Ride On Series at Ishiuchi

The cool kids are in the park these days and there are plenty of opportunities for them to show what they are made of in Snow Country. There are competitions throughout the season and almost every resort these days boasts a terrain park of one form or another.

One of the best in this area is Ishiuchi Maruyama. It boasts 2 half pipes, a couple of parks and lots of good features for freestylers.

They also host the Yonex Ride On Series which is three events in January, February and March. If you think you have what it takes fill out an entry form and book your place. If not, turn up and enjoy the action from the safety of the side. It is fantastic to watch and some of the tricks are breathtaking.

January 27th - Big Air
February 24th - Technical Trial
March 24th - Half Pipe

Yonex Ride On at Ishiuchi Maruyama

Snow Camping at Maiko

We are big advocates of the outdoor life and open to new experiences so were pretty excited when we got wind of camping on the snow.

This weekend at Maiko they are offering the chance to get a taste of the winter with some snow camping and cooking in the open air. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but with the right preparations and equipment you will be amazed by how cosy it is. Also with a day of activity in the great outdoors the food that you prepare and cook slowly in your Dutch Oven will be some of the best you have ever tasted.

You get to learn how to pitch a tent in the snow, cook with a Dutch Oven and then there is also a snowshoe tour and the chance to play a bit of disc golf. If that is not a great day out on the snow with a difference, we don't know what is...

Maiko Snow Camping and Dutch Oven Workshop in Japanese

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.

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.

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.

Frisbee Golf at Maiko

If you don't know what disc golf (or frisbee golf, depending where in the world you come from) is, then you are definitely missing out on one of the most fun activities around. Instead of a disobedient little golf ball and an unwieldy club your tool of choice is a humble frisbee. Send that flying the length of the course and sailing into the metal basket at the end and you are one hole down in a full course of nine. It is super-enjoyable, easy to learn and great for the whole family.

Disc golf has now landed in Snow Country and it is a great addition to the outdoor activities already available. It is at Maiko-kogen which is an awesome location for the course.

There is loads more going on there for the family with ground golf, pitch and putt and a driving range, as well as BBQ facilities.

Get out there for a round of disc golf and we can guarantee you will be hooked. No longer is golf a good walk ruined. You'll soon be one of the pros with a bag full of frisbees so you always have the right disc for each shot.

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.

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.