Banff Mountain Film Festival in Minakami 2014

One not to miss for all armchair adventure lovers. The highly regarded Banff Mountain Film Festival is on tour in Japan and stopping in Minakami on Saturday November 8th 2014.

The website is pretty amazing and worth checking out. Clips of various films are playing in the background, and they will definitely get you excited for the main event.

There are two sessions: an AM session at 1030 and a PM session at 1430. There are different films during each session so you probably want to check the schedule before you book your tickets.

The films are being screened at the Minakami Kankou Kaikan.

This is a great opportunity to see some amazing footage, and fantastic that they are touring outside of the major cities.

La Festa Mille Miglia 2014

The annual classic car rally that passes through Yuzawa each autumn is going to roar through town on Friday afternoon. They are booked to stay at NASPA New Otani for the night and head over the hill to Tokamachi on Saturday morning. It's a fantastic sight to see over 100 vintage cars pass through the center of town.

The cars are due to pass through  from around 4pm - 5.15pm on Friday 17th October 2014 and will be parked up at NASPA if you want to head up for a closer look.

La Festa Mille Miglia 2014

Traveling on a Dime - Independent Travel Video in Snow Country

Traveling On A Dime based in Niigata City trip around Japan highlighting some of the many great things there are to do. Being so close, they inevitably pop into Yuzawa to check out some of the activities going on in and around Snow Country. Their latest video sees them trying the Summer Skiing in Gala Yuzawa as well as the Zipline Course in Yuzawa Kogen. There is some pretty amazing footage shot from the air in the video so make sure you have a look....

Some other episodes featuring Snow Country adventures include:
Tokamachi Snow Festival, Snowboarding in Yuzawa, and some Minakami bungy action.

Click on the links for the inside look at some of these fun attractions.

Hakkai-san Firewalking - October 20th 2014

It is that time of year again. Shed your shoes and socks and walk barefoot across hot coals.

With Mount Hakkai towering above and the heavily wooded foothills all around the location is beautiful. The faithful walk across the hot coals and if you are keen you can join them. Or sit back and watch if you prefer. Check out our previous posts on this to find out why.

Details here in Japanese or if you are interested you can see a few more photos here.

Yuzawa Autumn Festival - October 19, 2014

Autumn is a great season in Japan for so many reasons: beautiful scenery as the leaves change, cool temperatures mean being outside is a pleasure, great food, a respite between the humidity of summer and the heavy snow of winter.....

It is harvest time and to celebrate there are lots of Autumn Festivals. The one in Yuzawa is one of the best festivals of the year in these parts. It is based around the Yuzawa Cultural Center by Chuo Park, and there is a shuttle bus from the center of town.

There are lots of stalls selling seasonal food. There's mochi, newly harvested rice cooked in traditional pots over wood fires, mushroom soup, and you can supplement this with treats from some of the local restaurants who also set up shop. The locally-raised pork burger in rice bread with miso and chili sauce is amazing, and the cakes on a couple of the stalls will have you walking round the park a few times to burn off some calories.

There is also entertainment with both the local taiko drum troupe and the yosakoi dance troupe performing for the crowds.

This is one not to miss. Don't forget to bring your own chopsticks and dish to cut down on rubbish.

Nakazato Autumn Festival - October 11 & 12 2014

The koshihikari rice grown in the valley in this part of Snow Country is often touted as the best in the whole of Japan. All that snow that falls in the winter melts in spring and runs off the mountains into the rice fields. This pure water is perfect for growing delicious rice. The farmers are hard a work at the moment bring that new rice in. If you've ever fancied having a go at harvesting rice by hand, the Nakazato Autumn Festival is worth checking out.

There are 100 spots available for people who would like to be set loose on a rice field with a small sickle. It costs 1,000JPY and takes place on October 11th. A small price to pay for bragging rights every time rice hits the table for the whole of the next year.

October 12th sees that rice being cooked along with several other autumn favorites at Nakazato Ski Resort. There are also other attractions at the festival to entertain you while you enjoy the local flavors.

Details on the Nakazato Tourist Association website.

Minakami Adventure Festival - 4&5 October 2014

For those of you who enjoy the outdoors, a not-to-be-missed date for the diary is the Minakami Adventure Festival. This year it will take place on the fourth and fifth of October. There is also a new main location - Takuminosato. If you have time between your outdoor adventure experiences you can enjoy all the hands-on crafts, fruit picking and shopping that is available here aswell.

As ever the list of activities on offer is pretty impressive - rafting, canyoning, paragliding, stand up paddle board, quad bikes, mountain bikes, bungy jumping, tree climbing and canoeing. Add to this food, fireworks and lots of fun and games, and you have a great weekend out.

We'll see you there.

Yuzawa Kogen in Autumn

The weather is getting cooler up in the mountains and some of the leaves are just starting to change color. It is a really pretty time to view the area as the different types of trees all have their own shades of autumn colors. One of the best places to view the display is at Yuzawa Kogen, and they always have plenty going on.

Don't forget your camera as the views down the valley are some of the best in the area. The luge also comes highly recommended. You pick up speed really quickly and even the bravest speed freak will be yanking on the brake lever as the corners approach.

Snow at the top of Iwappara

There is a bit of snow at the top of Iwappara Ski Resort this morning.

Still no news on their opening date. They were hoping on a mid-December start but will have to wait to see what the snow does first. We were up their recently and had a bit of a giggle at the vending machines. You better hope you do not get thirsty while you are up there! In preparation for the heavy winter snows, all the vending machines are raised off the ground and in some years have to be dug out a bit. Great foresight for winter  but not quite so handy if there is no snow.

Some pretty colors their too.

Echigo Akiyamago Driving Course

It is autumn here in Snow Country - it really is one of the most beautiful times of year and it is hard to put into words how amazing the colors of nature are in this region. It is a spectacular change from season to season. The white of winter being replaced by the vibrant greens of spring and summer and then the reds, yellows and oranges of autumn. The mountains are a great place to experience the changing of the seasons.

One of the top places in Snow Country to see the colors is Akiyamago. The intense colors draw sightseers and photographers from all over the country. For a fantastic day out you could do no better than the Echigo Akiyamago Driving Course. It takes in some great regional sights and just the scenery out of the window is worth the journey in itself.

Jabuchi Waterfall is a highlight

and Maekura Bridge is also a famous spot for stunning autumn color photos

There are 8 stops on the itinerary but plenty more in the area to see and do. An escape to the mountains in autumn is simply a must-do.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.