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.

Ski Resort Openings - 2014/2015 Season

I know..., it is still autumn and the leaves are not even at their best yet, but it is that time of year where we are starting to get excited about winter.

The resorts are starting to kick into gear and there are a few opening dates trickling out. We'll update with a full list closer to the time but for those of you thinking of getting some early turns in or getting a headstart on learning this winter, here some (planned) opening dates so far.

Kagura have snowmaking facilities on their main run so even in a slow-starting winter they normally hit their planned opening date no matter what. It just depends on nature as to how much snow there is and how much of the mountain is open. Other resorts tend to have to wait for the white stuff to fall to give them a decent base.

Kagura - November 22nd 2014
Tashiro - December 6th
Naeba - December 13th
Norn - December 18th
Ishiuchi - December 19th
GALA - December 20th
NASPA - December 20th
Kandatsu - December 20th
Hakkai-san - December 20th

Plenty more dates to come.

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.