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.