Nakasato Kiyotsu Snow Carnival - March 10th

The run of snow festivals has not finished yet with plenty more going on as we approach March and spring time.

Nakasato Kiyotsu hosts their Snow Carnival on Saturday March 10th and for sheer variety of events, this one is hard to beat.

The action starts early in the morning and goes into the evening with different events taking place throughout the day, so you can pick and choose the ones that interest you and spend the rest of the time enjoying the slopes.

To give you some idea of the variety of things on offer here is a rough guide to the program.

Candle holder making
Snow soccer
Tubing
Frisbee Target Practice
Food Stalls
Candle Making
Snow Treasure Hunt
Setting the candles
Lighting the candles
Torchlight parade

For some great images of the action check out the gallery.

Shuttle buses will be running from Tokamachi Station.

MTV WINTER STYLE in GALA YUZAWA - Feb 26th

It doesn't get much bigger than MTV when it comes to big names in music, and this weekend they are descending on GALA Yuzawa Resort for a music/snowboard session.

The tunes will come courtesy of DJ Taku Takahashi and the action on the slopes will come from one of Japan's top snowboard teams, SCLOVER who will be out to please the crowd - so expect some serious action on this front.

Music and the mountains are a good mix and this is sure to be a great Sunday afternoon. The action is set to kick off at 4pm so you can get a full day on the slopes then kick back and enjoy the show.

Minami Uonuma Skate Park

We're still in winter with plenty of weeks of snow left in the season. Most resorts will close sometime in April with higher ones hoping to go to Golden Week at the beginning of May, and some resorts in big snow years have been open at the start of June. It is a big snow year this year so we will have to see how long the winter fun can continue.

There is plenty to do in Snow Country come spring and we will try to keep you updated.

This one is a bit far away but the Minami Uonuma Skate Park opens May 29th with a big Opening Event.

For board riders looking to keep active skating is a great off-season alternative and it has a firm following here in Snow Country. It is an active community and you can keep up to date on the goings on their blog

Kandatsu King Freestyle - March 3 & 4

Kandatsu Kogen Ski Resort is a popular one with the locals as it is a pretty well kept secret. They put a lot of effort into their terrain park, they have a great mogul run and some of the steepest runs in Yuzawa which are great in the fresh snow. You can now become King of Kandatsu, at least for a weekend, at their freestyle weekend on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th Marchv- Kandatsu King.

Two days, two different events. There is prize money on offer and you can compete in a couple of different classes, including a beginner class if you are just starting out on your freestyle career. Spaces are limited so you need to get your application in to secure your spot.

If you are in Yuzawa that weekend, don't forget it is the Yuzawa Snow Festival on the night of Saturday 3rd.

As spring approaches there are lots of events coming up at the ski resorts. The weather gets nicer, the temperatures warmer and it is a great time to be out in the mountains, even if you are just hanging out and watching. The park is a bit softer as well so if you wanted to have a crack at those jumps...

Joetsu Kokusai Photo

Stunning photo of Joetsu Kokusai by over on snow-forecast looking down the ski resort back down to the hotel and into the valley.

Lots of people have seen the hotel and the slopes facing it but the ski area is much bigger than meets the eye. You can drop over the back and it is connected up to the Ozawa Ski area which is mainly long, cruisy runs. The two areas together make for a decent sized area with a good mix of terrain to explore. With ski in-ski out accommodation, sledging, kids' play areas, terrain parks and half pipes there really is something for the whole family.

Family Snow Walk - 4th March

We've had a few days of good weather recently in Snow Country, with blue skies and bright sunshine. It is probably too early to get excited about the arrival of spring yet and there is sure to be more snow on the way. However, as the weather gets better and the temperatures get a bit warmer it is a great time to get out and explore the mountains and there are plenty of events scheduled to help you do that.

One of these is a family snowshoe trek around Sakado in Muikamachi aimed at 3rd - 6th year elementary school students. Kitted out with snowshoes that help them stay on top of the snow they can experience a mountain adventure. Animal tracks, snowy forests and stunning views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

It's bound to be a great day out and a fantastic experience for the youngsters with the obligatory onsen to warm up after a fun-packed day.

The Slope Live Sesson at Joetsu Kokusai - Feb 18/19

The Slope series is in its 5th season this year and back at Joetsu Kokusai to put the best snowboarders through their paces.

Joetsu Kokusai has a good reputation for their terrain park and also normally have two half pipes. They put extra special effort into the park for these events and have had some big names throw down there in the past. There will be some of the top riders from Japan as well as international riders competing for the honours this weekend too.

Saturday is the Japan Open Rail Japan and Sunday is the World Challenge. Both days will be great to watch. The course is set on the main run so you can see it from the hotel, from the lift or find a choice spot on the slope to watch an amazing display as well as some big spills.

Snow Country Wildlife II

Another great photo of the Japanese kamoshika on the Tanigawadake Tenjindaira blog.

A few days without snow recently and as you head up the lifts in various places you can see plenty of animal tracks around. More snow on the way as the next front moves in so these tracks will be covered up again shortly, but a good reminder that we are not the only ones in the mountains. I wonder how the local wildlife cope with the big snowfalls we are having at the moment?

Kids' Days at Yuzawa Resorts

"Kodomo no hi" or Kids' Day is a great initiative that has been taken up by almost every resort in the Yuzawa area. On the third Sunday of every month over winter elementary school students and younger receive a free ski pass.

This is bound to be a hit with the parents.

The following resorts offer a free lift ticket for children of the right age: Naeba, Kagura, Kandatsu Kogen, Ludens, Echigo Nakazato, Iwappara, Yuzawa Kogen, GALA Yuzawa.

NASPA Ski Garden offers 50% off to elementary school age children on Kids' Day, and Ipponsugi offers entry into a prize draw.

Time your trip right and the savings will get Mummy a bottle of wine.

Yuzawa Snow Festival - 3 March 2012

In its 60th year this year, it is the Yuzawa Snow Festival on Saturday March 3rd 2012. Not only is it the 60th anniversary of the start of this festival, it is also 100 years of skiing in Yuzawa so there will be a great deal of  effort put into this year's celebrations.

There is always lots going on: a torch light descent from the top of Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort, fireworks, and local businesses competing to make the best snow lanterns. A portable shrine will be taken around the town and to the ski resorts.

It is usually a boisterous affair with many sake-fuelled locals lending a hand to help the shrine on its journey around town.

As with all snow festivals there will be plenty of food, drinks and friendly faces. Head towards the Nunoba Ski Ground from 1800 to see the action (with the torch light descent scheduled for about 2040.)

Winter gear

We often get asked about winter ski and snowboard equipment for those people coming to Snow Country for a winter vacation.

Buying - good ski/snowboard shops are pretty scarce in and around Snow Country which surprises many people who come here. There is a big one in Muikamachi that has a good selection of equipment but apart from that you are limited to a few smaller ones dotted around in the different towns. Most resorts have a small shop that sell a small range of goggles, hats, sunglasses, gloves, etc if you forget something and bigger areas may have slightly better shops on site.

If you are heading through Tokyo on your way here there is a good street between Kanda and Ochanomizu that has lots of winter sports shops. Gear may be no cheaper than your home country though there are usually good offers on past season's models.

Second hand shops are usually a good place to get great deals on gear that has usually been well looked after.

If you own your own gear the courier services in Japan are very convenient. They will deliver everything to your accommodation so you don't have to lug it around with you. There isn't much luggage space on the bullet trains.

Renting - There is normally a good selection of rental shops in every town, many hotels on the slopes offer rental equipment and the resort itself will also have a rental department so you will be spoilt for choice.

Some rental shops offer a free shuttle to the resort when you hire you gear from them for example Daishin Sports in Yuzawa. This is an amazing add-on especially if you are looking to explore several resorts in the same area.

Being a massive year for snow many people want to get on some bigger, wider skis or boards. There are several shops around that offer this kind of equipment. The rental shop under Yuzawa Ski House in Onsen Gai or the Pro Shop in the Mitsumata Car Park (which also rents other backcountry essentials like beacons, shovels and probes) are just a couple in the Yuzawa area.

If you have any questions, get in touch.

Doll Festival in Shiozawa

The Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girl's Day) is held on March 3rd each year. Families with daughters display beautiful dolls representing the Imperial Household - each tier represents a different group.

Down the Shiozawa Bokushi Dori, the main street that has recently had a facelift to make it look like an old Edo town, shops display their family dolls, many of them family heirlooms, for the general public to view. This is a great opportunity to see some amazing Japanese handicrafts that usually remain hidden inside the family home. Many of the owners are more than happy to let you know about the dolls in their possession.

The dolls go on display in shops around Shiozawa from February 18th until March 23rd (although some may remain on display until April 3rd.) Have a stroll around the town and discover some real treasures.

Fireworks in Yuzawa

Winter festivals are not complete without a bit of fire. Be it candles, bonfires or fireworks, there is normally something burning somewhere. The light on the snow creates a beautiful effect.

There have been plenty of fireworks so far this season and there are a few more planned.

Saturday February 25th - Mitsumata Yuki Akari

Saturday February 25th - Nakazato Snow Wood Snow Candle

Saturday March 3rd - Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort, Yuzawa Onsen Snow Festival

Saturday March 10th - Tashiro Yuki Akari

Saturday March 24th - Ipponsugi Ski Resort Event

Saturday March 31st - Ludens Yuzawa Ski Resort "Pray for Japan"

Tsunan Snow Festival & Snowwave @ New Greenpia Tsunan - 25 Feb 2012

February is mid-winter is Snow Country and there is masses going on. Over at the New Greenpia Tsunan on Saturday February 25th there is the Snowwave big air event. It is open entry with big prize money up for grabs. If you don't fancy your chances competing on your snowboard then it will certainly be a great one to watch as the prize money will attract some great riders from all over Japan.

It promises to be a great event because as well as the snowboard competition there is also a line up of DJs, singers, MCs and performance artists who'll keep the party mood going long after the honors have been handed out.

It also coincides with the Tsunana Snow Festival that is being held at the same time. Snow sculptures, winter food, hot sake, kamakura - it has all the elements that make the winter snow festivals such a good evening out for the whole family. And with all that snow Tsunan has been getting off late there will be no shortage snow to sculpt.

Kagura/Mitsumata Yuki Akari - Feb 25th

Kagura is one of the best known ski resorts in Snow Country. With its high altitude, large area and easy access from Tokyo it draws a large crowd of dedicated snow lovers. It also has one of the longest seasons in the area.

Before you get to the Kagura area itself you first pass through Mitsumata Ski Area though it is often just assumed to be one and the same. And at that base of this resort is the town of Mitsumata where you catch the ropeway up to the snow.

On Saturday 25th February Mitsumata hosts it Yuki Akari Festival which aims to light up all the surrounding snow.

Candles, fireworks, and sparklers are everywhere and create a wonderful effect on the shining snow. There are games to play, food to enjoy and local sakes to savour.

Head along to the Mitsumata Ropeway Car Park to join the locals who will make you feel very welcome at this celebration. Things start to get going as night falls at 1900 and the actual festival itself starts at 1930.

Sakae Club Ski Field

The beauty of skiing in Japan, apart from the great snow, is the sheer number of resorts. Snow Country has its fair share with a wide range of resorts across the whole region. Many people tend to head to the same one over and over but it is well worth heading out to explore a new area from time to time.

One of the better kept secrets is Sakae Club Ski Field just over in Nagano. It has a good range of runs and is ideal for the family with some easy, open runs. There are also great views from the top.

There are plenty of events going on throughout the season. One of our favorites is their Lucky Monday which happens every Monday from mid-January to mid-March; a day ticket is just 1,000 yen on Mondays. At that price you really have no excuse not to check out Sakae Club Ski Field.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this weekend will see Valentine's chocolate up for grabs with a chocolate lucky dip.

There are lots of great accommodation options close by if you fancy a slightly longer stay.

Urasa "Naked Man" Festival - March 3rd

Occasionally Japan throws up those moments that are completely out there and the Naked Man Festival is certainly one of those.

Walking up from the station you would be forgiven for thinking that this is just another town winter matsuri, with food stalls lining the roads. But the closer you get to the Bishamon Temple, the stranger things get. The chanting gets louder, there are processions of men wearing little more than loincloths ( there is snow on the ground!) being escorted by similarly dressed men with giant candles and everyone seems to be drunk.

The loincloth-clad celebrants jump into a pool of icy water for purification, then dash into the main hall of the temple to join the throng of other half naked men to try to force their way into a small opening in the inner temple to obtain a blessing. The mob in the main hall are a steaming pile of bodies and it is quite a sight.

It is pretty out there as a festival and is a great night out. There is a real festival atmosphere and there is lots going on in and around the temple. Even if you don't fully know what is going on, you can't help but be blown away by this celebration that has an incredibly long history. The temple itself is a pretty amazing building and definitely worth a visit at another time.

Otodama Snow Studio @ Kandatsu Kogen

Kandatsu Kogen is a resort on the way out of Yuzawa that is probably best known for its good terrain park which attracts a young crowd. It also has a big base building with an onsen and a huge event space. It has been the location for some great parties and is being put to good use on the weekends this winter as the home of the Otodama Snow Studio.

Accustomed to running a similar blend of events in the summer, they have moved out to the snow this year. The idea is you can go hard all day and then continue on into the night with live acts, great music and a big crowd of other party goers. There's food and onsen to add to the mix to make for an awesome weekend out in the mountains. There is a full line up of interesting acts and some big names among them.

Get in amongst it.

Snow Country Wildlife

There are plenty of animals skulking around Snow Country and it is not uncommon to stumble across them when you are skiing. Rabbits, deer and monkeys frequently make appearances during winter and bears & boars can be sighted from time to time too.

Takaragawa Onsen have some Japanese bears at the onsen if you want to check them out. Monkeys are a pretty common sight, most often by the side of the road watching the skiers drive by. They also have quite a reputation for being mischievous.

Over at the Tanigawadake Ropeway website they have a picture of a kamoshika - one of the Japanese breeds of mountain deer. There are plenty of them over that way and they can often been seen as you ride the ropeway up to Tenjindaira ski field. You may well startle one as you explore the backcountry up that way.

Minami Uonuma Liner

We always have an eye out on ways of getting to Snow Country that are quick, easy and affordable. Local trains and bullet trains run daily to and from Snow Country but another option are the buses. There are highway buses that run from the Tokyo area to different Expressway Interchanges and there are also some buses that serve hotels or specific resorts.

The Minami Uonuma Liner is a great option if you are coming to the area as it stops at Ishiuchi, Maiko and Joetsu Kokusai. All three are great ski areas or good jumping off points if you are trying to go somewhere else.

It's a great price. A return trip is 4,800 yen or a one way is just 2,400 yen. It takes just over three and a half hours to get up to Snow Country, with the bus leaving from Shinjuku and taking a rest stop on the way up.

For those on a budget this is an awesome option.

School Holidays in Snow Country

School holidays, half terms and mid-term breaks are all fast approaching. It is a great opportunity to get out as a family and enjoy the outdoors. Hitting the snow is a great idea - fresh mountain air, exercise and a break from the norm. The kids get to evening time and they have spent so much energy that they are exhausted. Days are spent experiencing the beauty and the fun of the natural environment.

Skiing and snowboarding are great options as everyone in the family can have a great time at their own level. Or there are plenty of other activities from snowmobiling, snow shoeing, sledging, cross country skiing or airboarding. Festivals and onsens also abound. It is a great time for the whole family.

What are you waiting for? Let the little monkeys off the leash and let the fun begin.

Snow Country Literary Walk

The novel Snow Country was set in Yuzawa town and the author, Yasunari Kawabata spent time in the town while he was writing. Influences for the novel are all around if you know where to look, and to help you out there is a handy leaflet to guide you round the main sites of interest.

The leaflet and map can normally be found in the Information Center just outside the West Exit of Echigo-Yuzawa station and there is even the guide map for the walking route located on a billboard just outside. The walk doesn't take too long and there are plenty of points of interest along the way that are carefully explained in the leaflet.

Yuzawa Town History Museum, Takizawa Koen Park, Takahan and Suwa Shrine are all stops on the walk. The leaflet on its own is an interesting read, with bits of history and culture scattered through its pages but for the full experience, the walk is highly recommended, especially if you are reading/have read the book.

Tsunan - One of the snowiest places in Japan

It was on the news last night that Tsunan is currently one of the snowiest places in Japan this winter. We've rolled into February in the middle of a period of heavy snowfall that is keeping everybody busy. It is an exceptional year and rivaling the winter of 5 years ago when Tsunan was also among the snowiest places in Japan. That year the Self Defence Forces were out in force to help with the snow clearing effort and students had to be airlifted from their homes to get to their college entrance exams.

To get an idea of how much snow is actually falling in Snow Country you can keep an eye on the Tsunan Town website where they have table with the snowfall for the year. It makes interesting reading. The data is for two locations in the area and the columns, left to right are
Temperature at 9am
Amount of snowfall for the day in cms
Total amount of snow built up at the location at 9am
Last year's total build up on that date.

From 26th to 31st January over 3 meters fell with an amazing 112 cms falling on 28th alone.

Snow Country is living up to its name. The silver lining though is that will be plenty of snow for the snow sculptures for neighboring Tokamachi's Snow Festival in the middle of this month.