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.

Facelift for Echigo Yuzawa Station

It's may well have escaped your notice but the far end of Echigo Yuzawa Station has been closed for a month or so while it gets a bit of a refurbishment. The far end contained the sake tasting hall, sake onsen and shopping hall.

It reopened a couple of weeks ago and is all shiny and new. Ponshukan is back but now at the front of the area so easier to find. The onsen is still there and the shopping area has had a bit of a face lift. The big change is down one side where are few new restaurants have appeared: an Italian, a soba shop, a ramen shop and a cake shop. Restaurant owners in the town are a bit worried people won't leave the station now but with some many good options out there I am sure they will survive. Early reports are good for the new restaurants so might be worth checking out if you need to grab a bite before you catch your train.

The new entrance complete with drunk.

More drunks at the entrance to Ponshukan, the sake tasting hall.

The new restaurants down the side.

And the cake shop.

There is also a new entrance to the car park under the station. If you come by car you get a generous amount of time for free parking in the underground station car park which can be handy if you are just passing through for a bite to eat or a bit of shopping in town.

Snow Country Festival in Tokyo

Snow Country is hitting the road. Tired of telling you how great the local sake is and how awesome the local gourmet tastes, we're heading down to Tokyo so you can get in on the action.

Get yourself along to Nihonbashi in Tokyo and find out what all the fuss is about; the best rice you will ever eat and the smoothest sake.

This opportunity is around for just eight days from Monday August 27th to  Monday 3rd September so get down there to titillate your tastebuds. You'll definitely want to head up to Snow Country once you know what is on offer.

Yuzawa Summer Matsuri - August 15th/16th

It's the Obon holidays which means traffic jams, hot weather and summer festivals. But get to your destination, kick back and relax. Think shaved ice, chilled beers and festival food in the streets. August 15th and 16th is the Yuzawa Summer Matsuri which is one of the top celebrations of the year in the town.

There is masses going on for both days so it is a good idea to have a look at the schedule or pop into the Information Center to make sure you don't miss out. There will be loads to do for the kids with balloon modelling and other activities and the adults are well catered for with a beer garden, plenty of food and lots of performances.

The evening is the main event with fireworks and the portable shrine making its way around the town which is always a boisterous affair.

There is plenty going on on other days too but 15th/16th are the main event.

There was the Yukata Matsuri on August 6th which had a record turnout so this summer is expected to be one of the best matsuris in Yuzawa yet.

These festivals are real taste of summer in Japan so are not to be missed.

InfomapJapan special on Yuzawa

InfomapJapan who have recently replaced their popular paper magazine with an online version, have a special issue out this month, and front and center in that is a two page spread on Yuzawa.

It's an interactive guide so you can click on various parts of the article for further information and useful links. It is another good overview of the area and introduces all the main points for anyone thinking of visiting the area.

Check it out here.

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.

Snow Country on Japan Tourist

Japan Tourist is a new website that helps tourists find the best of Japan. Set up by the same people who publish Tokyo's favorite English language magazine, Metropolis, Japan Tourist allows users to upload their guides on what to do and where to go in Japan. This makes for entertaining reading and insights into what other travelers and Japan residents recommend.

There are already a few articles about places in Snow Country and more content is sure to be added soon. If you've enjoyed something in this area, why not join their ever-growing band of contributors and let other people know what's hot?