Quilting Expo in Tokamachi

Tokamachi is a town with a long history of kimono production. It is still well known for turning out beautiful material for the traditional Japanese dress. A walk around the town will turn up plenty of opportunities to buy bits of this stunning material - a dream for anyone who turns their hand to crafts from time to time. There is an active circle of patchworkers and quilters in and around Tokamachi and until the end of September they are having an exhibition of their work. Examples of their handicraft are on display in offices and business around the town. Their are some really amazing creations and if you find yourself in Tokamachi you are sure to stumble upon some. It may even inspire you to take up a needle...

Powder Ski Magazine Winter 2013

If you are getting excited about winter already then you probably want to start indulging your passion. The winter 2013 edition of PowderSki Magazine is out in Japan and Snow Country gets a mention.

Their cover story is all about tree runs. After some pretty mouthwatering glossy pictures they have a guide to the best tree runs in the country. As you would expect, Snow Country favorites Kagura and Tenjin get a mention but a few other lesser known resorts also make the cut. Houdaigi, Nakazato, Tsunan and Kandatsu all have column inches dedicated to them too.

If you are keen to find the best tree skiing and boarding this winter and discover some new stashes, this could well be a sound investment.

Nakazato Harvest Festival - October 6

It is a great time of year in Snow Country. The new rice is just around the corner - it is already starting to change color in the fields - and that means the round of harvest festivals will shortly follow. Harvest festivals involve food so are some of our favorite places to be. New rice, cooked in the traditional way, is something that everyone should taste, and having it cooked by the proud farmers who produced it is one of the best ways to sample it.

The Nakazato Harverst Festival is on Saturday October 6th. There'll be the ubiquitous freshly cooked rice and mushroom soup on offer, as well as other entertainment. There is also the chance to get out in the field, scythe in hand and learn how to harvest rice in the traditional manner. This is an amazing way to experience traditional Japan. There are only a limited number of spaces so you need to register in advance.

New Skate/Snowboard Shop in Muikamachi

Welcome news for Snow Country boardriders as a new Skate and Snow Boutique opens up in Muikamachi.

Given the amount of ski resorts in Snow Country and the popularity of skiing and boarding among the young, it often surprises visitors that there are not more gear shops round these parts.

High Push are hoping to fill this gap in the market.

They had a rather painful Gland Opening on 8th September but seem to have recovered enough to keep business hours. As well as hawking the big names in snowboard and skate gear and fashion they hope to be a bit of a hub for all things board in and around Minami Uonuma.

Best of luck to them.

Yuzawa Kogen in Autumn

Stunning panoramic views back down in Yuzawa this morning from the top of Yuzawa Kogen.

It is a great place for sightseeing and it is about to get a whole lot better as all that green turns in to red, orange and yellow. There is lots to do up there in autumn too. A playground for the kids, a petting zoo with some friendly goats, the Zipline adventure course, go karts, a rock garden and candle making. There is even a foot onsen to bathe your weary feet if you take a stroll along the Panoramic Hiking Course.

Of course there is always the food and as well as the Restaurant Edelweiss there is one of the best pizzas you will ever eat at Ristorante Pizzeria Alpina. Top notch pizza fresh from the wood fired oven.

First Snow of Winter 2012/13 Season

It's probably a bit early to get excited and strap on the board yet, but the first snow of the winter has dusted the top of Mount Fuji. It is earlier than this time last year as well - again you probably can't read much into that, but last year was a massive year for snow.

Temperatures have been coming down a bit at night of late and it is fast becoming autumn here. The first leaves are starting to change color too so the mountains in Snow Country are soon to be awash with colors. A great time to get out and enjoy the stunning views and one of the best times of year for hiking.

The snow on Fuji is a good reminder that winter is on the way. Early signs are that bookings will be back to normal again for this winter with many people regretting missing out on last year's great snow. If you haven't booked your accommodation yet, it might be time to start thinking about it.

Autumn Colors in Tashiro

Autumn is just around the corner with the official start just a couple of weeks away. It is still warm and summery in Snow Country at the moment but the temperatures should start to gradually fall as we head through September and into October. It is a great time to visit - the rice is starting to change color and the leaves will soon follow.

The changing colors are pretty famous around here. There are many kinds of trees on the mountain slopes which mean lots of different colors on display.

A great way to get an amazing view of the autumn colors in on the Dragondola.

It is a cable car connecting Naeba and Tashiro ski resorts - a trip of just under five and a half kilometers. Their Autumn Season starts on Saturday 6th October and  goes on until Sunday November 4th.

It is a 25 minutes ride one way so gives you plenty of time to marvel at the scenery.

Gourmet Grand Prix in Shiozawa - Oct 6/7

Autumn has to be a strong contender for our favorite season, mainly because of all the festivals that involve food in one form or another. On the weekend of October 6th and 7th the tasty treats will be on offer in the main street of Shiozawa as they host an International Gourmet Grand Prix.

Bokushidori is the street in Shiozawa that has been given a facelift to resemble a town from back in the day so it is a great location for a day out anyway. It will be closed to traffic on that weekend and buses from the local station will be bringing people in to get involved in the eating. It is also getting plenty of publicity so you can expect a pretty good turn out. If there is food on offer, we'll be there for sure.

Lake Sailing in Minakami

Sailing is awesome. Lounge back in your craft and let nature's soft breath skim you across the still waters. New this year to Minakami's already impressive line up of activities is sailing on the lake.

It is a great option for the whole family and lots of fun. You don't have to have been sailing before or even understand too much about how the wind works. You soon figure it out and the little dinghies you use have been specially selected for their ease of operation. The friendly staff give you the low down before you start and then you are cut loose to put your new found knowledge to use. Never fear though as the staff are always close at hand in a motorboat if you need a pull or a few more pointers. The scenery up on the lakes is beautiful now - lots of green and one of the dams looming above you, but it will really come into its own when the autumn colors kick in through September and October.

Lake Sailing in Minakami

Minakami Adventure Festival - Sept 29/30 2012

Minakami is one of the top destinations in the whole of Japan for outdoor adventure activities. This small little mountain township is home to rafting, canyoning, paragliding, bungy jumping, mountain biking, canoeing and lake sailing operators who have flocked to the surrounding lakes, rivers and mountains. Once a year in early autumn they all get together and host a big event to push their little outdoor paradise.

This year it is the 10th outing for the Minakami Adventure Festival. There is loads going on. All the operators offer special prices to visitors to try their activities. There is a central festival area in Yubiso Park with food stalls and shops. Many big brand names bring up stock and sell it off at cheap prices to the gathered outdoor enthusiasts. There are also some special events such as a trail run, adventure race and rafting race.

It is always a great weekend, so if Minakami is on your list of places to visit, the weekend of September 29/30 is the ideal opportunity.

Movement Dance Festival - Naeba, Sept 14-16

Naeba is a great place for a festival as it proves every year when it hosts Fuji Rock; great facilities, plenty of space and stunning surroundings. Fuji Rock is by far the most famous of the events at Naeba but by no means the only one. There are plenty of other things going on. Mid September sees the Movement Dance Festival

Dance is booming in Japan at the moment as a form of enjoyment and exercise so this is sure to be well attended. This festival is going to have something for everyone with a strong line up of artists and DJs and also dance workshops, demonstrations and sales of all things dance related. Of course, there will be plenty to eat and drink too.

Don your hip-hop gear and we'll see you there!

Etiquette for Visitors to Japan

A bit of a whistle-stop tour of Japanese etiquette in the UK Telegraph today.

It covers onsen, business, drinking, food and not forgetting that you are wearing toilet slippers as you head back into the restaurant (Oops! Been there, done that.)

It finishes with some pretty key advice though - don't get too caught up with worrying about etiquette,

 "the important thing to remember is that a smile, a dip of the head and a contrite "sumimasen" ("sorry") will smooth over every eventuality."

Full article.

Hakkai san River Trek - Oct 21st

It's September already - where as the year gone. It is still pretty warm but with autumn just around the corner it is soon going to be prime hiking season in Snow Country. Stunning autumn colors and beautiful natural vistas abound in this area, and there are always plenty of events to help you get out and about in nature with other like-minded people.

On Sunday October 21st Hakkai san will be hosting the outdoor lovers for some nature hiking. There are three courses on offer depending on how much you want to push yourself. Choose from 22, 15 or 9 kilometer hikes and as always there will be delicious local food waiting for you as you reach your goal.

Riverside Jam Camp, Yuzawa - Sept 15-17

Calling all nature lovers! Following on from its success last year the Riverside Jam Camp is back again offering plenty of outdoors enjoyment, live music and fun activities. The main days are Saturday 15th September and Sunday 16th September, but with the Monday also being a public holiday there will be plenty going on then as well.

Bring a tent and camp by the riverside or if you prefer your creature comforts there is cheap accommodation available at the hotel.

There is an eclectic line up of musicians to keep you entertained. A skate ramp is a new addition this year, there is fishing and the hugely popular slacklines will be back again. There will also be a few different arts and crafts workshops.

This is a great little festival suitable for the whole family and is a fantastic way to get out there and enjoy the local countryside. And best of all it is FREE.

Stargazing on Tanigawadake

Here's a stunning experience for you. Spend the evening on top of one of Japan's top 100 peaks staring up at the awesome night sky without the big city glow interfering. This is what is on offer at Tanigawadake Tenjindaira from the end of August until the beginning of October.

It is a rare opportunity to be on top of a mountain at night, and incredibly serene. The sight of the skies above you on a clear night is incredible and not one you are likely to forget any time soon.

You need to book in advance but all the info you need is on the Minakami website so hit it up for dates, prices and full details.

This is an unusual but highly recommended way to spend an evening.