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.

Summer Fun at Naeba

There's loads going on up at Naeba during the summer months and it has been a huge hit with the kids.

Water slides, tubing, summer igloos, canoeing, target practice, indoor skiing,......

Their summer program runs until the end of August so you have about a week left to get up there to have some fun. Check out the website for a full run down of what is on offer.

September bring the launch of the Naeba Survival Game Field - details to follow.

Tsunan Sunflower Field

Have you ever wondered what 3 ha. of sunflowers look like? Well, this weekend could be your chance to find out. The famous sunflower field in Tsunan town is in full bloom at the moment and this is the last weekend that it is officially open.

From the Tsunan Town page

It's an amazing sight and well worth the trip over there to have a look.
Full details on the Tsunan Town Sunflower Field page (in Japanese.)

Take the camera and see if you can get a snap worthy of entering into their Photo Contest. Entries due in by 31st August.

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.

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!

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

Another JR poster...

Another poster from the good folks at JR. This time it is pushing Niigata prefecture as a destination and both the images they have chosen come from within Snow Country.

Head to Yairo just north of Urasa and you will find yourself driving through field after field of watermelons ripening in the warm summer sun. Shops and supermarkets are full of these famous watermelon at the moment and chilled watermelon is a summer staple in Japan. Yairo watermelon are famous throughout Japan.

Over the hill in Tsunan they have a summer sunflower park with acres of giant sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately it has finished for the 2012 season (it closed August 21 this year) but it is a stunning sight and well worth heading over to see.

Gala Summer Park - up and running

We mentioned GALA Yuzawa's plethora of summer activities last year a couple of times, and they are back in action again this summer too. It is open on weekends and holidays and there is masses to do.

The big air bag jump, summer skiing, hiking, swimming & onsen, crafts and outdoor activities.

Far too much for us to explain in full details so thankfully GALA have knocked together a bit of a video so you get the idea. (Or you can have a look at their Japanese Summer Park site too.)

Enjoy!

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?

Fujiwara Matsuri & Marathon - Aug 24 & 25

More summer fun on the way at the end of August with a festival and firework display at Fujiwara in Minakami, followed the next day by a road race for those impervious to the summer heat.

The Fujiwara Fireworks are always one of the best display of the summer. Lying back on the grass, staring into the night sky, the fireworks seem super-close as if they are bursting just above you. It is well worth getting up there as it is a really intimate spectacle much beloved by the locals.

The next day there is a road race around the lake. Just thinking about it makes me tired but it is a well attended race with some big name athletes in the field. It is the 55th Fujiwara Lake Marathon and it always draws a dedicated crowd of supporters

Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale 2012

It is summer in Snow Country which mean time for art in the outdoors with the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale.

This is an amazing project that is just get bigger and bigger. It is pretty difficult to describe everything that is involved, so it makes much more sense for you to just come up and check it out for yourself. Based in an around Tsunan and Tokamachi, there are projects and artwork from artists from all over the world.

The art itself is in different locations with different settings: abandoned buildings, fields, parks, great halls... You could spend days here and still not cover everything but you are guaranteed some amazing spectacles at every turn.

Their website is really comprehensive with some recommended itineraries to help you get the best of your time there, links to the best places to eat and of course a sneak peak at all the artworks (though they are all much more impressive in real life.)

It is a must see and a very unique art event. It runs until mid-September so you can come back again and again.

Sarugakyo Fireworks - Aug 25th

Fireworks festivals are a big part of summer in Japan. Sitting back and watching the fireworks with a cool drink and some snacks is a great way to spend a warm evening. Most areas have their summer festival complete with fireworks and Saturday August 25th it is the turn of Sarugakyo, the little township on the way from Minakami to Naeba.  It is a beautiful area if you have never been - heavily wooded hills and a large lake..

There is a full schedule of events with live music and performance from mid-afternoon, culminating with the fireworks at 2000 and then the traditional Bon dancing.

Sarugakyo Fireworks

Cooling off in Snow Country

It's the height of summer and although Snow Country is cooler than the cities it can still feel pretty hot and humid. Never fear though, there are always ways to escape the heat.

1. Grab some great summer food
Shaved ice with fruit syrup is a summer favorite, especially at festivals. Cold soba noodles or watermelon are also great ways to cool off. Or a few glasses of ice cold sake can work wonders.

2. Jump in the water
Easily one of the most fun ways to chill out in summer is find some water, be it pool, water park or river activities. Or even just a stretch of river to laze in works.

3. Head up high
There is some great hiking or plenty of easy way to access the cooler temperatures at the top of the mountains - even a bit of summer skiing if you are interested.

4. Alternatively head deep underground!

5. Have an onsen
It sound counter-intuitive but a nice hot bath will leave you feeling cool and refreshed. Snow Country is blessed with lots of great onsen of all kinds.


Whatever you do, escape the city and head to the mountains.

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.

Yuzawa in Summer - podcastjapan.net

Fancy a quick snapshot of what you can expect if you come to Yuzawa in summer? Podcastjapan has you covered with a montage of images that give you a really good overview of the green season in and around Yuzawa. It'll certainly give you some ideas of what to do and see.

They also do a winter version if summer is not your thing.

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.

Kayaking in Yuzawa

It's getting warm in Snow Country. The snow is melting and the cherry blossoms aren't too far away. With spring here everybody wants to head outside to enjoy the weather. All over the region there is a wealth of activities to keep you occupied in the coming months that let you enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature.

We've mentioned Minakami before as a great location to enjoy adventure sports, but Yuzawa too has its fair share of outdoor activities and kayaking is a great choice. It is easy to learn, lots of fun and great exercise. You'll go somewhere you don't normally go and see the landscape from a different perspective. It is also a great activity for the family to enjoy together.

Over at Daigenta Lake you can take part in a great day of kayaking with professional instruction, safety gear and a stunning lunch from the Italian restaurant, Taverna Vicini. There is plenty more to do over that way too so it is easy to spend a few days there. For the full nature experience you can take advantage of the camp ground and sleep underneath the stars.