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...

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.

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

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.

Naked Man Festival, Urasa - March 3rd

Another one for the diary - the Naked Man Festival in Urasa is on March 3rd and is definitely one you don't want to miss if you like unique winter festivals.

Giant candles, men clad in loincloths in a heaving, steaming mass trying to push their way into a temple - all the things you want from a winter celebration. The location itself is a beautiful temple and there is plenty going on in and around it. The streets leading up the temple from Urasa station are lined with food stalls hawking tasty treats so there is plenty to do once you have had your fill of the main event.

If you get a bit cold standing around in the winter snow then get yourself a nice warm cup of sake....complete with dried fish for flavor!

Where to ski....?

It can be a really tough question with so many good options in Snow Country. If you have the time it is worth giving them all a go but as that is not always an options we have prepared a handy guide for you.

The Ski Resort Guide has all the information for the resorts in the area and the ability to filter them by location, activity or facility, so now it is easy to find the one that will tick the boxes for all of your requirements.

If you need a bit more information or like a quick video introduction to an area then don't forget to have a look at our YouTube Channel which has a selection of resorts featured.

Of course, if you still need further information on anything, or a bit of local knowledge to really make your day, we are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Just drop us a line.

A-Kyu Gourmet

If the amazing snow and unique culture aren't enough to tempt you to visit this area then maybe the food might just be the thing to tip the balance. This area has a strong agricultural and culinary tradition and it is still very much evident in the dishes on offer in accommodations and restaurants.

Organic ingredients abound and many places have received special commendation for their traditional methods of preparation. Dining up in this area can be an absolute treat. Should you need some inspiration, have a look at some of the images on this website (Japanese) that have been going around assessing the local food.

Most places have some kind of food or ingredient of which they are deservedly proud, so if you are up here, it is always a good idea to find out what it is and have a taste. Gourmet tourism is a delicious way to explore.

A Snowy Start to 2013

One of the favorite pastimes of snow-lovers is making predictions about what each winter will bring. There are many methods of forecasting but a wait-and-see approach is our one of choice.

So far it has been a good season for skiers and boarders and conditions right now are fantastic. We had early snow in December which allowed the resorts to put down a good base and open on schedule, and since then there have been regular top-ups of snow. Most of these have been followed by a few days of blue skies and some pink, sunburned faces have been spotted around town.

We are just coming to the end of a 3 day storm that has dumped masses of snow on Snow Country with over a meter falling in the past few days. Some of the off-piste runs have been almost too deep to ski. According to the forecast we have a couple of days to clear away the built up snow before another big snowfall is expected to arrive mid-week.

It is a great time to hit the slopes. The New Year holiday crowds have thinned and conditions right now are first rate. Time to enjoy the snow in Snow Country and see why it has earned that name.

10 Great Reasons to Go Skiing in Japan

We've mentioned JapanTourist before - articles and photo stories about life and places in Japan, written by people who live here. For those of you who are weighing up a winter trip to Japan, here are 10 reasons to stop delaying and get over here.

You don't just have to take our word for it. Snow, onsen, backcountry and food all get a mention, and also friendliness/customer service. It is just a great all-round experience, and no matter what you are looking for, there is bound to be an area or resort that caters to your wishes as there are so many of them.

Full article. And there are plenty of other pieces related to Snow Country if you are interested.

Snow Country Freak magazine

The bizarrely titled Snow Country Freak magazine have just brought out their winter issue. It is a free guide to everything that is going on in Snow Country over winter. Unfortunately it is only in Japanese but it is a wealth of useful information if you can get someone to help you decipher it.

Contents -

"500 yen off" voucher for day passes at Yuzawa Nakazato, Maiko or Muikamachi Ski Resorts
Maps of the area
Event lists by month
Ski Resort Events
The best meals on the slopes
A voucher for the one day upgrade pack at GALA (lift ticket, 500 yen voucher, and discounts off rental and lessons.)
Activity guide
Onsen guide
Gift guide

You should be able to see this free magazine online too

Winter Preparations

It is cold in Snow Country at the moment. The leaves are falling and there have already been some snow showers down low. Higher resorts are already starting to get their lifts fired up for the season.

There is a bit of siege atmosphere in Snow Country at this time of year. The snows are not far off and there is plenty of preparation to get done first.

As you walk around you will see trees and bushes covered in planks of wood. The sheer weight of the snow can easily damage these plants so proud owners go to great lengths to protect them.

Another key element to battling the snow is the water that is pumped out of the middle of the roads. Without this driving around would be a nightmare, and just looking at some of the old photos you can see what happens if you don't stay on top of the snow clearing. At this time of year the water systems are turned on again to clean out the accumulated dirt of the warmer months. Local residents get together and make sure their area of town is ready to go.

If you are coming to Snow Country in winter it is a good idea to pack some decent footwear. With heavy snow and lots of water about the footwear of choice for locals is the trusty gumboot. It may not be fashionable but dry feet are worth any sacrifice. Blend in with the locals with a cheap pair of rubber boots from the local hardware store. Your feet will thank you.

2012-13 Winter Snow Levels???

The autumn colors are bright and vibrant in Snow Country at the moment with lots of reds, oranges and yellows, The leaves are starting to fall and that means many minds turn to the upcoming winter. The first resort is due to open in just 10 days time (with a bit of luck), though there is not much white stuff covering the peaks right now.

The long range forecast seems to be for a slightly warmer than average winter which will be a relief for those that struggled under last year's monster snowfalls, though disappointing to snow sports enthusiasts.

A further worrying sign for snow lovers was spotted over the weekend...

That white ball in the middle of the photo attached to the little bush is a praying mantis egg case. Local knowledge has it that the mantis knows how much snow is coming and places the eggs at a suitable height to avoid getting buried in snow. Last year the egg cases were up high and there were near-record levels of snowfall. This year there are plenty to be found closer to the ground.

Old wives' tale or a nature's snow prediction....? We'll have to wait to see.

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.

Snow Country Ski Resort

One of the joys of living in Snow Country is that you have a huge range of options when it comes to snow sports. But as with everything, too much choice can lead to difficulty with making decisions. Fear not though, there is a hand Ski Resort Guide to the rescue.

It has a couple of helpful features that will aid you in figuring out where is the best place to spend you days of fun on the slopes. You can search Snow Country resorts by activity - if your thing is nordic skiing or snow biking this guide will tell where to head. Or if great facilities for kids are top of your list, look no further.

Have a play with the guide or comparison chart and you are well on your way to winter happiness. Of course, checking them all out over the course of the winter would also be a pretty good option.

Bring on the snow!

Hiking in Snow Country

It's been a very wet Golden Week in Snow Country this year. It is a bit of a shame as it is a great time of year for people to get out and about to enjoy the natural surrounding. The new spring greenery, along with the changing colors of autumn, is one of the best times to feel the changing of the seasons. At least all the rain of Golden Week should be good for the flora and we will soon be surrounded by lush greenery everywhere.

[From the Tanigawadake Ropeway Blog]

As the snow melts more and more of the great hiking routes become accessible. Early in the season it is best to stay on some of the lower courses. Many hikers carry bells with them at this time of year just to let the local wildlife know that they are coming and avoid any unpleasant surprises. Hiking is a very popular hobby and people come from far and wide to enjoy the treks and views in Snow Country. If you are after Japan's 100 Famous Peaks you will be able to bag a few while in the area, and some of the lower peaks offer fantastic climbs and great days out. 

No matter where you are in the region there is likely to be some amazing hiking around no matter what your experience or fitness level, and there is no better way to forget about the troubles of daily life than to immerse yourself in the beauty and silence of nature. Arrive prepared, respect the environment and enjoy the tranquility of the Japanese mountains.

Okutadami Maruyama Spring Season

Okutadami Maruyama is a resort we mentioned before as one of the early openers in Snow Country. It has a bit of a peculiar season, opening early and then shutting for most of mid-winter before re-opening again in spring. The drive up there is an experience and the views from the resort are spectacular.

Their spring season kicks off this weekend and one of the best things about the resort is the killer park they set up with masses of features and a half pipe.

They will also host the Dragon Mystery Tour on April 7th.

The season goes well into May so plenty of "winter" left yet.

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.

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.

International Snowball Fight in Koide - Feb 12 2012

Yukigassen is the Japanese word for an organised snowball fight and there is a giant one in Koide every year. This is the 24th International Snowball Competition in Koide and with all the snow this year it promises to be a good one.

These snowball fights happen all over the country with most towns in snowy parts having their own association. It is a "capture the flag" type battle with teams of 5. The court is marked out and has barriers to hide behind as you try to snipe off the opposition, with judges calling the hits. The snowballs are made in giant presses and left in strategic places on the court. There are some English rules here.

It's great fun to play and frenetic & fast-paced to watch so promises to be a great weekend. It takes place in the impressively named Snow Coliseum.

Staying at a Ryokan

We've written before about the joys of staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan with their great food, onsen and awesome hospitality. At least one night in a ryokan should be on your list if you are visiting Japan. There is an association for ryokans over here - the Japan Ryokan Association - and they have a great guide on the ins and outs of staying in a ryokan. There are good tips on how to choose one, what to expect and important things you should know.

It is always good to be prepared but no one is expecting you to be au fait with the intricacies of Japanese etiquette - people are just happy that you have come to their country and are keen to introduce you to their culture.

The Japan Ryokan Association's guide is an interesting read with lots of good tips to make your stay a more enjoyable one. If you really want to come prepared they also have a printable guide that you can keep at hand during your stay, so if you can't remember how to tie your yukata...