Spring/Summer Activities in Snow Country

The Snow Country Region is famed for its snow and winter sports/activities but is is very much a 4 Seasons destination.

It is spring at the moment and the snow is melting (though the skiing continues well into May at the higher resorts.) This melt water makes its way down into the rice fields to make some of Japan's most famous and delicious rice, but another consequence is that it flows down the rivers making for some world class white water rafting.

That is just one of the activities available for those that love the outdoors in Snow Country - others that might tempt you include paragliding, canyoning, lake sailing, bungy jumping, canoeing, mountain biking, high ropes courses, hiking.... the list goes on.

Even if activities aren't up your street there are plenty more things to keep you occupied with onsen, museum, art galleries and exhibitions, flower parks, traditional craft centers and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Not to mention the food.

So much to do, so little time...
If you need a bit of help, drop us a line for some recommendations...

Yuzawa Area Bus Tours

Yuzawa is incredibly convenient to get to by train being just over an hour from Tokyo by shinkansen. Once you are here though there is so much more to see if you can get out and about. You could always hire a bike or a car, but there is another option if you are looking for a way to see some of the best sights in the area - the town bus tour.

The guides are locals and will show you around the area that they know so well. There are several different tours to choose from with usually a couple of different ones going out each day, AM (0930 departure) and PM (1330 departure). Shrines, museums, temples, beauty spots and view points are all on the different itineraries.

The tours run daily through the Golden Week holidays starting at the end of April, and then Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from mid-May until mid-July. It is a great way to spend part of your day and you will discover some amazing places. Pop into the Information Center outside the West Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station for more details.

Billabong Attack 13 at Kagura - March 30th

Some big names on the snowboarding circuit will be in Kagura for a big air competition on Saturday March 30th for this year's installment of the Billabong Attack Contest.

This is a big air contest with the emphasis on "big". Last year saw some amazing tricks thrown down and this year is sure to see more of the same. It is pro riders pulling out their very best moves in front of an appreciative crowd, so a great atmosphere guaranteed if you are just there to watch.

The competition runs from 0900 until the early afternoon. Check out the Billabong Attack 13 website for full details (and check out the videos of last year's action to see what you have to look forward to...)

Minakami Cherry Blossom Viewing

Being the other side of the mountains to the rest of the Snow Country Region, Minakami is often the first to have cherry blossoms in bloom as they make their way up the country. Minakami is dotted with great places to stretch out a blanket (or blue sheet if you are a local) and enjoy a picnic as you admire the flowers. A great option is Kenshin no Sakasa Zakura.

The ancient cherry trees are not the only attraction in the area. Located just off the old trade route there are some amazing old inns around, each with onsen that will delight even the most picky onsen purist. There is a large lake nearby with some great walking trails and also some points of historical interest.

Check out this link for more information and a guide to some of the reccommended hotels and activities within striking distance of these cherry blossoms - more than enough to fill a relaxing spring break in the country.

Cherry Blossoms and Snow

Cherry blossom season is a big deal here in Japan, and is already underway for this spring. It is a few weeks away here in Snow Country but there are some amazing places to enjoy the beauty of the blossoms. One of the most famous is The Cherry Blossoms of Nakago which draws crowds of admirers and photographers keen for some picturesque shots.

Most cherry blossoms are dotted in a park or by a stream but the ones here have a stunning mountainous backdrop, are reflected in the lake and have native cedars to offer some contrast. Often when they are in full bloom there is snow on the ground too, which makes for some truly stunning photographs.

Spring is a beautiful time to be out in the nature of Snow Country and sights like this just make it even more worthwhile.

Early Start to Cherry Blossom Season

Good news for lovers of spring as the recent warmer temperatures have brought the cherry blossoms out earlier than usual.

It is still a little early for Snow Country to sit under the cherry blossoms and admire their beauty with a drink in hand. The ski resorts are still all open here and the higher resorts will be open into the first week of May. This opens up the possibility of a half day on the slopes (think "skiing in a T-shirt and taking lunch on a deck chair in the sun") and then heading down to one of the cherry blossom viewing points for an afternoon of drinks and snacks with the other revelers.

The cherry blossoms blooming make their way up the country and it is an eagerly awaited time of year across Japan. It even has its own spot on the news with the weather forecasters letting you know when the blossoms are likely to be fully open in each area - currently Snow Country seems to be scheduled for mid-/end of April - so we hope to see you for some ski/hanami action next month.

Bird Eye Exhibition at Tomioka White Art Museum

We've mentioned the Tomioka White Art Museum before and it is highly recommended for a relaxing side trip to take in some minimalist art inspired by the local snowscapes.

There is a new exhibition running from March 16th to June 24th called Bird Eye. Souichiro Tomioka employs his distinctive style on the snowy vistas he has seen but this time it is looking down on his subjects from the dizzying heights of a helicopter.

The works takes in views of mountains, ice floes, rivers and lakes seen from the sky and using only the bare essential colors. As always the art is beautiful. Head here on a warm spring day as you can almost feel the cold emanating from the pictures.

Fuji Rock 2013 - 26-28 July

It is never too early to start on your preparations for Fuji Rock. This incredibly popular music festival draws crowds from all over the world and accommodation books up quickly, so if you want to get a bed close to the festival venue, it is a good time to set the ball in motion. The dates for the Fuji Rock Festival 2013 are Friday 26th July, Saturday 27th July and Sunday 28th July.

Line up news is starting to come on line so if you are keeping an eye out for a certain artist then the anticipation can begin.

It is an amazing event that gets big name acts across many genres of music. There are stages dotted around the forests of Naeba Ski Resort and hordes of people descend on the Yuzawa area. There are buses from Echigo Yuzawa Station so you can stay up at Naeba or in and around the main Yuzawa town area. Or for the true festival experience, pack your tent and get ready to wash in the mountain streams of Snow Country!

Kagura Heliski 2013

Snow, helicopters, skiing and boarding...... if you like the sound of those things and would like them all together then you need to head off to Kagura for the middle of April. The Kagura Heliski Weekend is back and scheduled for April 12, 13 & 14.

This is a great weekend and a chance to ski the back ridge of Kagura that most people only get to look at.

If you fancy earning your turns with a bit of sweat and legwork then you can get involved in the hike up tour from the beginning of April. The top lift of Kagura has been open for a while so the hike to the top is shorter than in mid-winter and the views from the top are stunning.

We've had some blue skies of late and those fair weather skiers and boarders have been congregating on the deck at the top of the Kagura gondola with a cold drink in hand working on their tans. You have to love a bit of spring snow action.....

Kagura Heliski Homepage

Soaking in the onsen is good for you!

As if you ever needed an excuse to soak in an onsen!

An article in the Daily Yomiuri Online has some great news for onsen lovers. Traditionally onsen were seen as a way to prevent and treat illness and injuries, and some recent research is backing this claim. So you owe it to yourself and your well-being to jump in an onsen and enjoy a good soak.

Snow Country is blessed with an abundance of onsen of many different kinds so head on up here for some medicinal R&R.

Full Article

Adaptive Skiing in Snow Country

We get enquiries about adapative snowsports in Snow Country. People are keen to know, with all the resorts around, if there are facilities for adaptive skiers and boarders.

The good news that there is with two schools covering resorts in different areas.

If you are up in Yuzawa the people to talk to are NPO Neige who run both summer and winter activities in the area.

Down in the Minakami area there is Palnetwork who cover all the resorts down there including Houdaigi, Norn, Okutone, Tenjindaira and Minakami Kogen.

There are plenty of options out there and both school would be good to talk to if you need specific advice.

Yuzawa Kogen Downhill Race - Mar 31

For any budding racers out there looking for a fun day on the slopes, the 52nd Yuzawa Kogen Downhill Race is slated for the Sunday March 31st.

It is a fun race that is open to everyone which takes place on a gentle slope at the top of the resort. It is over 2 kms long and is run against the clock. If you have never taken part in a race before this could be a great chance for your debut. Don your bib and feel the excitement as you wait for the beeps in the starting gate.

Yuzawa Kogen has some of the best views of the valley in the whole area so if we get good spring weather on that Sunday it will be a fantastic day out.

Minakami Ski Trekking Festival - Mar 20

Do you have plans for the public holiday for the Spring Equinox (Wednesday 20th March)? If not head out into the mountains of Snow Country for the 13th Minakami Ski Trekking Festival.

It is being held at Minakami Kogen Resort, which boasts a cross country ski circuit that loops around the summer golf courses. It is a great day out and if the weather cooperates it is an amazing place to spend a spring day. The blue of the skies with the forests and the mountain backdrop make for a great change to the grey of the city.

It is a very beginner friendly event and there are also activities for the kids.

Snow Picnic at GALA Yuzawa - Apr 6 & Apr 21

Spring, sun, snow, stunning views and beautiful nature.... It will all be on offer at GALA in April. It is a long season over there with the ski slopes planning to be open through the Golden Week holidays at the beginning of May. There is also plenty going on off the slopes. As part of their series of events for women they are running a couple of snow trekking and picnic events on April 6th and April 21st.

Make your way through the forests at the top of the resort to a special view point with stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a specially prepared picnic on a table crafted of snow.

It was a great success last year and sure to be another great couple of days this time around.

Yuzawa Snowmobile Land

If you haven't tried snowmobiling before you should definitely give it a go. Goodbye peace and tranquility, hello revving engines and the sound of the wind rushing past. Yuzawa Snowmobile Land is a great location for your first snowmobile excursion, or if you have done it before, has plenty of terrain to let you open up the throttle.

If you've driven to Iwappara from the center of Yuzawa you may well have driven past it. They are located just by the Aurora Water Slide pool. The large carpark serves as the base where you learn the basics of snowmobile operation, and once you have mastered that, they have several other areas for you to explore. Ungroomed areas with deep snow, trails and terrain courses will all keep things interesting.

It is a great activity for all ages and will certainly give you something to boast about when you get home.

Yairo Children's Snow Festival - Mar 10

Spring is just around the corner and it is a great time to visit the mountains, especially if you have kids. Whether they ski or not, there is always plenty to do to keep them occupied. The warmer weather in March makes it a great time to come and have some fun in the snow, and that is the driving force behind the 7th Yairo Forest Park Children's Snow Festival on Sunday March 10th.

Yairo has one of the best parks in the area for most of the year but most people don't head there in the winter. All that will change for the Snow Festival. There are loads of fun, free activities to play around with. Banana boating on the snow, igloos, snowshoeing, tubing, bamboo skis, mini games, snow sculptures and plenty more. It is always loads of fun, and the little ones will love it. There will be plenty of food as well to keep them full of energy.

SBJonSnow/Airmix at GALA - Mar 15-17

There is a busy competition schedule around Snow Country throughout winter with lots of chances for aspiring snowboarders to try their hand against the best riders out there. Then there are times when the pros hit the slopes and show how it is really done. March 15th to March 17th will see some of the top riders in Japan take to the skies above Yuzawa, and if previous performances are anything to go by it will be amazing - SBJonSnow & Airmix

It is a chance to see some of the guys you may have watched in videos and seen in magazines to some unbelievably big tricks. The jumps they use are specially crafted for this event.

If you get the chance, find a spot nearby, take your skis off and just sit down to watch. You will be amazed.

Check out the video from last year to get excited.