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.

Yuzawa Yumeguri - Discounts on Onsen

As we get out of the heat of summer and autumn approaches, sitting in a nice, warm onsen becomes more and more appealing. Yuzawa town is running a campaign to entice you into the waters of their hot springs. From September 1st until November 26th participating onsen are offering discounts on their normal prices.

Also if you manage to visit an onsen in each of the four areas and get a stamp, you can claim a free prize from the Yukiguni Information on the West Side of Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

Full details on the Japanese leaflet.

Pick up your Yumeguri passport at one of the information centers or participating onsen and let's get bathing.

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.

Fuji Rock 2015

Save the date! 24th-26th July 2015

Yuzawa Summer Festival 2014

We're in the Obon Holidays at the moment which means Summer Festivals. Yuzawa's Summer Matsuri in on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th August. The main area for the Festival is just outside the East Exit of Echigo-Yuzawa Station. There are things going on throughout the day but one of the highlights will be the Fireworks which start at around 20:00 on Friday night.

There will also be dancing, drums and live music, plenty of stalls selling festival food, and the whole town will be out in force.

The shrine will be making its way around town too, both the children's one and the main one. If you fancy helping out with this, volunteers are always needed.

Hopefully see you there.