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.

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

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.

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.

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 Happiness Campaign

The Minakami marketing machine has gone into overdrive this summer showcasing the many attractions of their town under the banner of the Minakami Happiness Campaign. They have put together a bit of a teaser video to tempt you into a visit. Check it out below.

The outdoor sports are famous with bungy jumping, canyoning, rafting, paragliding, canoeing and mountain biking all on offer, and snow sports also well represented.

It is also well-known for its stunning natural beauty with some great shots in the promo video.

Check out the video. (.wmv download)

Tempted?

Minakami in Tokyo Weekender

Green season is well underway in Snow Country with most activities operational again after the winter hiatus. For outdoor enthusiasts Minakami is something of a mecca with heaps of different activities and plenty of great onsen in which to lounge around in the downtime. The town is currently featured in Tokyo Weekender.

Check out the full article here.

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.

Kiyotsu Gorge

Snow Country is awash with places of breathtaking natural beauty which is one of the reasons so many people visit the region. The dramatic changes between the four seasons also mean that the scenery is constantly changing, offering up different colors and atmospheres throughout the year.

Kiyotsu Gorge is one of the most famous of these. Situated in the Joshinetsu Highlands National Park it has been designated a natural monument. The river runs between huge cliff faces which have very distinctive rock formations and covered in local flora that show off the colors of the season.

It is one of the three best gorges in the whole of Japan and is particularly well set up as a tourist attraction. There is plenty of parking nearby and a tunnel has been cut into the cliff to enable visitors to fully enjoy the views on offer with several panoramic viewing stations allowing close ups of the surrounding beauty.

Inside the tunnel there are also displays, information, videos and photos that let you get a real feel for the area.

You truely feel as if you are out in the wilds but it is not far from either Tokamachi or Yuzawa so is very accessible, and with plenty of other attractions close by it makes for part of a fantastic day out.

Hot Air Balloon at Joetsu Kokusai - May 3-6

We're all about getting a new perspective on things, and this Golden Week Joetsu Kokusai are giving you the opportunity to see the surrounding area in a way you probably haven't before. They have a hot air balloon and can send you up into the clouds to get a great view of the valley and surrounding mountains.

It's an awesome experience and the views are stunning - check out the video for a bit of a taster.

There is plenty more to keep the whole family amused. As well as the great facilities of the hotel there, the Joetsu Kokusai Playland will also be open, and if you are yearning for the snow they also have a snow play area with sledging and snowmobiles to enjoy.

Echigo Yuzawa Universal Walk - 26/27 May

Now spring is officially here there is no excuse to stay indoors. Warm temperatures, beautiful scenery and fun activities should all be encouraging you to head into the great outdoors.

Coming up on the weekend of the 26th & 27th May is the 3rd Echigo Yuzawa Universal Walk. Encouraging active lifestyles, nordic walking and open to people of all ages and abilities this two day event takes in some of the best parts of Yuzawa. Meeting each morning at 10am at the Chuo Koen there are different routes for each day and a choice of courses depending on how fit you are feeling. The short course is 7kms and the longer courses are 17 & 15km.

It's a great way to meet the locals, get some exercise and see some of the best sights of Yuzawa, both cultural and natural.

Tokamachi Kimono Matsuri - May 3

Here is one festival that you do not want to miss out on. And as it falls during Golden Week you have no excuses. The Tokamachi Kimono Festival is one of the highlights of the year in Snow Country and one of the most colorful festivals you are likely to visit.

The whole town gets involved and everywhere you look there are locals dressed in kimono. There are rental kimono available if you would like to join the fun.

Back in the day, the towns in Snow Country were all but cut off by the heavy snow and to pass away the long hours of a dark winter many an idle hand was turned to weaving. The kimono material of Tokamachi has long been famous and was much prized by the city folk. When spring came and the roads were finally passable the merchants would rush up to this region to purchase the handiwork of the housebound winter months. This festival at the beginning of spring captures the spirit of those times and celebrates Tokamachi's kimono heritage.

The kimono's on display around town and being worn out in the street are breathtaking. Everywhere you turn you are greeted with colorful designs and there are plenty of other attractions going on during the day as well.

More details and some more photos can be found on the Tokamachi Tourism page (Japanese).