Yuzawa Harvest Festival

Beautiful autumn weather on Sunday made for a really nice day out in Chuo Park in Yuzawa. It clouded over a bit in the afternoon but the morning saw stunning blue skies.

There was plenty of food available - rice balls, BBQ steak, home made blueberry pie, mushroom curry and local stew were all fantastic eats. By far the longest queue of the day was for the mochi which was being pulverized right there in front of the tent.

The local emergency services were there too letting the kids dress up in fireman's garb and clamber inside the ambulance and fire engine.

The hot air balloon was also a big hit but strong gusts of wind interfered with the operation at times.

All in all a great Sunday in the park...

La Festa roars into town

A real treat for classic car fans in Snow Country as La Festa roared into town today. A visual treat to be sure and you could even hear them coming a mile off - that deep throaty roar of high performance engines bouncing off the surrounding mountains.

A brief stop for lunch at NASPA New Otani in Yuzawa after passing through Tsunan and Tokamachi. This afternoon sees the tour heading over the other side of the mountain range into Gunma on the way to Shibukawa. They'll be back in Harajuku on Monday.

Plenty more images at the La Festa Gallery - check it out later for some great shots of these beautiful machines passing through this beautiful area.

GALA Yuzawa 2012/13 Opening - Dec 22nd

GALA Yuzawa have posted their opening date for the 2012/13 winter season - 22nd December is the date for your diary.

It is one of the easiest resorts to get to as there is a bullet train station right in the base of the resort. You spill out of the train right to the ticket counters, pick up your rental gear and then onto the gondola which will whisk you up to the snow. It is all very space-aged and high-tech. Tokyo to the snow in just over an hour.

It is also very foreigner friendly. If you don't speak Japanese they have dedicated ticket staff and rental staff who all speak English, as well as ski instructors and snowboard instructors.

If there is one member of the family who doesn't ski, fear not - there is a pool and onsen in the main building, or a restaurant at the top which has big windows, so they can relax with a book and a hot chocolate as they watch the family whizz past. There are also childcare facilities and a fenced off area for the kids to play.

A trip to the snow does not get much easier than this.

Kagura - Opens 23rd November (touch wood)

Kagura have posted their opening date for the 2012/13 season, and if the weather cooperates, this is set for Friday 23rd November, which is a public holiday.

This is just a planned date at the moment so we will have to wait and see what happens, but they have put in more snow-making facilities at the top, so as long as it is cold, there should be at least some base to have a slide on. The area covered by the snow-making has been extended which is good news for those that like a bit of early winter action. Some years we have even opened the season with powder turns at Kagura so fingers crossed for cold temps and early snow.

As a Prince Resort there will also be free lift tickets for under 12s which is a great new development for families with young kids.

No excuses not to get our there and blow the cobwebs off in time for your Christmas holiday in the snow. Why not grab a ski lesson or snowboard lesson while you are there?

Noyosano Sato in Akiyamago

Perched on the back of Mount Naeba, up in the heights of Akiyamago, is Noyosano Sato. It is a really unusual place to stay, as instead of your usual hotel you have lots of individual cabins connected by a central walkway to the main building.

You get a sense of what you are in for on the drive up as the road twists up into the mountain past rivers, waterfalls and rock walls. Everywhere you look there are trees and nature.

Noyosano Sato is tucked away in a little hamlet with great views. You can walk off the premises straight onto a trail that leads you through the autumn woods up to Mount Naeba. You'll fall asleep at night to the sounds of the wilderness just out of the back of your hut. It really is an amazing location, especially if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of the best things about staying in one of the huts here is the traditional fireplace in the center of the room. A charcoal brazier burns away and you can sit around it as people used to do in days gone by, swapping stories of your day.

The whole experience is very much like a 5 star camping expedition and this hotel is really one of the hidden gems of Snow Country. Autumn is one of the best seasons to stay here as this area has some of the best autumn colors in the whole country.

Hiking Tanigawadake

It is autumn in Snow Country which means amazing colors as the leaves change. This area is blessed with many different kinds of trees which means there are lots of hues to admire. On the weekends the stations are full of backpack wearing hikers off to challenge the peaks and trails of the surrounding mountains.

A great hike is to the top Tanigawadake, which is one of the famous 100 peaks in Japan - who knows, it could be the start of you ticking them all off your list?!

View from the top of the ropeway - http://www.tanigawadake-rw.com/item/3671

There is a ropeway which takes you up to Tenjindaira Ski Resort and from there you can choose several routes for your hike, depending on how long you want to walk. Or if you are not feeling so active you can hang out in the restaurant at the top and enjoy the view.

There are plenty of great accommodation options close by if you are looking for a longer stay ,and the area is well known for the abundance of onsen. There is a great view from the top of Tanigawadake, but there is also something to be said for lounging at the base of the mountain in an outdoor onsen, staring up at the peak towering above you.

Hakkaisan Fire Walking - October 20th

October 20th every year is the date of the Hakkai san Firewalking Festival. This bi-annual events sees Shinto acolytes walking across hot coals to guarantee health and prosperity for their families.

It's an amazing sight in itself but is also in a beautiful part of Snow Country. Hakkaisan Shrine is a famous power spot, and nestled at the base of the imposing mountains it is a relaxing place to be. The nature in this area is lovely and the trees are already changing to their autumn colors. The Hakkaisan Ropeway affords you a fantastic view of the area and is also worth a trip.

If you are in the area this is an eye-opening festival and with plenty of other attractions close by, you can easily make a day of it.

50 Years of Naeba

The 50 Year Anniversary of Naeba continues with big news from both the hotel and the resort for this coming season.

The hotel has renovated a whole bunch of rooms that will be available for the first time this winter. The mock ups look amazing with lots of color and modern, really comfortable family rooms. These are sure to be really popular improvements.

And the resort too look as if it will be a great options for youngsters. They already have one of the best play areas with dedicated kids facilities both inside and out, but now they will have free lift tickets for  Elementary School children and younger.

This will make it a very attractive destination for families.

Great turn out for Gourmet Grand Prix

The weather was mostly good for the Gourmet Grand Prix in Bokushi Dori this weekend and the turnout was phenomenal. The street was stuffed with stalls and there were people everywhere - queuing for food, seated anywhere they could to enjoy the delicious treats... A really good day for anyone who made the trip to Shiozawa.

It was a really difficult decision to decide what to eat with so many great options. Luckily the portion sizes were well judged so that you could munch your way through plenty of choices and still have room for more.

We can personally vouch for the goulash, the pork chop burger, red yakisoba, and goat ice cream.

There are lots of festivals coming up this autumn and they all feature food, so plan you trip to coincide with one of these and you are guaranteed a feast on local, seasonal delicacies.

Classic Cars - La Festa Autunno in Snow Country

Fans of classic cars and all things oily need to makes some space in their diaries in October for La Festa Autunno 2012. From 19th to 22nd October some amazing vintage vehicles will be making a round trip from Harajuku. As part of their three day tour they will pass through Tsunan, Tokamachi and Yuzawa in Snow Country, as well as scooting through parts of Gunma.

Map & Schedule

Even if you are not a fanatical petrol head, it is great to see (and hear) these old cars roar past. Many of them have been lovingly restored and are in impeccable condition. There are a few stops on the way so you can get up close and personal with the entrants.

This classic car rally has been going since 2001 and is sure to draw enthusiasts and the curious alike.

Yuzawa Harvest Festival - Oct 21

It is almost time for one of the best festivals of the year - the Yuzawa Autumn Harvest Festival.

It takes place in the Yuzawa Chuo Park by the Culture Center on Sunday 21st October which is a great location, next to a small lake and surrounded by a selection of trees showing their autumn colors.

There are loads of stalls and activities with plenty to do for the whole family. But best of all there is food and lots of it.

All the local favorites are available, showcasing the very best of the region. It is harvest time and the star of the show will be the freshly harvested rice. If you have never had new season Koshihikari Rice, you do not know what you are missing.

WiFi Rental in Yuzawa

Life is easier if you are connected all the time - upload those holiday snaps on the go, access to instant translations and of course, making sure you can find out what is going on in Snow Country.

If you are heading to Snow Country this winter you can get quick, easy WiFi Rental from the Information Centre on the West Side of Echigo Yuzawa Station.

If you are interested, you can get further information by sending an enquiry form from this page.

Snow Country Trail with Columbia

We've often mentioned how good the hiking is in Snow Country, especially in autumn when the colors are breathtaking. The surrounding mountains are covered in trails and from the high peaks of Snow Country you get an amazing view of the surrounding towns and prefectures.

Renowned outdoor company Columbia are leading a long trek on the Snow Country Trail

It is a bit of a marathon hike over two days (but there are some cheeky bus rides in among the leg work) with a night in a mountain hut but promises to be a stunning experience.

If this is a bit far for you there are plenty of other great hikes around to fit all fitness and experience levels.

New Rice Season

With the harvest started, there is plenty of excitement in Snow Country about the new rice. Shops, hotels and associations are already selling this famous product from this region. You can have it shipped all over the country and the recipients are overjoyed to get their hands on some of the renowned koshihikari.

There are lots of activities celebrating new season rice with harvest festivals all across the region. But here is another option for you. Have a go at making onigiri - the traditional Japanese rice ball snack, that is delicious and nutritious.

These ones come in three special designs that are famous in the area.

The first one is the mascot for the region who introduced skiing to Japan. The second one is the Japanese crested ibis mascot which is native to Niigata. The third is a rabbit.

If you would like the recipes click the links below
Reruhi-san
Ibis
Rabbit

Snow Country Festival - Oct 6 & 7

Savor the best of Snow Country this weekend in Bokushidori in Shiozawa. New rice, new sake, seasonal fruits - it's going to be a gourmet's paradise.

It's all going on at the Gourmet Grand Prix in Shiozawa. If you are in the area this should be a definite stop on your itinerary. And a chance to get your hand on the very special limited edition sake cup holder.

Harvest time

Harvest time has begun in Snow Country. It has been a warm, dry summer here and with the rice yellowing in the fields some areas have already started the harvest. That means the sweet, new rice will soon be available - yum.

Most places use a little rice harvesting machine to cut the rice plants (hell to get stuck behind on a narrow road) but many places still do it by hand. It is a fun thing to do, armed with a little serrated sickle you trim the plant close to the soil. The photo above has the plants with the rice grains still attached hanging over racks. In the past the straw was used for making many things from sandals and shawls to matting. There are still many places in Snow Country that offer weaving lessons where you can get in touch with the traditional skills of braiding the straw to make practical items. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for an interesting few hours.