 23 December
Mt. Grand View - 23 December
Muikamachi Ski Resort - 23 December
Hakkaisan Sanroku - 23 December
Chateau Shiozawa - 24 December
Ishiuchi Hanaoka - 29 December

Ski Resort Opening Dates - Yuzawa Town

List of some of the planned opening dates for the upcoming winter. As always, it is snow dependent so subject to change. It has been pretty cold recently but the snow is still quite high up. Many of the resorts listed below will need quite a bit of snow lower down to be able to open on these dates so some postponements are looking highly likely.

Kagura (Mitsumata) - 23 November
Kagura (Tashiro) - 10 December
Naeba - 10 December
Iwappara - 10 December
Yuzawa Kogen - 10 December
Kandatsu Kogen - 16 December
Yuzawa Nakazato - 17 December
Ludens Yuzawa - 17 December
Nakazato Snow Wood - 17 December
GALA Yuzawa - 17 December
Yuzawa Park - 22 December
NASPA Ski Garden - 23 December
Nunoba - 23 December
Ipponsugi - 23 December

Yuzawa Resorts Radiation Checks - No worries

The Geiger counters were out this week in Yuzawa as checks were done on all the ski resorts before the snow falls to see what current radiation levels were. Everywhere was given a clean bill of health with readings within the range of 0.016 - 0.160 uSV/h, so you can hit the slopes with peace of mind this winter. For a run down of results by resort in English have a looks at this document or if you would like to check the full results (in Japanese) head to the Yuzawa Town homepage.

Snowmobiling

All the surrounding peaks are snow-capped now and there is the definite winter feel around Snow Country at the moment. The first resorts are already opening their doors for the winter and the other resorts are just waiting for the snow line to creep a little lower down. Skiing and snowboarding are hugely popular but there are plenty of other things to keep you amused if these are not your thing.

One great activity for thrill seekers is snowmobiling. Hurtling around the winter landscape on a specially designed machine definitely gets the pulse racing.

One of the great things about is that no special skills are needed to have an amazing time on a snowmobile. With a few pointers from the experienced instructors you are soon up and away, throttling your machine through the powder. It is also a good day out for the kids as there are smaller machines for the young ones or they often get a kick out of riding on the same sled as their parents.

RSS Snowmobiling run tours in Yuzawa and in Naeba. The course in Naeba is particularly good as there is a trail through the forest so you get a real feeling of exploration.

Parties in Naeba - SnowSplash and FIS World Cup After Party

Winter in Japan means some of the best snow in the world but one aspect of the winter sports vacation that people from abroad often lament is the lack of a apres-ski party scene. Most areas have a couple of bars in town but they are not as popular as their European resort counterparts. If you are going to do it like a local you will either crash back in your room with some beers and a good soak in the onsen, or head to an izakaya - a drinking restaurant. Later at night you might wander out to sing a bit of karaoke.

There are plenty of parties and events around though you probably have to make sure you are in the right place at the right time so as not to miss out. Naeba is a good place to go if you are looking for some apres action and there are a couple of dates you need to keep free for 2012.

SnowSplash - Saturday January 21st

This is a popular annual party that does the rounds in Minakami, Naeba and Hakuba that draws some big name foreign acts, DJs and performance artists.


There is also a World Cup Mogul Event in Naeba this year and there is nothing highly trained athletes in the peak of the physical condition like more than to let their hair down and party after a tough day at the office. The official after party will be on Saturday February 18th.

Full details on both of these to follow...

Okutadami Maruyama opening Dec 2nd

As we have already mentioned, winter season is officially underway in Snow Country, though the current warm weather is anything but wintery. The next resort to open up is like to be Okutadami Maruyama.

It's an interesting resort just outside of Koide in Niigata prefecture. It usually opens early in the season, closes mid-winter as keeping the access clear is too difficult, and opens again in spring. It usually has one of the best parks in the region so is a bit hit with the local freestyle community. It is an impressive drive up there, along a road that is more tunnel than anything, and the resort itself backs on to a huge lake that stretches all the way to Oze. At other times of year the pleasure cruise on the lake is the big attraction, drawing thousands who come to admire the fantastic scenery, especially in autumn.

Another resort that tries to open early is Tenjindaira on Mount Tanigawa which is just awaiting one more snowfall before opening their slopes for the winter.

The Road to Sochi for a Local Skier

The 2014 Winter Olympics may seem a long way off right now, but if you are an athlete aiming to be there, it is drawing closer fast. Ayana Onozuka is a skier from Shiozawa with her sights firmly set on competing in the Women's Half Pipe at Sochi.

Like many Snow Country kids she spent a lot of time on skis and ended up racing. She notched up some impressive results but spent her free time when not training, messing about in the park and pipe. This is where she is now concentrating her efforts and she admits she genuinely enjoys her sport. She's appeared at the Nissan X-Trail Jam in the Tokyo Dome and also placed in the Nippon Free Ski Open Half Pipe. She's currently over in the States training and eyeing up the AFP Tour.

You can keep up to speed with Ayana Onozuka on her blog or really get behind her and join her Official Supporters Club, which is getting a good uptake from local businesses and her home mountain of Ishiuchi Maruyama.

The countdown to Sochi on her website is 800 days at the moment. A long physical road but one that is likely to pass in a flash. We wish her the best of luck and will be cheering for her every step of the way.

The Future Stars of Tourism

Tourism is an important industry for Snow Country and there are plenty of efforts to encourage it. One of the most interesting is the Yuzawa Middle School Tourism Volunteers. These are students who volunteer their time and efforts to promote the region in which they live.

Last winter they were offering a guiding service on the weekends of the Snow Country Museum, Yukigunikan. This was offered in both Japanese and English. The students offering the service in English were pretty nervous but put in loads of practice and did a great job.

At the moment the volunteers are giving an introduction to the area in Echigo Yuzawa Station on weekends. They divide the presentation up into sections with each student talking about a specific subject. There are also little quizzes with prizes, and a chance to taste the top three omiyage sold in the station. [For those of you wondering, #3 Sweet bean dumplings, #2 Rice Crackers, #1 Sasadango - sweet bean rice sweets wrapped in bamboo leaves]

The volunteers have also produced a pamphlet with a map of the area and their top three recommendations for places to visit for each season.

It is great that the students are taking an interested in tourism and receiving the encouragement to do so.

50 years of Naeba

It's a big anniversary for Naeba this winter. The resort opened on 23rd December 1961 as Naeba International Ski Resort so it is 50 years old this year. With Kagura open already, preparations are well under way for Naeba's planned opening on Saturday 10th December. With the recent lower temperatures they have already started on getting the main slope ready with some man-made snow (which was first introduced to Naeba in 1979.)

Naeba International Ski Resort became Naeba Ski Resort in 1973. Over the years Naeba has played to host to a variety of World Cup events and fittingly enough for its 50th Anniversary this season too will hold an event with the Freestyle FIS World Cup on 18th/19th February. World class skiers will compete in moguls and dual mogul events.

There is a good collection of their poster throughout the years on their 50th Anniversary site. Hopefully there will be some images of Naeba back in the day up there shortly too.

There are also rumors of a free day return shuttle bus from Echigo Yuzawa Station this winter.

Literary Snow Country - Osamu Dazai

Takahan is not the only ryokan in Snow Country who have links with famous Japanese writers. Ryokan Tanigawa played host to the novelist Osamu Dazai.

His stay was in the original building before it became the modern, high class ryokan it is today, but they have a mock up of his room in one of their salons. They also have an impressive collection of his works and some of his possessions.

His life was pretty turbulent and reads like a novel in itself, with attempted suicides, elopements, alcoholism, illegitimate children and depression. There is even rumor of a mysterious death. Some of his best known books are available in English translation, making them the perfect accompaniment to a relaxing stay in this beautiful mountain ryokan.

Kagura opens 23rd November 2011

It is snowing in Yuzawa right now and has been for the last couple of days with some lower temperatures of late. There was enough snow falling in the town last night to warrant turning the sprinklers on and the snow is settling all around. It is good timing too as with tomorrow being a holiday, Kagura is due to open.

They currently have 40cm on the slopes and are good to go for tomorrow. Great news for those of you that have been counting the days until you can strap your gear back on. They are planning to have about 600 meters of slope open.

So its a bus up from the top of the Mitsumata Ropeway to the Kagura Gondola and then you are good to go from there. More snow on the way so it promises to be a good start for the season in Snow Country.

Dealing with the snow in Snow Country

It's that time of year in Snow Country when the weather starts to get colder. With a bit of rain falling you often look up after the cloud clears and see snow on top of the local peaks.

It won't be long before there is snow up there for the winter and as the snow season draws closer people are starting their preparations for the snow. Back in the day Snow Country was cut off during the winter months, only accessible again once the snow melted in Spring. Things aren't as dire these days but it still takes plenty of work to keep the roads clear of the meters of snow that falls every winter.

Each town has a fleet of snow ploughs and snow blowers to keep the roads and walkways clear. During a heavy storm these are moving non-stop in an effort to keep the roads passable. Often in towns they pump warm onsen water up through sprinklers in the road to help melt the snow. It keeps the snow in check but does make for a pretty wet walk. Rubber boots are de rigeur for much of the winter.

Heated roads are another option, especially for areas that are prone to ice.

For the local residents a big snow year is not viewed with the same joy as by the visiting winter sports enthusiasts. It is a constant battle to keep the roof of the house clear of snow. The weight of all that snow can collapse a roof or burst the tyres and crush a car if it is left uncleared for a long time. It is a warming start to the working day when you have to get up early and dig your car out of the snow that has fallen overnight.

Akiyamago

Akiyamago is part of Sakae Village just over the border in Nagano Prefecture. It is a beautiful part of Japan with high mountains, native forests and deep gorges. We drove over from Tsunan in Niigata Prefecture on an overcast autumn day. Even though the sun wasn't shining it was a stunning drive.

Turning off Route 117 in Tsunan you immediately start winding up into the mountains on Route 405. The road quickly narrows off and is single track in some places with small passing points if another car happens to come the other way. The road follows a valley with a river flowing down towards the Shinano and clings to the side of the mountains which loom ever taller the further in you drive. On both sides of the road the forests cover the slopes of the mountains.

You soon start to pass small hamlets dotted on the side of the road and there is the odd stall selling local produce. The people here always relied heavily on the bounty of the mountains. Mushrooms and honey are local specialties, as are game, mountain grapes and mountain vegetables. You don't see many shops as you twist and turn your way deeper into the mountains. The local wood craft is highly regarded and if you are looking for a souvenir of your trip you will be spoiled for choice.

You soon cross over the border into Nagano Prefecture and the mountains continue to rise up on both sides. We saw loads of monkeys by the side of the road and locals told us that boars, foxes and deer were also common sides in these parts, as well as the odd bear.

Akiyamago itself is made up of several small hamlets and is popular with those looking for a relaxing getaway. There are some great onsen, including one that has hot pools right on the side of the river. You just need to dig a hole in the right place and it will soon fill with steaming spring water. The mountains here are also famous with Akiyamago right on the back slopes of Mount Naeba which at just over 2,100 meters is a popular destination for avid hikers.

It is easy to see the attraction of these kinds of locations. The pace of life is slower and more traditional with a strong link with the natural environment. Getting here is an adventure in itself and must have been quite a journey back in the day. Surrounded by nature and fresh, mountain air you can relax and really enjoy the stunning views and tranquility.

Snow Monkey Clothing

If you are in the market for some new threads the winter check out some locally made Snow Country apparel.

If you've been out an about in snowy parts of Japan you may well have already seen some of the Snow Monkey clothing for sale in shops at resorts. They are well known for bright colored T-shirts and hoodies with Snow Monkey written in big Japanese characters.

The make for stylish additions to your wardrobe or really cool souvenirs for those people at home. Snow Monkey have also produced a charity T-shirt to help out with the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Chrysanthemum In Echigo Yuzawa Station

Should you find yourself in Echigo-Yuzawa Station soon you will be greeted by a massive display of Chrysanthemum.

All summer long budding gardeners try to grow these blooms that are one of the symbols of Japan, and come autumn, when they are at their peak and in full bloom they are judged and put on display in the station.

The bigger ones grow to an impressive height and are taller than many of the tourists who are strolling past them. These flowers are another sign of autumn and a glance out of the windows of the station shows the surrounding mountains at their very best right now. The leaves are starting to fall which means that winter is just around the corner.

How to take a Japanese Onsen

A soak in a natural hot spring bath is one of the joys of any trip to Japan, and Snow Country has a wonderful selection of onsen. If you've never had one before it can be a bit of an intimidating experience, which is why we thought this poster was a great idea.

It gives you all the main points to be able to enjoy a relaxing bath.

1 - Rinse yourself off first
2 - Relax yourself in the bathtub
3 - Scrub with soap outside the bathtub
4 - Enjoy another good soak in the hot water

- Please do not take a bath with your underwear on
- Please rinse off all soapsuds before entering the bathtub.

The bottom two are pretty important and if you follow those you can't really go wrong. The bath is taken naked and you should wash off completely before getting into the water. That way the water stays clean and everybody can enjoy it.

There are a few extra pointers about Etiquette.

- Do not put your hand towel in the bath water
(You will see many Japanese people leave it on the side of the bath or put it on their head while they are soaking away.)
- Washing of clothes is not allowed
- Do not jump in or swim in the bath
- Do not bring food or drink into the bath

-

Some onsen also do not allow tattoos but you will have to check with each one about their policy.

It is a highly recommended experience so do try to make the time to visit one while you are in Snow Country.

Yukiguni Mushrooms

It is definitely autumn up in Snow Country at the moment. The leaves are on the turn, the rice has been harvested and the supermarkets are full of autumn treats like chestnuts and persimmons. Another autumn favorite are mushrooms. As you hike around the mountains here you often stumble across different types of mushrooms growing freely around and they are something of speciality crop here in Snow Country.

Good mushroom harvesting areas are closely guarded secrets among the locals and you have to be careful if you are out collecting as there are some poisonous varieties around as well. If you love the taste of fresh seasonal mushrooms then you may well recognize this character...

It is the logo for Yukiguni Maitake which is one of the best known mushroom producers in this area. Maitake is one of their most prized varieties of mushrooms but they produce many others aswell. They have facilities all over Snow Country and also run an amazing restaurant in Muikamachi that lets you try their produce in all its glory. There is also a little shop and information center next door for all your mushroomy needs.

Snow Country prides itself on the quality of its cuisine and the ingredients that go into it. Mushrooms have long been a staple ingredient, especially at this time of year and form the base for many of the soups and stews that help take the chill off as the temperature drops. The mountains have traditionally played an important role in feeding the local populace. You'll see local foragers scouring the slopes for mountain vegetables in spring and searching for mushrooms at this time of year. A bit of local knowledge and it is amazing what you can find.

Super Sweets Buffet 2011 - Nov 27

Should you be partial to sweets, cakes and desserts there is a not-to-be-missed event coming up on Sunday 27th November. As the name suggests the Super Sweets Buffet is going to be a chance to indulge your sweet tooth and gorge yourself and world class pastries.

The New Otani Hotel is home to Patisserie Satsuki which is renowned for the quality of its dessert menu and whose chefs are have become celebrities for their creations. They are bringing the pastry chefs and kitchen en masse to The Naspa New Otani in Yuzawa for a tasting event which promises to be a fantastic afternoon. Places are limited so you should get in early to avoid disappointment. We'll be there - look for the slightly bloated characters closest to the buffet with cream round their mouths, sticky fingers and a light dusting of icing sugar all over.

Yuzawa is a pretty good place to be if you like your sweets. The cake shop on the East Side of the station, Maruya always has a mouth-watering selection of cakes on display including some of the best chou creams in the country (IMHO). Most of the ryokans in town also have coffee shops open to the public and the resident chefs make sure there are delicious cakes and desserts to delight even the most exacting connoisseur.

Visit Japan Campaign

Japan is trying really hard to boost its tourist numbers at the moment which have suffered a downturn of late due to the events of the last year. One of the big pushes is the Visit Japan campaign.

Part of this is local businesses all over the country proffering small offers as incentives to travelers as part of the Super Saver Coupons. There are a whole load of these under different categories but if you are in Japan it is probably worth having a quick browse to see if there is anything offered in your area.

There are several ways of getting hold of the coupons; you can download an Android app, carry a Visit Japan card or download a paper copy.

If you are up in Snow Country some of the offers available are free gifts, free onsen entries, free late check outs, free drinks and cash discounts from the likes of Takahan, Hatago Isen, Canyons, Echigo-Tsumari Art Field and Kandatsu Kogen Ski Resort.

Keep your eyes open and there are usually some deals around.

The Koh Sekiguchi Museum in Yuzawa

Tucked away on the first floor of the Sporea Yuzawa hotel is the Koh Sekiguchi Museum. Koh Sekiguchi is one of the leading proponents of "Kirie" which is the art of making pictures out of cut paper. He is a native of neighboring Gunma prefecture and has won recognition across the globe for his art.

Sporea Yuzawa has a permanent exhibition of a selection of his works which has been on display since 2005. Each one is carefully crafted and he is particularly well known for his depiction of children and women, and his pictures of the changing of the seasons will resonate with anyone who has visited Snow Country.

For more detail into Koh Sekiguchi's life and works there is plenty to look at on his web gallery which should certainly inspire you to check out these beautiful works in real life.

If you decide to check out the museum you should probably take a bit of time to enjoy the baths at Sporea Yuzawa. They have a roof top spa with one of the most stunning views of any outdoor bath in the region.

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Naoe Kanetsugu Heritage Museum

We've mentioned Naoe Kanetsugu before - one of Snow Country's most famous sons who had a bit of a resurgence recently as the subject of an NHK drama. He was born just outside modern day Muikamachi and spent much of his life in and around Snow Country. For those interested in his life and times there is a heritage museum located in Zenibuchi Park.

The museum itself is a recent addition to the park and the building was moved from a different area to its currently location. Its thick wooden beams demonstrate the high level of craftmanship that was employed to construct the traditional houses and it is supposed to be a similar building to the birthplace of Kanetsugu.

Inside there are displays of weapons, armor, manuscripts and household artifacts from Kanetsugu's period which help you get a feel for life in samurai times. Behind the museum is Mount Sakado which was an important fortified dwelling in his day.

The park too is a beautiful location. In spring it is one of the best places in the area to check out the cherry blossoms and is always full of people enjoying picnics. It also has a large pond ( in which Kanetsugu's father is supposed to have drowned) and lovely landscaped gardens. The hiking trail up Sakado is just a short stroll away

Rafting on the Shinano - November 5 & 6

Minakami is well known as the outdoor adventure capital of Snow Country but there are plenty of other areas offering adventures. With several major rivers running through Snow Country there are great places to raft all over the place. The Shinano is Japan's longest river, and one of Minakami's best known rafting outfits is heading over there for a weekend of rafting on November 5th and 6th.

Spring rafting is the best season for rafting in Minakami but at other times of the year Canyons head further afield to search out the rapids and whitewater. Autumn is a great time to head down the Shinano with stunning views of the changing leaves, warmer temperatures than the Tone and some great sections of water.

The tour kicks off right on the border of Nagano and follows the river back into Niigata. A delicious lunch of local ingredients is enjoyed on the banks of the river, which also gives you the chance to catch your breath after the high thrills of the morning, and then it is back on the water. The day finishes off with the requisite soak in a natural thermal spring bath.

A adrenaline-packed way to spend an autumn weekend.

Forest Therapy in Tsunan

When many people think of Japan they think of hi-tech, big cities but if you venture away from the sprawling metropolis you soon find yourself in areas of great natural beauty and tradition. Many people come to Snow Country to get away from the fast pace and stresses of modern urban life and rediscover the beauty of nature.

One initiative that is marketing itself in this vein is the Forest Therapy Road in Tsunan. It is a beech forest with walking trails that offers relaxing strolls as you immerse yourself in the peace and tranquility of your surroundings.

This beech forest offers beautiful walks with stunning scenery that offers different views throughout the four seasons. The peaceful atmosphere and fresh air will soon have you forgetting the smog, hustle and bustle of the cities and have you yearning for a simpler life closer to nature. There are also guided tours available at certain times if you are looking for some local knowledge.

The forest and its hikes have been featured on television programs which attest to the therapeutic effects of time spent among the beech treees. After a relaxing hike through the forest why not head to one of the local onsen to complete the R&R experience? There are also guided tours available at certain times.

Najomon - Folk Craft in Tsunan

Najomon is one of those great institutions that is keeping the past alive and keeping people in touch with their history and culture. They have a broad range of programs that are very hands-on and are divided into different categories.

The Jomon Experience - the skills you learn in this area are making earthenware trinkets and charms, weaving and experience life in Jomo times. There are traditional wood and straw shelters from the Jomon period and you can try to make a fire the way it was done back in the day which is a really satisfying challenging.

The Folk Experience concentrates on other traditional crafts from Snow Country. Staw weaving was an important skill that provided many of the essentials of day to day life. Paper making and dyeing are other skills you can try your hand at.

The Agriculture Experience - Agriculture is an important way of life in Snow Country and you can learn more about its place in history. Rice is a major crop in these parts and you can take part in the traditional method of harvesting as well as use some of the tools that you have seen in the museums in the area.

Tsunan is a beautiful area and The Nature Experience let you explore the environment, its plants and animals. Watching the fireflies is a great summer experience or winter lets you head out on snowshoes.

The Craft Experience is a great one for the kids. Use wood, ceramics, nuts, gourds and twigs to create many different works of art. There are examples for you to copy or let your creative juices flow

The Food Experience is a personal favorite as you get to eat the fruits of your labor. All the different things you can make have been staples of the area for ages. Using traditional tools you will get to make  treats that are still enjoyed in Snow Country to this day - sasadango, ambo, soba as well as baking with rice powder and flour.

There is a wealth of experience to keep you entertained in Najomon and with so many different things to choose from there is sure to be something for the whole family.