Gday Japan 2010

ISSUE #05 JUNE 2010

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DISCOVER JAPAN’S GLORIOUS SKI DESTINATIONS JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS JAPAN FOR ME EXPLORING JAPAN SO COOL, SO JAPAN! A TASTE OF JAPAN

The journey from Tokyo through Nagoya and on to Kyoto and Osaka is well known as Japan’s Golden Route. A side trip off the Golden Route will provide you with an enormously enriching cultural experience. Indulge in historic ambience in Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa or travel to the south of Osaka to seek spiritual enlightenment at Ise-Shima, Koyasan,and along the ancient Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes. …Where to go next? The Kisoji, an ancient trade route running through the Kiso Valley, is part of the Nakasendo (‘path through the mountains’) and is surrounded by steep mountains and retains the scenery and atmosphere of the old days.

日本

Second Golden Route

JAPAN

5 DISCOVER JAPAN'S GLORIOUS SKI DESTINATIONS

CONTENTS

5 65

78

7 8 16 25

HOKKAIDO NISEKO FURANO TOMAMU

29 30 46 47 52

SHINETSU HAKUBA NOZAWA ONSEN / MYOKO SHIGA KOGEN NAEBA

53 GUNMA 54 KATASHINA

59 TOHOKU ALTS BANDAI / INAWASHIRO / GRANDECO / ZAO HOT SPRINGS / APPI

65 JAPAN

TRAVEL TIPS

82 103

131

66 70 72 74 76

ESSENTIALS ACCOMMODATION TRANSPORT LANGUAGE LIVING IN JAPAN

78 JAPAN FOR ME

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CONTENTS

82 EXPLORING JAPAN

G'Day Japan!

Date of Issue / June, 2010 (Issue 05)

90 92 94 96 98 99 100 101 102

TOKYO OSAKA KYOTO HAKONE HIROSHIMA NAGOYA HIDA TAKAYAMA KANAZAWA NIKKO

Published annually by JAMS.TV Pty Ltd ABN 85 115 815 551 Suite 3704, Level 37, Gateway Building, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone (02) 9252 6307 Fax (02) 9252 6308 Email info@jams.tv Printed in Australia

103 SO COOL, SO JAPAN!

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Let's Zoom in on So Japan The Art of "Ramen" The Most Convenient Conbini on the Planet!?

Manga / Anime Takes on the World!

Mecca for Otaku Culture!

Japanese Souvenirs

Event Highlights Do Something Extraordinary Essential Activities Food, Glorious Food...

Trends Going Strong Japanese Style Aussies Love

114 116 118 120 122 124

Chairman Takashi Asai Managing Director Mana Togo Administration Director Hiroshi Washiashi Creative Director Yushiro Mizukoshi Sales Director Ryuichi Kitamura Editor in Chief Masanori Chiba Editor Hiroko Sekine Graphic Designer Koetsu Moriya Advertising Sales Assistants Daisuke Iwase, Sanae Kato, Chika Umezawa Contributors Baylee Brits, Akiko Ganivet, Michael Montague

131 A TASTE OF JAPAN

Website Creative Manager Takeshi Dodo

132 133 136 137

the tradition of japanese food popular japanese dishes staple ingredients for japanese cuisine japanese drinks

Creative Assistant Manager Tetsuya Iwasaki System Engineer Koji Ogura Creative Assistant Akira Toyama

S TA RT YO U R S E N S E S

For more, visit suzuki.com.au/kizashi CONTENTS

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SKI DESTINATIONS

DISCOVER JAPAN'S GLORIOUS SKI DESTINATIONS Japan boasts some of the most amazing powder snow you will ever f ind.

Its world-class resorts have a wide variet y of ski runs and terrain in an absolutely spectacular natural environment. This is your chance to experience traditional local cultures, sample exquisite Japanese cuisine, and discover the Japanese pastime of soaking in an onsen after a long day on the slopes.

J u s t 10 h o u r s n o r t h o f Australia, Japan's glorious ski destination's are right on your doorstep.

SKI DESTINATIONS

5

SKI DESTINATIONS

Ski Season

Japan transforms into a wonderland during winter. With exceptionally high snow fall, bubbling hot springs and majestic mountains, the Japanese winter experience is truly unlike any other.

Ski Japan It is no overstatement to say that Japan offers some of the best quality snow in the world.

The sheer abundance of the snow, brought in from the ice cold Siberian winds, makes for consistently excellent skiing conditions.

Hokkaido receives the largest share of this snowfall, but the Tohoku, Joetsu and Shinetsu regions on Honshu island also receive substantial amounts throughout the long winter season, from November to April. Amazingly, many of Japan's major cities are only a couple of hours away from this winter phenomenon, and the best skiing and snowboarding experiences you are likely to find. As such, Japan boasts many excellent ski resorts, including some larger resort towns or regions with superb facilities for the discerning traveller.

There are around 600 ski and snowboard resorts scattered from Hokkaido right down to the southernmost island of Kyushu. Though the first snows arrive in November, most of the resorts really get going in December with a few open right until early May. The massive amounts of snow dumped on this region, which sometimes amount to 6 or 7 metres, mean that a white Christmas, as well as a nearperfect ski season, is guaranteed every year.

HOKKAIDO

Snowboarding Snowboarding has taken off amongst the ski resorts, and most have provisions for snowboarders, including slope access, terrain parks, and other challenges. Snowboarding has become so fashionable so quickly that the amount of skiers and snowboarders on the slopes tends to be even.

TOHOKU GUNMA

SHINETSU

Finding out more...

You can access further information on winter trips to Japan on the Snow Japan website: www.snowjapan.com. This website features the low-down on Japan's wide array of ski resorts, and includes photos, reviews, and facilities for online community interaction.

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SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDO

HOKKAIDO NISEKO FURANO TOMAMU

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan has the highest quality powder snow in the nation and is well recognised for the optimum skiing conditions that its very cold winters bring. The popularity of skiing in Japan amongst Australians began on Hokkaido and has since spread to other regions. Hokkaido is not just revered for its skiing however. Tourists flock to the region to experience the wonders of the changing natural environment across each season. The cool, low humidity summers are particularly notable for their colour and beauty.

Asahikawa Kamui Asahikawa Airport

Tokachidake Asahidake

FURANO

TOMAMU

Sapporo

NISEKO

N 10km

New Chitose Airport

Rusutsu

Railway Main Road

DIRECTIONS Narita Airport

Kansai Airport

Airport Limousine Bus 75min Haneda Airport 90min

120min

New Chitose Airport

100min

120min

Asahikawa Airport

Chuo Bus, Donan Bus and Skybus 150min

JR Sekisho Line (Change at Minami Chitose Sta.) 70min

Furano Bus (Lavender Go) 80min

Niseko

Tomamu

Furano SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ©Kutchan Town Council

NISEKO

The Niseko region encompasses the foothills of Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountains, as well as the towns of Kutchan and Niseko. It is located on the northern island of Hokkaido, and is not far from Sapporo. The name Niseko derives from the word for “vertical cliff” in the language of the native people, and the area is recognised for its beautiful seasons and outdoor activities. The Shiribetsu river provides an ideal site for rafting, raft fishing, and kayaking. The lakes and other waterland areas are interspersed with mountains, which make great terrain for hiking.

Hot springs abound in the area, which provides ample opportunity for soaking in health-giving mineral water, a uniquely Japanese past time. The hot springs are so numerous that it would take 6 days to visit each of them.

Other activities particular to Niseko include sausage making or ice-cream making, and there are also opportunities to participate in local crafts such as pottery and glass blowing.

Weiss Ski Grounds

Niseko Goshiki Onsen

Hanazono Onsen

Niseko Annupuri

Hanazoko

Niseko Grand Hirafu Hirafu Hot Spring Village Niseko Village Ski Grounds

Niseko Moiwa Ski Ground

Niseko Annupuri Ski Grounds

Niseko Yunosato Onsen

Niseko

Konbu Onsen

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Kutchan

SKI DESTINATIONS

Hirafu

Culinary highlights include excellent seafood fresh from fisheries on the Shakotan peninsula, as well as a variety of produce including delicious sweet rockmelon, potatoes, corn, and other vegetables. Much of the agricultural produce comes from low-chemical, environmentally friendly farms, and recycling and composting are promoted across the region.

In winter, the skiing is superb. Niseko is a world class resort, where the powder snow is at its best. Resort life is centred around the Hirafu Resort Village, which provides access and accommodation for those skiing on the Niseko Grand Hirafu ski grounds. At the village there are many different types of accommodation, with a broad enough range to suit every need. A shopping mall will provide for all your shopping needs, including many souvenir shops with beautiful memorabilia to take home with you.

The skiing area has a vertical drop of 1,000 meters. There are many different types of ski runs, including open pistes and gladed runs. Over the entire ski season the resort can recieve up to 16 metres of snow! There is even a term for an experience where skiiers are enveloped in falling snow, known as a “white room” . The large snowfalls are mostly due to the northwest monsoon, which brings moisture from the sea. Many foreigners have begun to frequent Niseko. With a flow of almost 60,000 foreign tourists in 2009, the town caters for English speaking people and you can get around without even a smattering of Japanese.

Niseko's biggest selling point would have to be its worldclass powder snow, a natural product of its landscape, latitude and altitude. When snow clouds drifting across Hokkaido's western coastline hit mountain ranges in the area, it is showered with heavy falls of light, high-grade powder snow.

Next, Niseko's excellent after-ski scene also deserves a special mention. High quality restaurants specialising in traditional Japanese, creative modern and international cuisines are conveniently situated within the one locale, a situation rarely found elsewhere in the world. Niseko has in fact been dubbed a "gourmet town," where diners can freely enjoy gourmet delights from across the globe on the spur of the moment. The Hirafu area in particular offers convenient, walking distance access to all establishments, allowing holidaymakers to enjoy after-ski festivities no matter where they stay.

Niseko is a must visit destination for ski fans, which has to be seen to be believed.

www.grand-hirafu.jp/en HOTEL NISEKO ALPEN Guests can ski to the front door of the Niseko Alpen Hotel, which is conveniently located next to the slopes and offers luxurious accommodation with facilities such as a heated indoor swimming pool and hot spring (onsen).

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ©Kutchan Town Council

qqqNISEKO SKI RESORT www.niseko.ne.jp/en/ The four main ski resorts on the Niseko mountains and the main mountain, Mount Annupuri, boast excellent quality powder snow. All levels of skiers, from beginners to advanced skiers, can enjoy skiing here with amazing views of Mount Yotei. At the Niseko Annupuri you can enjoy long stretches cruising the powder snow on courses in the white birch forests. The downhill courses at the top have the best powder snow, and Niseko Village you can ski freely on its slope which has been cleared of trees. The Niseko Grand Hirafu is the largest ski ground in the Niseko area, where you can enjoy all kinds of skiing. And the Hanazono is a part of the Grand Hirafu resort, located on the north east facing slopes, with a ski area characterised by very deep snow.

The four regions can be accessed by various shuttle bus services. The resorts neighbour each other, and share the ski areas on Mount Annupuri. The ski areas merge at the top of the mountain, where all of the slopes can be accessed from. The lifts all join up as you start to reach the top of the mountain, and this makes it easy to choose which section you might want to ski down. A common lift ticket, called the

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Niseko All Mountain Pass, is available for all four ski grounds.

Night skiing on Mount Annupuri is a fantastic opportunity for a different skiing experience. Powder snow skiing at night in particular is excellent and not to be missed.

NISEKO ALL MOUNTAIN PASS

The Niseko All Mountain Pass is valid for any of the four resorts in the Niseko Ski Area. The all-day tickets can also be used for night-skiing on the final day that the ticket is valid.

A one day ticket is ¥5,500, a 7-day ticket is ¥33,600 and a 21day ticket is ¥96,000. Specialist ski stores can often give great discounts when you buy a bus or mountain pass package.

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ©JNTO

qqq NISEKO UNITED

SHUTTLE BUS

qqqACCOMMODATION The accommodation at Niseko includes hotels, Japanese style pensions, lodges, condominiums and self-contained apartments. Much of the accommodation is less than 5 minutes walk from the ski lifts. If your hotel is further from the lifts, you can catch the shuttle bus, which runs between the lifts and hotels.

qqqDINING AND DRINKING There are many different eateries in Niseko, including restaurants, bars, and Japanese style noodle bars. The food is varied, and includes Italian pizza restaurants and seafood restaurants, which usually have menus available in English. Local specialities include fresh produce such as potatoes and asparagus, as well as dairy products.

qqqAFTER SKI / NIGHTLIFE The bars are the centre of the after ski buzz in Niseko, and stopping for a drink is a great experience to meet other tourists from all over the world. Other popular activities include soaking in a hot spring (onsen) or trying out karaoke.

Wash down the best Yakitori in town with our superior range of Japanese sake. We pride ourselves OPEN TILL LATE on exceptional customer service!

YAKITORI YOSAKU 170-138 Yamada, Kutchan-cho

Phone +81 136 23 4390

(Hirafu Welcome Centre - Ikoi no Mura) The Niseko United Shuttle Bus travels to the main ski resorts, the Annupuri, the Niseko Village and the Grand Hirafu, between 8am and 9pm (every 45 - 90 minutes) and is available free for those holding a Niseko All Mountain Pass. Without the pass, regular bus fares apply. The bus operates from early December to end of March.

qqq KUTCHAN

NIGHT GO BUS (JR Kutchan Station - Hirafu Welcome Centre) The Kutchan Night Go Bus operates at night, between 5pm and 11.40pm (every 45 - 90 minutes), from early December to late March. The bus is free, and provides a quick 10 minute trip between Hirafu and downtown Kutchan, where you can enjoy the nightlife, including Japanese restaurants and karaoke.

qqq YUMEGURI (SPA)

SHUTTLE BUS (Ikoi no Mura - Yumoto Onsen) This shuttle service transports people between various onsen, hotels, and the main ski areas, and stops include the Hirafu Welcome Centre, Kanro-no mori, Konbu spa, Yumoto spa and the Izumi-kyo part 2, between 3.20pm and 9.50pm (every 40 - 70 minutes). It is in operation from early December to March, and one ride costs ¥300, or ¥150 for a child.

kakashi Kakashi is family run, and its at-home atmosphere is that of a traditional Japanese Izakaya restaurant.

The "U" shape counter and slightly raised floor create a nostalgic space ideal for memorable good times. Be sure to try the dried atka mackerel, a rich, meaty dish. The Genghis Khan tender lamb cannot be missed either. Kakashi is an essential restaurant stop for holiday makers in Niseko.

184 Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun Hokkaido Japan 044-0081

Ph +81 136 23 2622 Mon-Sun 18-24

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ©Kutchan Town Council/©Niseko United

qqqGRAND HIRAFU www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/index.html The Grand Hirafu is a world famous snow resort, and one of the biggest ski grounds in Japan, stretching over the summit of Annupuri right down to the base of the mountain. The resort has excellent dry powder snow and the size of the ski area makes it a good destination for those who like to make fresh tracks. The elevation from the top of the lift is 940m, and you can ski all the way down to the base. Courses are up to 5.6km long, and include the ungroomed courses “Miharashi” and “Konayuki”. The ski service is particularly streamlined, as the lift service is highly efficient, meaning that queues are rare on weekdays. Night skiing is available, and the lifts are open until 8.30pm.

If you are looking for something different to skiing, you might want to try your hand at driving a snow mobile, which is a little more fast paced and thrilling than snow rafting.

The mobiles allow you to vary the speed and excitement according to your mood, whether you are seeking an action packed run, or just some slow cruising. A kids park is also available.

DATA

Number of Courses: 30 (Beginner 40%, Intermediate 37%, Advanced 23%) Number of Lifts: 16 (Gondola 1, Chairs 15) Longest Course: 5.6km Vertical Drop: 940m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: Yes One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:30-16:30 Early morning: From 8:00 (Mid Jan.-Early Feb. ¥500) Night Skiing: 16:30-21:00 (Early Dec.-End Mar.) Season: Late Nov.-Early May HIRAFU VILLAGE GRAND SHUTTLE BUS

The Grand Shuttle Bus travels around the village, transporting people between the lifts and the rest of the village. The bus is free and leaves every 15 to 20 minutes between 8.30am and 9pm from early December through to early April.

Cantik～チャンティ～ Health, beauty, relaxation

Next to Plat information centre TEL: 0136-55-5004

Jam Cafe Bar @ Niseko 189-13 Yamada, Kutchan-cho Phone 0136-23-0700 http://www.jamcafebar.com/ open 17:00 / close 26:00

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SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ŠNihon Harmony Resorts KK

qqqHANAZONO RESORT http://skihanazono.com/global/en Hanazono Resort lies 1,000 meters below the spectacular peak of Mount Niseko-Annupuri, and of fers over one vertical kilometer of stunning snow. Without a doubt, Hanazono boasts some of the most awesome powder to be experienced anywhere in the world. Hanazano's choice location offers stunning views from the peak, including a breathtaking view of the nearby Mount Yotei − which is the North's answer to Mount Fuji - as well as a glimpse of the ocean. Moreover, it is distinctive for its range of slopes perfect for the beginner but with variation enough to suit many levels of ski or riding ability, including wide open slopes suitable for cruising. Beginners will appreciate the two covered Magic Carpets, one of them 125m long! More confident beginners can progress to the hooded quad chair and the Silver dream trail. Many seasoned skiers will be enthusiastic about one of Hanazano's key draw cards: covered lifts with almost no queues that will see you to the top of the ski slope swiftly and in comfort. Simply great service and some superior facilities add the finishing touch to this great venue. The Hanazono Bus will take you to experience the bliss of first morning tracks as early as 8.30am, when the lifts open. Ski through virgin powder on Strawberry or Blueberry fields and have the slopes to yourself! In total, the Hanazono area has 4 terrain parks and one competition half pipe, making it one of the hottest places to be this season.

DATA

Number of Courses: 11 (Beginner 20%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 25%) Number of Lifts: 3 (Chairs 3) Longest Course: 4.6km Vertical Drop: 850m Snowboarding park: Yes Half pipe: Yes One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:30-16:30 Early morning: From 8:30 Season: Early Dec.-Mid Apr. HANAZONO SHUTTLE BUS

The bus departs every 30 minutes between 7:45am and 6pm from early December to early April. The bus is free and covers Lower Village Line (Pensions) and Upper Village Line (Hotels, Izumikyo, Unitas) to the Hanazono area of Grand Hirafu.

Discover your winter at Hanazono... www.hanazononiseko.com

+81 136 21-6655

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ©Kutchan Town Council/©JNTO

qqqNISEKO VILLAGE www.niseko-village.com/english/winter/index.html The Niseko Higashiyama, now known as simply the “Niseko Village”, provides a range of ski runs up to 5km long, over terrain designed to suit beginners, or more experienced skiers. Niseko Village is located in between Grand Hirafu and Annupuri, and its slopes are interconnected with the two at the top, offering access to them both. There is a very convenient gondola that runs directly to the top of the mountain. The slopes feature a beautiful array of white birch trees, and Niseko Village is also known for its beautiful view over Mount Yotei. The area is, importantly, not too crowded, allowing for maximum skiing freedom. Expert skiers will enjoy the night grooming, and off-piste skiing will engage those seeking more excitement. The village has a terrain park, featuring a number of rails, spines, waves and hits to suit all levels.

“First Tracks Cat Skiing” is a guided tour designed for early skiers to get the most out of their experience before the lifts open for the day. A maximum of 6 people are taken on each tour. If you want to try out snowboarding, the RSS Niseko snow mobile facility offers guided tours on their 300cc SkiDoo mobiles.

DATA

Number of Courses: 27 (Beginner 36%, Intermediate 32%, Advanced 32%) Number of Lifts: 7 (Gondola 1, Chairs 6) Longest Course: 5km Vertical Drop: 890m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: No Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: No Hours: 8:30-16:30 Night Skiing: 16:30-21:00 (Dec.-Late Mar.) Season: Late Nov.-Early May

qqqANNUPURI www.cks.chuo-bus.co.jp/annupuri/english.php The Annupuri Ski resort is the place to be if you are just starting out as a skier, or have intermediate abilities. A great feature of this resort is its enormous stretch of backcountry which provides endless hours of exhilarating skiing. It also has a number of ungroomed slopes, which are completely safe and also of fer exciting experiences. The resort is complemented by the many onsen located at or nearby the site, and these are best way to wind down after a day on the slopes. Snow-shoeing is also a popular experience at Annupuri, which is usually done by riding the gondola to the top and then travelling down the mountain through the forest with the aid of snow shoes.

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SKI DESTINATIONS

DATA

Number of Courses: 13 (Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 30%) Number of Lifts: 6 (Gondola 1, Chairs 5) Longest Course: 4km Vertical Drop: 756m Snowboarding park: No Mogul slope: No Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:30-16:30 Night Skiing: 16:30-21:00 (Early Dec.-End Mar.) Season: Late Nov.-Early May

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqNISEKO Photography: ©Kutchan Town Council

NISEKO ONSEN The onsen at Niseko are famous and provide an experience that simply cannot be missed. The onsen are so prolific in the area that there is literally one around each corner. Almost all the onsen have stunning views to take in whilst you soak, but particularly unique is the volcanic backdrop - a great opportunity for fantastic photographs.

It is a good idea to try all the onsen available in order to find your favourite.

Some are right in the centre of downtown Niseko, whilst others are hidden in mountainous areas. The

renowned hot springs, Konbu-Onsen and Yukichichibu, are close to Niseko and definitely wor th a visit. If you prefer, you can go straight from the ski slopes into an onsen, as many are positioned right below the ski area.

The Hotel Niseko Ikoino-Mura, situated at the base of the Annupuri ski fields is well known for the outdoor onsen (rotenburo), where snow accumulates right up to the edges of the pools. The wilderness surrounding the onsen is marvelous.

The Hotel Niseko Alpen, located at the

base of the Grand Hirafu area also has rotenburo. The hot, mineral rich water from Mount Yotei that bubbles into these amazing natural phenomena is full of health benefits, particularly for those who have been taking the strains of skiing.

The Hilton Niseko Village also provides its own onsen, which is open 22 hours of the day. There are two onsen, one indoor and one huge outdoor bath which also features a pond full of colourful carp.

NISEKO SUMMER ACTIVITIES Niseko is nothing short of wonderful during the summer months. Whilst much of Japan can experience high te m p e r at u re s a n d h u m i d i t y, t h e Niseko weather is superbly mild. The mountains, which are snow covered for much of the year, are beautiful and green, and provide opportunities to engage with nature in different ways.

Aside from the ac tivities detailed below, you might want to experience hot air ballooning, pottery or sausage making.

GOLF There are many world class golf resorts at Niseko, which are reasonably priced given their high standards. Golf is a great way to enjoy the perfect summer weather and environment.

FARM ACTIVITIES H o k k ai d o has a we ll - e s t ab lish e d

f a r m i n g i n d u s t r y, a n d t h e r e a r e many farms which produce a variety o f d i f f e re nt p ro d u c t s . I f yo u a re frequenting the area be sure to try some of the local produce and explore some of the farms, which have facilities for the public.

SPORTS A great way to see Niseko at your own pace is to bike ride. Mountain bikes are available for hire and are a popular way to take in the stunning vistas that Niseko offers. Rafting, which is the perfect chance to cool off in the river and have a great time, is also available.

One of Niseko's Australian-run rafting companies can put you on a boat of your choice, whether it is a raft for groups, or a ducky for couples. Niseko in the summer is a quiet and relaxing break from busy life.

EVENTS Lo c al communit y ac tiv ities are a wonderful celebration of the area's rich culture and diversity.

KUTCHAN MUSIC FESTIVAL The Kutchan Music Festival is held every year in July and is one of the best summer festivals to attend in the area.

Many musicians flock to the area for the festival, and Kutchan comes alive with the music and celebration of the area’s

short summer.

KUTCHAN POTATO FESTIVAL The Kutchan Potato Festival is held in early August each year, and features a number of entertainment events.

These include appearances by T V characters, as well as dance and drum per formances, and unusual events such as the “potato grab”, popular with the local housewives!

FISHING Some of the most rewarding fishing in the country is available in Niseko. If you have not tried out this activity before, you can hire a guide who will teach you the art of fly fishing.

GOSETSU UDON

(

Local Gosetsu Udon Cuisines f amously originates in Kutchan, where it has been enjoyed for generations.

While the thick , hear t y udon noodles are usually made from wheat flour, Gosetsu udon is ninety percent potato flour, harnessing the freshness of locally produced potatoes. It is a feature on the menu at selected restaurants in the area, and is also available for visitors to purchase as a souvenir.

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ©Furano Tourism Association/©New Furano Prince Hotel

FURANO

Furano, a town with a population of 24,500, is situated in the centre of Hokkaido. The name Furano derives from the word furanui or “fragrant flame” in the language of the Ainu. The town is located along the Sorachi River within the FuranoAshibetsu Nature Park and is surrounded by snow capped mountains and a smoking volcano, Mount Tokachidake. The town experiences a stunning transformation in scenery in each of the four distinct seasons - with snow, like stardust, falling softly throughout winter, an array of Japanese skunk cabbages, or mizubasho sprouting during spring, the aroma of blossoming lavender in summer, and the vibrant leaves in autumn.

Furano Winery

Furano Downtown Furano Ski Kitanomine Zone Furano Prince Hotel

Furano Ski Furano Zone New Furano Prince Hotel Furano Cheese Factory

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Most rare to Furano are its many lavender fields. Many people come to the town to visit its lavender fields in summer, when the lavender is in full bloom. This season occurs between July and August, with the prime period being in late July and early August. A walk through a fragrant lavender field is an experience not to be missed.

One unique feature of Furano is the “navel festival,” in which around 5,000 participants draw humourous faces on their stomachs and dance around in the main street. This derives from the geographical location of Furano, which occupies the near centre of Hokkaido, hence its nickname “the navel town.”

Furano is a wonderful place to visit, given that the locals are some of the warmest and most welcoming people you will meet. Importantly, much of the town's agricultural bounty is turned into some excellent food at the restaurants and hotels in the town.

The beautiful landscape is conducive to outdoor activities, and one of the joys of Furano is that there is something amazing to experience outdoors in every season. Some companies organise rafting trips and hot air ballooning during the warmer months, and skiing is the chief attraction in the winter. For tourists, Furano is valuable as it offers the option of experiencing authentic Japanese culture, as well as providing world-class resort ski facilities, which were enjoyed by the international snowboarding community at the 2007 World Cup. The powder snow in Furano is of excellent quality, and the community receives a staggering 8m of snow each year.

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO

qqqACCOMMODATION

qqqLAVENDER-GO

There are more than 90 hotels and lodges in Furano and its surrounding areas, ranging from backpackers at JPY2,500 per night, Japanese lodges, B&Bs and upmarket hotels which range from JPY4,500 to JPY40,000 per night.

qqqDINING AND DRINKING Despite fewer Western options, everyone is bound to find something good amidst the many, many restaurants available. All sorts of Japanese delicacies as well as local specialties are on offer.

qqqAFTER SKI / NIGHTLIFE Night skiing runs till 8:30pm on both sides of the ski area.

There are few “western” bars in town and Furano's nightlife is more low-key than your average ski area. Check out the incredible arts and craft village adorned with fairy lights.

The Lavender-go bus operates year-round and travels extensively between downtown Furano and the main ski areas, including services to the Biei area, as well as travelling to the Asahikawa Airport. The ride to the airport will take two hours in winter, or only an hour and a half in summer. Other key stops include the New Furano Prince Hotel, JR Furano station, and JR Asahikawa station. Pay when you disembark from the bus. A trip from JR Furano station to the New Furano Prince Hotel will cost ¥250, whilst a trip from downtown to the Asahikawa Airport is ¥750.

qqq EVENING DOWNTOWN

SHUTTLE BUS The Evening Downtown Shuttle Bus runs between the New Furano Prince Hotel, the Kitanomine Furano ski area, and downtown Furano from 5pm to 10pm between late December and late March. You can't buy tickets on the bus, but you can purchase them at the Furano Information Centre, or most hotel front desks; one ride is JPY200.

New Furano Prince Hotel Located on the slopes of Furano Ski Area, Furano’s premier hotel offers true ski-in / ski-out access. With multiple dining options and top class facilities your choice of accommodation in Furano couldn’t be simpler. The affordability of this special combination of location and luxury will also surprise you.

For further information contact Scott Tovey:

Tel +81-167-22-1111 Fax +81-167-22-1189 Email furano-scott@princehotels.co.jp

2010/2011 winter special.

Kids Ski Free, and Stay 7 Nights Pay for 5*.

Conditions apply. Contact your travel agent for details. *Offer valid until Sept 30, 2010

Enjoy peaceful times surrounded by the nature of Furanui - Room and breakfast package.

- A range of guest rooms from Western, Japanese or combined style to cottages are available to meet all kinds of requirements.

Hotel “Pension Furanui” Tel 0167 22 2480 13-15 Kitanomine-Cho, Furano E-mail furanui@furano.ne.jp

Please make bookings and enquiries by e-mail!

All rooms have a bath and toilet A g o o d l o c a t i o n o n l y 5 minutes by walk from the Kitanomine Ski Ground.

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ŠFurano Tourism Association/ŠNew Furano Prince Hotel

qqqFURANO SKI RESORT www.furano-kankou.com Furano has long, smooth ski runs with spectacular views and many relaxing family style courses that provide a great run for all ages. The snow is the driest snow you will find in the Hokkaido area, and the weather, with sunny, blue-skies, is perfect for being outdoors.

One great aspect of the Furano ski area is that it is not far away from the town centre. Downtown Furano is about a half hour walk from the hotels situated at the Kitanomine ski area, and only 10 minutes on the bus. The town offers what most ski resort towns don't have, which is an array of shops offering beautiful souvenirs and restaurants serving delicious local produce. Make sure to spend time in the town centre to get the full experience of the life of a local! There are many perfect opportunities to interact with the locals, who enjoy welcoming and getting to know the tourists that come to their town to ski. The tourism association is very active in organising a variety of activities to keep the travelers busy during winter, most of which are lots of fun and free to attend.

There are many different activities to try out in Furano,

from ice fishing to banana boats. Not to be missed is the experience of driving your own snow mobile through the forest and open areas of snow.

Fun day trips for powder-hungry skiers visiting the Hokkaido Furano area include Kamui, Asahidake and Tokachidake.

Shuttle buses and the transferable multi-day lift passes for use at Kamui and Tomamu facilitate a great backcountry skiing adventure at these top locations......

FURANO ROPEWAY (CABLE CAR)

The Furano Ropeway transports skiers during winter and during summer allows visitors to float above the forest and admire the rich foliage of the area. At the speed of 10m per second, it is also one of the fastest cable cars in Japan. At the end of the ropeway you can embark on a hike along one of the many trails, all of which are well maintained.

Furano ski holiday at the North Country Inn Make your holiday choice simple: powder snow skiing is what it's all about. With hundreds of restaurants in vibrant Furano, this is the Japanese ski experience you have been looking for. Enjoy a spectacular view of the snow whilst having breakfast or experience our new Western-style dinner menu, complemented by our delicious homemade wine!

Mention this ad to receive dinner free on your first night!

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SKI DESTINATIONS

All enquiries to:

www.northcountryinnfurano.com

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ©New Furano Prince Hotel

qqqFURANO www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/furano_e/

www.skifurano.com/ DATA

This ski resort has been host to the World Cup Skiing Competition a number of times already, as well as hosting the World Cup Snowboarding Competition. The ski area is divided into two zones, the “Furano” zone and the “Kitanomine” zone. The mountain boasts a greatly varied 23 courses in total, the longest of which is 4km. Night skiing is available up until 8:30pm. Particularly notable is the ropeway, which is not only the fastest in Japan, but also has a very large capacity, holding as many as 101 passengers. The cable car is able to transport skiers 900m from the base area in only a couple of minutes.

Number of Courses: 23 (Beginner 45%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 15%) Number of Lifts: 10 (Cable Car 1, Gondola 1, Chairs 8) Longest Course: 4km Vertical Drop: 960m Snowboarding park: No Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: No Hours: 8:30-17:00 Night Skiing: 17:00-20:30 (Early Dec.-Late Mar.) Season: Late Nov.-Early May

1-35 A s a h i - C h o, F u r a n o H o k k a i d o Phone: +81 167 22 1777 Fax: +81 167 23 1070 Email: info@natulux.com

www.natulux.com

24 hour hospital only 5 minutes walk.

Lift is 5 minutes on foot.

Free parking is available.

Furano Alpine Travel We pride ourselves in our long-term presence in Furano and expert knowledge of the area.

We specialise in: • Various outdoor activities, from Hot Air Balloon to Trekking • Transportation services around Furano and Hokkaido • Accommodation, from Backpackers to hot-spring Hotels

Tel: +81 167 22 1311 Email: furano@alpn.jp

www.alpn.jp SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ŠFurano Tourism Association

qqqKAMUI SKI LINKS http://visitfurano.com/English/asahikawa/a-kamuiskiarea.html Kamui is situated inland and misses the brunt of the high winds and bad weather, making for some of the lightest, driest powder in the world. The good weather means gondola and lift services operate almost every day, and the fact that Kamui has no hotels at its base means that crowding is rare. Kamui has six lifts and a great variation in terrain, and no night skiing means that grooming is conducted before nightfall - so the next day's snow accumulation is optimum. With the most open ski policy in Japan, skiers and snowboarders have great freedom to explore the trees and unpatrolled areas. Cafe 751 serves Mexican food and has a log fireplace to keep customers cozy.

DATA

Number of Courses: 13 (Beginner 25%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 45%) Number of Lifts: 6 (Gondola 1, Chairs 5) Longest Course: 3.5km Vertical Drop: 650m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: No Hours: 9:00-16:00 Season: Dec.-Mar.

HOKKAIDO OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

ASAHIDAKE As the highest peak in the spec tacular Daisetsuzan Range, and an active volcano from which plumes of smoke can be seen regularly, Asahidake is an awe-inspiring, mystical site. An excellent high precipitation/low humidity climate make for reliable, superior quality snow, and the inland location also means there are particularly heavy and regular falls of snow - about 20m per season! Asahidake is particularly attractive for its minimalist approach: this is basically lift-accessed backcountry and the terrain is barely groomed and without ski patrols. As a result, skiers have 500 meters of well spaced birch and spruce forest at their disposal!

TOKACHIDAKE M o u n t To k a c h i d a k e i s a live volcano, and with it s spiraling smoke plumes is a prominent feature in the dramatic landscape of the Taisetsuzan Mountain Range.

This mountainous terrain is a beautiful destination year round for locals and foreigners a l i k e , a n d To k a c h i d a k e offers fantastic backcountry skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing opportunities.

Custom Off Piste and Backcountry Tours throughout Hokkaido, Japan

www.rafting-hoa.co.jp 20

SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ©Furano Tourism Association

FURANO PLACES OF INTEREST Furano is a popular destination for local travellers, and there are plenty of attractions in and around the town.

The Furano Bus Company runs the shuttle bus ser vice “Kururu-go” to several places of interest in the summer season, including Farm Tomita, the Furano Winery and the Cheese Factory, depar ting from nearby JR Furano station. Passengers do not have to book, and pay upon disembarking the bus.

FARM TOMITA Farm Tomita is one of the main flower farms in Hokkaido. Originally a lavender farm, Tomita now produces a variety of flowers. Tomita is best known for its “rainbow field” spectacle; a marvelous sight achieved through planting different coloured rows of flowers up against each other. The farm also has cafes and shops.

FURANO CHEESE FACTORY Hokkaido is a major dair y farming region in Japan and here you can taste some of the best dairy products on offer. The Furano Cheese Factory produces high qualit y cheese and other dairy products from the milk produced on local dairy farms. Join one of their “Hands On Workshops” and make your own cheese, butter and ice cream!

FURANO JAM GARDEN Fo r t h e b e s t jam to p u t o n yo ur crumpets, visit the Furano Jam Garden to try one of their 38 homemade jams, which range from everyone's favourite strawberry and grape jam, to one of a kind flavours like carrot, beetroot or watermelon. The apple jam is a must try!

Kumagera This intimate restaurant serves a variety of unique Japanese cuisine, including Sanzoku Nabe, duck and venison hot pot, tempura, and cheese tofu, just to name a few. Delicious Japanese sake and beers are also available.

Open 7 days 11:30-Midnight 3-22 Hinode, Furano, Hokkaido Phone +81 167 39 2345 www.furano.ne.jp/kumagera/

Fukuzushi is known for its gigantic sushi. Here you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine such as sashimi and tempura or Fukuzushi’s famous fried chicken and original ‘Potato Bowl’. This beautiful Japanese style restaurant is suitable for big parties.

Fukuzushi 1-24 Asahi, Furano, Hokkaido Japan Phone +81 167 23 2617 Open 11:00-21:30 Closed Mon SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ©Furano Tourism Association/©Furano Resort Kosan Co., LTD

FURANO WINERY Several wines are made at the Furano Winery, and tours are available which allow visitors to sample the different versions. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and taste the wines of the Furano region.

GLASS FOREST IN FURANO At the Glass Forest, you can make your own “diamond dust” glassware.

Diamond dust is the ice crystal that falls from the sky when the moisture in the air increases. The glassware replicates this twinkling ice crystal, and will remind you of your great time in Furano!

NINGLE TERRACE Ningle Terrace is a strip of shops housed in quaint log buildings, located below the New Furano Prince Hotel.

Most of the shops have handcrafted arts and crafts available only in Furano.

The pine trees and the log buildings make it a wonderful spot to stop at, and at night the terrace is lit up with fairy lights, giving it a very special atmosphere.

SNOW ACTIVITIES There are lots of snow activities to par take in, even it you do not ski. You can enjoy exciting winter activities including snowmobiling, snow carts, buggies and bikes, ice fishing, snow rafting, snowshoe trekking, tubing, banana boats, parasailing, rides in the hot air balloon and many more!

BIEI PANORAMA ROAD The town of Biei, 30 minutes drive from Furano, is filled with fascinating scenery. The 17.3km “Panorama Road” will take you through Biei’s beautiful landscape, with various observation points and flower parks along the way.

Ski Rental Pro Shops

Sportpia rental shops have expanded to four convenient Furano Snow School's dedicated locations in the ski area. You can instructors provide ski lessons walk in empty handed and be in English. skiing in no time!

Furano Snow School

Bookings: Phone & Fax: +81 167 22 1935 Email: sp-topia-furano@voice.ocn.ne.jp www.sportpia.co.jp

Housed in an old stone building previously used as a Sake brewery, this charcoal grill BBQ restaurant serves its own homemade sausages and local Furano wagyu and pork.

BBQ YAMADORI 11:00-23:00 Occasionally closed 4-22 Asahi-machi, Furano City PHONE: +81 167 22 3030

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Our specialties are created with carefully homemade sausage and bacon. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at our comfortable restaurant adorned with plants.

SMOKED PRODUCTS YAMADORI 11:00-15:00 Closed Thu 4-14 Asahi-machi, Furano City PHONE: +81 167 39 1810

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ŠFurano Tourism Association

FURANO SUMMER ACTIVITIES HIKING Hiking is an ideal activity due to Furano's location amidst the Mount Daisetsu National Park. An easy way to enjoy this is to hike with a knowledgeable guide, who can steer you through the mountains all the way to the top.

CANYONING The Tonashibestu region is suitable for canyoning. Once you get the right gear - including life jackets and helmets, a guide can take you on an adventure

EVENTS

Furano Snow Festival, a 2-day festival in late Januar y or earl y Feb r uar y with ski and snowboard big-air jump competitions, marvelous fireworks displays, BBQs, local food & drink s t an ds , an d tr a diti o nal Jap an es e drumming performances.

Every Saturday evening in February there is an International Exchange Event, which encourages foreign tourists to get in touch with Japanese culture. At these events visitors can watch the Japanese dance, song and music per formed by local ar tists, as well as learn how to conduc t a traditional tea ceremony, and wear a

through streams inaccessible by raft, climbing over rocks, splashing through rapids or just drifting downstream!

so if you are looking for something a little more low-key try rafting during the summer, when the water is calmer.

RAFTING Rafting is very popular in Furano, as the Sorachi River has rapids that provide a thrilling experience. The rafting season runs from late April right through to the end of October, and a particularly good time to go is when the snow starts melting at the start of spring. This time of year means rushing rapids however,

FISHING Fishing is a great way to soak up the unique environment of the Furano area.

The guides will get a barbeque going at the fishing location, so you can eat your catch right there and then.

kimono.

The summer months in Furano are just as busy. The Furano Music Festival is a major highlight, showcasing the best in contemporary Japanese music.

The Hok k ai Heso Fest ival (Belly Button or Navel Festival) is held in late July each year. This is an unusual festival featuring the Belly Button Dan ce, o r H es o O d o r i. T h e eve nt b e g a n a r o u n d 4 0 ye a r s a g o, a n d was intro duce d in order to unite the townspeople. The idea of the dance was inspired by the location of Furano, which is in the middle of Hokkaido, similar to the position of the navel. Though its initial reception was understandably dubious, the event is now well loved and dancers go to lengths to make their navel into a face with elaborate body paint and accessories. The festival draws around 5,000 dancers each year.

The biggest event is our New Year B e e r Pa r t y i n e a r l y J a n u a r y i n a beautiful hotel venue for 200 people with "Nomihoudai" beer. You can drink as much as you want, and frequent the many food stalls or watch the traditional Japanese performances.

Asahikawa Winter Festival is one of the largest festivals in Hokkaido.

T h e i ce a n d s n ow s c u l p t u r e s a r e absolutely spec tacular. Firework s displays are held on the first and last day of the festival. For information on free shuttle buses from Furano and accommodation in Asahikawa, contact the Furano Information Centre.

The Furano Tourism Association is your best source of information for planning a ski holiday to Central Hokkaido and for assistance during your stay in Furano. Check us out on the web, or drop by the office conveniently located on the ground floor of the Kitanomine Gondola Terminal.

w w w. s k i f u r a n o . c o m

w w w. f u r a n o t o u r i s m . c o m SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqFURANO Photography: ©Furano Tourism Association

FURANO ONSEN There are various onsen destinations in and around Furano, and many hotels offer onsen facilities. Onsen water is pure and has many health benefits.

The minerals it contains are ideal for healing muscle aches arising from long days in the snow.

The Furano Prince Hotel boasts a large indoor onsen, which is connected to a stream of subterranean water that runs 1,010m below sea level. After soaking in the onsen visitors can relax in the spacious modern lounge at the Prince Hotel, or treat themselves to a massage.

For a relaxing soak with a view of Fur an o’s f am o us laven d er f i e l ds , visit Highland Furano. This onsen is located in a lavender field area known as lavender no mori, and provides a remarkable onsen experience in

any season. In the winter this onsen offers views of majestic snow capped mountains and forests, and blooming lavender fields in summer. Highland Furano of fers outdoor and indoor baths as well as sauna facilities.

T h e re are als o m any wo r t hw hil e onsen daytrips. Visitors can start the day by visiting the Biei-Shirogane hot spring village, 90 minute drive from Furano. After hiking along one of the various trails, one of which leads to the beautiful Shirahigenotaki waterfall, visitors can unwind in one of the onsen in the area.

The Tokachidake hot spring village is only 30 minutes drive from Furano. The Ryounkaku onsen is the highest onsen in the region, situated 1,280m above sea level. This onsen boasts magnificent

views of Mount Tokachidake. Gazing at the dramatic snow-capped mountains from the warmth of the onsen is a once in a lifetime experience.

The Tokachidake village is particularly spectacular in autumn as well. The trees in the area turn into breathtaking shades of red and yellow. This is an ideal time to retreat to this area for an extended period, to really experience the transformation of the region.

Furano visitors are also within reach of Barden Kami Furano which is famous for its outdoor onsen with spectacular views. It is here that you can savour the best Furano beef - steak that will melt in your mouth!

On your way back to Furano, stop by the Le Terre Banka-noyu in Nakafurano, which houses 15 different spas!

(

Thank s to its moderate climate, Furano produces a range of agricultural and dairy Local Cuisines products. Furano is especially well known for its wine and cheese as well as its seasonal vegetables of asparagus, carrots, corn, potatoes and onions. These locally grown fresh ingredients are widely used in Furano's restaurants featuring in French style cuisines to a range of curry dishes. Visitors will enjoy Furano cheese, which is used in a variety of ways in international and Japanese restaurants, such as cheese fondue and pizza, to cheese tofu and okonomiyaki, which goes well with a nice glass of Furano wine!

DINING BAR R'S Just a few steps from the ski resort Our specialty “Rice Gratin” is very popular among Aussie tourists Cozy atmosphere - Worth popping in just for drinks apres-ski!

Tel: 0167-22-1335

OPENING HOURS 11:30 - 22:00 (Last Order)

Furano’s Only Ski-front Luxury Apartment

Only 5 minutes to the ski slope

40m to Gondola Terminal

www.freshpowder.com + 81 167 23 4738

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SKI DESTINATIONS

P +81 167 23 1618

ewly built apartments • Nperfect for large group or family • Close to restaurants and shops • Non-smoking, spacious rooms

W www.tsuru-apartments.com/

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqTOMAMU Photography: ©Alpha Resort Tomamu

TOMAMU Tomamu is possibly the most luxurious winter resort in Hokkaido, featuring a variety of accommodation, exceptional restaurants, shops, a wedding chapel and banquet halls. Covering a whopping 250 hectares, it is one of the largest resorts in Japan. JR Tomamu Station, which is located within the resort, is only 1.5 hours by train from Sapporo, and 1 hour from the New Chitose Airport.

Tomamu possesses some of the best quality snow in Japan, and thanks to its unique location, the snow in Tomamu is drier and more powder-like compared to other resorts located on the west coast of Hokkaido - so much so that even making a snowball is difficult!

Families will appreciate facilities such as the “Ice Village,” an entire village made out of ice, and the “VIZ spa house,” the largest indoor wave pool in Japan. Children can also enjoy skiing and sledding in the “Kid's Park” or immerse themselves in the challenges of “Adventure Mountain,” a giant amusement skiing ground. Childcare services are also available.

qqqACCOMMODATION Tomamu has a broad range of accommodation all directly connected to the ski slopes, with prices varying accordingly. There are several luxurious hotels, at least one of which offers jacuzzi and sauna facilities in every room.

qqqDINING AND DRINKING There are between 6 and 15 restaurants operating in Tomamu, depending on the season in which you visit.

Their menus provide a good diversity of dishes, and many have specially designed kids and allergen-free menus.

qqqAFTER SKI / NIGHTLIFE The Ice Village provides a beautiful, dazzling experience in the freezing, dark conditions of the middle of winter. The entire village is made out of ice using special techniques epitomized by the Ice Hotel, which is constructed entirely of ice right down to the furniture. You can also enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar, shop for souvenirs at the Ice Mall and even have a wedding in a church made out of ice!

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqHOKKAIDOqqqTOMAMU Photography: ©Alpha Resort Tomamu

qqqTOMAMU SKI RESORT www.snowtomamu.jp/english/ DATA

Tomamu caters for every requirement of its guests, and provides encouragement for skiers of all abilities, from beginners to experts.

Tomamu sets itself apart from the pack with the “Advanced Skier Liberation Area,” an ambitious program that seeks to allow free off-piste skiing and snowboarding across the entire Mount Tomamu area, with the exception of one hazardous zone. Additionally, Tomamu offers tree or backcountry skiing accessible via either CAT or helicopter. Experienced skiers will enjoy the Heli and CAT skiing options, aided by guides who can assist them in exploring untouched areas, maximising the opportunities of each day’s ski conditions.

In just a 15-minute flight skiers can be transported to rarely frequented mountains outside of Tomamu for the ultimate advanced powder experience! The CAT tour will take skiers to a rare area of champagne snow located within some extreme, incredibly beautiful scenery. Skiers have sung the praises of Tomamu’s “experts only” off-piste area, which covers virtually the whole of Mount Tomamu, and facilitates independent expert skiing, where the skier can decide their own course and limitations. To visit this area, skiers need to prove that they can ski at expert level.

Tomamu also boasts Japan’s finest 600m terrain park, which undergoes maintenance twice daily by a team of permanently stationed diggers. The park offers runs that cater to a variety of abilities, and skiers and snowboarders can enjoy Hokkaido’s biggest and highest half pipe which is favoured as the training ground for Japan’s national team.

The Adventure Mountain is a 27-hectare facility for families, where they can enjoy skiing together in a comfortable environment. This huge amusement skiing-ground will keep everyone happy for hours on end.

Another key feature of the Tomamu slopes is the “My Ski Slope Plan,” which allows skiers to hire an entire slope, usually the two courses located off Lift 1, which is then operated exclusively for their use. This plan is particularly suitable for snowsports clubs.

TOMAMU ALPHA RESORT: www.snowtomamu.jp/english/

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Number of Courses: 25 (Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 30%) Number of Lifts: 9 (Gondola 1, Chairs 8) Longest Course: 4.5km Vertical Drop: 699m Snowboarding Park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: Yes (Biggest in Hokkaido) One make jump: Yes Hours: 9:00-16:00 Night Skiing: 16:00-19:00 Season: Dec.-Apr.

SNOW ACTIVITIES There are many activities to engage in at Tomamu besides skiing. You can snow mobile across the wideopen space that is used as a golf course during summer, while the kids hop on the banana boat and enjoy zipping through the winter scenery.

Snow trekking offers the unique opportunity to hike up a woody slope before cruising down the snow on your skis. Alternatively, you can use snowshoes to travel down the forested areas of the mountain after taking a lift to the top. There is also a snowshoe nature walk that takes you to a secluded mountain hut where you can enjoy a sumptuous dinner.

RESTAURANT AT THE VILLAGE ALPHA Forest's casual restaurant "Nininupuri"(Buffet style) The restaurant offers buffets of Japanese and Western cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido, and also serves fresh vegetables and dairy products from the island. It is located in The Village Alpha.

A snow resort filled with smiling families.

Make beautiful memories for your precious family in the extraordinary winters of northern Japan.

Located right at the ski slope!

The only children's ski adventure park in Hokkaido.

Best half pipe in Japan!

Evenings spent at our fantastic ice village.

An unforgettable winter experience with your family.

www.snowtomamu.jp

Aza, Naka-Tomamu, Shimukappu-Mura, Yufutsu-Gun, Hokkaido 079-2204 Phone : +81-167-58-1111(general inquiries) +81-167-58-1122(direct reservation line) Fax : +81-167-57-2031 Email : yoyaku@slowtomamu.co.jp Please mention “G’DAY JAPAN!” upon enquiry and reservation.

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSU

SHINETSU HAKUBA SHIGA KOGEN NOZAWA ONSEN MYOKO NAEBA

Honshu's Shinetsu region, which includes N a g a n o a n d N i i g at a Pre f e c tu re s , is als o renowned for its excellent snow conditions and is a popular ski and snowboard destination, featuring world-class resorts. Nagano and Niigata, which include Nagano City, site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, can be reached in just under 2 hours by train from Tokyo. The area is characterised by 2,000 and 3,000m mountain peaks and stunning snowscapes. Like Hokkaido, the region is also well known for its hot springs, and the area blossoms with beautiful flower fields during the summer.

HAKUBA

NIIGATA NOZAWA ONSEN MYOKO NAEBA SHIGA KOGEN Nagano

TOYAMA

GUNMA

N 10km

NAGANO Matsumoto

Railway Main Road

Shinshu Matsumoto Airport

DIRECTIONS Narita Airport

Kansai Airport JR Line 51min

JR Narita Express 60min

Shin Osaka Station JR Bullet Train 52min

Tokyo Station Joetsu Shinkansen 80min

Nagoya Station

Nagano Shinkansen (Asama) 110min

JR Chuo Saisen Line 173min Nagano Station

Echigo Yuzawa Station

JR Shinetsu Line 40min Naeba Prince Hotel express Bus 50min

Alpico Express Bus 60min

Nagaden Express Bus 70min

Nagaden Express Bus 75min

Naeba

Hakuba

Shiga Kogen

Nozawa Onsen

Myoko Kogen Station Bus or Taxi 10min

SKI DESTINATIONS

Myoko

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ŠJNTO

HAKUBA

Hakuba is easily accessible from Tokyo and Osaka, and only a one hour drive from Nagano city. Buses travel to Hakuba from the main JR train station in Nagano. Despite its growing reputation as a spectacular tourist destination, Hakuba remains a small, friendly town. Japanese people have long travelled to the area, and more and more foreign travellers are beginning to seek out its beauty as well.

One distinctive feature of Hakuba is its year-round selection of sporting activities like skiing or hiking. Hakuba is set against the stunning backdrop of the Japanese Alps, at the bottom of the Hakuba Sanzan Mountains in north-west Nagano Prefecture.

Hakuba Cortina Ski Grounds Hakuba Norikura Ski Grounds Tsugaike Kogen Ski Grounds

Iwatake Ski Grounds Happo-one Ski Grounds

Hakuba Hakuba 47 Ski Grounds Hakuba Goryu Ski Grounds

Hakuba Sanosaka Ski Grounds

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Minekata Ski Grounds

The enormous snowfall Hakuba experiences in winter makes it a heaven for snowsports enthusiasts. The powder snow is perfect for skiing, and there are slopes that cater to every level of experience. The Hakuba summer is just as scenic and there are many activities to partake in, including mountain biking, rafting or kayaking. One way to appreciate the magnificent locale is to go trekking through the area. An ideal place to start is the Happo-one Natural Study Path, which at 6km long is low on physical demands but high on natural scenery. Another good option is to appreciate the views, flora and fauna from either the ropeway or lift, which offer a splendid aerial view.

Views of the jagged mountain peaks, standing over 3,000 metres high, are sublime, and are a once in a lifetime experience from the top of the mountain. It is also worth pursuing other activities that the spring and summer weather allow for, such as exploring the ancient temples or museums located in the area, as well as experiencing Japanese arts and crafts. The wide array of restaurants and bars, which cater to tourists, are another highlight.

Hakuba has both indoor and outdoor onsen, as well as foot spas. Outdoor onsen are a uniquely Japanese experience, and something not to be missed. It is a truly beautiful, rejuvenating and deeply relaxing experience to soak in onsen water amidst glorious natural scenery.

Of course, Hakuba was also a part of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games, the memory of which remains encapsulated in the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium and the Winter Olympic Memorial Museum. It is great fun to travel up to the highest observation deck at the ski jumping hills, and experience the rush of looking down over the jumper's flight area.

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ©Nagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/©Tourism Commission of Hakuba

qqqACCOMMODATION There is something in Hakuba to suit every taste, whether you are after a luxury five star hotel, a budget backpacking hostel or a more authentic Japanese experience in one of the ryokan hotels, pensions, or minshuku inns.

qqqDINING AND DRINKING Whilst there is an exceptional range of quality Japanese food, if you feel like something a bit different there are also Mexican, European, or Chinese restaurants in the area.

Soba (buckwheat) noodles made utilizing the fresh water and pure environment of Hakuba are a particular culinary highlight. Also, don't miss the opportunity to order some sake at a Japanese izakaya!

qqqAFTER SKI / NIGHTLIFE If you are looking for something to do when you are all skied-out, the Genki-go shuttle bus is a great service to transport you around the various restaurants, bars, shops, and other entertainment facilities.

GENKI-GO NIGHT qqq

SHUTTLE BUS The Genki-go shuttle runs from 16:20 to 23:23 each day between mid December and early March. One ride will cost you ¥200, and children under 6 ride for free. The bus travels between Happo and Hakuba Goryu to enable you to enjoy the best night skiing available, and access the restaurants and bars in town. Don't forget that if you intend to ride the bus you will have to buy a ticket in advance at your hotel or at one of the shops in the village.

HAKUBA ALL qqq

MOUNTAIN TICKET The Hakuba All Mountain Ticket allows access to skiing and snowboarding facilities in all 9 resorts located at Hakuba village. Whilst the lift ticket is valid for all of them, you cannot access multiple resorts in one day.

The All Mountain 2-Day Ticket is valid for 2 out of 3 days and the All Mountain 3-Day Ticket is valid for 3 out of 5 days at any of the 9 ski fields in Hakuba, with the limitation of one resort per day.

2-Day Ticket Adult ¥8,700 / Child ¥4,900 (valid for 3 days) 3-Day Ticket Adult ¥12,500 / Child ¥7,200 (valid for 5 days) 9 ski fields: Hakuba Sanosaka, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Happo-one, Iwatake, Minekata, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba Norikura, Hakuba Cortina

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ŠNagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/ŠTourism Commission of Hakuba

qqqHAKUBA SKI RESORT www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/english/ As one of the largest winter resorts in Japan, Hakuba is highly regarded as a world-class destination and is the ideal location for your next ski holiday. Hakuba contains seven ski resorts, each with a unique atmosphere and different variety of slopes. Neighbouring resorts provide further variety in ski and accommodation possibilities.

The resort features over 200 runs, traversing the towering Alps. Snowfall over the winter months usually exceeds 10

metres, and the snow is high quality powder. The vertical drop hits 1,180 metres, which means exciting skiing for even the well-seasoned sportsperson. Despite the heavy snowfall, winter temperatures are bearable, and your holiday won't be spoilt by weather too cold to handle. To really make the most of the winter scenery, be sure to head out to one of the parks or sections of backcountry and participate in a snowshoeing trek, or some cross-country skiing.

AVALANCHE AWARENESS

Snow avalanches are a factor to be aware of when skiing in the Hakuba backcountry. Choose to be safe, not sorry, and hire a professional local guide who will ensure that you make your way through the backcountry safely. It is essential to know how to use the three key pieces of avalanche safety equipment, so it is advised that visitors attend one of the avalanche awareness courses, which are held once a month during ski season and are taught to Canadian Avalanche Association standards.

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Ultimate Winter Escape

Phoenix signature restaurant Mimi’s, is the synergy and fusion of Hakuba's finest produce with award winning international chefs and an extensive Australian inspired wine list.

The Phoenix Hotel is designed to give you the ultimate winter escape.

4690-2 Hokujo Hakuba-mura Kitaazumi-gun Nagano Japan 399-9301 Phone : +81 0261 72 4060 Email : info@phoenixhotel.jp Web : www.phoenixhotel.jp

It is all the special little things we do at the Phoenix that make the difference.

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ©Nagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/©Tourism Commission of Hakuba/©JNTO

qqqHAKUBA GORYU www.hakubagoryu.com/e/ DATA

People of all ages flock to Hakubu Goryu in the winter season. There are three slopes to choose from: Alps-daira, Toomi or Iimori, each as attractive as the next. Of particular note is the Iimori Gerende, a 400m mogul course. The Hakuba Goryu resort and the Hakuba 47 resort are joined at the top, providing a massive ski area. As such, there are common passes for the ski area that the resorts share.

Moving between each of the 23 courses is effortless on the two 8-seater gondolas, or one of the 17 double or quad seater lifts that this combined ski area features. The wide variety of slopes includes children’s slopes, where inexperienced skiers can build up their confidence. The ski fields are open from early in the morning until late at night.

Escal Plaza at Goryu, located on the base of Toomi Gerende, includes a ski and snowboard rental outlet, a variety of eateries, and ofuro - a Japanese bath. The plaza also includes a resting room, with capacity for over 100 people, for those on a tight budget that want to catch some sleep. A similar place to try is the Resthouse Iimori, located at the bottom of Iimori Gerende, which has an indoor day-care centre.

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Number of Courses: 16 (Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 15%) Number of Lifts: 13 (Gondola 1, Chairs 12) Longest Course: 4.1km Vertical Drop: 871m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:00-17:00 Early morning: 6:30-8:00 (Sat., Sun. and national holidays during Late Dec.-Late Mar. *Subject to change. Contact Goryu Resort for updated information.)

Night Skiing: 18:00-21:00 (Late Dec.-Late Mar.) Season: Late Nov.-Early May

EVENTS Every Wednesday in January and February “E-zura HAKUBA GORYU Japanese Food Buffet & Show” is held at Escal Plaza.

Foreign tourists can enjoy authentic Japanese meals and shows, which include powerful Japanese drum performances by high school girls. The entire evening will cost ¥5,000 for adults, and reservations are essential.

The Hakuba G or yu Snow Festival is an annual event held every March. The festival kicks off with a spirited performance of Japanese drumming. You can also enjoy fantastic torch group displays. The fireworks display is not to be missed!

Touching the spiritual heart of Japan Zenkoji, a 7th centur y Buddhist temple, belongs to b oth th e Te n d ai shu and Jodos h u t r a d i t i o ns o f Buddhism and is a unique and popular site of pilgrimage.

The temple houses the Amida-Nyorai statue, said to be the first statue of Buddha to arrive in Japan.

The statue has not been revealed in the last millennium and is referred to as a himitsu, or secret buddha. A replica of the statue, called zenritsu honzon, is made available to the public every 7 years in an event called Gokaicho. Several shukubo, inns originally built to house trainee monks and pilgrims, were built around the temple and offer unique accommodation facilities. Some also provide cultural and spiritual workshops.

Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort 22184-10 Kamishiro, Hakubamura, Kitaazumi-Gun, Nagano 399-9211 PHONE +81 261 75 2101 FAX +81 261 75 2832 www.hakubaescal.com Opening hours:

24 hours during peak season Situated on the foot of Toomi ski slope, Escal Plaza is an indispensable destination for skiers. Escal, which means ‘port of call’ in Spanish, provides facilities to support an enjoyable resort life.

Early morning ski from 6:30, night ski from 18:00-21:00.

Events:

Christmas Night, New Years Eve Countdown, Valentine's Day Event, Hakuba Goryu Snow Festival

Every Wednesday night between Jan & Feb skiers can enjoy a Japanese buffet meal together with traditional Japanese music and performance. Participate and learn how to wear a Kimono! 19:00-21:00, 5,000 yen p/p.

Subway & Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream ‘Don-Don Tei’ Domburi Shop Don-Don Tei has an open style kitchen where the tempura is fried and hot bowl dishes are made right in front of your eyes.

Hungry skiers and boarders will be very happy!

Ski Stadium & Sports Shop Goryu You can try out expert's models and the latest models of the world's top seven ski makers (SALOMON, OGASAKA, FISCHER, K2, HEAD, ROSSIGNOL, ATOMIC).

Ski and snowboard accessories are also availabele for purchase.

Other Facilities: • Kids rest room • Locker room • Large bath and sauna • Information centre

• Souvenir shop • Observatory restaurant • Resting rooms Shuttle bus

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ©Nagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/©Tourism Commission of Hakuba

qqqHAKUBA 47 www.hakuba47.co.jp/winter/en/ Hakub a 47, k now n also as Yon Nana is a f airly new resort, established in 1990. The name, Hakuba 47 is a conglomeration of the two goals of the resort: to provide great skiing for all 4 seasons of the year, 7 days a week. The ski areas of the resort merge with those of Hakuba Goryu, and offer a total of 23 runs. The runs include an excellent mogul course, as well as a half-pipe. One of the key features of the resor t is the intermediate run, which of fers an excellent cruising experience for intermediate skiers. Other ski activities include snowboarding, snow rafting, snowshoe trekking and snowmobiling. This resort also has the longest season in Hakuba.

The R-4 snow park takes up an entire slope, and is the biggest of its kind in Japan. The snow park includes a great array of new things to try, like rails, waves, or jumps. Much like a giant toybox, thrill seekers who want something more from their skiing experience will love mastering the various challenges of the park.

The First Spur / First Track opportunity is for intermediate or advanced skiers who head out early. This activity provides

Real coffee in HaKUBa. • • • •

coffee sandwicH HamBURgeR fRee inteRnet connection

- shop info address 504-3020, Echo land, Hakuba, Japan Web http://www.sounds-like-cafe.com

participants with breakfast, loading up privileges and a guide who'll take the group up 1,450m above sea level to enjoy skiing down 2,500m of fresh snow right to the base.

DATA

Number of Courses: 8 (Beginner 50%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 25%) Number of Lifts: 5 (Gondola 1, Chairs 4) Longest Course: 6.4km Vertical Drop: 780m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: No Half (Quarter) pipe: Yes One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:00-16:30 Season: Early Dec.-Early May

HAKUBA 47 KAMAKURA FESTIVAL This festival occurs every February and is possibly the biggest event held at Hakuba 47. Kamakura- snow huts approximately 3 metres high - are built in the Kamakura Village. Some Kamakura contains a café, is brightly lit at night and features cosy heated tables with blankets.

BROWNIE Cottages (6 types available): from 30,000 yen per night, sleeps 6-7 people, kitchen facilities BROWNIE Condominiums (6 types): from 25,000 yen per night, 2 bedrooms (2 beds+4 beds), kitchen facilities METEOR Big Log Cabin: from 100,000 yen per night, 7 bedrooms sleep max 22, kitchen facilities METEOR Lodges Standard Room: from 3,500 yen per night

Welcoming Japanese Family Awaits You For A Memorable Stay in Hakuba...

Please check out our website, http://www.hakuba-meteor.com/English.htm

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SKI DESTINATIONS

5 percent discount for all bookings till August 2010

e In In the the Japanese Japanese Alps Alps at at the the heart heart of of Japan Japan e 23 AMAZING RUNS for for all all levels levels of of

skiing skiing e Extensive December to early May season Extensive December to early May season e WORLD-CLASS powder powder snow snow e Breathtaking, Breathtaking, 360-DEGREE

PANORAMAS

e Abundance Abundance of of hot hot springs springs

e 270 ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS (hotels, (hotels, pensions, pensions, B B& & Bs) Bs)

e

For information on the ski fields: Hakuba Goryuu Ski Fields www.hakubagoryu.com/ Hakuba47 Ski Field www.hakuba47.co.jp

e

e

e

e

e

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ŠNagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/ŠNagano Prefecture Tourism Association

qqqHAPPO-ONE www.hakuba-happo.or.jp/ Used as the location of the downhill races for the 1998 Winter Olympics, this is a one of Japan's biggest ski resorts and has excellent restaurant facilities. Happo-one's most popular ski run is the Risen Slalom Course, which is a 3km downhill slope where the famous traditional Riesen Slalom Ski Competition is held. Altogether there are 13 courses and 27 lifts. The fact that this is a continually groomed location makes skiing an especially pleasurable experience. The panoramic view of the mountain peaks which tower at around 3,000 metres are spectacular.

Also impressive is the Happo-one Fire Festival held in February. Enjoy the magnificent torch runs and the firework displays.

DATA

Number of Courses: 14 (Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 20%) Number of Lifts: 24 (Gondola 1, Chairs 23) Longest Course: 8km Vertical Drop: 1,071m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: No Hours: 8:00-17:00 Night Skiing: 17:00 -21:00 (End Dec.-Middle Mar.) Season: Early Dec.-Early May

qqqIWATAKE www.hakuba.jp/iwatake/en/ Iwatake is located at the base of Hakuba's highest peak and this superior location means that there are astounding views of the three Hakuba mountains. This resort features 15 different challenging courses, which are integrated with the surrounding environment. The main ski area is the Sunny Valley, which is 3.8km long, and is appropriate for both beginners and intermediate s k i e r s . T h e b eau ti f ul nat ur al

Number of Courses: 15 (Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 20%) Number of Lifts: 16 (Gondola 1, Chairs 15) Longest Course: 3.8km Vertical Drop: 539m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: No Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:00-17:00 Season: Middle Dec.-Mar.

As Hakuba,s No.1 Rental service SPICY RENTALS will provide for your winter gear needs!!

HAKUBA WINDY LODGE WAGYU KOBEYA

We will set you up with the highest quality of rental equipment at the best price in the Hakuba Valley.

SPICY RENTALS Hakuba, Nagano P +81-261-72-2858 E info@spicy.co.jp

http://www.spicy.co.jp/english/

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SKI DESTINATIONS

environment that surrounds the ski runs makes this a fine destination.

DATA

www.windy-kobeya.com

Wadano Area

HAKUBA ALPEN RESORT Home of Hakuba’s big snow resorts, HAPPO-ONE, IWATAKE, and TSUGAIKE-KOGEN. A grand view of Japanese Alps and big ski slopes!

You haven’t skied in Japan until you’ve skied the Big 3 !

3 gondolas, 60 Lifts, 1 Helicopter

HAPPO-ONE

IWATAKE

TSUGAIKE-KOGEN

Hakuba’s f lagship resort with over 1000m of pure vertical. The longest run being an incredible 8km long! Happo is truly an international resort famous for hosting the premier ski events at the 1998 Winter Olympics. With steep pitches, unbelievable powder, long cruising runs, amazing views, natural bowls and a terrain park, both novices and experts alike will not get bored on Happo-One.

Hakuba’s only resort where you can ski all the points of the compass. R ide the gondola to breathtaking panoramic views of the Japan Alps.

Cruise the long open corduroy, jive through the terrain park or enjoy steep deep powder runs.

Iwatake as everything you could ask for in a ski resort and more.

This picturesque resort situated in a national park is not only the largest resort in Hakuba Valley but also one of the largest single resorts in Japan.

Tsugaike has long been rated one of the best family ski areas. Wide open groomed cruising and family friendly activities welcome you. Even though this resort is suited for beginners and intermediates, experts can also enjoy the power runs from the top of the gondola. Heli skiing is a must try in spring with a 14km run back to the resort.

ALPEN RESORT SHUTTLE BUS The Hakuba Alpen Resorts are interconnected by free shuttle buses.

HAPPO-ONE

IWATAKE Happo Information Center

TSUGAIKE

HAKUBA ALPEN RESORT PASS Alpen Resort Pass from 2 days to 6 days The Big 3 - Happo, Iwatake, Tsugaike.

Available to use anytime throughout the season.

All 3 resorts connected.

Pass can be used at all 3 resorts on the same day!

http://www.hakuba-alpen-resort.com

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ©Nagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/©Nagano Prefecture Tourism Association

qqqMINEKATA www.hakuba-minekata.com/e-top.html The “Romance Chair Lift” at Hakuba Minekata attests to its name, providing wonder fully dreamy views of the surrounding mountains. The wide compact slopes are great for those who are in the mood for a bit of a challenge, although beginners will also appreciate the other slopes that are less crowded than usual. Hakuba Minekata has six courses for all skiers from beginner to advanced, and two lifts. Its longest course runs for one kilometre, and there is a vertical drop of 210m.

Hours: 8:30-16:30 Season: Late Dec.-Late Mar.

qqqTSUGAIKE KOGEN www.tsugaike.gr.jp/main/ Tsugaike Kogen is a large ski resort in Otari village, northwest Nagano. Tsugaike Kogen features 23 lifts, a 4.63km course and a staggering vertical drop of 880 meters! With 11 distinct courses available, fantastic night skiing opportunities and panoramic views of the area from the courses, there is something for everyone!

.com

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Operated by:

Tel +81 (0)261-75-5360 Fax +81 (0)261-75-5361

Hakuba Snowsports School, based at Goryu Iimori Snow Resort, offers group and private ski lessons and snowboard lessons to English speaking customers.

Adults and children may learn skiing or snowboarding in a safe environment, guided through the process with well trained instructors.

Skiing and snowboarding should be an enjoyable experience for all, being out in natural surroundings, sliding with ease over the pristine mountain slopes.

To do this, you must learn the techniques to be able to balance on something that is moving and keep control of your speed.

Hakuba Snowsports instructors will give you all the information and training you need to have the time of your life on the slopes.

Website: http://hakubasnowsports.com

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ©Nagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/©Nagano Prefecture Tourism Association/©Tourism Commission of Hakuba/©JNTO/Evergreen Outdoor Centre

HAKUBA SUMMER ACTIVITIES TREKKING Hakuba’s Daisek kei, or “Big Snow Valley” offers some of the best trekking in Japan. The valley, which is 3.5km long and 600m in elevation, contains many e xamples of Japan’s native f lora, including Paris Japonica and Glaucidium Palmatum. Proper hiking equipment is necessary if you plan on trekking to the top of the valley.

The Happo-one Nature Study Trail leads you to the Happo-ike pond, located at an elevation of 2,060m. The months of July and August offer particular treats: the flowering of Hellebore, the Five Petalled Aven, and Japanese Scabiosa.

Another popular trail is the Alps Daira Nature Trail, which is an easy walk after riding up on the gondola. Also accessible by gondola is the Hakuba 47 Kamoshika Trail, which passes by a 1950's charcoal making site.

SPORTS Non-winter sports of note in Hakuba include paragliding, and there is a p a r a g l i d i n g s c h o o l t h at o f f e r s instruction and guided trips. Summer skiing and snowboarding on artificial ski slopes is available. The ski slope in summer is 500m long, and has a 30-50 metre width. Also available is mountain biking, with a range of trails to suit different abilities, and rafting on the Hakuba valley's Himekawa river with great view of the Hakuba mountains.

CAMPING Camping is very special in Hakuba.

Particularly magnificent are the views of the rising and setting sun - not to be missed! You can also rent tents and sleeping bags and enjoy staying at a camp site as an alternative to regular hotel or pension accommodation.

FIREFLY CANOE TOUR One of the most amazing night tours you will e x p er ien ce in Japan. From Lake Aokiko, a guide will take you through the natural habitat of the lake fireflies in a Voyageur Canoe. These spectacular night lights are not to be missed!

Contact: Evergreen Outdoor Centre (www.evergreen-hakuba.com)

HAKUBA PLACES OF INTEREST HAKUBA SAEGUSA ART MUSEUM The Hakuba Saegusa museum is a great place to go and admire art. This museum features over 100 drawings of the Hakuba landscape by a number of famous Japanese painters, including work by the ar tist K azuo Tamura.

Hakuba's truly magnificent landscape is inspiring to paint, and the array of dif ferent works by dif ferent artists testifies to this.

Open daily 8:30-18:00 Adult ¥700.

HAKUBA SKI JUMPING STADIUM The Ski Jumping Stadium is now open to the public. A ride on a chair lift and

elevator will get you to the top of the ski jump area, and you can gaze down all 120m of the ski jumper's path. It is an exhilarating experience!

HAKUBA OLYMPIC VILLAGE MEMORIAL HALL The Memorial Hall houses fantastic documentation of the Olympics, with fascinating memorabilia on display. The museum is oriented around people's impressions of the games, and objects of historical significance, such as the ski wear worn by athletes are also on display.

Open daily 8:30-16:30 TSUGAIKE NATURE GARDEN The Tsugaike Nature Garden is an en o r m o us s w amp a cce ss e d by a beautiful walk, an experience which will give you a good glimpse of the local flora. The swamp is located 2,000m above sea level, and a wooden road

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SKI DESTINATIONS

provides access on foot to the swamp.

The walk takes about 3 to 4 hours. You can access the Tsugaike Nature Garden by gondola and ropeway, which only takes 40 minutes from Tsugaike Kogen.

Open Middle May-Early Nov. ¥300.

LAFORET HAKUBA MUSEUM The museum houses many lithograph a n d co p p e r p l a te w o r k s b y M a rc Chagall, and the total number of works on show usually tops 120! Chagall is a European artist, and his paintings are ren ow n e d fo r th eir s tunnin g application of colour.

Open 9:30-17:30 (Wed. close) ¥700.

Hakuba Valley Japan Northern Alps

Hotel Information Hakuba Tokyu Hotel eeeee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-3001 Fax:+81(0)261-72-5349 http://www.hakuba-r.tokyuhotels.co.jp Mail:hakuba-r.ro@tokyuhotels.co.jp

Hakuba Mominoki Hotel eeee

HAPPO ONE SKI RESORT The XVIII Winter Olympic Games Venue

Hotel La Neige Higashikan eeeee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-7111 Fax:+81(0)261-72-7112 http://www.laneige-higashikan.com Mail:info@laneige-higashikan.com

Hotel La Neige Honkan eeee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-5001 Fax:+81(0)261-72-5520 http://www.mominokihotel.com Mail:info@mominokihotel.com

Phone:+81(0)261-72-5211 Fax:+81(0)261-72-3855 http://www.laneige-honkan.com Mail:hakuba@laNeige-honkan.com

Spa Hotel Taigakukan eeee

Hotel Hakuba Hifumi

Phone:+81(0)261-72-2075 Fax:+81(0)261-72-4347 http://www.taigakukan.jp Mail:info@taigakukan.jp

Highmount Hotel eee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-6114 Fax:+81(0)261-72-4635 http://www.highmount.com Mail:yo98-mail@highmount.com

Hakuba Alpine Hotel eee Phone:+81(0)261-72-7222 Fax:+81(0)261-72-7220 http://www.alpia.co.jp Mail:info@alpia.co.jp

Hakuba Hotel Ougiya eee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-7500 Fax:+81(0)261-72-3355 http://www.hakubahotel.com Mail:info@hakubahotel.com

eeee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-8411 Fax:+81(0)261-72-2057 http://www.hakubahifumi.jp Mail:info@hakubahifumi.jp

Villa Hakuba

eee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-7211 Fax:+81(0)261-72-6006 http://www.villahakuba.com Mail:v.hakuba@sweet.ocn.ne.jp

Gakuto Lodge eee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-2264 Fax:+81(0)261-72-6292 http://www.geocitiesjp/hakuba_gakuto Mail:mailgakuto@ybb.ne.jp

Hakuba Yamano Hotel

eee

Phone:+81(0)261-72-8311 Fax:+81(0)261-72-8312 http://www.hakuba-yamanohotel.com Mail:info@hakuba-yamanohotel.com

Petit Hotel AMAC e

Phone:+81(0)261-72-5240 Fax:+81(0)261-72-2979 http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~amac Mail:p-amac@almond.ocn.ne.jp

info@hakubatourism.com

www.hakubatourism.com

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqHAKUBA Photography: ŠNagano Prefecture/ŠJNTO

HAKUBA ONSEN SHINSHU SOBA

(

Local You cannot forget to try Hakuba Soba, the Cuisines region's famous buckwheat noodle dish.

The buckwheat is harvested from Hakuba's immaculate fields that also act as ski slopes. The noodles are fragrant and glossy, eaten chilled or hot with a soybased dashi broth. In autumn, a Soba Festival is held at the numerous soba restaurants to celebrate the harvest.

After a long day on the slopes, you will savour a big bowl of hot tempura soba. A chilled sansai (mountain vegetable) soba is great during the warmer summer months.

Many of the public onsens at Hakuba are located in close proximity to the ski area. The Genki-go shuttle bus is an excellent way of accessing them. The water from the dozen onsen at the Hakuba village also supplies many accommodation venues, including the ryokan.

The Hakuba Katakuri Juro-noyu onsen, opened in 1998, has free lounges, as well as private rooms. There are a variety of baths to try. The water is clear and has a mild mineral content which includes sodium chloride, great for toning your skin.

The Hakuba Ryujin Obuya onsen is very new, opening recently 2007. It is located in the Goryu area, and is designed in traditional Japanese layout. There are several different baths, including indoor baths and outside rotenburo baths.

The rich mineral water has many health benefits.

The Mimizuku-noyu onsen is one of the four public baths at the Hakuba-happo onsen. The mineral water at this bath is alkaline, which eases sore muscles and is deeply cleansing.

This bath allows you to sit in the comfort of indoors, whilst admiring the views of the mountains through the large windows.

Other popular onsen include the Kurashita-noyu onsen, one of the four Hakuba Shionomichi onsen, as well as the Tenjinnoyu onsen, part of the Hakuba Himekawa onsen.

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SKI DESTINATIONS

Photography: ©Nagano Prefecture/©JNTO©ShigaKogen Tourism Association

HAKUBA’S FAVOURITE

AUSSIE OLYMPIAN Aussie Steve Bradbury is a Winter Olympics gold medalist who adores the Hakuba region of Japan.

And we think the region loves him back!

Steve was born in 1973 in Camden, in Sydney. Steve is a lauded sportsman in some of the most thrilling competitive winter sports; formerly a short track speed skater who is a four time Olympian.

Steve won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics under fantastically dramatic circumstances: all of his opponents were involved in a last-corner pile up. As if this spectacular and fortuitous event was not enough of a yarn to tell back home, Steve also earned a particularly special place in Australian history with this victory: he was the first Australian ever to win a Winter Olympics gold medal. Steve was also on the short track relay team that won Australia’s first ever medal at a Winter Olympics − a bronze − in 1994.

Steve Bradbury’s first experience of Hakuba was during one of the region’s most exciting times: the Nagano Winter Olympics, in 1998. It was this exhilarating time that really did, in Steve’s words,

“put Hakuba on the world stage”.

Impressed with the snow quality and the mountainous region, “Nagano, and in particular Hakuba, took my breath away with its’ abundance of diverse runs and seemingly endless supply of brilliant powder. Hakuba is now rated highly by ski and snowboard enthusiasts and has become one of the top 5 skiing destinations in the world.”

The Aussie Gold medalist is a Winter sports expert and is pragmatic about the simple set of reasons as to why he likes Hakuba: “The Snow quality and conditions in the Hakuba area is among the world’s best. There is plenty of powder for everyone and Monday to Friday the runs are never busy. With 7 resorts on the one ticket all within a 25 minute drive there is endless new terrain to explore.” Steve has no reservations in waxing lyrical about the merits of Hakuba as a skin destination: “Hakuba is surely

a sleeping giant in the skiing world. I believe it is only a matter of time until the rest of the world discovers how good Hakuba really is.” And surprisingly, Steve is not just keeping this precious gem to himself, but want others to join in the magic: “I’d love you to join me and carve some fresh tracks here in Hakuba!” Steve appeals.

Steve’s enthusiasm is contagious, and we got the Olympian to give us his insider best picks of what to get up to in the region and where to hang out: “If you can drag yourself off the mountain for a day” Steve tells us, “the snow monkeys tour is good fun. After a hard day skiing or boarding be sure to head to Bradbury’s Restaurant and Bar at the Aqua Alpine Hotel in Goryu for a couple of cold Sapporo’s and the famous ‘Bradbury Burger’. After dinner sneak around the corner to Tracks Bar for a little New Zealand hospitality.“

PR

45

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSU Photography: ©Nagano Prefecture/©JNTO

qqqNOZAWA ONSEN http://www.nozawaski.com/winter/en/ Located at the base of the 1,650m high Mount Kenashi in northern Nagano, Nozawa Onsen is renowned for its high snowfall, and has over 30 onsen. The many onsen mean that Nozawa is characterised by the white steam of the hot water that rises up through the ground, creating a wonderful warmth. The onsen are immensely beneficial for body and soul, making Nozawa the perfect destination for a rejuvenating escape. Nozawa Onsen has 37 courses for skiers of all levels, the longest of which is a 10km marathon.

There is a vertical drop of 1,065m, and 21 lifts. Other facilities include a snowboarding park, a mogul slope, half pipe and a one make jump. The slopes are also open for nighttime skiing.

Skiing was introduced to Japan in 1911 by the Austrian Major Theodor von Lerch. The sport arrived in Nozawa the next year, and the Nozawa onsen ski resort was established in 1924. The area has seen the likes of Hannes Schneider, one of the founders of alpine skiing and a famous instructor, who taught the techniques of “Arlberg skiing” at the Nozawa onsen in 1930. The ski resort quickly became well known as

a favourite ski destination. During the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics the resort was host to the Biathalon events. The historical significance of skiing in the Nozawa area means that it is an appropriate site for the Japan Ski Museum.

qqqMYOKO www.hakuba.jp/iwatake/en/ There are seven ski resorts and seven spa areas at Myoko which perfectly complement each other, giving visitors the exhilaration of the slopes, and the warmth and relaxation of the spas. Resorts in the area include Myoko Akakura, which has a plentiful 32 courses, the longest running for 4.5km. The resort also has 23 lifts, and a vertical drop of 780m. Myoko Suginohara has 17 courses, with its longest stretching 8.5km.

The vertical drop extends to 1124m, and there are four lifts.

Its next counterpart, Ikenotaira has 10 courses in total of up to 4.5km. The vertical drop is 740m, and is is fitted with 6 lifts.

Finally, Seki ski resort has 6 courses with a length of up to 1.5km, and a vertical drop of 340m. It has 4 lifts.

Since the first resort opened in the Myoko area in the early 1930s, the region has grown into one of the oldest ski destinations in Japan, as well as gaining a reputation as an excellent summer destination due to its mild summer climate. Testimony to the history of skiing in the area, is a Ski Jinjya, which is a shrine dedicated to the protection of skiers.

Myoko gets up to 14m of snow each year, which, combined with great hotels and cozy restaurants featuring local delicacies such as sasazushi (sushi wrapped in bamboo leaves), results in an unbeatable ski experience.

46

SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSUqqqSHIGA KOGEN

SHIGA KOGEN www.shigakogen.gr.jp/english/ Shiga Kogen, located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in the north-east of Nagano, is popular as a winter-sports destination. It was a centre for various skiing and other winter sports competitions at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and as such has excellent facilities, including an extensive lift system. The area experiences great snow from November all the way through to early May, allowing for optimal ski conditions.

Shiga Kogen is surrounded by tall mountain peaks formed through ancient volcanic activity, and is characterised by the many ponds and marshes interspersed through the area.

The 71 rope and chair lifts that transport skiers through the 21 ski areas allow spectacular views of the dramatic scenery.

One convenient ticket allows access to all the lifts, as well as shuttle buses running between interconnected slopes.

The longest course at Shiga Kogen runs for 6km, and there

Suminoyu Shibuonsen

is a vertical drop of 404m. 8 ski areas are open for nighttime skiing, and other features include a snowboard park, mogul slope, half pipe and a one make jump.

qqqALL LIFT TICKETS One lift ticket allows you to ride on all of the 71 lifts, gondolas and ropeways. Owing to this multi purpose ticket, you can take the Shiga Kogen shuttle buses running between the interconnected slopes as well.

(

Oyaki

Local Everyone from Nagano prefecture has fond Cuisines childhood memories of eating oyaki, a round dumpling stuffed with soy-flavoured vegetables. It is still a famous local dish, especially in the Shiga Kogen area. The skin is traditionally made of buckwheat dough which is steamed and roasted, giving it a nicely browned crunch on the outside with the inside kept moist. The fillings vary from miso-flavoured savoury mushrooms and veggies to slightly sweet pumpkin and red bean paste. Tuck in!

Shiga Kogen olympic Hotel

Shibu Onsen,Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Tel: +81-269-33-3128

Shigakogen Ichinose ,Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Tel: +81-269-34-2125

Relax and unwind after a long journey at Suminoyu, in the historic hot spring town of Shibu Onsen.

Our indoor and outdoor hot spring baths are the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of Okushinano, and visitors can enjoy dishes which utilise the exquisite flavours of seasonal ingredients from the region.

Shiga Kogen is one of the biggest ski areas in Asia, enjoying powder snow during the ski season.

The Shiga Kogen Olympic Hotel, situated in the heart of the area, provides top quality rental equipment at the slopes for skiers.

SKI DESTINATIONS

47

Skiing +

in Hot + Traditions & + Snow = 1 town Springs Atmosphere Monkeys

YAMANOUCHI-TOWN

©Toshio Hagiwara

Yamanouchi-town is situated in an area of rich natural territory in northeast Nagano. Yamanouchi is located in the centre of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and vast majority of the town area consists of fields or forests. Mountains that reach over 2,000 metres surround the town, creating absolutely sublime scenery. Yamanouchi is a pleasure paradise for tourists as it features many unique attractions, including the Shiga-kogen highlands, hot spring villages and excellent snow.

Yamanouchi is easily accessible, only 40 minutes from Nagano station. +81-269-33-2138 Fax: +81-269-33-4655

北志賀高原 KITASHIGA-KOGEN 志賀高原 SHIGA-KOGEN http://www.shigakogen.gr.jp/english/

Kitashiga-kogen and Shiga-kogen are two of the most extensive ski and snowboard resorts in Japan. Whilst they certainly offer unparalleled powder experiences, Shiga-kogen and Kitashigakogen are also the home of several fascinating attractions, including botanical gardens, hot springs, and a museum. Visitors can participate in guided tours, which take them through beautiful areas of forest and across a lava field. Popular scenic attractions include the amazing 360 -degree panoramic view from the summit of Mount Yokote.

There are a vast number of arresting pieces of scenery created from the volcanic activity in the area, including the Ohnuma pond and the Tanohara marshland. The Renge-tsutsuji red azalea flowers at Ichinuma pond and the expansive buckwheat fields are breathtaking natural sights. The snowy corridor, another well-known image from the area, is a road that is flanked, during the winter, by 5m high walls of snow. The snowy corridor is an awesome sight and is a rare and beautiful walk.

地獄谷野猿公苑 JIGOKUDANI

(SNOW MONKEY PARK) http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/frameset.html The images of the monkeys at the Jigokudani National Park are easily recognisable to most foreigners. This park is the only place in the world where monkeys display this unique behaviour: sitting in the hot spring pools to warm themselves against the stark, snowy landscape that surrounds them. Some visitors may even have the opportunity to see the wild monkeys, known as nihon zaru, being fed by park rangers.

The monkeys sit in the pools, infusing themselves with the heat of the water, washing and eating apples. It is a sight to carry with you for the rest of your life!

Whilst visiting the monkeys, tourists should also stop by the Jigokudani fountain, which is a natural fountain that shoots extremely hot water 20 metres out of the ground.

Mt Koshasan

KITASHIGA-KOGEN Mt Ryuosan

approx.

30min.

(Car)

to Nagano city

Yudanaka Station

Mt Gorinsan

YUDANAKA SHIBU ONSENKYO

u

Mt Yakebitaiyama

JIGOKUDANI Mt Nishitateyama approx.

10min.

(Bus) approx.

30min.

(Bus)

SHIGA-KOGEN Mt Iwasugeyama Mt Higashitateyama

Mt Shigayama

Mt Yokoteyama Mt Kasagatake

For more information, please visit Yamanouchi-Town website http://www.info-yamanouchi.net/english

湯田中渋温泉郷 YUDANAKA SHIBU ONSENKYO SPA AREA http://www.yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/

The key onsen area in Yamanouchi-town is the Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen. This spa is a unique experience because it has a remarkable history that stretches back over a millennium. These hot spring baths instil warmth and health into tourists who are weary from days of exploring the area. In addition to the Yudanaka Shibu onsen experience, there are 19 other spas that populate Yamanouchi-town, each with their own unique atmosphere and characteristics.

Come meet our Mountain Characters

• Little English • Adapt to extremes • Are patient beyond imagination • Royalty & Olympic Has-beens

t es you'll w an ry, sometim of Extremes va the pressure se ea to d se to be dres in , in ot her re on your sk fit from mot her natu u may bene yo n w to in re . su es situations pr l ease the socia be extreme dressing to hat can w in ive at self Taking initi u, give your ill rew ard yo epared . pr be situations w … ed e unexpect leew ay for th

Keep it in the family No body is here, but who is here does have hair (mostly critters), so if you are hare-y we'd like you to be heir too.

Families that make the population here have names like Yamamoto, Takefushi, Saito, Yumoto…on behalf of the elders: 'welcome to the reservation'

Poetry yet to be born, some of Japan's greatest artists like Anaimationist Miyasaki's musician, Issa Kobayashi & the strangely friendly Hokusai painter have been known for a long time. Some are dead, but local's heir now will pump your blood stronger - it's better when we're live. When in Yudanaka as for One-hand Kodama, or Big-bear (Okuma) or Nakano - the performers of a ghost mountain… waiting hi hi hi for you.

Photography: ©Nagano-Niigata (Japan) Snow Resort Alliance/©Nozawa Onsen Village Office/©Myoko Tourist Office

usu ally -weed)… ori (se a ite re ady for oc k N h g s in 's y u er tr Mum sn't q e my moth dy, I w a for me” - com Just like ially flexible la ere at's not th c y th ll so h a y r tu “o Ac a ve f her into it!! gerly w aiting iplash o od , ge t the wh ea ge k s just it 's so go c ark Villa o m u sh m on lture onkey P test they ty of cu gen & S now M a n s le id p k are ur ko , give yo in S hig a mber^ -^ for you . For te achers t alw ays re me u b ak a n r, a fo d u -Y re ady ve r b e may ne

Acc

mountains I often say to people that 'the le are more peop the but tiful… beau are case , but when beautiful' - it is so often the to find these that gnize reco I this ing writ ntain!! Having mou the need ou le…y peop al 20 year s the same experiences in Nep does it for thing le peop ery scen the ago kful than rely Since -^ too^ here me Come on many levels…

If you're in the Nagano mountains, try keep an open mind, what you think you are here for may end up being secondary to what exper ience you take home…

es s

By Car From Shinshu Nakano Interchange

By Airport Shuttle Service (Door to Door) 4-5 hours from Narita Airport

By Train From Tokyo to Nagano - Bullet train 1 hour and 30 minutes

15 minutes to Ryokan Biyu Yudanaka

From Nagano to Yudanaka(Ryokan Biyu Yudanaka) Nagano Dentetsu 42 minutes

40 minutes to Shiga Palace Hotel

From Yudanaka to Shiga-Kogen Local Bus to Shiga Palace Hotel 50 minutes

RYOKAN BIYU YUDANAKA www.yudanakaview.co.jp

+81-(0)269-33-4126 biyunoyado@yudanakaview.co.jp www.snowmonkeyjapan.com

Frozen culture Japan's Highest ski field by more tha n 500 meter s, and also the oldest having opened in 194 6 by some Americans wit h too much time on their hands?

All the same, the height and the pre historicness of it all gives the Narnia-frozen-f eel.

If someones going to make The Last Samurai properly - do it here ^-^

's what you Ple ase? - that More Weeds of San- sai al me a er g aft might be sayin a style. er mp te s ble ta mountain vege table plant s ea t en fer dif ny cal There's so ma following a lo y tr ld, wi ing up here grow e so long… liv we y wh t d ou elder and fin Yes Bears? Cross a goat, cow and… er …werewolf and you'll get just one of the furry inhabitants , but there's many more .

Hot, hard , fast and cold?

No, we are not talking about Japan ese girls, although that could be one reason some like Japan? You'll need a ton of respe ct and a little flexibility to find What really does it for you in Japan…it feels like breat hing nitris oxide & screaming down Yokot eyama at over 70kmph on mountain bike.

Re- Cycle time:

By Japanese standards 45k m unpathed & 70k m of pathed alpine roads is unbeatable.

Basically 'the slower you go the more you'll know' about Shig akogen , it's flor a & fauna , the elements that chan ges ever yday.

Jumping on a bike in the alpine air, or pushing a pair of sneakers through the exploding undergrowt h in the spring feels like riding a seasonal wav e that 's so fragile.

fied f cit ytion o g cold & a in b y sun d com B all bustin ine sk e weir , It 's t h k ir t s ouch e p blue alp ies , you r e s d o a t g r s will man mme ... & loc al u t yo u y r ful su powe k your bod decipher b c to … will ro e dec ades tr ast s ak e co n may t n.. it 's t h ) on many e id h a s w ^ d y cr ien u^sea son ! aeli fr w (ch gest sk i My Isr a lot to che 2nd Lon June 's World's e to r r C e e b th ovem te -25deg .

Open N e on Yoko levels ture rang n welcome by mmer.

Te mpera s, Su xe C You are more tha g Fo i, de uk 22 not an to T r a, te . shik d transport , but it's Win o ize re o tor am mo m K , d ys) s an B ears s, firef lie y. People (& monke wa Wildlife: xe y fo onl g the in s, fly cycle, walk and Snow hare come by car, bus , kcountry ski Freeze Dry sometimes even bac The driest powder, not so deep, one meter w mobile!! sno & max, but the grainiest, silkiest on earth!!

SHIGA PALACE HOTEL

www.shigapalace.co.jp +81-(0)269-34-2221 palace@crocus.ocn.ne.jp Sister Hotel RYOKAN BIYU YUDANAKA

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqSHINETSU Photography: ©Naeba Prince Hotel

qqqNAEBA SKI RESORT www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba-e/ The massive Naeba Ski Resort stands in Japan’s central mountains on the border between Niigata and Nagano, just two hours outside of Tokyo by bullet train and bus. The mountain stretches 2145 meters above sea-level, receiving abundant falls of Japan’s pristine snow. Due to the sheer size of the mountain and close proximity to Tokyo, the resort has been one of Japan’s most popular ski areas for decades.

When combined with its sister ski area, Kagura Ski Resort, Mt. Naeba becomes the largest single ski resort in Japan.

From the ski-in ski-out entrance of Naeba Prince Hotel, 35 courses stretch out across the mountain. The longest slope measures 4000 metres with an exciting vertical drop of 960 metres. The slopes are well serviced by 22 lifts and 3 gondolas, including The Dragondola, the world’s longest stretching gondola. The Dragondola transports skiers 5.5 km over snow-covered pines, river beds and a lake to Kagura, where another 23 trails and 23 lifts await for exploration.

Terrain park s on both Naeba and Kagura of fer ideal environments for freestyle riders to refresh or build their skills, while Kagura offers expanses of off-piste and backcountry terrain to challenge seasoned adventurers. Families can play or learn together in Naeba’s children’s park and ski schools.

The family snow land also provides snowmobile and sled rides for those who don’t want to be on skis the whole day.

When not on the slopes, enjoy the comfort of the Naeba Prince Hotel. A number of cafes, bars, and cocktail lounges offer a relaxing environment to mingle with other skiers. You will have no problem finding a good meal as the hotel’s 18 restaurants cater to almost any taste, with everything from sushi to pizza. Other amenities, including a hot spring, indoor pool, karaoke, and game rooms ensure that you will enjoy the hours spent indoors as well.

Mt. Naeba endures as a popular ski resort for its great snow and facilities in close proximity to Tokyo.

DATA

Number of Courses: 58 (Beginner 40%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 30%) Number of Lifts: 50 (Cable Car 2, Gondola 3, Chairs 45) Longest Course: 6km Vertical Drop: 960m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: Yes One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:00-21:00 (22:00 on Saturday and days before holidays) * Times change depending on season.

Season: Late Nov.-Late May

Naeba Prince Hotel

Premier ski-in ski-out accommodation at Japan’s largest single ski resort, right on the doorstep of Tokyo! Naeba is less than 2 hours from Tokyo and boasts some of Japan’s best snow and terrain. The hotel’s extensive facilities offer plenty to do off the slopes as well.

Contact your local travel agent for early bird specials.

General information available at:

www.princehotels.com/en/naeba/ or by e-mail james@princehotels.co.jp

Early bird special: Stay 7 nights, pay for 6 at reduced rates.

52

SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqGUNMA

GUNMA

KATASHINA OZE-IWAKURA MALNUMA KOGEN There are dozens of gorgeous ski resorts in Gunma prefecture in the northern Kanto region, and many are only a two to three-hour-drive away from Tokyo. Fans of Gunma's consistent snow quality and great slopes make frequent day trips to ski resorts here. Katashina Village has 7 different ski resorts catering to skiers of all levels and offers affordable lessons for skiers and snowboarders.

Children love the family-friendly events held here throughout winter, such treasure hunt in the snow. Soak in local hot springs and freshen up for more activities ahead!

Snow Park Oze Tokura Oze Iwakura Katashina Kogen Hotaka Bokujo

Katashina Malnuma Kogen Caetla Ski Resort Oze

Snow Par Ogna Hotaka

Jomo Kogen Station

GUNMA N

Railway

! TOKYO

Main Road

DIRECTIONS Narita Airport

Kansai Airport

JR Narita Express 60min

Shin Osaka Station

JR Line 51min

JR Bullet Train 150min Tokyo Station JR Joetsu Shinkansen 75min Jomo-Kogen Station Kanetsu kotsu Bus 90min Oze Kikou Bus 90min

Katashina

(Kamada) Kanetsu kotsu Bus 25min

Oze Iwakura

Malnuma Kogen SKI DESTINATIONS

53

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqGUNMAqqqKATASHINA Photography: ©Katashina Village Tourist Office

KATASHINA www.oze-info.com A short side trip from Marunuma Kogen and Oze Iwakura ski resorts is Katashina Village, famous for the exceptional quality of its natural spring water. Locals enjoy this natural product filtered directly from the mountains in nearby Nikko and Oze National Parks. As well as the powder snow of winter, the region's natural beauty and fresh produce throughout the seasons make it an attractive and rewarding destination all year round. Accessible by car in just two hours from Tokyo and equipped with 280 accommodation facilities, planning your holiday to Katashina Village is easy.

KATASHINA ONSEN After a big day slicing your way through powder snow, there is nothing better than recharging in a hot spring or “onsen”.

Katashina Village is fortunate enough to be at the crossroads of nine different onsen, which are believed in Japan to have a range of positive effects on health and wellbeing.

Skiers, hikers and mountain climbers alike enjoy visiting the hot springs in Katashina Village throughout the year to rejuvenate and relax.

Katashina's fresh local produce qqqDINING AND DRINKING Thanks to its plethora of accommodation facilities, there is a range of establishments in and around Katashina Village which enable visitors to experience the quality of local produce. Apples, mushrooms, sweet corn and beans, in particular are famous for their freshness and quality, thanks to a fertile natural farming environment.

The superior purity of local water also results in excellent sake, and adds a refreshing edge to products such as soba noodles and tofu. Traditional and contemporary Japanese sweets also feature in the line up, and are popular as souvenirs among tourists.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES Oze National Park, a short distance from Katashina Village, showcases a stunning array of f lora in spring and spec tacular vistas of red and yellow in autumn. Home to Japan's largest highland marsh, it is a popular destination for trekkers and photographers. A wooden walkway stretches across the marsh for over 57

54

SKI DESTINATIONS

(

Local Visitors to Katashina Village can enjoy the Cuisines taste of the different types of trout caught from local rivers, as well as sample in-season fresh farm produce such as mushrooms and sweet corn from stall holders.

kilometres, allowing visitors to take in the surroundings while preserving them for generations to come.

! t n e l l e c x E d n a Safe 18 different ski and snowboarding slopes are available.

Experience the wonder of powder snow at Oze Iwakura Ski Resort, one of the biggest in the Kanto region! Just two hours by car north of Tokyo, the resort is equipped with 18 courses for all skill levels, as well as family friendly facilities and a hot spring. In the nearby vicinity is Oze National Park, home to the nation’s largest highland marsh as well as countless other natural attractions.

The region is also famed for the quality of its naturally filtered spring water and fresh produce, making Oze Iwakura the perfect place to enjoy your ski holiday while taking in the natural beauty and gourmet delights of Japan!

18 Ski and Snowboarding slopes Mid December to early April season Great value accommodation pack Day skiing: 8:00am - 4:30pm Night skiing: 4:30pm - 9:00pm

WHITE WORLD OZE IWAKURA 2609 Tsuchiide, Katashina-Mura, Gunma Prefecture 378-0412 Phone: 0278-58-7777 E-mail: resort@oze-iwakura.co.jp http://www.oze-iwakura.co.jp

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqGUNMA Photography: ©White World Oze Iwakura/©Malnuma Kogen Ski Resort

qqqWHITE WORLD OZE IWAKURA www.oze-iwakura.co.jp/en/ski/ White World Oze Iwakura enjoys light, dry powder snow during its peak season from December to April. With a total of 18 courses, it caters for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities and is one of the biggest ski resorts in the Kanto region of Japan, to the north of Tokyo. The resort is equipped with a family-friendly child crèche facility (bookings essential), and a ski school for those just starting out or wanting to improve their skills. No ski resort in Japan would be complete without a hot spring, and White World Oze Iwakura is no exception. Relax after a big day

at the Oze Iwakura Resort Hotel’s hot spring, located at the bottom of the slopes. The hotel provides elegant Japanese and Western style accommodation, and a visit to one of its restaurants is a great opportunity to experience the exceptionally fresh local produce. The resort is just two hours from Tokyo by car, and is also accessible via public transport.

Equipment rental is available on site.

DATA

Number of Courses: 18 (Beginner 15%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 35%) Number of Lifts: 13 (Gondola 1, Chairs 12) Longest Course: 2.8km Vertical Drop: 881m Snowboarding park: n/a Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: No Hours: 8:00-16:30 Night Skiing: 16:30-21:00 Season: Early Dec.-Early Apr.

qqqMALNUMA KOGEN www.malnuma.com/ Nestled in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture north of Tokyo, the slopes of Marunuma Kogen (also known as Malnuma Kogen) Ski Resort are blessed with generous helpings of high quality powder snow throughout the bulk of a long season, which stretches from mid November to early May. The resort has a total of twelve runs, for all skiers from beginner right through to advanced. The peak of Mount Shirane, the highest mountain north of the Kanto region at 2578m, dominates the skyline, and skiers can enjoy

spectacular views of it and the surrounding countryside from altitudes of up to 2000m. Marunuma Kogen also has a free practice area with a snow escalator for beginners, and a kids park. Rental equipment is available onsite, and the resort is easily accessible from Tokyo by car or public transport. Skiers can also take advantage of package accommodation deals with lift passes included. Instead of charging a flat rate per day, Marunuma Kogen has introduced ten and twenty hour lift passes, a more flexible system which calculates usage per hour.

DATA

Number of Courses: 12 (Beginner 33%, Intermediate 42%, Advanced 25%) Number of Lifts: 9 (Gondola 1, Chairs 8) Longest Course: 1.2km Vertical Drop: 0600m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: No Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:15-16:30 Season: Mid Nov.-Early May

56

SKI DESTINATIONS

Incredible powdered snow

Enjoy the special view from the top of the mountain.

Car ve through majestic clouds of powder snow at Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort! All the classic elements of a Japanese ski holiday are waiting for you here amongst the spectacular peaks of Gunma Prefecture, just a hop, skip and a jump from Tokyo. After an action packed day, relax in the steaming waters of Zazen

Onsen at the bottom of the slopes, which has both indoor and outdoor tubs enabling visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery. After soaking in the hot spring, experience the taste of Japan at one of the various establishments in the area, sampling local food and beverages renowned for their fresh ingredients.

12 courses for all levels Season runs from mid-November until early May Opening Hours: 8:15am - 4:30pm Accommodation pack with lift ticket Chalet Marunuma / Shirane Lodge

MARUNUMA KOGEN SKI RESORT

4658-58 Higashi-Ogawa, Katashina-Mura, Gunma Prefecture 378-0497 Phone: 0278-58-2211 http://www.malnuma.com

THE BEST SNOW HOLIDAYS IN JAPAN COME AND EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF TOHOKU'S SKI RESORTS

TOHOKU

Tohoku, in northern Japan, is where you come face to face with Japan’s original “Juhyo,” or Ice Monster. No, it’s not an animation character. It is a rare natural wonder created by the area’s ideal snow-making climate. The mountainous region’s coniferous trees are so enveloped by ice and snow during winter that they turn into towering monsters! Words cannot describe the sensation of zipping between the Ice Monsters, not to mention the spectacular illumination at night.

Tohoku is also a region where ancient Japanese traditions still enter daily life. Visiting the nearby onsen spas and townships will be an unforgettable experience for you and your family. Tohoku offers a lot more than perfect powder snow. We are sure you’ll treasure your stay.

Appi Morioka

Zao

Sendai

Inawashiro

Tokyo

Even better, Tohoku is so easy to get to - be on the slopes the same day you fly into Tokyo!

www.tohokukanko.jp/english/ski/index.html JTB Australia www.jtboi.com.au www.japanski.com.au Phone : 1300 739 330

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES...

travelplan SKI www.travelplan.com.au Phone : 1300 754 754

Japan Package / PITT TRAVEL www.japanpackage.com.au Phone : 02 9264-7384

Deep Powder Tours www.deeppowdertours.com Phone : 1300 305 451

SkiJapan.com www.skijapan.com Phone : 1300 137 411

Travel Japan by H.I.S www.traveljapan.com.au Phone : 02 9267 3333

SKI MAX HOLIDAYS www.skimax.com.au Phone : 1300 136 997

JR East Pass http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqTOHOKU

TOHOKU

ALTS BANDAI INAWASHIRO GRANDECO ZAO HOT SPRINGS APPI The Tohoku region in northeast Japan appeals to skiers of all levels with its superior powder snow.

The mountains that form the region's spine are 1,500 to 2,000 metres high, offering extreme courses for the advanced and the gentlest of slopes for the novice. The region encompasses six prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, Fukushima, which are all easily accessible by shinkansen. This is a region at the top of its game with great local produce, hospitality and affordable accommodation with hot springs to sooth your body after an actionpacked day.

Appi Morioka

Yamagata

ALTS Bandai

Sendai

Zao

Grandeco Inawashiro Koriyama

DIRECTIONS Narita Airport

Kansai Airport

JR Narita Express 60min

Shin Osaka Station

JR Line 51min

JR Bullet Train 150min ALTS Bandai Express Bus 300min

Tokyo Station JR Tohoku Shinkansen 90min

JR Tohoku Shinkansen 150min

Koriyama Station Free Shuttle Bus 60min

ALTS Bandai

Banetsu West Line 35min Inawashiro Station

Free Shuttle Bus 60min

Free Shuttle Bus 15min Inawashiro

Grandeco

JR Tohoku Shinkansen 145min

Yamagata Station

Morioka Station

Bus 50min

Iwate Kenpoku Bus 50min

Zao Hot Springs

Appi

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqTOHOKU Photography: ŠTohoku Tourism Promotion Organization

The region of Tohoku, most of which is surrounded by ocean, constitutes just over a third of Japan's main island, Honshu.

There are six prefectures which are connected by bullet train and many expressways which form a network over the region.

This well connected area means that getting to and from the resort and trips to one of the many attractions of the area is simple. And this is a very good thing, because Tohoku positively

abounds with fantastic sights. Between the ski resorts and the hot springs there is a whole culture to get to know and delving into the history and strong sense of tradition that the area retains will delight many a worldly traveler. The cuisine is also notable: with its own unique twist on traditional cuisine and a wealth of fresh local produce, and your time spent in Tohoku will involve many happy memories of food!

Takamiya Hotel Group http://www.zao.co.jp/

Miyamaso Takamiya Phone:+81-23-694-9333

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Relax and rejuvenate yourself in the rich mineral waters of Zao Onsen, a hot spring which has been steadfastly flowing from the source for over 1900 years.

Takamiya Village Hotel Jurin Phone:+81-23-694-9511

Hotel Lucent Takamiya Phone:+81-23-694-9135

Takamiya Rurikura Resort Phone:+81-23-694-2520

Hotel Hammond Takamiya Phone:+81-23-694-2121

Takamiya Yunohama Terrace Seiyosaryo Phone:+81-235-75-2188

Museum of History and Culture Warabenosato Phone:+81-23-693-0093

SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqTOHOKU Photography: ŠTohoku Tourism Promotion Organization

qqqALTS BANDAI SNOW PARK www.alts.co.jp/english/ The Alts Bandai Snow Park is Japan's largest ski resort, boasting an area of 780 sq m and 30km of courses, all laden with excellent quality fresh snow and equally fresh courses of extensive variety. Each of the 29 courses offers something different and as such are bound to keep even the most jaded skier excited. The resort is also a haven for snowboarders and caters to the full range of levels from beginner to expert. Alts hosts the FreeStyle Ski Championship and the Nippon Open Championship and offers a great variety of first class services including snow mobiles, banana b oat s, hot springs and, of course, the resort hotel. Families, couples and travelling groups are all well accommo date d at the Alts Bandai Snow Park.

DATA

Number of Courses: 29 (Beginner 35%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 25%) Number of Lifts: 12 (Snow Escalator 1, Gondola 1, Chairs 10) Longest Course: 3km Vertical Drop: 580m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: Yes One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:30-17:00 Night Skiing: 17:00-21:00 (23:00 Fri. & Sat.) Season: Mid Dec.-Early Apr.

SNOW PARADISE qqq

INAWASHIRO

GRANDECO

qqq

SNOW RESORT

www.g-jmt.com/inawashiro/eng/

www.grandeco.com/english/grandeco.html

Located in the Bandai Asahi National park, and thus easily reached from Tokyo, Snow Paradise Inawashiro lives up to its name as a winter wonderland. This resort offers particularly outstanding panoramic views of Lake Inawashiro from its ski slopes, serviced by 16 renovated ski lifts and travellators. The dramatic scenery makes this a truly unique ski experience, and families will enjoy the special provisions for children, including day care and the variety of the 16 different ski runs, suitable for every level. The longest is 3.15km, and there is a vertical drop of 580m. Snow Paradise Inawashiro also has a Mogul slope, snowboard park and a half pipe. Skiers can stay on the slopes till 9pm on weeknights, and till 11pm on Friday and Saturday and public holiday nights. Accommodation is available in both traditional and modern styles and visitors will relish the health benefits afforded by the fantastic local produce and the hot spring facilities. The resort also features updated rest areas and shops.

Hours - Daytime: 8:30-17:00 (21:00) Night Skiing: 17:00-21:00 (23:00) Season: Mid. Dec-Late Mar.

Also surrounded by the stunning Tohoku scenery at Mount Bandai, the Grandeco Snow Resort is an all-season resort and attracts a steady stream of visitors year-round, who enjoy the sailing and fishing offered at one of the many lakes in the area, including Lake Inawashiro. The area is also ideal for cycling and hiking, as well as skiing and snowboarding in the winter, which are available until May. Ski provisions include a gondola lift and four quad lift, all of which have hoods, which will speed visitors from 1,010m to 1,590m elevation. There are eight courses in total, from beginner to advanced. An outstanding three quarters of the 4km top-to-bottom runs are suitable for youngsters, and the runs are well distributed to help families keep track of each other and not get lost on the mountain. The longest course is 4km, and there is a vertical drop of 580m. More adventurous skiers will be pleased to know that there is also a mogul slope, as well as a snowboarding park. The comfortable complex at the base of the resort includes the usual facilities, such as rental outlets, restaurants and rest rooms. There are an additional two restaurants located higher up on Mount Bandai allow visitors to enjoy meals with spectacular views.

Hours: 7:30 (8:30)-16:30 Season: Late Nov.-Early May SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqTOHOKU Photography: ©Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization/©Yamagata Prefecture/©JNTO

qqqZAO HOT SPRINGS SKI RESORT www.jm-support.com/zao2/ DATA

Number of Courses: 12 (Beginner 35%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 25%) Number of Lifts: 40 (Gondola 3, Chairs 37) Longest Course: 10km Vertical Drop: 881m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: Yes Hours: 9:00-18:00 Night Skiing: 17:00-21:00 Season: Late Nov.-Early May

SNOW MONSTER

The Zao Hot Springs Ski Resort is one of Japan’s best known ski destinations and, with a reputation preceding it, does offer truly superb services and, of course, a sublime ski experience. The resort offers 15 slopes, 12 courses, and aims to provide variety for both beginner levels and advanced skiers, which includes a whopping 10km downhill course, traversing altitude of 800m! Slopes can be accessed on one of the 4 gondolas or the 35 lifts available. One can ski from the top of the mountain through the forest of “snow monsters” − not yetis but extraordinarily large fir trees coated with snow and ice from the intense winter! - which is a pretty sensational and hard to beat experience. The “snow monsters” are transformed by the light and icy conditions and stand as testimony to nature’s own awe-inspiring art. Without fail, the Zao Hot Springs Ski resort features all the necessities, like hot springs, viewing platforms and restaurants.

The ski slopes of the Tohoku region are truly one of a kind.

The area's ideal snow-making climate produces a rare natural wonder called “juhyo,” or Snow Monster. They look like towering monsters, but they are actually coniferous trees enveloped in snow having gone through layers of ice coating. The seasonal winds blow hard against the trees and help sculpt these monsters, making the slopes a fine spectacle. After zipping between the Snow Monsters all day, relax and watch the majestic mountain vista lit up by wondrous illumination at night.

YAMAGATA MAIKO It is a little known fact that Maiko, or apprentice Geisha, continue performing to this day in Yamagata Prefecture.

Unlike their more exclusive co unte r p ar t s in Kyoto, however, Yamagata Maiko are available by appointment, visiting hotels and inns throughout Yamagata City area, including Zao Hot Springs.

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SKI DESTINATIONS

SKI DESTINATIONSqqqTOHOKU Photography: ©Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization/©Iwate Prefecture/©Yamagata Prefecture/©JNTO

qqqAPPI RESORT www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/ There is Arlberg in Austria… Aspen in the USA… and the Appi resort in Japan's spectacular Hachimantai National Park!

A very large ski resort spread over 282 hectares with 45.1km in total of course runs, Appi is well serviced by two gondolas and 16 lifts with excellent capacities and turn-arounds avoiding the hassle of long queues. Snow conditions are optimum in this park because it is situated facing north, thus the slopes are not hit by so much direct sun and ideal ski conditions are maintained for longer. The Appi resort benefits from what is known as “Asprin snow,” which is constituted by very fine, light snow flakes, which skiers can enjoy throughout the extended ski season - from early December to early May. This quality of snow, combined with excellent regular course maintenance affords skiers a less strenuous ride down the mountain and reduces exhaustion at the end of the day. The resort includes 21 different terrain types for skiers and snowboarders, many of which run right from the peak to the base and associate Appi with a unique brand of longer runs not often seen in the Japanese ski scene. Of special note is the Yamabato run, which is both the longest run available in the park - 5,500m! - and also suitable for beginners.

DATA

Number of Courses: 21 (Beginner 40%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 30%) Number of Lifts: 18 (Gondola 2, Chairs 16) Longest Course: 5.5km Vertical Drop: 828m Snowboarding park: Yes Mogul slope: Yes Half (Quarter) pipe: No One make jump: Yes Hours: 8:30-20:00 Night Skiing: 16:00-20:00 Season: Early Dec.-Late Apr.

SUMMER FESTIVALS Summer in Tohoku is the time for traditional festivals, dances and fireworks displays. Four major summer matsuri (festivals) here astound visitors from all over the world. Among them, Aomori Nebuta Festival has one of the most spectacular displays and parades. There are festivities all year round with the spring cherry blossom festival and winter festivals such as the Namahage (men dressed up as demons dance to drums) and Enburi (dances to pray for harvest). Tohoku's well-preserved local culture shines in these festivals and they are a fun way to see the locals let loose!

AOMORI NEBUTA FESTIVAL The Aomori Nebuta Festival at trac ts over three million visitors from across Japan and abroad. Illuminated floats light up the night sky accompanied by dancers called haneto who jump up and down shouting “rassera, rassera!” Anyone can join as a haneto, so go for it!

AKITA KANTO FESTIVAL Skilled performers balance giant bamboo poles on their heads, shoulders and hips as the city fills with excitement and energy during festivities.

The giant poles hold up 4 6 candle - lit lanterns and together they portray straw bags of rice to pray for good harvest.

SENDAI TANABATA FESTIVAL The show-stopper at this festival is color ful paper decorations hanging from 1500 bamboo poles that line Sendai's streets. Following Tanabata traditions of praying for good health and harvest, people write wishes on the paper strips which are then strung together by the locals.

Enjoy this 400-year tradition with fireworks displays as well.

YAMAGATA HANAGASA FESTIVAL The festival is a visual feast of some 10,000 dancers parading dow n th e s tre e t s wear in g hanagas a (f lower hat s), chanting “Yahho, makasho” to the jovial beat of taiko drums.

Watch out for sp e c tacular performances like the twirling of the hanagasa hats.

SKI DESTINATIONS

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SKI DESTINATIONSqqqTOHOKU Photography: ©Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization

TOHOKU'S HIDDEN HOT SPRINGS

Seeking out “hitou,” or hidden onsen (hot spring) in remote areas, is a national obsession in Japan. Tohoku with its t went y ac tive volcanic mountains makes it the per fec t region to hunt down such spots. More than 1,500 onsen hotels of varying capacities welcome visitors wanting to experience country living in the area. There are eleven types of spring quality depending on the minerals in the spring water. The minerals have medicinal effects, so a good soak will help you get rid of muscle pains from hitting the slopes all day.

Nyuto Onsen in Akita prefecture is a typical hitou. The hot springs are deep in the forest and have a breath-taking

backdrop against the mountains. Some of the rooms at the ryokan (inn) here date back to the Edo period, so expect an authentic Japanese experience!

Hanamaki Onsen is Iwate Prefecture's busiest spa town. It boasts a dozen hot springs and a range of comfortable large -scale accommodation. Near Iwate's Appi ski resort is Toshichi Onsen, known for its translucent, sulfurous water. Its mixed gender outdoor hot springs are idyllic, yet some are quite visible from public roads. But relax--for just in case situations, they sell towels that you can wrap around yourself while soaking in the milky white bath.

In Fukushima prefecture, Urabandai Onsen is the go-to spot for people

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SKI DESTINATIONS

staying at Grandeco ski resorts, but you can enjoy their onsen even if you are just a day tripper. Another onsen in Fukushima famous for its rustic beauty is Higashiyama. A group of onsen spots are clustered around Yukawa Rivers's many waterfalls, making it a serene and charming setting for onsen -- especially in the snow! Another notable onsen is Zao Onsen at the mouth of Zao National Park in Yamagata prefecture. It is renowned for its large open-air bath that can accommodate 200 people at a time. Big or small, hidden or not, these hot springs will ensure you wrap up your holiday in a thoroughly relaxed manner.

日本

JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS ESSENTIALS ACCOMMODATION

TRANSPORT LANGUAGE

LIVING IN JAPAN

JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

65

As with anywhere, you must present a valid passport when entering Japan. A visa is not required for a stay of 90 days or less under the Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangement, as long as you do not engage in any remunerative activity. In all other circumstances visas are required. Further visa details can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website (www.mofa.go.jp/index.html) or from the Japanese Embassy or Consulate. No certificates of vaccination are required.

Customs A verbal declaration at customs is sufficient for your personal effects. However, when you have unaccompanied baggage or when you bring in articles in excess of the duty-free allowance, a written declaration will be requested. The following items can be brought in duty-free: (1) 500 grams of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars; (2) 3 bottles (760 ml each) of liquor; (3) 2 ounces of perfume; (4) souvenirs, other than the above, whose total market value does not exceed 200,000 yen. There is no allowance of tobacco or liquor for persons aged 19 years or younger.

©mchiba

ESSENTIALS

on the same day, or infants under two years old are exempt from the fee. In all other circumstances the passenger service facility charge must be paid at the following rates: Narita Airport: ¥2,040 (Adult) / ¥1,020 (Child) Kansai Airport: ¥2,650 (Adult) / ¥1,330 (Child) Nagoya Airport: ¥2,500 (Adult) / ¥1,250 (Child)

Currency The unit of Japanese money is the yen (symbolized as ¥). Coins available are 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 and 500 yen. Notes are available in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen. You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks, major hotels (guests only) and at major department stores in large cities.

Most bank-run currency exchange counters at the international airports operate during normal business hours, but some stay open between 6:30

Passenger Service Facility Charge (PSFC)

©JNTO

Passengers departing from major international airports within Japan have the passenger service facility charge included in the cost of their plane tickets. Transit passengers taking connecting flights DO’S AND DON’TS 1

DO’S AND DON’TS 2

Mobile phone manners in public

First com first served

DON'T speak on mobile phones when using public transport. Talking on your mobile phone, and even just talking loudly to your friends on the train/bus is considered very rude. You should turn off your mobile phone, or switch it to silent when using public transport. Have some respect for other passengers and wait till you get to your destination.

DO queue up! And DON'T cut in line! This practice applies to most situations in Japan, especially for public transportation. When you are at the station waiting for your train, there is a “first come first served” policy and you should line up to board the train. There are signs around the platform that will tell you how to go about this.

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JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

stores throughout Japan. The service is available 24 hours a day and ATM screens and receipts support four languages: English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. Cards such as PLUS, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and JCB are accepted at these ATMs.

Traveller's Cheques and Credit Cards

Utilities / Tipping / Emergency

Although credit cards are becoming increasingly popular in Japan, cash is still the most common method of payment at local shops and the only method in many good restaurants. Travellers cheques are accepted by leading banks and international first class hotels in Tokyo or Osaka.

They cannot be used for payment at most local shops, restaurants and hotels, so you need to remember to cash them before you go shopping.

A more convenient way to obtain cash is to use major foreign cash and credit cards at Post Office and Seven Bank ATMs. Travellers can access any of the 26,000 post office ATMs marked with the International ATM Service symbol. Service hours for Post Office ATMs vary depending on the location, but in general they are accessible: Monday to Saturday: 0:05(7:00 Mon. and The day after a holiday)-23:40 Sunday and national holidays: 0:05-20:00 Closed: January 1-3 Over 14,000 Seven Bank ATMs are placed at 7-Eleven convenience

©Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.

am and midnight. The exchange rate fluctuates daily depending on the financial market.

Currency of any kind can be brought into and taken out of Japan. However, if the value exceeds the equivalent of one million yen you are required to inform customs.

Drinking water It is safe to drink tap water anywhere in Japan.

Mineral water is available at hotels, department and convenience stores, supermarkets and upmarket restaurants. Water is often available as a free service or self service in restaurants.

Electricity The electric currency for home use is 100 volts A.C. throughout Japan, although two different cycles are used: 50 hertz in eastern Japan, and 60 hertz in western Japan. Major hotels have outlets of 110 and 220 volts in Tokyo and other main cities, but their sockets accept two-prong plugs only. Adaptation units from three-prong to two-prong plugs are available at electrical appliance shops at airports or large cities. Major hotels and ryokan have hair dryers and irons provided in the room or on a loan basis.

Its best to buy an adaptor plug before you leave for Japan (e.g. at the airport, or an electrical appliance store) so that you can recharge your mobile phone, laptop, gaming equipment or digital camera.

Tipping and bartering Tipping and bartering are not common in Japan.

A 10% to 15% service charge is added to the bill at leading hotels, ryokan and upmarket restaurants.

Otherwise the price shown is the price charged, consumption tax included.

Japanese Immigration law has been reworked in recent years, enacting several measures to prevent terrorism, which include submission of personal identification at immigration. Under current immigration procedures fingerprints and a facial photograph will be taken. In the event that anyone refuses to submit to these provisions, they will not be permitted to enter Japan. All foreign nationals entering Japan will be fingerprinted and photographed, except special permanent residents, persons under 16, those persons performing activities which fall under the status of "Diplomat" or "Official" and those persons who have been invited by the head of any national administrative organization. All other foreigners must submit his/her passport, place their index fingers on a digital fingerprint reader, and consent to having their facial photograph taken. The immigration officer will then conduct a short interview.

JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

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©Kansai International Airport Co.,Ltd©JNTO

Japan's Immigration Procedures

©midorisyu

Emergencies For Police, dial 110, and for the fire department or an ambulance dial 119. No coins are necessary to make an emergency call from a public phone.

If you are using a green public phone it is necessary to lift the receiver and press the red button before dialling. If you are using a grey public phone, simply lift the receiver and dial the number. Remember to speak clearly and slowly.

Other useful telephone numbers AMDA International Medical Information Centre: Tokyo (03) 5285 8088 / Kansai (06) 4395 0555 Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Information Centre: (03) 5285 8185 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Consultation Service for Foreigners: (03) 5320 7744

Calling Australia

©JNTO

Public Phones Grey or green in colour, public phones are found in railway stations, hotel lobbies and department stores.

They accept ¥10 coins, ¥100 coins and prepaid telephone cards. A prepaid telephone card costs ¥1,000 and is available from convenience stores, kiosks at train stations and vending machines located next to some public phones. A local call costs ¥10 per minute, so it is best to insert

a few 10 yen coins at a time to avoid being cut off.

Unused coins are returned but no change is given for partial use of a 100 yen coin.

Charges for inter-city calls vary depending on the distance. Domestic calls are cheaper at night and on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays.

You can rent mobile phones (called keitai denwa) at international airports.

Dialing an international call You can place an international call through NTT communications (0033), KDDI (001), or Softbank Telecom (0061). If you use the dial call system, you need only dial the access number (0033, 001 or 0061) + 010 + country code (61) + area code (without the leading Zero) + individual number. To obtain the service information, dial 0120-506506 for NTT Communications, 0057 for KDDI and 0088-41 for Softbank Telecom.

Using a telephone card to place an international call You are able to place international calls with SkyWorld, CosmoGold, Vivaplus, Brastel, EasyTalk, World Pre-paid Card and KDDI Super World Card.

Unfortunately, you cannot buy all international calling cards at a convenience store, instead some require you to place an order through the internet, and pick up the card at your nearest convenience store, or have it delivered to your address.

Placing an international call through an operator You can access an operator by dialling KDDI (0051).

You are able to choose either a person-to-person call, by identifying the person you are calling, or a station-to-station call by identifying the telephone

DO’S AND DON’TS 3

DO’S AND DON’TS 4

Automatic taxi door

Bikes without a helmet

DON'T shut the taxi door yourself. Unlike Australian taxis, the rear passenger door of Japanese taxis have an automatic opening and closing function. The driver has control of the door, and will open it when you are ready to get in or out. You'll have to open the front passenger door by yourself.

DON'T freak out when you see that nobody wears helmets when riding bicycles! In Japan, the bicycle is a common mode of transport yet most do without the helmets ubiquitous in other countries. Whilst accidents are not uncommon and it is far safer to ride with a helmet, it is not against the law to ride without one and many bike riders don't bother.

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JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

number you want to reach. The operator can also assist you in a placing a reverse charge call.

Postal Service Both domestic and international mail services are reliable and efficient. An airmail letter takes about one week from Japan to Australia, while an article sent via sea mail takes approximately two months.

Postage rates

Weekdays

Sat.

Sun. & National Holidays

Banks

9:00-15:00

closed

closed

Post Offices*

9:00-17:00

closed

closed

Shops

10:00-20:00

10:00-20:00

10:00-20:00

Convenience Stores

24 hours

24 hours

24 hours

Museums**

10:00-17:00

10:00-17:00

10:00-17:00

Offices

9:00-17:00

closed

closed

* Some main post offices are open daily. Parcel collection is available 24/7 at some centres. ** Most museums are closed one weekday.

Domestic Destination

¥80

up to 50g

©Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.

Letters

All Japan up to 25g*

¥90

Postcards

¥50

International Air Mail Destination

Asia Guam

North/Middle America, Oceania Europe, Middle East

Africa South America

Postcards

¥70

¥70

¥70

Aerograms

¥90

¥90

¥90

up to 25g*

¥90

¥110

¥130

up to 50g

¥160

¥190

¥230

Letters

*Rate for Regular Size (14 to 23.5cm long, 9 to 12cm wide, up to 1cm thick)

General Business Hours Most ATMs only operate during certain hours, although many convenience stores are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and the ATMs in those shops will be available.

Peak Travel Seasons Train stations and airports become very crowded during each of the three peak travel seasons in Japan. Visitors to Japan need to be aware of the difficulties in booking travel tickets and accommodation during these periods: 1) New Year holiday period - December 27 to January 3 and adjacent weekends; 2) "Golden Week" holiday period - April 29 to May 5 and adjacent weekends; 3) "Bon" festive season - one week around August 15.

Aviation Security Measures for Carry-on Baggage at International Airports

©Commonwealth of Australia

Each container of liquids, aerosols or gels in your carry-on baggage must be 100 millilitres or less and all the containers must be sealed in a transparent, one-litre or smaller plastic bag. You are only allowed to carry one of these plastic bags.

You may still bring prescription medicines, baby products and non-prescription medicines that you need for the flight, though note that proof of need may be required.

When you get to the screening point, you will have to surrender any liquids, aerosols or gels greater than 100ml that you still have with you, including duty free items. The new rules also introduce random frisk searches as part of the screening process.

More information is available on www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/ LAG/index.aspx Please Note: These restrictions do not apply to checked-in baggage

JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

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ACCOMMODATION

Business Hotels Business Hotels are somewhat cheaper, offering much smaller rooms and more limited food offerings. The price for these hotels varies broadly, with more spacious hotels closer to major transport centres often charging more. Business hotels do not offer some of the services of the larger hotels, such as porter or room service. These hotels often have computer connections in the lobby and English language newspapers. A continental breakfast (sufficient to get you through the first hour or so of the day) is likely to be included in the price. There are only a limited number of twin and double bedrooms, as these hotels generally target the single businessmen, or those on a short term stay. Charges for a single room are around ¥6,000.

Japan offers a wide range of accommodation options, whether you want to enjoy the familiar comforts of a western style hotel or experience a Japanese style ryokan, the choices are only limited by budget. For economical travellers, business hotels and youth hostels are available.

Be aware that wherever you stay you may be asked to show your passport. It is advisable to book accommodation through a travel agent or the internet before coming to Japan.

Western Style Hotels

Ryokan While many hotels do have Japanese style rooms, another option to consider is traditional Japanese inns, called ryokan. The tatami (rice straw mats) rooms have a low table and thin flat cushions to sit on, and there are single sex communal bathrooms.

Hot spring baths, called onsen, are very popular with the Japanese people, and many ryokan are located ©JNTO

In large cities a wide range of western style hotels are available: from world famous hotel chains with their usual high standards, to more affordable hotels at a lower standard. Even at the lower standard hotel staff are generally able to speak enough English to respond to your queries and will arrange guided tours at your request. For top class hotels in Tokyo, single room charges range from ¥15,000 to ¥30,000, with twin rooms priced between ¥20,000 and ¥45,000.

The Japan Hotel Association (JHA) has 231 members listed on its website (www.j-hotel.or.jp).

DO’S AND DON’TS 5

DO’S AND DON’TS 6

Counting floors

Slurping noodles

DO remember that in Japan the "Ground Floor" will be labelled "Level 1". The Japanese way of counting floors is similar to that of America: there is no "ground floor" and all buildings will start with "Level 1" - so the first storey will be level 2 and the second storey level 3.

Basement is labeled "B1" or "B2" as in Australia. Don't get lost!

DO slurp when eating your noodles! Slurping when eating noodles is not considered rude, quite the contrary in fact. When enjoying your udon or soba noodles, one is generally encouraged to slurp them up and appreciate the flavour and the texture of the noodles as you eat them. Slurping noodles is bit tricky if you aren't used to it!

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JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

©Japan Ryokan Association©JNTO

the Tokyo Metropolitan area at any accommodation which charges ¥10,000 or above per night.

at hot spring resorts. A Japanese style breakfast and dinner are included in the room charge, and a cotton kimono, called a yukata, is provided for each guest to wear when relaxing. Meals are normally served in your room, however, if you request to eat in the dining room you will have a great opportunity to enjoy beautifully arranged Japanese cuisine, with a delicious mix of flavours, textures and colours. In the evening, your futon bed, stored in the cupboard during the day, will be made up for you.

You need to be aware of a few appropriate Japanese manners when you stay in a ryokan. At the entrance hall, replace your shoes with a pair of slippers provided. You should remove these before going up to your tatami room, as only bare or socked feet are allowed to tread on the tatami. There will be another pair of slippers for use while in the bathroom.

Ryokan charges vary from ¥12,000 to ¥20,000. You can find a list of ryokan at the website of the Japan Ryokan Association (www.ryokan.or.jp).

Tax and Service Charges A 10%-15% service charge and a 5% consumption tax will be added to the room/meal rate. An additional "Accommodation Tax" (¥100-200 per person, per night) is levied for travellers who stay in

Minshuku and Pensions Minshuku and pensions also provide economical accommodation for travellers at sightseeing spots. Run by local families, you stay in one of the rooms of their family home. Minshuku provide a traditional Japanese style room and meal, while pensions are western in terms of their bedding and meals. Both of these styles of accommodation are available with or without meals. Their prices range from ¥6,500 to ¥15,000, which includes two meals.

Other Accommodation Japan has over 300 youth hostels. They are cheaper than the options described above (around ¥3,000 without meals), and while they are named "youth hostels", there is no limit on the age of the guests.

It is wise to join the International Youth Hostel Federation before you leave Australia (www.yha. com.au). You will receive a membership card, a list of hostels with contact information and other useful advice.

The International Tourism Centre of Japan operates Welcome Inn Reservation Center (WIRC). They will help you find and book economical accommodation at member inns, called Welcome Inns, throughout Japan. The Welcome Inns include accommodation ranging widely in price and size, best suited to single families or small groups of friends. Their service is free of charge and you can access them through their website, www.itcj.or.jp. The Japan National Tourism Organisation website might also be useful, www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html.

Park Hotel Tokyo

Designing comfort in the leading global city Shiodome Media Tower, 1-7-1, Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7227 Phone: 03-6252-1111 URL: http://www.parkhoteltokyo.com/

From a restful stay to business support Private rooms for dining with your important guests Restaurant tateru yoshino Shiodomé, Restaurant tateru yoshino Shiba, 1 STAR-WINNER. “The MICHELIN GUIDE TOKYO 2008, 2009 and 2010”

Shiba Park Hotel

Providing new services while retaining its history and traditions 1-5-10 Shiba-koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011 Phone: 03-3433-4141 URL: http://www.shibaparkhotel.com/ JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

Colors Pantone 2747 CVC Pantone 3308 CVC Pantone 485 CVC C/00

C/100 M/79 C/100 M/00 M/100 Y/91

Y/00 Y/60 K/00

K/09 K/72

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©Japan Convention Services, Inc.©JNTO

TRANSPORT Japan has a very efficient and highly developed transportation system. Its comprehensive rail network, including the famous Shinkansen bullet trains, is supplemented by domestic air services, ferries, buses, trams and taxis. The national highway system is also well-developed, but driving a car in Japan is a challenge if you are not fluent in Japanese! You will need an International Driving Permit if you plan to drive yourself. Note that the speed limit is usually well below the 110 km/h on Australian freeways.

distance trains only a few carriages are available for smokers, and non-smokers should avoid these as the smell of tobacco is very strong. Local tourist information offices, and the green striped ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) at JR stations are excellent sources of information when planning and during your journey.

Railways Japan Railways (JR) consists of seven companies that service most of Japan. The Shinkansen, or "bullet trains", provide ultrafast links for some of the main districts. Private and municipal railways and subways run within and between the major centres.

Services are punctual but trains are crowded at rush hours in large cities. A number of lines now have women only carriages at busy times. On long

©Japan Convention Services, Inc.©JNTO

Japan Rail (JR) Pass The JR Pass provides unlimited travel on Japan Rail trains (except the Nozomi Shinkansen), affiliated buses and ferries at a bargain price. A JR Pass Exchange Order must be purchased outside Japan before you visit, and then presented at one of a limited number of outlets in Japan to receive your Pass. It is easiest to use the JR ticket office at the International airport upon your arrival. Exchange Orders are valid for three months from the date of issue. Prices are as follows: Validity

Ordinary

7-day

¥28,300

Green (First-class) ¥37,800

14-day

¥45,100

¥61,200

21-day

¥57,700

¥79,600

JR Passes are available for children aged 6 to 11 years at half of the above prices.

DO’S AND DON’TS 7

DO’S AND DON’TS 8

No shoes indoors

Smoke free area on the road

DO take your shoes off when entering someone's home. It is considered rude to tramp around the house in the shoes that you have been walking around the streets in. Leave your shoes at the front door, placing them neatly side by side, and either walk around the home in your socks, or in the slippers or sandals that your host may provide.

DON'T smoke and walk. Most of the districts in Japan prohibit smoking on the streets. Before taking a puff, make sure to check whether or not you are standing in a smoking area. If you do smoke in an area where it is prohibited and the police catch you, you will be fined.

Also, don't throw your cigarette butts in the street!

Always carry a portable ashtray or dispose of them appropriately.

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JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

The JR group also issues a cheaper regional Japan Rail Pass, valid for a shorter duration in regions of Japan such as Hokkaido, Kyushu, north east Japan or western Japan. These are better value and just as convenient in situations where you know you will be travelling in one of these regions.

Intracity Transportation

available from bus drivers, so you should know your destination. The entrance for the buses is usually located at the rear of the bus. Taxis can be more convenient for foreign travellers, though they cost a lot more than a bus ride of the same distance. A written address is enough for a taxi driver to take you to your destination. If the red light on the passenger side of the front windscreen is lit, the taxi is available for service. The rear door will open automatically, and there are plenty of taxi ranks at train and bus stations. International drivers licenses can be used for car rental, available at airports and major train stations.

©mchiba

Subways are available in major cities and are very convenient for travellers. JR's Yamanote-sen loop line in Tokyo and Kanjo-sen loop line in Osaka circle the centres of their respective cities. You can pick up an English version of the subway map at the airport's information desk. Remember that there is usually no English language translation

©Y.Shimizu©JNTO

When traveling on long distance services such as the Shinkansen, head to the green striped ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) at JR stations with your pass to organize your journey. An excellent English language train timetable and planning website is http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ hyperWeb.cgi.

Your JR Pass is also useful for discounts at JR Group hotels, listed in the JR Pass brochure.

Save time and money with these great deals from JR East Suica & N’EX Suica & N’EX is a discount ticket issued by JR East valid for travel into the Tokyo and Yokohama areas from Narita Airport.

Priced at 3,500 yen for an ordinary car and 5,000 yen for a Green Car (first class), the ticket enables visitors to travel via the Narita Express as far as Yokohama Station, and continue their journey with 1,500 yen preloaded on a Suica smart card.

Suica & N’EX is available to adult foreign passport holders only, from the JR East Travel Service Centers in Terminals 1 and 2 of Narita Airport. Full details are available at www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex.

JR East Pass Issued in five day, ten day and flexible four day categories, the JR East Pass gives the bearer unlimited travel on all JR East train lines. It is an excellent way to save money while making use of Japan’s fast and efficient rail network, and is available to foreign passport holders on a temporary visitor’s visa. The JR East Pass can be purchased prior to arrival online, through travel agents, or in Japan at JR East Pass Exchange and Sales Offices. Please visit www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass for further information.

JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

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LANGUAGE

Kanji characters commonly associated with their sound. Hiragana is used primarily for particles and words without Kanji, while Katakana is used for international loan words, onomatopoeia and italics.

The Japanese language consists of three scripts: Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana, which are all modified versions of Chinese script. Nowadays Japanese has many more international elements; many English words have been incorporated and the Latin alphabet is frequently used, as well as Hindu-Arabic numerals.

HIRAGANA (Vowels)

あ い う え お a

Kanji Kanji is the most complicated and tricky to master of the three scripts, with a knowledge of about 2000 characters required for daily life in Japan. They are either hieroglyphs: which are characters that refer to nouns, such as "mountain," or compound ideographs, which arise from the combination of hieroglyphic characters to form conceptual words.

Kanji can also represent adjectives and verb stems.

i

u

e

o

KANJI

ア イ ウ エ オ a

i

u

e

o

KANJI

山

木

川

森

Mountain

Tree

River

Wood

Hiragana and Katakana Hiragana and Katakana are classed as kana writing systems. Hiragana is flowing, whilst katakana is sharper in appearance. Both represent the Japanese syllabary with a set of 48 characters, each based on

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JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

Keigo and Dialects Japanese distinguishes between colloquial, polite and respectful language, the latter of which is Keigo.

This is the honorific or deeply formal and respectful version, which achieves politeness through different ways of expressing certain phrases and words, as well as the use of alternative verb endings. While Japanese has a standardized form recognized by all, and centered around the Tokyo region, it also has a diverse number of regional dialects. This is attributed to the long history of the language, as well as the initial isolation of the Japanese islands.

DO’S AND DON’TS 9

Bowing DO bow. A LOT! Bowing is exceptionally important in Japan. Bows are generally subtle affairs, where one keeps one's back straight and ones hands either at one's sides or clasped together, lowering the eyes and bowing slightly. There are bows that are much deeper for more formal occasions. Usually the younger person or someone of lower rank will bow for a slightly longer time, out of respect.

Useful Japanese Expressions Greetings Good morning.

Hello.

How are you doing?

Good evening.

Good night.

Goodbye.

See you later.

Ohayou-gozai-masu.

Kon-nichi-wa.

Ogenki-desu-ka?

Konban-wa.

Oyasumi-nasai.

Sayounara.

Dewa-mata.

Appreciation Thank you.

You're welcome.

Arigatou.

Dou-itashi-mashite.

Apologies Excuse me.

I'm sorry.

Sumi-masen.

Gomen-nasai or Sumi-masen.

Meetings How do you do?

I'm......

Hajime-mashite. ......desu.

Pleased to meet you.

Yoroshiku-onegaishimasu.

Meals Let's start eating.

Thank you for the meal.

Please give me the bill..

This is delicious.

Itadaki-masu.

Gochisou-samadeshita.

Okanjou-o onegaishimasu.

Oishii-desu.

Others Do you understand?

Yes, I understand.

No, I don't understand.

How much?

I will take this I like......

I do not like......

What is this?

I want to go to......

Wakari-masu-ka?

Hai, wakari-masu.

Ii-e, wakari-masen.

Ikura-desu-ka?

Kore-o-kudasai. ......ga suki-desu. ......ga sukidewaarimasen.

Kore-wa nan-desu-ka? ......e iki-tai desu.

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LIVING IN JAPAN There is a wealth of possibilities for pursuing careers or study in Japan. Living in the country provides a starkly different experience from shortterm tourism, as you are able to immerse yourself in the culture and daily life of the Japanese people. As of 2007 there were 11,033 Australian residents in Japan, up almost 5,000 from the figures from the 90's. A little planning in advance should make your transition a smooth one, so we've compiled a list of important things you need to know before you go...

Before you leave...

permission from their college or school. If your partner or children are planning to live with you in Japan, they will have to apply for "dependent" visas, which also have conditions set for how much paid work they will be able to engage in.

One good option for working in Japan is the working holiday visa arrangement. If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 you can reside in Japan working part or full time, although a significant portion of your time should be spent holidaying, i.e. getting to know Japan. Don't forget to apply for your "alien registration card", which allows you to do things like open bank accounts in the country. You can apply for this card at your local municipal office.

Finding a place to live...

Australians visiting Japan for up to 90 days can remain in the country without a visa under the temporary visa arrangement. You cannot, however, work or engage in long term studies, with exceptions for certain short term courses at Japanese language schools. If you intend to work in Japan, make sure you plan in advance, as you must apply for a visa at a Japanese consulate outside of Japan. The visas issued are only valid for specific professional fields, and if you change jobs whilst in the country, you will probably have to apply for a new visa. Many of these profession specific visas require you to have some training in your chosen field, and often will require the sponsorship of the employer you intend to work for in Japan.

If you plan on engaging in long term studies in Japan, you will need to apply for a student visa.

Persons residing in Japan on student visas are generally not allowed to work, unless they attain

The best place to start looking for an apartment is real estate agents. There are a few difficulties in renting apartments, the first being the length of the rental contract: which is, on average, two years. Landlords in Japan can be nervous about foreigners living in their apartments, due to concerns over length of stay and differences in expectations of tenants.

Another difficulty is in the fees charged throughout the rental process. Some agents charge an initial application fee as a deposit to prevent other tenants from taking the property. This fee is known as tetsukekin. You should check your contract to see if this is refundable after moving in, as often it may not be. You are also required to pay a deposit, known as shikikin, to the landlord upon signing the lease, which is refundable, subtracting the costs of any damage or repairs when you move out. This can

DO’S AND DON’TS 10

DO’S AND DON’TS 11

Recycling

Soak in an onsen naked

DO recycle. Japan is very picky about where you throw your trash and there are extremely detailed rules and regulations which you should familiarise yourself with. In general, make sure to separate your trash into burnable, which includes household much household waste and food scraps, and non-burnable, which includes plastics and aluminium. Make sure you wash out your bottles too.

DON'T get hung up about nudity or semi-nudity whilst soaking in an onsen. It is completely normal in Japan for people to sit in onsen and sento, or public baths nude, especially seeing as there are separate baths for men and women. The Japanese have a saying, “Hadaka-no tsukiai”, which is seen as proof of true friendship.

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vary, but it is generally one to three months rent.

Two other fees you may have to pay are the reikin, or key money, and the chukai tesuryo or the estate agent service fee. The first is a payment of one or two month's rent upfront as a gift to the landlord. The second is a charge incurred for the service of the estate agent, also around one month’s rent, which is non-refundable. If you plan on renting an apartment in Japan, it is a good idea to come prepared with savings to fund these additional costs.

It is probably worthwhile to investigate real estate companies specifically aimed to foreigners, which specialise in shorter leases, shared apartments, and often will advertise lower upfront fees. One type of accommodation these centres deal with is "gaijin house" or “guest house,” which may be more appropriate for shorter stays in Japan. Shared apartments usually attract monthly rents of between ¥40,000 and ¥110,000. Many of these apartments include basic furniture, such as a futon, appliances including a fridge, and Internet access.

language instructors. Most teachers working in this program will work as assistant teachers in high schools. To participate, you will need a university degree, and proof of good language abilities. Other professional fields that attract foreigners are translation, information technology, and the food and media industries. A smattering of Japanese will be particularly useful when seeking work in Japan, so do consider taking a few lessons before you leave!

There are many opportunities to work as an English language teacher in Japan. These jobs are easily found on the Internet, through websites like www.gaijinpot.com as well as through recruitment centres. Many of these recruitment centres have offices overseas, so you may be able to access one in your home city. The best way to pursue English teaching in Japan is through the JET, or Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. This is a government initiative designed to attract foreign

My JET Experience

©emrank

Finding work...

One of the most wide spread stereotypes of living in Japan is that living costs are exorbitant.

Living in Japan does not have to be unreasonable.

While living in an apartment in the centre of Tokyo is likely to be very pricey, the surrounding suburbs are much more affordable. Transport costs tend to be low, so living outside the city can mean big savings. Be sure to get commuter savvy and buy the correct train or bus passes, which are usually very good deals.

You can also save by using international phone services such as Skype, or by investigating calling cards or packages. Food costs can be kept down if you buy local Japanese products. Eating out at restaurants is also inexpensive. Your best source for a whole array of budget goods is the 100 yen shops, where many Japanese stock up on a variety of daily necessities. Approximate prices for other foods and drink are as follows: soft drinks are ¥120, beer ¥230, a half litre of mineral water ¥130, a bowl of Japanese noodles is ¥700, breakfast at a café ¥550 and a Big Mac is ¥320.

Marinko Tomasic, JET Program’s Assistant Language Teacher 2005-2007

Flashbacks of watching fireflies, picnicking under cherry b l o s s o m s a n d re s t i n g i n a n o n s e n i n t h e s n o w a re b u t s o m e o f t h e treasure trove of pleasant memories from my t wo years in Japan.

I taught at a senior high school in a town called Hita in Kyushu. Many of my students were great --engaging and down to earth. Seven of us ALTs living in Hita were each paying a monthly rent of up to 60,000 yen. Naturally, expenses will be higher in a larger city. Depending on you’re spending habits, you can actually end the JET experience with some savings. My Japanese was virtually non-existent when I arrived, but it improved to the stage where I could casually have conversations with people and learn about their lives.

Also highly recommended is trying out martial art like Aikido. It is a good way to meet the community. Don’t be afraid to venture out– your Nihongo and you will be better for it!

JAPAN TR AVEL TIPS

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©mchiba

Living costs in japan

J A P A N FOR

M E

The multifarious Kansai region alone has something for every age or passion In my limited travelling career, Japan is by far my favourite visited country. I have been to Japan twice in the last six months. The first trip was in November 2009 for a one month holiday, the second was in late march (cherry blossom season!) for two weeks to attend a friends wedding at a Shinto shrine in Nara. Japan has much to offer visitors, whether it’s the food (yaki niku is a favourite), the culture, the people or the amazing landscape, scenery and places to visit. I have travelled around Honshu and Kyushu, but spent the majority of my time in Kansai, mostly in Kobe and Osaka, visiting shrines, temples, gardens and castles, soaking up the atmosphere and dining on the wonderful cuisine. I would recommend visiting Japan to anybody of any age!

Jack Lyndon Public Servant - Department of Health and Ageing (Canberra)

Get lost in the lesser known side of Japan and stumble upon some hidden gems!

Venture off the beaten track and discover another side of Japan. In the Central Japan region, check out the Old Town and Hida Folk Village in Takayama, UNESCO World Heritagelisted Ogimachi Village and Open Air Museum in Shirakawago and stay overnight in a traditional ‘gassho-zukuri’ thatched farmhouse. Kanazawa, nearby, is well worth a visit. The city’s Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, is a personal favourite of mine and the Ninja Temple is So Cool, So JAPAN! Bathe in outdoor hot springs in Wakura Onsen on the Noto Peninsula or Gero Onsen in Gifu to relax amongst picturesque seaside or mountainous landscapes.

Finally, enjoy a hike or picnic in nature during the cherry blossom or autumn leaf seasons.

Santiago Mateos University Student (Sydney)

Music inspiration from the sub-cultures of Tokyo and the traditional instruments of Japan

While no two experiences are the same in Japan, a few tips from seasoned travellers who have learnt the hard way can make for a smoother visit. There are some things the guide book just doesn't tell you...

As artist/producer, Tokyo Love-In, I sought inspiration for my next album, ‘Nights in Tokyo’, in Japan. There, I collaborated with traditional and contemporary artists including taiko drummers, shamisen and koto players, as well as kabuki theatre performers. Tokyo has many sub-cultures, and I wanted to capture some of these elements for my music. So, on a Sunday morning I caught a crowded train to Harajuku where you can find Cosplayers, Rockabillies, Gyaru and creative street fashions along Omote-sando. In contrast, the Meiji Jingu Shrine is a peaceful haven; as you pass by the wooden gateways your ears are attuned to the sounds of nature. In Ginza, I visited Gibson’s Tokyo headquar ters where there is an amazing collection of Gibson guitars on show.

Tokyo Love-In (Mike Chin) Music Producer / Artist (Sydney)

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JAPAN FOR ME

Japanese high school table tennis teams are in a whole different league

You often hear about how polite and friendly Japanese people are… and its true!

My favourite part of Japan was the after school club activities, bukatsu. I was in the table tennis club for 10 months. The commitment that the students and teachers have makes for a very competitive environment, and it was a great way for me to make friends even though my Japanese was terrible.

My Sensei always made sure we were playing with the correct technique and entered us into all the competitions that were within about a 2 hour distance of where we were staying. I think if Australia had a similar bukatsu-style system it would increase sport participation due to the reduction in travel time, as to play sport to the same extent as in Japan you would have to join a local club and drive all the way to a recreation centre or oval.

I was looking for a building in Shibuya, and had the address written down. But it's notoriously difficult in Japan to find a place only from a written address. After searching for half-anhour or so, I gave up and approached two young Japanese guys smoking outside a shop. I asked them -- in my broken Japanese -- "koko wa doko desu ka?" (where is this?), and showed them my written address. They exchanged a few quick words and the response came: "Yes! Er... please... wait!".

They wanted a second to finish their cigarettes. I waited, expecting them to give me directions, but they actually walked with me -- for ten whole minutes! -- until we reached the place. I was surprised and humbled that they took the time do that for someone they didn't even know.

Ashley Kendall University Student (Perth)

Bodhi Philpot Computer Programmer (Canberra)

Confusion dispelled… a trip made easier with many helping hands and friendly locals

No communication problems on a jam packed whirlwind tour from Fukuoka to Tokyo

We landed in Narita Airport and the first experience of Japan was a confusing one. The train from the airport to Tokyo splits in half with the back going to the coast and only the 3 front carriages to Tokyo. Unknown to me I took a seat in one of the first carriages (at the back). This is when I had my first exposure to the friendly Japanese people. A local commuter politely told me I was in her seat and then escorted me to the proper carriage and seat. Without this Japanese willingness to help I may never have experienced the joys of Tokyo Disney, the shopping of Harajuku, nightlife of Shinjuku or the culture of Asakusa. In a city that will have you questioning reality it is good to know that the people are friendly, open and still in touch with their cultural roots.

With six female friends, I started my journey in Fukuoka and we slowly traveled up to Tokyo. We experienced a lot; from riding bicycles around picturesque Miyajima Island, to visiting the city of Hiroshima, travelling on the high-speed shinkasen, exhilarating rides at Universal studios, eating delicious food in every city, seeing beautiful temples and shrines in Kyoto, to soaking in hot springs in Hakone and walking through bright and busy Tokyo. Despite not being able to speak Japanese, except for a few basic phrases, we found it extremely easy to get around Japan as most train stations had tourist information centers and most random people we asked for help on the street were friendly and always willing even if they didn’t speak English.

Dale Gleeson Insurance Underwriter (Sydney)

Rong-Chyi Ngoh University Student (Perth)

The Naked Man festival: a surreal, spectacular and a definite must-see experience!

Akihabara – a weird and wonderful explosion of everything electronic and much much more

A major standout of my traditional Japanese festival experience would have to have been the Hadaka Matsuri, or ‘Naked Man Festival’ held each year in the sleepy rural town of Saidaiji, in Okayama Prefecture. As the title suggests participants, who number several thousand, are scantily clad and have the onerous task of competing in a rugby scrum-like free for all to gain control of lucky wooden sticks dropped from the temple roof. However, there are a couple of small catches. For one, it is completely dark, and to make matters more desperate it is held in the middle of a freezing winter! Japanese and foreigners alike form strategic teams to capture and retain the sticks in a tense, seesawing superhuman battle, a not-to-bemissed experience!

To understand Tokyo, you absolutely must visit Akihabara’s denki-gai, Japan’s electronics mecca. Simply put, if it’s electronic and has been invented, it's there. The main street turns into a pedestrian mall every Sunday, and thousands of people explore whole street fronts dedicated to computer hardware and software, wires, fuses, classic Nintendo games, and even some stores dedicated to arcade machines. Amid the maze of streets there you’ll also find labyrinthine multistorey buildings housing the latest popular anime and manga paraphernalia. While you’re exploring the area visit one of the hundreds of maid cafes, where the cute Japanese girls dressed in maid suits serve you coffee, cake and ice cream, then play video games with you.

Mike Montague University Student (Sydney)

Petar Rajic Researcher (Sydney) JAPAN FOR ME

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M E

It's a long, tough uphill slog to go professional and work up a solid and respected position in the world of professional sports. Wayne Perske, an Australian golfer and family guy, tells us how he chose to follow the path of competitive sports on his own terms, unexpectedly finding sustained and fulfilling career success in Japan.

INTERVIEW FOR

WAYNE PARSKE G’Day Japan! managed to track down the jetsetting Aussie golfer Wayne Perske, back home with his family for just a week before zooming off to tee it up again in Japan. Wayne has quite a reputation in the Asian golf scene as a solid player with an impressive record, and we chatted to Wayne about his busy career in professional sports as he recharged back at his home base in Brisbane. “I started playing in Japan sort of as a segue into competitions in Europe and the U.S.” Wayne explains, “I found that the Japanese courses really suited my game, however, and I liked the culture.” The impetus for Wayne’s first trip to play competitive golf in Japan came from Wayne’s good friend Brendan Jones, who was having a very successful career in Japan, prompting Wayne to go out on a limb and give the Japanese courses a try. “I worked really hard to get my game ready before I went to Japan,” Wayne explains, “I really didn’t know what to expect, but I won my first tournament when I arrived.” After five years of regular time spent in Japan, Wayne is a regular feature on the golf scene, and has a firm enough grasp of the language to get by. When Wayne is back in Brisbane he even sometimes finds himself longing for the rainy Japanese weather…!

Wayne is a seemingly down to earth family guy who juggles the rigours and ups and downs of competitive golf with aplomb. Remarkably, the international career in sports seems to work well for the Perske family on a pragmatic level: “Japan suits me really well because I still like to live in Australia and travel to Japan is easy for me, with my young family.” Wayne

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JAPAN FOR ME

is now a regular on the professional Japanese golf scene, and

explains, “there are many excellent home players who don’t

finds himself in Japan about 25 weeks a year, doing 3 or 4

seem to travel much, so there is always a very good standard.”

weeks of golf at a time, before heading back home for one or

Whilst the suitability of the Japanese golf courses and

two weeks. Wayne and his wife Vanessa have two small kids,

the solid regular competition were what brought Wayne

Lais, 5, and Billy, who is 3. Vanessa and the kids often manage

to Japan, it seems he’s also found a genuine mateship in

to accompany Wayne to Japan, especially now that the kids

perhaps the least likely of places. Wayne stresses that he has

are getting a bit older and can handle the train travel, “there’s

met some wonderful people through golf. He is sponsored

less hassle with prams,” Wayne explains with his irrepressible

by Septem, a cosmetics company, and in Wayne’s words

good humour. The family managed to be in Japan together

“they are just the nicest bunch of people.” “In Japan, they say

four times in 2009, and this year plan to be there together

that companies don’t last forever, but friends do. I’ve been welcomed as family by

t wo or three times.

At the time of the conversation the family had just returned from Nagoya, and it seems they cannot get

“For a long time I played high level amateur golf, and this was a good idea – I really needed the experience before I turned pro when I was 25. I always recommend this to other guys, to not get ahead of themselves and turn pro too early. I was properly ready when I turned pro and went to Japan.”

enough of the place:

many of my Japanese friends and colleagues, and I k now that we will be friends long after my career is over.

T his is s o m ethin g I

“my daughter loves Japanese food more than Japanese kids

appreciate and something that I do feel is

do,” Wayne laughs, “and they’ve been to Disneyland a couple

lacking in Western societies,” Wayne tells us.

of times.” “What appeals to me is that Japan is a very secure

Wayne has no plans to go to the States anytime soon, and

place, its an enjoyable place to live – nice and safe with no

would like to see some more wins in the upcoming year in

crime,” he tells us. “For a long time I played high level amateur

Japan. “I really feel my game is coming around,” Wayne says,

golf, and this was a good idea – I really needed the experience

“and I am looking forward to a big year ahead.” Wayne and

before I turned pro when I was 25. I always recommend this

his wife are even considering buying a property over in Japan

to other guys, to not get ahead of themselves and turn pro

so that they can have a more solid base there, and in addition

too early. I was properly ready when I turned pro and went

to getting stuck in to some superb golf, Wayne will work on

to Japan.” “The level of golf in Japan is very high,” Wayne

consolidating and strengthening his Japanese fan base.

JAPAN FOR ME

81

As you step off the plane in Japan, you step into another world. There is an overwhelming amount to see and do in Japan, so it is wise to prepare before you go. Getting to know the basics will enhance your travel experience. Plan your adventure and start discovering the unique place that is Japan.

Takayama Kanazawa Kyoto

Nikko

Osaka Hiroshima

Tokyo Nagoya

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Hakone

EXPLORING

JAPAN GENERAL INFORMATION Total Land Area: Approximately 378,000 km2.

Japan consists of four major islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu; and over 4,000 smaller islands.

Population: 127 million.

Capital: Tokyo, which is on the east coast of Honshu island and has a population of 12 million.

Official language: Japanese. English is taught at schools but for most Japanese their ability to read English is better than their listening and speaking skills − an Australian or New Zealand accent is not easily understood!

summer but is extremely cold in winter, hence its reputation for wonderful skiing and snowboarding conditions.

TIME DIFFERENCE New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT are generally one hour ahead of Japan. The Northern Territory and South Australia are half an hour ahead of Japan, and Western Australia is one hour behind Japanese time. During daylight savings, Australian time moves an additional hour ahead of Japanese time.

SEASONAL CLOTHING For Tokyo & Vicinity Spring (Mar. − May): lightweight jackets and jumpers or long sleeves Summer (Jun. − Aug.): light clothing, short sleeves Autumn (Sep. − Nov.): same as spring Winter (Dec. − Feb.): warm topcoats, warm jackets and jumpers

CLIMATE The climate varies depending on the time of year and the place − Japan stretches for some 3,000 km! Generally spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Mid summer (mid-July to mid-September) is humid and sticky, whereas midwinter (midDecember to mid-March) can be very cold. The northern island, Hokkaido has a pleasant climate in

Key Cities Sapporo

Winter (Jan-Mar)

Spring (Apr-Jun)

Summer (Jul-Sep)

Autumn (Oct-Dec)

T (°C)

R

T (°C)

R

T (°C)

R

T (°C)

R

-4.1

111

6.7

61

20.5

67

11.3

124

Sendai

1.5

33

10.1

98

22.1

160

14.8

99

Tokyo

5.8

49

14.4

130

25.4

162

18.2

163

Nagoya

4.3

43

14.1

143

26.0

218

17.6

117

Osaka

5.8

44

14.8

121

27.2

155

18.7

109

Fukuoka

6.4

72

14.8

125

26.9

266

18.7

81

Naha

16.6

115

21.3

181

28.5

176

24.9

163

Note: “T” stands for temperature, “°C” stands for degree Celsius, “R” stands for rainfall in mm. Average of the years 1971 – 2000.

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New to Japan?

Discover the Golden Route!

Modern and ancient Japan blend in a kaleidoscope of culture, cuisine, and technology on Japan’s Golden Route.

Encompassing a variety of destinations from Tokyo and Kyoto through to Hiroshima, it can be experienced effortlessly on the fast and efficient bullet train. ©JNTO

As well as being a paradise for technology lovers, Tokyo presents the visitor with a vast array of gourmet, art and music attractions.

Once you’re done don’t blink on the train ride out down to Kyoto though, or you’ll miss Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak. Kyoto and its nearby neighbour Nara, both ancient capitals of Japan, are r ich i n traditional Japanese culture. They showcase invaluable historic treasures, such as the UNESCO World Heritage listed Todai-ji Temple in Nara.

of Japan.” Visitors can enjoy a variety of rich, home-style food with a western Japanese twist, as well as the hustle and bustle of the big city. Continuing west on the bullet train, the World Heritage listed Peace Memorial in Hiroshima preserves important lessons about peace and the importance of life for future generations. Another famous attraction nearby is the beautiful symbolic red shrine gate at Miyajima. If you can’t make up your mind where to go, you can’t go wrong with the Golden Route!

A stone’s throw away is Osaka, the ”kitchen

Kanazawa Shirakawago Takayama

Hiroshima

Kyoto

Nagoya

Nara Osaka Koyasan Kumano Kodo

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Ise Shima

Tokyo

©JNTO

The Second Golden Route

Spice up the original with these convenient detours, which also stand alone as separate trips in their own right for travellers returning to Japan.

The North Route – Traditional Japan: Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa

The South Route – Spiritual Japan: Ise Shima, Kumano Kodo and Koyasan

Departing from Nagoya, the North Route brings the visitor through the towering mountain scenery of the Japan Alps, to the Japan Sea coastline, and finally back to Kyoto. Along the way, the first stop is Takayama, one of the best-preserved towns in Japan from the Edo Period. It features latticed bay windows and linked eaves on old merchants houses, as well as ancient temples. Next is the village of Shirakawago, a World Heritage listed site, which offers a living window into a bygone era. Inhabitants still live in traditional houses with rooves sloping as much as 60 degrees, designed to survive the harsh winter. UNESCO appointed the final stop, Kanazawa, to the Creative Cities Network in 2009, and it is famous for its modern and traditional mix of art, craft, shopping and architectural attractions.

Follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims as you explore Mie and Wakayama Prefectures on the Kii Peninsula, the spiritual heart of Japan. Ise is home to Ise Shrine, the most sacred Shinto Shrine in the nation. Kumano Kodo is a World Heritage listed pilgrimage route in the Kii Mountain Range, featuring spectacular Shinto Shrines along the way.

After resting in the 1800 year old Yunomine Hot Spring, continue on to Koyasan, which is the home of Shingon Buddhism in Japan and also a World Heritage listed site. Koyasan has been an active monastic centre for over twelve centuries, and visitors can experience monastery life first hand for themselves staying in shukubo (temple lodgings), where they can try shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine) and participate in morning prayers.

Photograghy: Kanazawa©Kanazawa City©JNTO, Ise Shrine©JNTO, Shirakawago©Y.Kakimoto, Kumano Kodo©Wakayama Prefecture©JNTO, Kanazawa©Y.Kakimoto Toba©Mie Prefecture©JNTO, Koyasan©Wakayama Prefecture©JNTO, Takayama©Y.Kakimoto, Takayama©Y.Kakimoto, Kumano Kodo©JNTO

For further information please visit JNTO online at www.jnto.org.au, or speak to your local travel agent.

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Customise your Japan adventure and get off the beaten track

Been there, done that? The thousands of islands in the Japanese Archipelago stretch far beyond the Golden Route. Whether your passion is digging deeper into the concrete jungle or heading for the hills, there are endless options to suit all tastes. Get off the beaten track and enjoy Japan your own way! ©rogerimp

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Get Wet!

Get Wild!

The cr ystal blue waters of Okinawa Prefecture, in Japan’s far south, are home to sensational world-class coral reefs, teeming with thousands of fish and sea animals. With an ideal water temperature of between 20C and 30C, Okinawa is a popular destination among divers and snorkelers the world over.

Back on the shore, visitors can also enjoy the rich and diverse local cuisine, which is markedly different from mainland Japan. This diversity extends well past the dinner plate to local art, craft and music, making Okinawa an exciting and rewarding feature in the itinerary of any ocean lover.

Jap a n i s ble s s ed w it h a n a bu nd a nce of volcanic, mountainous terrain as well as high rainfall, making it a trekker’s paradise.

With spectacular seasonal variation from the blossoming flowers in spring and early summer, to the reds and yellows of autumn, a hike up a mountain is a great way to enjoy Japan's exquisite scenery. The World Heritage listed island of Yakushima in the south, and the Northern Japanese Alps are particularly stunning. Hot springs, ubiquitous throughout the nation, are the icing on the cake after returning from a hike, and are also famous for their health giving properties.

©Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau©JNTO

©Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation©JNTO

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Tee off!

Shop till you drop!

Golfers will be happy to hear that you are never far away from a golf course in Japan!

In fact, there are over 2400 courses with 18 holes or more across the countr y, not to mention countless driving ranges. The nation’s mountainous scenery lends itself to impressive backdrops behind the green at countr y retreats. Since English expatriate Arthur Hesketh Groom built Japan’s first golf course in 1903 on Mount Rokko, near Kobe, the sport has become a national pastime. This has even resulted in manufacturers releasing a var iet y of Japan- only impor ted gol f ing products on today’s market.

When it comes to shopping, Japan has it all.

Tokyo and Osaka are famous as the places to go for cutting edge electronics and fashion, and Kyoto is renowned for its traditional art and craft goods. Japanese cities are also full of shopping arcades (shotengai) which can yield a variety of discoveries. Tokyo’s Kappabashi Shotengai for example, has kitchen equipment, wax food displays, furnishings and food for restaurants. Ameyoko Shotengai, also in Tokyo, has everything from seafood to clothing, and is well known as one of the few places in Japan where customers can negotiate with sellers.

©shibuya246

©Ghost of Kuji

©Nagasaki International Tourism and Convention Association©JNTO

©cotaro70s

For further information please visit JNTO online at www.jnto.org.au, or speak to your local travel agent.

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You can have fun, stay, dine, shop, and much more at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo Disney Resort is a totally integrated entertainment destination that has expanded the concept of a theme park to become Japan’s first “theme resort.” Guests visiting the Resort will enjoy a unique brand of high quality themed entertainment, with excellent amenities and hospitality.

Before Tokyo Disney Resort, there was Tokyo Disneyland® Park, the first Disney Park to be built outside of the United States. Opening in 1983, Tokyo Disneyland brought the dreams and magic of Disney family entertainment to

at Tokyo Disney Resort, and experience the fun and excitement of this place where dreams come true.

Japan. Tokyo DisneySea® Park and the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta® followed in September 2001. Tokyo DisneySea is inspired by the myths and legends of the sea, and is comprised of seven themed ports of call. Located at the entrance to the park is the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, which captures the ambience of old-world Italy. “Mira costa” is Italian for “view of the coast,” and this luxury hotel commands impressive views of the Park’s major waterway and Tokyo Bay, Cirque du Soleil® Theatre Tokyo,

an exclusive theater for the worldfamous group Cirque du Soleil, further diversified the range of entertainment at Tokyo Disney Resort in October 2008. It showcases amazing performances by these “artists of the imagination,” that eclipse the boundaries of a conventional circus.

The entire Maihama area – spanning 200 hectares with the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels located by the bay – provides guests with multiple ways of enjoying their stay at this major resort destination.

For further information please visit www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp 88

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©Disney

You’ll find two theme parks, unique dining, a variety of shops, and accommodation including the Disney Hotels. Come and stay

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Special Events 2010

May 1, 2010 – Attraction Re-Opens at Tokyo Disneyland “Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!”

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July 8 – August 31, 2010 Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Summer Programs -----------------------------------------------------

New Attractions at Tokyo Disneyland Captain EO Returns to Tokyo Disneyland® Tokyo Disneyland Park will welcome the return of Captain EO after a hiatus of about 14 years. This theater-type attraction features a 3-D film starring Michael Jackson as Captain EO, who leads his crew on an outer space adventure. Original music and unforgettable dance performances are made all the more impressive through 3-D imaging and special effects. This special return of the attraction will be presented from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

“Mickey’s PhilharMagic”

September 9 – October 31, 2010 Special Event at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea “Disney’s Halloween” -----------------------------------------------------

Winter 2011

Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a theater-type attraction employing Disney’s 3-D technology. Guests are invited into the theater for an orchestra concert, but Donald Duck causes a commotion, taking the Guests on a musical whirlwind through popular Disney films. It’s fun-filled philharmonic mayhem, with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and other Disney characters popping out of the screen to within arm’s reach from Guests.

November 8 – December 25, 2010 Special Event at Tokyo Disneyland “Christmas Fantasy” Special Event at Tokyo DisneySea “Christmas Wishes” Note 1: Program and attraction titles, contents, and dates are subject to change.

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TOKYO DIRECTIONS Take JR Narita Express for 1 hour from Narita Airport Station to Tokyo Station.

The city of Tokyo is spread over the southwestern part of the Kanto region, the Izu islands and the Ogasawara islands. Tok yo is the capital of Japan, and with a population of over 12 million, the city is one of the largest in the world. When Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established a gover nment in the ear ly 17th centur y, the tow n surrounding his residence, Edo Castle, started to develop.

Although most of the city was thereafter devastated by the Great Earthquake of 1923 and again by the bombing in WWII, it achieved rapid restoration both times.

Tokyo is not only the Japanese centre of politics and economy, but also a centre of world economy and culture, and offers a number of must-see attractions.

Tokyo consists of large-scale downtown areas such as Ginza, where the stores of sought-after brands compete for attention; the high-rise Shinjuku complex, which is buzzing 24-hours a day; Asakusa, which is reminiscent of traditional Edo and the trend-setting Shibuya. There are also many other unique areas including the computer town Akihabara and the Tsukiji open-air wholesale food market.

PLACES OF INTEREST Shinjuku Shinjuku is a fast developing shopping and amusement quarter, and is one of Tokyo’s largest commuter terminals.

Bustling South & E ast Shinjuku are ideal for shopping, people watching, movie-going, eating and drinking.

West Shinjuku, on the other hand, is exceptional for strolling along wide boulevards and Tokyo-viewing from the tops of the soaring skyscrapers.

Tokyo Tower The 333 metre-high independent steel tower with splendid views of Tokyo is a telecasting and entertainment centre.

It houses an aquarium, wax museum, shops and restaurants. Open: Daily 9:00-22:00. Admission: Y820 to the 150 metre-high Main Observatory; an additional Y600 to the 250 metre-high Special Observatory.

The latest news on Tokyo’s skyline is that a 634 metre tower will be completed in 2012 near Asakusa. Called Tokyo Sky Tree, it is set to the world’s tallest free-standing tower. http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/ Asakusa Located in Taito-ku along the west bank of the Sumida-gawa River, Asakusa once thrived as a temple town for Sensoji Temple. Legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered an image of Kan’non (the goddess of mercy) in the Sumidagawa River around 1370 years ago and decided to enshrine it. Its symbol is a large red paper lantern that bears the word “Kaminari-mon”, or thunder gate.

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www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html EXCURSION TICKETS JR Train, Subway & Bus One-Day Pass (Tokyo Free Kippu) Valid for unlimited travel for one day on all of Tokyo’s JR trains (within 23 wards), all subways, streetcars and city buses.

Price: ¥1,580 for adults, ¥790 for children (6-12 years old).

JR One-Day Train Pass in Tokyo “Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass” (Tokunai Free Pass) This pass is valid for unlimited travel for one day on all JR rail lines running within the city’s 23 wards. Price:¥730 for adults, ¥360 for children (6-12 years old) Tokyo Metro Subways One-Day Open Ticket The pass is valid for unlimited travel for one day on all Tokyo Metro subway lines. Price: ¥710 for adults, ¥360 for children (6-12 years old).

Common One-day Ticket Metro and Toei Subway This pass is valid for unlimited travel for one day on all Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines. Price: ¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for children (6-12 years old).

JNTO’s Tourist Information Center 10 th Fl., Tok yo Kotsu Kaikan Bldg., 2-10 -1 Yur akucho, Chiyodaku, Tokyo Phone (03) 3201 3331 9:00-17:00 *Only phone service available on Jan. 1 Tokyo Tourist Information Centers (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Head Office (1st Fl., Main Bldg. No.1) Phone (03) 5321 3077 9:30-18:30 *Closed on year-end & New Year’s holiday Haneda Airport Branch (1st Fl., Haneda Airport Terminal 1) Phone (03) 5757 9345 9:00-22:00 Open daily

TOKYO ATTRACTIONS Shops along Nakamise-dori Street carry a variety of small articles made of Japanese paper, and other traditional goods.

Many attractive festivals are held in Asakusa, including the Senso-ji temple festival called “Sanja-matsuri,” Hozuki-ichi, or Japanese lantern plant market, as well as the fireworks display on the Sumida-gawa river in summer and Hagoita-ichi, or the ornate Japanese battledore racket, at the end of the year.

Roppongi Roppongi is undoubtedly the place to be seen in Tokyo. Roppongi is a trendy nightlife district, popular with foreigners.

The area features many art galleries and excellent shopping, dining and partying opportunities. Key entertaiment destinations include Roppongi Hills, which houses the Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo City View observatory, and Tokyo Midtown, which includes the Suntory Museum of Art and a large garden.

Shibuya In Shibuya, there are countless movie theaters, various performance venues, such as Shibuya-kokaido Hall, Orchard Hall, Bunkamura, as well as Denryokukan, an electricity museum.

The Center Street swarms with youth fashion shops, fast food shops, game centres, and is famous for its youth fashion trends. The Koen-dori Street houses many department stores and fashionable buildings ideal for families. It is now known as “Bit Valley” (named after Shibuya which literally means “bitter valley,” referring to the computer lingo “bit”) where venture enterprises that support the IT industry are concentrated.

Odaiba A quick monorail ride from Shinbashi Station t ake s yo u to O d aib a, To k y o ’s f u t u r i s t i c district. Built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba’s artificial beach attracts young families while the giant ferris wheel provides couples on a date with a top notch view. Odaiba’s eclectic shopping malls, museums and restaurants guarantee a fun day all round.

Tokyo Anime Center Fans make a beeline to this anime heaven in Akihabara.

Major drawcards are exhibitions and screenings of the latest anime features, as well as the variety of character goods sold here. A large glass window lets visitors watch and listen to their favourite voice actors at work on the radio. On weekends, visitors can become a voice actor for the day, complete with rehearsals with actual recordings Open 11:00-19:00. Admission is free.

Photography: (Main) Tok yo Night V iew©Y.Shimizu, Akihabara©Y.Shimizu, Shinjuku Skyscraper©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO, Tokyo Tower©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO, Asakusa Sanja Festival©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO, Roppongi Hills©JNTO, Shibuya Intersection, Dusk©Y. Shimizu/©JNTO, Daiba©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO, TokyoAnimeCenter©JNTO

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OSAKA DIRECTIONS About 2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Shin Osaka Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line.

Osaka Prefecture is located in the centre of the Kinki r e gion in mid - we s t J a p a n , c ove r in g t h e sm a l l e s t prefectural land area in Japan, yet boasting the second largest population and population density in the country.

Mountains surround three sides of the prefecture and the west faces the arc-shaped Osaka Bay. Osaka once prospered as an impor tant point for land and water transportation, as well as commerce due it its close proximity to Nara and the former capital Kyoto.

Osaka’s north gate, Umeda, houses a gigantic stretch of underground malls which contain many restaurants, fashion and other stores. Minami is known as a town of public entertainment and has many theaters and cinemas.

The Kita area has Umeda at its core, whilst Namba, a popular business and shopping district, is the centre of Minami. Dotonbori features many restaurants on both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa river.

Osaka is unofficially known as kuidaore no machi, which translates as “the city where you eat till you drop”. Two dishes not to miss are Okonomi-yaki, which resembles savoury pancakes, and Takoyaki, which is a simple snack made of diced octopus in batter, served with various condiments.

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PLACES OF INTEREST Osaka Castle Osaka Castle, in the centre of Osaka Castle Park, is thought of as the symbol of the spirit of this great, commercial city. Inside the Castle tower are displays of a number of historically significant artifacts including the “Folding Screen” of the Summer War of Osaka and a diorama of the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. The Castle tower also offers superb views of the city. The Yagura (turret) and gigantic stone walls remain as they were in the Tokugawa Era. They are awe-inspiring for their grandeur and history. Open: 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30). Closed: Dec. 28-Jan. 1. Admission: ¥600.

Umeda Umeda is the centre of local economy, with a huge railway terminal complex containing JR Osaka Station and other Osaka stations of the Hank yu L ine, Hanshin Line and three subways that can be said to be the starting point of Osaka.

Around the terminal complex stand big department stores and high-rise buildings born as a result of redevelopment of the textile wholesale district, which are now offices, banks or hotels. Umeda is also a huge shopping zone crowded with people day and night. The Umeda underground mall, the largest of its kind in Japan, has cof fee shops, restaurants, boutiques, variety stores and food stores standing side by side and forms a single town in itself with the mosaic tiled Izumi-no-Hiroba (“Square of Spring”) in the centre.

Umeda’s new must-see spot is the Hep Five giant ferris wheel.

Standing on the top of a 9-storied building, it is illuminated at night and has a night view of Osaka.

www.osaka-info.jp/en/ EXCURSION TICKETS Osaka Unlimited Pass (¥2,000) is a sightseeing card that offers unlimited use of trains and buses in Osaka City and neighboring areas, as well as free admission to 24 popular sightseeing facilities, which is valid for one day. www.pia-kansai.ne.jp/osp/en/

Kansai Tourist Information Center Arrival Fl., 1st Fl., Kansai International Airport Passenger Terminal Bldg., Osaka Phone (072) 456 6025 9:00-21:00 Osaka Visitors’ Information Center, Shin-Osaka 3rd Fl., JR Shin-Osaka Station, 5-16-1 Nishi-nakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Phone (06) 6305 3311 9:00-18:00 *Closed Dec. 31-Jan. 3 Osaka Visitors’ Information Center, Umeda Midosuji exit, 1F, JR Osaka Sta., 3-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Phone (06) 6345 2189 8:00-20:00 *Closed Dec. 31-Jan. 3

OSAKA ATTRACTIONS Dotonbori Dotonbori is a large scale downtown area along the south bank of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal. Osaka is known as the gastronomists’ town, and thus the entire area of Dotonbori is thronging with an unbelievable number of restaurants and amusement facilities, and is dearly loved by Osakaites. There are theatres that feature Bunraku traditional puppet shows, storyteller’s halls, other forms of popular entertainment and a number of movie theatres.

Dotonbori is of ten chosen as a set in both Japanese and foreign movies, symbolizing Osaka. Flowerbeds and fountains have recently been built on both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal to offer a better environment downtown. Both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal are lined with advertisements and neon signs, covering entire sides of buildings. The illuminated signboards and neon lamps reflect on the Dotonbori-gawa Canal at night, making Dotonbori even more vibrant.

Tsutenkaku The original Tsutenkaku obser vation tower, built in 1912, was destroyed in World War II. It has subsequently been rebuilt and is considerd a symbol of Osaka. The new building features a cylindrical elevator, a theatre, the largest clock in Japan, an observation deck and the Biriken statue. Coloured lights on top of the structure display weather forecasts. Open: 9:00-21:00. Admission: ¥600.

Aqua-Liner Osaka is not just about retail and dining therapy. It is also known as the Venice of Asia because of its rivers and water ways. T he Aqua-L iner ferry takes you on a relaxing 60-minute journey along the Okawa River, covering Osaka Castle, Yodoyabashi (City Hall) and around Nakanoshima Island. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it is simply gorgeous. ¥1,700 for the 60 min tour. http://suijo-bus.jp/language/english/aqualiner.aspx Osaka Maritime Museum The Osaka Maritime Museum brings the prosperous port city’s history to life with an extensive range of exhibits across four floors. Situated next to Nanko’s Cosmo Square, the museum is housed in a sensational glass dome which dominates the bay area skyline. Its centrepiece is a replica of the Naniwa Maru, a classic type of merchant vessel from 17th century Japan known as a Higaki-kaisen. There is also a range of interactive exhibits including 3D video theatres, as well as a virtual yacht simulator, which enables visitors to try their hand at sailing.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 - 1700.

If Monday falls on a public holiday, the museum is closed the following day instead, and is also periodically closed for maintenance in February, June and September. Admission is ¥600 for adults, and free for children. www.jikukan-ogbc.jp/english/index.html Photography: (Main) Osaka Night View©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO, America-mura©JNTO, Osaka Castle©JNTO, Umeda©JNTO, Dotonbori©JNTO, Tsutenkaku©JNTO, Osaka Business Park©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO, Osaka Maritime Museum©JNTO.jpg

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KYOTO DIRECTIONS Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line “Nozomi” for 2 hours and 15 minutes (2 hours and 45 minutes by “Hikari”) from Tokyo Station or a Rapid Train on JR Tokaido Line from Shin Osaka Station for 28 minutes to Kyoto Station.

Kyoto stretches between the southeast and northwest of the central and northern Kansai Region (Midwest Japan).

It has three geographical features, including the sawtoothed coast area around Maizuru Bay in the northwest, the Tamba Mountains in the centre and the Kyoto Basin in the southeast.

Kyoto became the capital of Japan in the 8th century. It flourished as the centre of Japanese politics, economy and culture for some 1,100 years until the capital functions were transferred to Tokyo in the mid 19th century. The city retains many temples and shrines that were built during this long period. Seventeen historic sites, including the Kiyomizudera Temple and the Nijo-jo Castle, have been designated as World Cultural Heritage sites.

Kyo t o’s h i g h li g h t s in c l u d e M a iko, yo u n g d a n cin g enter tainers who wear kimonos with long hanging sleeves; the townscape in the Gion, characterised by its popular 19th century latticework and Nishijin, where weavers create Nishijin-ori textiles with vivid coloured threads. The three major festivals are Aoi-Matsuri Festival in early summer, GionMatsuri Festival in summer and JidaiMatsuri Festival in autumn.

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PLACES OF INTEREST Kinugasa and Omuro Northwestern Kyoto, near Mt. Kinugasa, and the area between Kinugasa and Omuro flourished as a home of aristocrats and the imperial family in the Heian Period of the 8th centur y.

World Cultural Heritage sites are dotted t h r o u g h o u t t h is d is t r i c t , i n cl u d i n g the fascinating villas that were once home to aristocrats.

Many temples and shrines were built along the road known as Kinukake-no-michi, including the Kinkaku-ji Temple or Golden Pavilion, a World Cultural Heritage site. The Kinkaku-ji Temple is a three-storied structure covered with gold foil, restored to its full effect in 1988. The stone garden at the Ryoan-ji Temple represents Zen philosophy, consisting merely of 15 stones of different sizes placed in white sand representing an image of the expanding sea and islands.

Sagano and Arashi-yama Sagano and Arashi-yama are located in the western part of Kyoto. In the 8th century, aristocrats often came to this area of rice fields and bamboo woods to enjoy the scenery, or go boating. The Sagano area has a number of temples including the Daikaku-ji Temple, the Jojakko-ji Temple with Taho-to Tower, the Nison-in Temple with the statues of Buddha Shaka-nyorai and Buddha Amida-nyorai, Jikishi-an and its statue of Buddha Shaka-nyorai, the Seiryo-ji Temple and statue of Buddha Shaka-nyorai and the Adashi-noNembutsu-ji Temple.

Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which retains its 17th century quality, spans the Hozu-gawa River at the foot of Arashi-yama. Every August, people write their wishes on “toro” lanterns and let them float away on the Hozu-gawa River. This beautiful sight is called

www.kyoto.travel/ www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/ EXCURSION TICKETS Kyoto Tourist 1-Day or 2-Day Pass ¥1,200 (one day) or ¥2,000 (two days) Can be used on all Kyoto City buses and subways. This ticket comes with a guide map with discount and privilege coupons for some temples, museums, shops, etc. Available at automatic subway ticket machines (except for the City Bus Card and the Kyoto City Bus Exclusive One Day Card), at Kyoto City bus and subway information centers, transportation ticket dealers, and some automatic ticket vending machines.

Kyoto Tourist Information Center 2nd F, JR Kyoto Station Bldg., Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Phone (075) 343 0548 8:30-19:00 Kyoto City Tourist Association Visitor Information Center Okazaki Saishoji-machi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto Phone (075) 752 0227 8:00-17:00

KYOTO ATTRACTIONS “manto-nagashi” or ten-thousand lanterns.

Higashiyama Area Higashiyama is located at the west end of the Higashiyama Mountain Range.

As early as the mid 14th century, many shrines, temples and aristocrats’ villas were built in this area, and architecture, gardens, and many cultural practices, including painting, craf ts, flower arrangement (ikebana), the tea ceremony (sado) and Noh performances, flourished and developed there.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is located in southern Higashiyama. It is built halfway up a steep cliff and the main hall projects over a precipice. Yasaka-jinja Shrine, built around the 7th century, is well known as the central site of the Gion-matsuri summer festival.

Heian-jingu Shrine is located in the city’s north, and is where the Jidai-matsuri (Festival of the Ages) autumn festival, which features a costume parade, is held. This graceful red-painted shrine is coloured with Hekiruri, an earthen roof material with a green glaze.

Nanzen-ji Temple, which flourished in the Momoyama Period in the late 16th century, includes many attractions, such as the 22 metre-high San-mon Gate (main gate), the 124 fusuma (sliding door) paintings by the Kano Family and the Ho-jo (the abbot’s living quarters). There is also a dry garden which is often referred to as “the Crossing of Tiger Cubs” as the formation looks like a mother tiger holding her cubs and crossing a river.

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji, which houses Japan’s most revered Zen garden built in 1450, is sure to be a blast for art enthusiasts. The simplicity, tranquillity and stark asymmetry of the rocks carefully positioned in the raked gravel garden is remarkable.

After pondering the garden’s “sermon in stone”, visitors can check out the temple’s serene pond and larger greener gardens. Hours vary seasonally. Admission ¥500.

Nijo-jo Castle Nijo -jo, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate, is one of Kyoto’s many UNSECO heritage sites and rightly so.

T h is o p u l e n t f o r t r e s s with ornate gateways and understated elegance was built in 1626 to awe guests. Don’t miss the palace’s special floorboards called “nightingale floors,” which creak (or chirp!) when trod upon. The paranoid shogun had them made to alert him of intruders. Open: 8:45-17:00. Admission ¥600.

Photography: (Main) Ninna-ji©Q.Sawami/©JNTO, Kyoto Gion©JNTO, Ninna-ji©Kyoto Convention Bureau/©JNTO, Sagano©Akira Okada/©JNTO, Heian-jingu©JNTO, Ryoan-Ji©Y. Shimizu/©JNTO, Nijo-jo©JNTO

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HAKONE DIRECTIONS 40 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station. 15 minutes by Hakone Tozan Line from Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. 85 minutets by Limited Express Romance Car (Odakyu line) from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Hakone is the area surrounding Mt. Hakone-yama in the southwestern part of Kanagawa, and is part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Hakone is a holiday resort with many renowned spas as well as Lake Ashino-ko, which was created by Mt. Fuji’s volcanic activity. Hakone spas are referred to as “Hakone Thirteen Spas” or “Hakone Seventeen Spas” which are distinguished from each other by their distinctive ingredients and healing effects.

The Hakone Barrier was built on the Tokaido Highway in 1619 in order to fortify the capital Edo (later Tokyo) against foreign clans from the west and to maintain public peace. The Hakone Barrier used to terrify travelers as they were thoroughly inspected before they were allowed to continue on their way. For this reason, Hakone used to be called “the border between the east and the west.”

The original barrier, which has been restored with related information, including armor and weapons, is open to the public.

Rows of cedar trees stretch for 2 km along the old Tokaido road, and the group of stone statues of Buddha is enshrined in Hakone. Sites to visit include Onshi Hakone Park, where you can see Mt. Fuji reflected up-sidedown on the sur face of Lake Ashino-ko nearby.

Hakone Museum houses a fascinating pottery collection. Hakone Sengokubara Shissei Kaen h as a be au t i f u l gar de n of hydrophytes, and the wetland plant colony is also worth a visit.

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PLACES OF INTEREST Hakone-Yumoto Hakone-Yumoto, 1 hour 30 minutes

by Odakyu Railways’ limited express from Shinjuku, is a main gateway to the Hakone Spa District. Yumoto Spa, the oldest in the district, sprang up at the confluence of the Sukumo River and the Hayakawa River, the outlet of Lake Ashi. Well-appointed inns are located in quiet settings along the picturesque gorge.

Miyanoshita Miyanoshita, 25 minutes by rail from Hakone-Yumoto, is a thriving spa town in Hakone, with many excellent hotels and inns as well as souvenir shops. This spa is very popular with foreign travelers. It is a starting point for side tours to Lake Ashi, Gora Spa and the Sengokuhara Plain. Delightful walks and drives can be enjoyed through the wooded hills and vales.

Lake Ashi Lake Ashi, 725 m above sea level, is a principal attraction of Hakone. It has a circumference of 21 km with an aquatic area of 680 ha. The lake abounds in black bass and trout, which makes angling the main leisure activity, along with boating.

It is also well known for the inverted reflection of Mt. Fuji seen on a clear day. Regular pleasure boat service links Togendai or Kojiri on the north and Moto-Hakone or Hakone-Machi on the south, some with a stopover at Hakone-en Park en route.

www.hakone.or.jp/english/index.html EXCURSION TICKETS Hakone Free Pass offers a return ticket Odakyu Railway, free transportation and discounted entrance fees at about 50 tourist facilities in the Hakone area. Cost of the pass (for 2 days / for 3 days): ¥5,000 / ¥5,500 from Shinjuku, and ¥3,900 / ¥4,400 from Odawara. Hakone Free Pass is sold at any Odakyu Railways Station, Odakyu Travel Service Co., Ltd. and other major travel agencies.

Foreign Tourist Information Service 706-35 Yumoto, Yumoto Station Phone (0460) 85 8911 9:00-17:30 (Apr.-Sep.) 9:00-17:00 (Oct.-Mar.) Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center 1st Fl., Odakyu Railway Shinjuku Sta., Tokyo Phone (03) 5321 7887 8:00-18:00

PLACES OF INTEREST The Hakone Open-Air Museum The Hakone Open-Air Museum (Chokoku-no-mori- Museum) is the first open-air art museum in Japan. Set in the stunning landscape of Hakone, a 2-minute walk from Chokoku-no-mori Station on Hakone-Tozan Railway. Open: year round, 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30).

Admission: ¥1,600 includes The Picasso Pavilion, which has a collection of over 300 works by Picasso.

Owakudani Owakudani, 5-7 minutes by ropeway from Sounzan, lies in the ancient crater of Mt. Kamiyama. T he entire gorge is permeated with sulfurous fumes.

Clouds of steam rise from crevasses, and hot springs bubble out, some of which are tapped and piped far away.

Photography: (Main) Lake Ashi©JNTO, Daimyo Gyoretsu©JNTO, Hakone Yumoto©JNTO, Hakone-Tozan Railway©Kanagawa Prefecture, Lake Ashi©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO, Hakone Ropeway©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO, Hakone Open-Air Museum©azzuriceo

ODAKYU SIGHTSEEING SERVICE CENTER Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center is a travel information center that specializes in providing services to foreign tourists. English –speaking staff are on duty at the Center at all times, and service is also available in Chinese and Korean.

■ Rail ticket sales and bookings (including Odakyu Romancecar) ■ Sales of Hakone Freepass, Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass, Fuji-Hakone Pass

HAKONE

■ Sales and Booking of "Q-tours", a package tour

Odakyu Limited Express "Romancecar" takes you to Hakone from Tokyo (Shinjuku) in just 85 minutes!

for overseas tourists ■ Hotels and Japanese Style (ryokan) inn reservations ■ Highway bus reservations (Shinjuku ←→ Gotemba, Hakone and Fuji area) ■ Information on transport and sightseeing spots

Hakone Freepass (From Shinjuku Station)

The Ground Floor Concourse, West Exit of Odakyu Shinjuku Station TEL: +81 3 5321 7887 FAX: +81 33 5321 7886 EMAIL: welcome@odakyu-dentetsu.co.jp

Valid for 2days Adults ¥5,000 Children ¥1,500

Valid for 3days Adults ¥5,500 Children ¥1,750

Business hours: 8am-6pm year round Operated by Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd Licensed Travel Agent No.2-2053

www.odakyu.jp/english/ EXPLORING JAPAN

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HIROSHIMA EXCURSION TICKETS One-day Trip Card (street car and ship): ¥840 is valid for all Hiroden (Hiroshima Dentetsu) street car lines inculuding Miyajima Line which terminates at Hiroden Miyajima-guchi Sta. and Matsudai tourist ship (between “Miyajima-guchi” and “Miyajima”) Hiroshima City Tourist Information Center Peace Memorial Park, 1-1 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Phone (082) 247 6738 9:30-18:00 (Apr-Sep), 9:30-19:00 (Aug 1-15), 8:30-17:00 (Oct-Mar) Miyajima Tourist Information Office Miyajima Pier Phone (0829) 44 2011 9:00-17:00

www.kankou.pref.hiroshima.jp/foreign/english/index.html DIRECTIONS 1 hour and 15 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport. Take the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Line for 4 hours from Tokyo Station, or 1 hour and 30 minutes from Shin Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station.

Hiroshima is situated in the centre of the Chugoku region on western Honshu (the main island of Japan). It contains In’noshima Island and 150 other islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima City was leveled by an atomic bomb in WWII, a tragedy which continues to resonate. The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome symbolises the importance of world peace, and was designated as a World Cultural Heritage site, along with the adjacent Peace Memorial Park.

The Chugoku Mountains extend from east to west on the north side of Hiroshima. The Akanatoge Pass and Misakatoge Pass are access routes to areas bordering the Sea of Japan.

The Itsuku-shima-jinja Shrine, located on Miyajima Island, is one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, and is a special historic site. Its symbol is the Great Torii Gate that stands in the sea.

Hiroshima’s signature dish is Okonomi-yaki, a type of savoury pancake typically containing egg, noodles, sliced pork, beansprout and cabbage. Hiroshima’s Okonomi-yaki is layered, distinctive and tasty, and is not to be missed!

PLACES OF INTEREST Peace Memorial Park P e ac e M em or i al P ar k in clu de s t h e Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph for A-Bomb Victims and the Hiroshima In ter national P e ace and Culture Hall. T he park features the deeply affecting skeletal steel frame of the Atomic Bomb Dome. The Memorial Cenotaph stands under the huge vault and is sculpted to resemble the figurine clay saddles found in ancient tombs.

Miyajima Miyajima has long been revered as a sacred island because of the shrine dedicated to the maritime guardian go ddesses. T he isl and, ac cessib le by ferry, is noted for its magnificent l an dsc ap e an d is an ide al su m m er getaway.

Itsukushima Shrine consists of the main shrine and several satellite shrines- all connected by wide corridors or galleries.

These stretch above the sea on both sides of the shrine so that when the tide comes in, the whole edifice seems to be floating.

Okonomi-mura O ko n o m i - m u r a is a n O ko n o m i - y a k i village! In business for the last forty years, the village is one of the bestknown destinations in Hiroshima. Twenty six Okonomi-yaki vendors are housed in the one building, and each prides themself on their distinctive use of ingredients or cooking style.

Photography: (Main) Atomic Bomb Dome©JNTO, Hiroshima Castle©JNTO, Peace Memorial Park©JNTO, Itsukushima Shrine©JNTO, Okonomiyaki©JNTO

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NAGOYA

EXCURSION TICKETS T he Me - guru One Day Pass, other wise k now n as the Nagoya Sight seeing Rou te Bus T icket is ¥ 50 0 for adul t s, and ¥ 250 for children. The bus leaves from Nagoya Station, and stops at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry, Noritake Garden, the Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa Art Museum, Hirokoji Sakae and the Nagoya T V Tower. The bus does not operate on a Monday, or the following day if Monday is a national holiday, or New Years Eve and New Years Day. www.ncvb.or.jp/routebus/en/ Nagoya International Center 3rd Fl., Nagoya International Center Bldg., 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamuraku, Nagoya City, Aichi Phone (052) 581 0100 9:00-19:00 *Closed on Mon., 2nd Sun. in Feb. and in Aug. & Dec. 29-Jan. 3 Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center JR Nagoya Station, Central Concourse Phone (052) 541 4301 9:00-19:00 *Closed Dec. 29-Jan. 1

www.ncvb.or.jp/en/contents/ DIRECTIONS 2 hours from the Tokyo station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line.28 min by limited express from Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) on Meitetsu Tokoname Line.

Nagoya, capital of Aichi Prefecture, is conveniently located in the very heart of Central Japan, one of the nation’s key industrial zones. The fourth largest city in Japan, Nagoya forms the core of industry and tourism in the district. Industry in Nagoya originally centred around pottery-making, however it is now concentrated in the heavy or chemical industries, as well as traditional light industries, producing everything from cars to cloisonne´ machinery to musical instruments. Historically, Nagoya was a typical feudal castle town, built in the 16th century.

Ieyasu Tokugawa (1542-1616), founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, built the famous Nagoya Castle as a fortified residence for his son, whose descendants continued to reside there until the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Nagoya has many scenic and historical attractions. Atsuta Shrine, Higashiyama Park and its zoo and gardens, Nagoya Port, T V Tower, Toyot a Commemorative Museum of Industry a n d Te c h n o l o g y, N i t t a i j i Te m p l e , and subway shopping arcades are favourite sightseeing spots among visitors.

P h oto gr a p hy: (M a in) N a g oy a C a s t l e © J N TO, N a g oy a ©Y. S h im izu / © J N TO, N a g oy a C astle©JNTO, Oasis21©Nagoya Convention & V isitors Bureau/© JNTO, Nagoya T V Tower©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO

PLACES OF INTEREST Nagoya Castle Nagoya Castle, reduced to ashes during World War II, was rebuilt to its original form in 1959. It features a new multistorey ferroconcrete main donjon, mounted by a pair of golden shachi (orca). The first five floors display the art treasures that escaped the fire, while the seventh floor serves as a scenic observatory. The collection includes over 1000 fusuma-e (paintings on sliding doors) sections and ceiling-panel paintings. Open daily 9:00-16:30. Admission: ¥500.

Oasis 21 Oasis 21 is a complex opened at the c o r n e r o f N ish i k i - d o r i a n d H is a y a Odori. T his is a “three - dimensional park” containing the symbolic “Water Spaceship” and other facilities including “ G r e e n E a r t h ”, w h e r e t r e e s a n d flowerbeds are planted; “Galaxy Plaza”, an open-air underground space where various events are held; a wide variety of shops; and a bus terminal serving as a public transportation hub.

Nagoya TV Tower Nagoya TV Tower is a 180 metre high steel tower erected on Park Way Boulevard. Its obser vator y, which is accessed by elevator, has an observation p l a t f o r m w h i ch p r ov id e s b e au t i f u l panoramic views extending from the Japan Alps in the north to Ise Bay in the south. Open daily 10:00-22:00. Admission: ¥600. (Sakae Station on Subway Higashiyama Line) www.nagoya-tv-tower.co.jp/

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HIDA TAKAYAMA EXCURSION TICKETS Takayama City One-Day Open Ticket for Nohi bus Allows unlimited travel for one day on the Nohi city circuration buses. 3 routes are available. Fare: ¥600 for adults, ¥300 for children.

Hida Takayama Tourist Information Office 1-1 Showa-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Phone (0577) 32 5328 8:30-18:30 (Apr.-Oct.), 8:30-17:00 (Nov.-Mar.)

www.hida.jp/english/ DIRECTIONS Approx 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Approx 1 hour from Shin Osaka Station to Nagoya Station. Approx 2 hour 10 minutes from Nagoya Station to Takayama Station by JR Takayama Honsen Limited Express. Approx 50 minutes from Takayama Station to Shirakawago by Takayama-Nohi Bus.

Takayama is located at the foot of the 16th centur y Takayama Castle in Gifu Prefecture. The town consists of many old wooden houses, and the beauty of the projecting lattice and eaves draws many visitors. Takayama-matsuri Festival, first held in the 16th or 17th century, is one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan. At the festival intricate floats, constructed according to Hida’s traditional technique, parade around the city. Takayama-matsuri Festival is held at Hie-jinja Shrine in spring and Sakurayama Hachiman-gu Shrine in autumn. There are other events held at the Takayama City Memorial Hall where women don kimono and men don hakama, and then tour the city in spring and autumn.

Other tourist spots include Kyodo Gangu-kan, which exhibits Japanese folk-art toys, Hida Minzokukan, which preserves the history of life in farming villages in Hida, and Takayama-jinja Shrine, which was a centre of government during the Edo period.

T here are many ski resor ts nearby, and Takayama is also popular as a base for sightseeing trips to Mt. Norikur adake, Shir akawago and Chubu Mount ains National Park.

Photography: (Main) Takayama©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO, Hida Takayama©JNTO, Takayama Jinya©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO, Hida Folk Village©JNTO, Shirakawa-go©JNTO

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PLACES OF INTEREST Takayama Jinya Takayama Jinya, a Historical Government H o u s e , i s a 10 m i n u t e w a l k f r o m Takayama Station. Once the seat of local government when Takayama was under the administration of the Kanamori clan, this is the only building of its kind in Japan. It was originally built in 1615 and managed by the feudal authorities until the late 19th century, when it was taken over by the local government.

Hida-no-Sato Hida-no-Sato, a 20 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride from central Takayama, is a Hida folk village where historical buildings, cr af ts and tr aditions are pr e ser v e d. E ach o f t h e t r adi t io n al buildings has been maintained in its original state. Certain houses function as craft workshops, which stage demonstrations of local crafts such as woodcarving, lacquerwork, and the making of straw baskets, hats and sandals. Open:8:30-17:00. Admission: ¥700.

Shirakawago Shirakawago, a secluded snow y mountain village, retains a historic landscape with some 150 traditional farm houses known as Gassho-zukuri.

To withstand the weight of snow during winter, the angle of the roof is sharp.

This feature is called Gassho in Japan, a word which refers to two hands closed in prayer, resembling the rooms. The Gassho-zukuri-style roofs are rethached once every 40-50 years. The observatory at the Ogimachi Castle ruins gives the best view of the whole village.

KANAZAWA EXCURSION TICKETS The Kenrokuen + 1 Pass (¥ 500) allows visitors access to the Kenrokuen Garden and another cultural site - there is a very long list to choose from! The pass is valid for two days and can be purchased at participating venues.

The Kanazawa City Cultural Facilities Passport comes as either a three-day (¥800) or annual ticket (¥2,000), and will get you access to 14 different venues.

Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa Tourist Information Center Kanazawa Hyakuban-gai, 1-1 Kinoshinbo-machi, Kanazawa City Phone (076) 232 3933 10:00-18:00 *Closed on Dec.31-Jan.2

www.kanazawa-tourism.com DIRECTIONS Kanazawa’s Komatsu airport is a one hour flight from Tokyo. Alternatively, you can take a shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa, there changing to an express rail service on the JR Hokuetsu Kyuko line to Kanazawa station.

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, in the Hokuriku region of Japan. Kanazawa is surrounded by the Asano-gawa and Sai-kawa rivers and lies just southeast of the Sea of Japan. It is flanked by Mount Utatsu and Mount Teramachidai, and is a bustling centre of commerce and culture as well as an attractive tourist destination.

Originally a castle town, Kanazawa has a history that stretches back over 400 years, and it retains many interesting sites laden with historical and traditional meaning. Kanazawa is known for several distinctive crafts, including Kutaniyaki pottery and the Kanazawahaku gold-leaf technique. The city looks forward to the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line in 2014, which will increase access to the area.

PLACES OF INTEREST Kenrokuen Kenrokuen is one of Japan’s best known gardens, and is located right in the centre of the city of Kanazawa. The garden was originally attached the Kanazawa castle, but has been accessible to the public for over a century. The expansive garden includes several famous ponds, the unforgettable Kotoji-toro lantern and the Yugao-tei cottage. Open: 7:00-18:00 (8:00-17:00 Oct.16-Feb.) Admission: ¥300.

Nagamachi Bukeyashiki-ato N a g a m a ch i B u ke y ash i k i - a to is t h e ruins of the old residences of middle and lower class samurai, which are located only a short drive or bus ride from Kanazawa station. The residences provide a fascinating insight into the past and feature the original cobbled lanes and earthen walls. This area also contains the Nomura family mansion, which dates to the feudal period.

Higashi Chaya District The Japanese term chaya refers to an enter tainment area, specifically the locale where people gathered for feasts, music and entertainment from geisha.

The largest of these in Kanazawa is the Higashi chaya district, which features winding alley ways lined with unique two-story chaya houses decorated with “kimusuko” latticework.

There are geisha performances here every Saturday.

P h oto g r a p hy: (M a i n) H i g a s h i C h a y a D i s t r i c t © K a n a z a w a C i t y/ © J N TO, K a n a z a w a H y a k u m a n g o k u F e s t i v a l P a r a d e © K a n a z a w a C i t y/ © J N TO, Ke n r o k u e n © K a n a z a w a Ci t y/ © JN TO, N agam achi Bukeyashik i - ato©K an az awa Ci t y/ © J N TO, Higashi Ch aya District©Ishikawa Prefecture Tourist Association and Kanazawa Convention Bureau/©JNTO

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NIKKO EXCURSION TICKETS The All-Nikko Pass (adults: ¥4,400, children: ¥2,210) gives you one round trip train ticket from Asakusa, unlimited train and bus rides in Nikko and Kinugawa and several other discounts, and is valid for 4 days.

The World Heritage Pass (adults: ¥3,600, children and school students: ¥1,700 - ¥3,200) includes a round trip to Nikko and Kinugawa, a few discounts as well as an admission passes to the shrines and Kinugawa Theme Park, and is valid for 2 days.

Nikko Tourist Information Center 591, Gokomachi, Nikko City, Tochigi Phone (0288) 54 2496 9:00-17:00

www.nikko-jp.org/english/index.html DIRECTIONS Nikko is accessible in one hour and 50 minutes by train on the Tobu-Nikko line from Asakusa Station.

Disembark at the Tobu-Nikko Station.

Nikko, a beautiful name which translates to “sunshine,” was originally a small temple town at tached to the Futara-san-jinja and Toshogu shrines, and the Rin-no-ji temple. It is located in majestic surrounds in west Tochigi Prefecture, at the base of Mount Nyoho. The area has a particularly rich natural environment; a part of the city is actually in the Nikko National Park, and Japan’s famous cedar-lined road, the Nikko-Suginamiki-Kaido, is only a stone’s throw away. The area contains a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is well known for its elaborate temples, ancient engravings and a sacred fountain, purported to restore youth. Nikko is a well-established resort town, with excellent facilities for visitors.

Photography: (Main) Rin-no-ji©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO, IshiTouro©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO, Nikko Toshogu©Yasufumi Nishi/© JN TO, Edo Wonderland©Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura/©JNTO, Irohazaka©Tochigi Prefectural Tourism Association Tokyo Office/©JNTO

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PLACES OF INTEREST Nikko-Toshogu Shrine The Nikko-Toshogu shrine was originally b u il t as t h e b u r i al p l a c e o f I e y asu Tokugawa, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shrine is recognisable for the striking colours of its many detailed engravings and possesses a fascinating architectural history, which combines Buddhist and Shinto influences. The “Yomei-mon” gate boasts particularly remarkable decorative art.

Edo Wonderland The Edo Wonderland is a replica of a village from the Edo-period and provides visitors with an incredible experience o f b e i n g i m m e r s e d i n h is to r y. T h e traditional buildings feature remarkable at tention to det ail, and st a f f we ar traditional dress. The theme park runs many regular shows, as well as different historical events throughout the year. Open: 9:00-17:00, closed Wednesdays.

Admission: ¥4,500.

Chuzenji Lake Visitors can access the Chuzenji lake via the Iroha-zaka road. The name Irohazaka derives from the 48 sharp turns that the road makes over its 400-meter ascendance, significant in that there are 48 characters that constitute basic Japanese writing. The lake is located at the base of the sacred Mount Nantai and is surrounded by majestic forest, three shrines and a hot spring resort.

So Cool,

Japan!

So

クールナニッポンヲモットタノシモウ。

If you've been flicking through the haute couture magazines, frequenting the food scene or browsing technology, you'll have noticed that Japan is in vogue right now. Everything Japanese is increasingly lauded as trendy, stylish and quirky the world over and Japanese culture, products and technological innovations are the talk of the town. Welcome to G'Day Japan's distillation of the very best of cool Japan.

This guide is your one stop shop for the hottest and hippest in this hub of ancient traditions, individuality and advanced technology.

SO COOL, SO JAPAN!

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Let,s

Zoom in on So Japan

The Art of

Originally a Chinese dish, Japan’s own take on ramen has become what the kebab is to Aussies -- perhaps after one too many drinks. But you don’t have to be drunk to appreciate its true value.

People don’t think twice about queuing for hours in the cold for handmade noodles dunked in a hearty bowl of long simmered soup. Ramen is truly a national obsession, evident in the myriad of glossy guidebooks, comic books, TV shows and blog sites reviewing each bowl. Let’s get slurping!

“Ramen” A ■

1

2

Ramen Shops—Old and New

Let’s get this straight. There are two types of ramen shops.

One has a fairly basic décor of plastic tables, folding chairs and fluorescent lighting with a ticket vending machine offering only a few ramen options. Prices range from 400 to 800 yen. This is the old school type. Then, there is the newer, design-oriented ramen shop. These boutique style ramen shops offer a wide variety of soups and toppings, with each bowl costing 800 yen and above.

Both types of ramen shops are typically small with a dozen or two seats and offer gyoza dumplings and fried rice on the side.

Ramen shops that tend to be rated higher among food bloggers are often boutique ones with better atmospheric lighting, but there are gems in the basic old school types as well. If you see a queue out the door even when it's not meal time, that is a good sign. Remember, if you are still peckish after a great ramen meal and there’s some soup left in the bowl, you can always order “kaedama” or a “change of noodles.”

2

B ■

©2006-2009 SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM

C ■

©Hokkaido Tourism Organization/© JNTO

©Hokkaido Tourism Organization/© JNTO

D ■

©JKT-c

Choices, Choices...

Forget the dried instant noodles you subsisted on at university.

The noodles at boutique style ramen shops are usually freshly handmade works of art, with condiments like grilled pork, bean sprouts, leek, and bamboo shoots all floating on a longsimmered broth. There are two main types of noodles used for ramen: yellow egg noodles, which are fairly firm and curly, and white flour noodles which are soft and wide. Some shops let you specify just how al dente (or soft) you want your noodles. The main types of soup are:

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A Shoyu (soy)—Popular in the greater Tokyo region, this is a dark, clear soup often made from fish-based dashi added to chicken stock.

B Shio (salt)—Thin, light soup often made with pork.

C Miso—A rich, salty soup that derives much of its flavor from miso.

D Tonkotsu (pork bone)—Extremely rich, cloudy soup made from simmering pork and other ingredients like chicken, garlic, fish stock and ginger, depending on the shop.

©2006-2009 SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM

©2006-2009 SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM

So Cool,

Japan!

So 3

©2006-2009 SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM

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©2006-2009 SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM

©2006-2009 SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM

3 Ramen Museum For The Die-Hards...

Ramen addicts, rejoice! The Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum, not far from Shin Yokohama station, is where you'll find ten or so of Japan's best ramen shops under one roof. Aside from picking up ramen trivia while enjoying the retro Showa Period ambience, you can go all out and sample each stand. Of course, you can opt for mini-sized bowls, just to be sensible. These shops offer a variety of regional styles. Yokohama ramen is typically a bowl of thick noodles in a soy flavoured pork broth. Sapporo in Hokkaido is known for its garlicky, thick-noodled miso ramen with butter and corn toppings, while Hakata ramen in southern Japan has fans swooning over its milky tonkotsu pork broth

and thin, resilient noodles. Ramen from Wakayama near Osaka is somewhere between light soy-based Tokyo-style ramen and rich porky Kyushu ramen, with thin, firm noodles. But often, the flavours are simply at the whim of the chef who keeps the soup ingredients secret, and that is why some shops have such a strong following. Slurp away!

Instant Ramen: A Culinary Revolution Instant ramen was invented in 1958 by Ando Momofuku, founder of Japan’s Nissin Food Products. Japan was on the cusp of huge economic growth at the time, and he knew that people would soon be too busy to spend hours slaving over the stove. He wanted to create a quick, easy meal that preserved well. An idea came to him while watching tempura being deep-fried. He realised that deep-frying noodles would create air pockets on the surface similar to the ones on tempura batter. Add hot water and voila! Packet ramen was born. In 1971, he came up with Cup Noodle, in which a single container served as packaging, cooking vessel and a serving dish. Now more than a thousand brands of instant ramen are sold in Japan alone. His achievements don’t end here. Ando was the driving force behind Space Ram, which was developed so that noodles and soup stayed intact in zero gravity. It became the first instant noodle consumed in outer space in 2005, when Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi took it aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. Apparently he loved it. Viva la instant ramen!

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Most

Ducking over to Conbini, or convenience stores, is part of the daily routine for most Japanese. Conbini appeared in Japan in 1974 when the first 7-Eleven opened. Now mega retailers are all in the game, with more than 42,000 stores operating nationwide. The 7-Eleven chain leads the market, followed by Lawson and Family Mart, all jostling against each other amidst a tough economy and fickle tastes. Here is what makes them so unique, and well... er... so convenient.

Convenient

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Service Too Good To Be True

First and foremost, conbini are open 24 hours a day. Customers can get a midnight fix of instant cup noodles using their hot water facility. Or heat up a hot soup with the microwave behind the counter, while booking airline tickets and picking up dry cleaning. Conbini are also the place to go to pay bills, pick up and send parcels, fax documents, order home appliances and buy beer and cigarettes. Packed on the shelves are a whole range of bread, snacks, drinks, salads, bento boxes and anything you need for a last-minute sleepover at a friend’s place. Bills can be settled with a swipe of a mobile phone, a service the younger generation has taken on with enthusiasm. Too easy!

The major factor behind convenience stores' meteoric rise to success is their ever-changing line-up of products. A typical convenience store sells more than 4000 products, all tightly stocked in a store of about 100 square meters! Japanese are a fickle bunch. If the flavours of a packet of chips remain the same for half a year, or the selection of cosmetics and magazines are poor, they won’t be coming back. So convenience stores constantly update their stock and produce original Conbini brand products, to maintain demand. Because Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, convenience stores are cornering this potentially huge market as well. The government has planned to take advantage of their ubiquity for the delivery of emergency water and other supplies.

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For Young and Old Alike

Japan’s Conbini are brightly lit and rarely lifeless at night, making them a major crime deterrent for suburban areas. Even during the winter, young people are seen hanging around the parking

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lot outside, eating food they just bought after spending hours reading the latest magazines at the shop. If they need to charge their mobile phones, they can pay a nominal fee to plug in their phone instore. Women can get a variety of affordable cosmetics that are exclusive to Conbini franchises, as cosmetics companies have rushed to cash in on the Conbini boom. In a particularly kidfriendly Lawson store, you can change nappies and entertain the kids in the play area while adults get a drink at the bar. Conbini are a onestop source for anything seasonal as well, so you can get a pair of gloves, umbrella, a sunhat and raincoat for a few coins. Conbini are also a happy place for the older generation.

Some chains deliver meals to nearby homes and a lot of stores are lowering the counter to adjust to their height and making the aisles wider for wheelchair access. To cater for the aging population, Lawson has started a chain of "Lawson Plus" stores, with a line-up of products like hair dye and false-teeth cleansers.

Store signs are printed larger and some even offer massage chairs and blood-pressure machines. The staff are usually friendly, so Conbini are often the first place to go for many to ask directions.

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3 Not Just Convenient Conbini Foods Aside from the standard array of snacks, Conbini’s shelves are chock full of fresh food. Delivery trucks frequently arrive to drop off more food and take away things that haven't sold within a few hours. There are dozens of sushi plates, bento boxes and best of all, onigiri, or rice balls. Onigiri makers have developed the technology specifically to ensure onigiri remains fresh and tasty at the temperature on the shelves. Onigiri is filled with condiments like bonito, salmon flakes, salty plum and mayonnaise tuna, and the seaweed wrapping is packaged so that it remains crisp. Conbini are also home to an astounding variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Many drink manufacturers release their more experimental offerings only at convenience stores, so you can get your fix of quirky flavoured drinks here.

There’s also a hot counter usually containing hot pork buns, fried chicken and oden (braised fish cakes and turnips on sticks), which are popular in winter.

Then, there is regional variety. Each prefecture has its specialty, so the local convenience stores offer bento boxes catering to local tastes. For example, stores in Okinawa sell original sushi rolls with taco filings, as Mexican Tacos served with rice is a local favorite on the island. Dashi stock used for oden varies depending on the region as well, because Tokyo locals generally prefer saltier, richer flavour than people in the Osaka area.

Blending With Traditions One downside of Conbini is their cookie-cutter exterior.

The Family Mart chain is tackling the issue by changing its exterior in culturally sensitive sites such as Kyoto and Gifu prefecture. The façade and interior of the stores are shades of dark brown to match the heritage buildings and temples in the area. ©Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.

Number of stores as of Feb 2010

42,919

Total number of shoppers in Feb 2010

996,715,000

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Manga / Anime Takeson

Visitors to Japan are often bemused by the sight of a Japanese man in a suit engrossed in a manga paperback on a crowded commuter train. Manga and anime (Japanese animation) have been part of the Japanese psyche ever since Osamu Tezuka, dubbed the Father of Manga, released his first smash hit adventure action comic New Treasure Island in 1947. His work inspired styles and genre that remain fundamental elements of Japanese manga and anime today. With their complex story lines and exaggerated, comical characters, manga and anime have not only won the hearts of Japanese businessmen, but now have a phenomenal global fan base. Here's how it all happened.

1 Osamu Tezuka, the Father of Manga Having chosen a career in comics instead of pursuing medicine, Osamu Tezuka brought novelistic depth and creativity to the narratives and styles of Japanese manga in post-war Japan. In New Treasure Island (1947), Tezuka chose to illustrate a sequence, which was typically represented by a page or two at the time, into 180 pages. His long narratives laid the foundations for the uniquely cinematic style of Japanese manga, making it appealing to all ages. In 1952, he serialized Mighty Atom or Astro Boy, which became his most internationally famous work. Inspired by the exaggerated features of Mickey Mouse and Bambi, he is believed to be the first Japanese comic artist to feature large eyes in his characters to emphasize emotions. He began turning out one hit after another, with Princess Knight in 1953, followed by Ambassador Magma, W3 ("Amazing 3") ,Vampire and Dororo. By 1975, he had numerous awards under his belt for his works such as Black Jack, Buddah and A Pet Animal. No wonder he is now revered worldwide as the “Father of Manga”!

2 MANGA / ANIME RIDES THE COOL WAVE Thanks to Tezuka, the 70s saw a surge in popularity in manga paperbacks, many of them later animated. People all over Japan, in school yards and on commuter trains, were enthralled by manga. TV networks screened anime shows that captivated children at the time, and created the core of Japan’s huge anime fan base. Anime first gained currency in East and South Asian countries, and became a commercial success in the western world in the 80s and 90s. Nintendo’s Pokemon’s anime series,

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first broadcast in the late 90s, became so popular that it created a multi-billion dollar franchise success worldwide. Japanese anime, by then riding the cool wave of boom in Japanese pop culture, inspired non-Japanese to study the language and culture, and also influenced animation styles produced abroad.

Anime conventions are now held annually in multiple cities across the Americas, Asia and Europe. Australia’s own Animania Festival, held in major cities, brings thousands of fans together to celebrate Japanese pop culture, not just manga and anime. It is a visual feast, because many attendees strut their stuff in “cosplay”, or “costume roleplaying”, and dress up as their favorite anime characters. Fans enjoy karaoke, video games, yukata-workshops, traditional cultural performances, as well as all-day anime screenings.

3 WORLD COSPLAY SUMMIT— THE CULMINATION OF JAPANESE KITSCH This annual summit for costume enthusiasts is held in August in Nagoya, Japan. You don’t have to be into “cosplay” yourself to enjoy the festivities held in this hot summer month. Hard-core cosplayers pump up the cool factor in anime as their favourite fantasy characters and the parades are a stunning showcase of vivid colour, quirkiness and sheer extravagance. The highlight is when the winner is chosen among the representatives from 15 or so countries, including Australia. Even if you can’t make the summit, there are numerous “cosplay” events held all over Japan, where cosplayers dance, mingle and take each other’s photos.

For more information, check out Cure, Japan’s largest “cosplay” social-networking site, where you can sign up as a member in English.

©2009 BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION. Licensed by FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ©Sjors Provoost

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INSIDE TIPS FOR ANIME FANS

Osamu Tezuka World, located in the Kyoto Station complex, is a must on the itinerary of any Anime fan. The legendary creator of countless works including Astro Boy, Tezuka was at the forefront of TV animation production in Japan. His characters are brought to life in the theatre, colourful displays and memorabilia at Osamu Tezuka World. Another essential for Anime Fans is the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, western Tokyo, established under world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki’s direction. The character Totoro, from Miyazaki’s signature film My Neighbour Totoro, greets visitors at the entrance, welcoming them into his mazelike, sprawling playground. At the basement is the colourful Saturn Theatre, screening a Ghibli original short animation for visitors, which is exclusive to the museum. Advance bookings are essential and limited to set days and times, so make sure you pick

ANIME TAKES OFF IN AUSTRALIA What about Aussie anime fans? We spoke to product and licensing manager Dean Prenc at Madman Entertainment, which distributes Japanese manga and anime in Australia. The appeal of Japanese anime, says Dean, is that the story lines deal with more mature themes than their western counterparts. One anime series hugely popular in Australia right now is Naruto, about a young boy’s search for recognition whilst attending ninja school. Dean told us that Naruto entices adult viewers as well as kids because “the story line is not just naïve moral tales and the characters deal with menacing, risky situations.”

Dean notes that Australians first got a taste of anime watching shows such as Astroboy in the 60s and Star Blazers in the 80s, but

up a ticket from a JTB travel agency branch in Australia before your flight!

5 Get your Kawaii Fix at Kiddy Land Kiddy Land, with its 80 stores nationwide, is the go-to place for all things anime and quirky. The flagship Harajuku store is chock full of original and limited-edition character merchandise, from vintage Care Bare stuffed animals to the latest Transformer figurines. For many, it is Sanrio heaven. People who grew up with the “cutesy little cat” can reminisce their childhood with vintage edition Hello Kitty lunch boxes and pencil cases. Hollywood celebs visiting Japan love anything kawaii (cute), like fluffy mobile phone stands featuring the cuddly Rilakkuma (bear) character. If you want to get your “kawaii” merchandise fix, this is the place!

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most viewers were not aware of their Japanese origin. “With the advent of the Internet in the late 90s, mainstream awareness of Japanese anime developed.” Audiences b e gan to broaden around this time, thanks in part to the popularity of the Dragon Ball series.. “Now a few thousand of all ages turn up at anime convention events. About half are women. You even see a family with kids all dressed up as Naruto characters, so it’s great fun!”

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Mecca

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Otaku Culture!

Akihabara, two train stops north of Tokyo station, has been a mecca for mainly male electronic gizmo worshippers and manga otaku (geeks) for quite some time. But with recent redevelopment of stores and a spike in restaurant openings, Japan’s Electric Town has been attracting more women, couples and young families looking for great deals and quirky experiences. As the Akihabara landscape is clearly shifting, we’ve gathered the latest in what this otaku town can offer you this year.

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Electronics Galore

If you are unsure of where to start, take a left from the Electric Town Exit at JR Akihabara station and head straight to the Akihabara Information Centre. Friendly staff dressed up in maid costumes will give you handy hints for shopping and will arm you with an updated English map. Akihabara became prominent for its thriving trade in all things electronic after World War II, when a black market in radio parts took hold. Akihabara, often called Akiba, now hosts several multi-story electronic department stores, such as Laox, Sofmap, Yodobashi Camera and the like.

Here, you will find computers in every spec imaginable and cameras and television sets at a price you can’t find anywhere else. Some offer duty-free shopping and home appliances that are made for export such as 240V rice cookers you can use in Australia. Yodobashi Camera’s flagship Multi Media Akiba store boasts unique services like a recently developed machine called the “Dryer Box,” which evenly dries mobile phones that have been accidentally dropped in water. Gaming and anime fans, rejoice! Akihabara is also known for its shops stocking a vast selection of video games, gaming accessories and anime paraphernalia.

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Maid Café At Your Service

Pairing world-class electronic emporiums with cheeky otaku culture has rapidly gained Akihabara loyal fans worldwide.

Maid cafes took off in the mid noughties as a rest stop for otaku, who frequent Akihabara. Wait staff dressed up in maid costumes welcome visitors with greetings such as “Welcome home, master,” or “Welcome home, mistress” and take orders on their knees. That’s right, maid cafes have become so popular that they are no longer just a sacred place for male-dominated otaku: it is a playful café targeting women and couples as well.

It may be slightly disappointing that there is not much sexual connotation to the conversations that follow the greetings, but you can get massages as well as food in some places. You can order strawberry shortcake dressed up with mountains of piped cream, or an omelet with a pink heart squiggle of tomato sauce.

At some cafes, the “maids” sing, dance and play games at an additional cost. In general, you are not allowed to take photos in the cafes, so best ask if a photo is permitted for a fee, if you want a memorable shot of you living it up in Tokyo!

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Akiba-kei Fashion Turned Cool

Before “cosplay,” or “costume roleplaying,” rode the cool J-pop wave and became a staple in Akihabara, there was not much fashion to speak of in Electric Town. Otaku who hung around the streets discussing their favorite anime and manga characters were typically dressed in faded jeans and loose, unbuttoned checkered shirts with daggy backpacks. Their outfits, often called “Akiba-kei,” or “Akiba type,” have been sneered at by kids who were too-cool-for-school. But as some otaku began branching

3 out by dressing up as their favorite anime character, “cosplay” suddenly became a bold fashion statement. Most “cosplayers” like to sew their own costumes but for fun, you can browse through the town’s many pre-made costume shops. They can turn your otaku fantasy into reality, with a punk samurai “Kenshin” costume or a leather-bound S&M master. Don’t be taken aback by the price tag—some elaborate costumes cost thousands of dollars.

If you are a bit tight on budget, head to Don Quixote Akihabara, where you can choose from thousands of fun costumes for your next dress-up party.

Akihabara Tours At A Glance Do you want to dig deep into Akihabara’s otaku culture, but don’t know where to begin?

Take a guided tour with a bilingual guide! Tour guides are usually dressed up in maid costumes or popular anime characters, and will take you to a maid café for a meal after shopping at anime/costume shops. A typical tour, lasting two hours, will take you to Asobit City Hobby, where you can get anything from a figurine of the most obscure anime character to the most popular anime DVD, as well as Tokyo ©AkibaLand Tour Anime Centre for die-hard anime fans. Akibaland Tours, which operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, take visitors to a popular maid café called Candy Fruit Strawberry, where you can try out unique costumes for a bit of “cosplay” fun. If you’re after an “I LOVE Akihabara” T-shirt, think twice. Some tours take you to the city’s famed vending machines selling canned oden. Oden is simmered fishcakes and turnips in dashi broth, an oldschool fast food enjoyed in winter. They are sold in most convenience stores, but Akihabara is the only place you can get them canned. Because it is loved among otaku, canned oden is now ©AkibaLand Tour a popular souvenir that represents Akihabara’s otaku culture, so flaunt it!

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Japanese

Souvenirs

Among Japanese, gift-giving is likened to an art form. A carefully wrapped “omiyage”, or souvenir, is dutifully given to colleagues, family and friends after every trip away. By giving the right omiyage, they are showing respect for those who stayed home. But don’t panic! We’ve compiled a selection of Japanese omiyage for you to impress your mates back home.

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POPULAR OMIYAGE Hit the tourist sites hard, as you can’t miss the omiyage shops.

Grab arts, crafts and clothing that scream JAPAN! T-SHIRTS WITH JAPANESE PRINTS ©JNTO

©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO KIMONO/YUKATA ©Japan Ryokan Association/©JNTO

KOKESHI ©Miyagi Prefecture/©JNTO

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POPULAR OMIYAGE

KOKESHI These impossibly cute dolls range in price. If going upmarket, shop with an eye for detail that emphasises creative skill.

T-SHIRTS WITH JAPANESE PRINTS You’ve always wanted a tattoo in Japanese kanji? Well, before you leap, just wear them on your T-shirt first.

FURIN BELLS The delicate, melodious sound of furin (Japanese wind chime) will bring peace and harmony to that angst-ridden friend.

KIMONO/YUKATA A vintage kimono or a summery yukata is a fabulous omiyage for your designer friend back home.

HAPPI COATS Traditionally worn by shopkeepers and festival goers, these midlength coats are for those with comfort in mind.

SAKE There’re a lot of options but sparkling sake, which is all the rage in Japan right now, will give foodies a blast.

CHOPSTICKS In an era where cookbooks make great gifts, elegant chopsticks will surely expand your omiyage possibilities.

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FURIN BELLS ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO

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UNIQUE OMIYAGE

SUSHI-SHAPED USB STICKS These mouth-watering USB sticks are a great omiyage opportunity for your Masterchef obsessed friends back home.

TABI SHOES Spice up your wardrobe with uber-cool tabi shoes from SOU SOU. Traditionally worn as socks, but now worn like ugg boots! www.sousou.co.jp FOOD SAMPLES Do you want to get back at a sibling who always stole your food?

Let’s see if this life-like dish whets his appetite.

FUNKY KIT KAT FLAVOURS The sheer audacity of wasabi or miso-flavoured chocolate wafers make them great gifts for loved ones sick of Tim Tams.

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CHIPPIE SNATCHER You know when you don’t want to get your hands oily but want to eat chips? Badly? Well, this is your solution.

INFINITY EDAMAME Do you get satisfaction from pushing peas in and out of an edamame pod? Why not make it a hobby?

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UNIQUE OMIYAGE You can’t go wrong with quality workmanship with a bit of fun, or uniquely flavoured foods with a regional twist.

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FUNKY KIT KAT FLAVOURS ©Nestlé Japan Ltd.

FOOD SAMPLES ©Shadowgate

CHOPSTICKS CHIPPIE SNATCHER © TOMY

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QUIRKY OMIYAGE No longer must we toil under the tyranny of ordinary toys and clothes! Japan is your treasure island.

INFINITY EDAMAME ©2008 BANDAI•WIZ

AUSSIE OMIYAGE So what do Japanese buy for omiyage when they come to Australia other than, say, stuffed animals like kangaroos and koalas? A box of Australian-grown nuts (macadamia or chocolate covered) are sought after because they are convenient to give out to colleagues and neighbours. Tim Tams, especially the new and funky flavours, are also a favourite. The older generation loves buying Aussie wine and food for their friends, while the younger gravitate towards novel beauty products such as Australian beauty cream enriched with sheep placenta protein or moisturiser perfumed with bush honey.

Sheepskin products are also popular as they are not readily available in Japan. For Japanese, omiyage has to be unique to where it comes from and, more importantly, beautifully wrapped. So if you are thinking of starting a line of fair dinkum Aussie beauty creams, make sure they are cutely packaged and stamped with a smiling koala logo!

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Event Highlights

Some genuine insight into Japanese culture, traditional and contemporary, and some remarkably beautiful experiences are to be had at one of Japan’s many annual festivals...

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HANAMI

Experience the splendour of Japan's beautiful and iconic cherry blossoms Hanami is the Japanese word for “flower viewing” but usually refers specifically to parties held under the cherry blossoms that come into bloom around the end of March. The cherry blossoms are a spectacular yet transient sight that only lasts until the end of April, depending on the location. This is one of the iconic elements of Japanese beauty, and is a much anticipated event.

Seasons play an important role in Japanese traditional events, and hanami gatherings are quintessentially Japanese affairs in this respect. Hanami is also particularly significant as the cherry trees come in to bloom all at once only to lose their flowers after two weeks, and this transience and frailty is seen as symbolic of human life. The paths under the cherry blossoms are lit with lanterns at night, and hanami is so popular that generally one must secure a space the night before you intend to gather in the area!

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MATSURI

Be moved by an intense experience of dance at one of the traditional Japanese Matsuri festivals There are hundreds of traditional festivals, or matsuri, marked annually in Japan. Most matsuri share a common orientation towards health, longevity, fertility, a better harvest or successful fishing. The Awa dance festival is held between August 12th and 15th on the island of Shikoku. There are over 100,000 dancers that participate and dance to the two-beat rhythm, representing various styles of strong, versatile dancing. The Kyoto Gion matsuri is held in July, and centres around rituals performed at the Yasaka

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shrine. Street vendors and festival goers in traditional costumes descend on the area between the 14th and 16th of July for Yoiyama, and the main procession, the Yamahoko Junko. The world famous Aomori Nebuta matsuri is Japan’s “fire festival,” which is held between the 2nd and 7th of August. The festival centres around a parade, which features haneto dancers and elaborate floats based on kabuki characters, legends or historical figures.

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HINAMATSURI

A special day in Japan to celebrate girls revolves around the symbolism of dolls Hinamatsuri is known in Japan as “girl’s day,” and was traditionally focused around girl’s health and well-being. It is celebrated annually on the 3rd of March. This festival originated with wealthy girls playing with dolls in the Heian era. As time passed, the doll became a significant symbol for protecting girls against evil and misfortune. In some parts of Japan, Hinamatsuri traditionally involved dolls being floated down a river, supposedly taking all of the negativity of the community along with them. Most people celebrate the day with family by drinking Amazake and eating Chirashizushi and Arare crackers. Hinamatsuri also involves displaying beautiful dolls that represent the emperor and empress together with all the attendants at the Imperial Palace. Most people only own few dolls, however there are more elaborate sets that show many dolls arranged according to rank and feature dolls representing all facets of the royal court.

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OMISOKA & SHOGATSU

The two most important holidays on Japan’s calendar revolve around New Year festivities Omisoka & Shogatsu are the most important holidays in Japan.

Many people return home from the cities and spend the holiday with relatives. Shogatsu is a three-day festival that marks the New Year in Japan. It starts on the first of January with a public holiday and the three days include many different rituals and celebrations that ring in the New Year and ensure good fortune ahead. Omisoka refers to New Year's Eve, the day before the 1st of January, which involves a lot of cleaning, shopping, and finishing up the years work in order to launch into Shogatsu and the New Year on a fresh, clean slate. Omisoka is usually celebrated by eating Toshikoshi-soba, a special buckwheat noodle, and staying awake until midnight, when temples will ring their bells 108 times – 108 symbolises the number of worldy sins, and each chime releases all the negativity of each of sin.

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SEIJINSHIKI

Look out for this much anticipated ceremony that marks the coming of age of Japan’s youth The Japanese term Seijin Shiki literally translates into "adult ceremony" and describes the day, usually the second Monday in January, when coming of age is marked on a national level. All the young people who will turn 20 that school year will celebrate their coming of age on this day, as this age is recognised in Japan as the age of legal majority and is the minimum age required for voting eligibility. There are formal ceremonies held at large venues, which are organised by each municipality, and all eligible candidates attend decked out in their finest, with the men and

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women often wearing traditional kimonos. At the ceremonies there are speeches and those who are coming of age will receive presents. Young men and women return to their hometown to participate in the event and look forward to spending time with their old friends and classmates. It's a big celebration in Japan, and the young people anticipate it with glee.

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SETSUBUN

Ring in the Lunar New Year with soy beans, traditional fare and wishes for good fortune In Japan, each of the four distinct seasons holds a particular importance. The word Setsubun technically describes the day that occurs before the formal beginning of the new season, but more commonly will describe the day before spring starts, which is marked annually on the 4th of February. This festival is usually concurrent with the Lunar New Year celebrations and as such holds much symbolism related to new beginnings. One key part of Setsubun is the scattering of roasted soybeans outside the front door of the home, while the family chants “oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” which ushers out the bad luck and draws good luck into the home. Other activities include eating a type of fortune sushi roll (known as Eho-Maki in the Kinki-region of Japan) whilst facing the lucky direction of the year, closing one’s eyes, remaining silent and making a wish, which is supposed to ensure future health and prosperity.

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DoSomething

The tourism experience isn’t just about sightseeing... get active, interactive and work up a sweat trying something new or simply meet some new people and hang out where the locals do...

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MARTIAL ARTS

Take a risk and throw yourself into the Japanese Martial Arts tradition!

Whilst Sumo is the best known martial art originating in Japan, there are many others, each with their distinctive features. Judo, is based on principles of leverage, using an opponent's strength to your own advantage. Training and exhibition matches can be seen at the Kodokan training centre in Tokyo. Karate, also weaponless, was developed by the Okinawans as a response to the mainland prohibiting them from bearing arms. It develops the participant's skill in concentrating their energy, leading to popular demonstrations that involve an expert breaking wood or bricks with a single strike. In Tokyo it can be seen at the Japan Karate Association. Likewise Aikido is based on concentration of energy and taking advantage of an opponent. It can be seen at the Aikikai in Tokyo. Bamboo swords replace steel in Kendo where the opponents are protected by heavy cotton padding.

You can watch this form of fencing at the Tokyo Nippon Budokan Hall. Japanese archery, Kyudo, has long been associated with the principles of Zen Buddhism. Archery ranges are often found near or within temples.

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WATCHING SPORTS

Experience Japan by watching baseball and sumo…Here is how to get stuck in!

Watching baseball is a national past time in Japan. Thousands of fans fill stadiums across the country to cheer, jeer, down a beer and grab a bite. Fans of opposite teams sit on either side of the stadium and chant in an organised fashion throughout the game. The atmosphere is electric and tickets, from 1,000 yen, are

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affordable. If you want to experience a less frenzied sport, check out sumo wrestling – considered to be Japan’s national sport. The competition is a visual feast of traditional rituals and ceremonies, including the referee, dressed as a Shinto priest, and the salt that is thrown across the ring before a match to signify purification.

Sumo wrestlers attempt to throw and topple their competitor: the first to touch the floor with any part of the body other than their feet, or fall outside of the ring, loses. There are six Grand Sumo tournaments each year: three in Tokyo (January, May and September), and one each in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November). Official ticket sales are in Japanese only, so use agency sites like www.buysumotickets.com.

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SKIING

Perfect powder snow, top-notch facilities and sublime views make skiing in Japan unbeatable!

Japan is one of the top international destinations for winter sports enthusiasts, particularly since the Winter Olympics came to Nagano in 1998. Japan gets heaps of amazing quality snow – including superb dry powder and even the rare, sought after champagne snow thanks to weather coming across the sea from Siberia. Hakuba, Hokkaido, Tohoku, Nagano and Niigata are all favourite destinations and receive many visitors each ski season from December to April. With over 600 resorts on offer, there is something to please every skier. Resorts range from grand scale to smaller operations, and many have special runs, parks, snowboard facilities and other specifics. The wintery Japanese landscape is magnificent and abounds with hot springs. Many of the local villages are picturesque and festive during this season.

Moreover, lift tickets are quite affordable and the budget traveler will be satisfied with the availability of low cost accommodation.

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KARAOKE

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PACHINKO

You can belt your lungs out to your hearts content in one of Japan’s famous karaoke clubs…

Do you think you can live on pachinko? Here is how you can test your luck.

Along with anime and Nintendo, karaoke is one Japan's greatest exports. From its humble beginnings in the '70s as a kind of private party entertainment, it has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Japan for the young and old alike, and has caught on throughout the rest of the world as well.

In Japan, karaoke houses (think a hotel-like building where each room has a karaoke machine) can be found in every city, where you can rent a room at an hourly rate and sing to your heart's content. These karaoke houses also serve food and drinks, and many Japanese unwind on the weekend with friends, belting out pop tunes over their favourite chu-hi (Japanese style mixed alcoholic drink) and snacks.

Fear not. Smoke-filled pachinko parlours, with their garish fluorescent lights and a cacophony of sounds, look daunting to a newcomer but the game itself is not. It is a pretty passive game, a mixture of slot machine and pinball. First off, you buy a few hundred yens’ worth of small steel balls. Once released into the pinball machine, the balls fall through a maze of naillike pins. The idea is to get them to fall into slots where they accumulate and to aim for jackpots that pay out countless new balls. There’s no complicated manoeuvering -- you are merely controlling the speed with which the balls are thrown. In the older pachinko machines, the positioning of the pins greatly affect the payout so pin specialists slightly change the pins’ position after closing each night. The more modern and popular “deji pachi”(digital pachinko) machines have an LCD display in the centre with colourful animations. The key to winning is to choose the best machine based on knowing its performance, but you would have to be regulars to understand this. Not surprisingly, it’s mostly about luck. “Pachi pro”, or gamblers who live on pachinko, spend hours sitting in front of the machine. But for most, playing pachinko is a way to take their mind off work. To attract customers, new parlours have come up with women-only sections, bars, cafe and even luxury furniture. What is hotting up now is a variation on pachinko called “pachi slo” which is a combination of pachinko and slot machine using coin-like coupons.

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FLEA MARKETS

Bustling markets are always a blast – super bargains and rare items you won’t find elsewhere…

Flea markets are fun shopping off the beaten track. Track down a local flea market to hunt around for some irreplaceable items you won’t find anywhere else, and make the ultimate enviroconscious gesture at the same time! As in most other places, flea markets are held in Japan in parking lots, temples and shrines, or sometimes even at department stores. The biggest flea market in Tokyo – with around 800 stalls! - is held at Yoyogi Park, a five minute walk from Harajuku station. This market, held once a month, is a haven for youthful fashionistas after recycled haute couture! Osaka’s answer to this is the Expo Memorial Park “Garage Sale.” This market is held fortnightly, so check a schedule before you head out!

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Don’t end up lost in translation! We’ve handpicked some of the best activities; action packed so that you can engage with Japan and gather some unique tales to take home...

Activities

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FIGHT LIKE A SAMURAI

The opportunity to try your hand at Samurai sword skills straight out of Kill Bill... literally!

Remember the grace and drama of one of the key scenes in the film Kill Bill, the fight in the snowy garden? Don’t miss the opportunity to get closer to this exhilarating world in the original land of the Samurai. Tetsuro Shimaguchi, who was lead choreographer of this momentous fight scene and who played the character “Crazy 88” (Miki) in Kill Bill, and other experts offer workshops in Samurai sword techniques. Learn some swordwielding basics, including drawing, posing and swinging, and practice your new moves with a partner and an instructor. You will then be able to watch some thrilling demonstrations from your superb instructors. Before you finish the workshop, you will be able to get further into the Samurai world by donning a kimono. Workshops are offered for beginners, and advanced classes are offered for those with a special interest in acting. A unique way to get some exercise, discover Japanese culture and have fun! http://hisexperience.jp/

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THE ART OF SUSHI

The best souvenir to take back from Japan is an ability to create delicious sushi at home!

Sushi is the iconic Japanese food, and many foreigners are familiar with this tasty, pretty Japanese staple. However, it is unlikely that they know exactly what goes into making the sushi!

Whilst master chefs, who have refined their culinary techniques to an art form, give the impression that creating sushi is effortless, the beginner is likely to find it much more complex than they first

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thought! Take advantage of being in Japan to learn how to make your own sushi from an expert. Gain insight into some of the tricks of the trade from top Sushi chefs and learn how to prepare some tasty and outstandingly presented sushi. Sushi tours provide demonstrations, and the chance for you to make your own nigiri sushi (rice topped with raw fish) and makizushi (sushi rolled in dried seaweed) in a sushi restaurant. When you arrive back home, you’ll be able to impress your friends and family with your new skills! http://hisexperience.jp/

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MAKE JAPANESE POTTERY

Explore Japan’s pottery, a unique cultural and artistic heritage, in a creative workshop.

Japanese pottery making tradition has over ten thousand years of history. The Jomon culture, which endured from 10,000 BC to 300 BC is the earliest known continuous pottery culture in the world. Simple earthenware pottery progressed with influences from Korea and the Huanan region of China, and Japan’s pottery developed with techniques of glazing, firing and the introduction of porcelain. This development of the pottery culture sheds light on Japanese spiritual history, as archeological research has uncovered many ancient relics and figurines. Japanese pottery culture has developed a natural aesthetic in the predominantly utilitarian vessels and functional ware in contrast to the formal perfection of Chinese pottery; it prizes an unrefined, earthen beauty. A Japanese pottery tour will teach you about the unique history and techniques of Japanese pottery from a master practitioner. You can then make your own version of one of these under the guidance of an experienced potter. http://hisexperience.jp/

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THE THRILLS OF TAIKO DRUMMING

Taiko drumming, an exhilarating part of some Japanese festivals, will extend your imagination!

Did you know that Japanese taiko drums are considered to be the first known human percussion instruments? Today, taiko drumming brings to mind amazing festivals, hachimaki (headbands), mind-blowing thundering beats and soulful rhythms. And as with many aspects of Japanese culture there is also a health and wellbeing element to taiko: it is a great way to keep fit, relax and enhance mind and body. Taiko are generally beaten with sticks and often played in groups, creating a layered and powerful rhythm. A taiko tour will take you through a drumming museum, going through some essential percussion knowledge. You will then be taught a few techniques so that you can participate in a drumming session and use your own creativity to generate some rhythms of your own. Perhaps this will be the beginnings of your latest fun recreation activity? After the workshop you’ll be taken on a brief tour of Asakusa’s temples to learn more about traditional Japanese heritage and spirituality. http://hisexperience.jp/

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NINJA TRAINING

Could there be anything cooler than engaging in a bit of ninja training in Japan?

The Japanese Ninja are perhaps better known by the youth of today and foreigners through anime or giant pizza-eating turtles.

But the art does live on. Ninjas, who were warriors trained in high-level martial arts and who carried out specialised missions in times of war, have been present in Japanese culture since the 14th century. If you are interested, you can actually get a hands

on experience in a workshop that allows you to learn about Japanese warrior code, inspect real Ninja weapons and seize the once in a lifetime chance to try a few Ninja moves yourself, using imitation weapons of course. Genuine Japanese Ninja, who kept the art alive, will take you on an insiders tour of this warrior art, get you kitted out in training clothes, teach you a bit of body combat without weapons, and ninjutsu, which involves an wide range of armed and unarmed techniques. http://hisexperience.jp/

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TEA CEREMONIES

Take tea Japanese style, learning the art of the tea ceremony in a Buddhist temple…

A trip to Japan is not complete without participating in a tea ceremony or chanoyu, which translates as “the way of tea." Tea drinking was introduced into Japan as early as the 9th century, with iconic tea ceremonies originating about 400 years later. If you aren’t sure where to start, embark on a tea ceremony tour in a fascinating traditional Japanese house. You will have not only the chance to participate in the tea ceremony, but also to learn about the rich symbolism and development of the practice.

Another particular destination to consider for your tea ceremony experience is Zenkoji, a Buddhist temple famed as the location of a hidden statue of a Buddha that has not been exposed for over one thousand years. This temple offers tours, the opportunity to view many unique elements of the temple and, of course, tea ceremonies. Tours are only held for six or more participants. www.zenkoji-tokugyoubou.com/

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Food, Food...

Glorious

Hallmarks of Japanese cuisine are exquisite presentation and sensational taste. But it is important to get a sense of the sheer variety of unique and fun things to eat on offer in Japan...

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IZAKAYA

The place to unwind whilst you are in Japan - enjoy some drinks and snacks with the locals!

In Japan, the place to be after a long day at the office or a hard day exploring the streets of Tokyo is a local Izakaya, which offers not only alcohol and a range of other beverages, but also good food. An Izakaya is the destination of choice to meet with friends and hang out, ordering drinks and sampling the range of small dishes, often called Japanese tapas, which are shared around the table. Occasionally an Izakaya will offer a set price for unlimited food and drink. Izakaya are often styled with traditional low tables and tatami mats, although many do feature a layout of tables and stools much like Western restaurants. Along with the customary hand towel, visitors generally receive an appetiser upon arrival for a small fee that is added to the final bill. There are many different types of Izakaya, including chain outlets, venues that resemble street stalls, or establishments that specialise in Yakitori skewers or Robatayaki grilled meat and vegetables.

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DEPACHIKA

Not your regular food court, Depachika’s are gastronomic delights and fun shopping experiences!

Who would have thought that one of the ultimate places to get a hold on the wonders of Japan’s contemporary food culture would be in a department store? Depachika, the abbreviation for “depaato chika uriba,” is the food section in the basement of a department store or “Departo”. Unlike Western food halls, Depachika are super-trendy and a heaven for foodies as well as travellers seeking souvenirs. They are usually laid out a little like

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indoor flea markets, with many small individual vendors rather than supermarket aisles. Depachika stock an opulent array of specialty fresh and packaged goods and many sumptuous gourmet items from around the globe. The sheer variety of fun food items is overwhelming! Often depachika’s may have multiple floors – one floor for prepared food and another for products and raw food. Be sure to sample some of the yummy baked goods, soba noodles, okonomiyaki (Kansai style pancakes), Japanese candy and enjoy the lively competition of the vendors!

An absolutely fantastic, not-to-be-missed experience for any traveler or foodie!

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WAGASHI

Delight in possibly the most creative, unusual confectionary you will ever come across!

A culinary art developed over four hundred years and inspired by revered elements of Japanese culture, Wagashi is the quintessentially Japanese confection. Each Wagashi has a name that is often derived from a natural wonder or word picked out of ancient literature. The four seasons are of great importance to the Japanese and often the names or flavours of Wagashi will evoke one of the seasons. There are different Wagashi for each season or traditional event. The names are very special as they are created from characters (Kanji) that are not used on an everyday basis. Wagashi are an art form, and they are created to please every sense: they are visually attractive, their names are pleasing to the ear, and they engage the tastebuds in a confectionary experience. Even better, they are made with natural ingredients – including ingredients derived from grains, beans and fruit.

Wagashi are often served with tea or at a tea ceremony.

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TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

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B-KYU GURUME (GOURMET)

Hustle and bustle in Tokyo’s biggest fish market, where you’ll find the freshest sushi in town!

B-grade but A-grade satisfaction − cheap, quick and yummy gets the nod...

The Tsukiji Fish Market, or the “Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market,” specialises in the freshest fish, offering the high quality seafood. The biggest wholesale fish market in Japan, the Tsukiji market is a vital link between the food producers and consumers, and for many of Tokyo’s gastronomists it is one of the key sources of superior ingredients and the fresh, high quality dishes of Japanese restaurants. There are two sections to the market. The first, in the middle of the market, is called jonai-shijo and is the wholesale section where the auctions for fish will take place. Surrounding this is the jogai-shijo section, which is a mix of wholesale outlets that sell ingredients and tools for Japanese cooking and retail shops such as Sushi outlets. The market can be accessed from the Tsukijishijo station in Tokyo. Be sure to visit first thing in the morning, when the market is at its most lively! www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm

Japan’s own version of street food, or “B-kyu gurume” (B-grade gourmet), is enjoying its moment in the sun. It refers to cheap and cheerful comfort food, usually served home-style without much flair. But Japan’s love affair with dishes like okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) and noodles such as ramen runs deep. Among the many basic looking specialty food shops are ones that shine -with cooks that have that one dish to such a fine art that they serve up a very satisfying dish for less than the equivalent of ten bucks. Look beyond the less-than-flash interior and these restaurants will redefine your understanding of B-grade.

“B-kyu Gurume Festa,” recently held in Okayama prefecture, attracted thousands of visitors to try the 54 B-grade dishes selected from all over Japan. Among them, yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) was extra popular. Not surprising, because a yakisoba stand is a staple at outdoor events and loved by people of all ages. Other types of noodles are popular too, such as udon and soba. Standing-only shops serving these noodles at train platforms are always full of people getting a quick bite before catching the train. Speaking of trains, sushi train is another popular haunt for B-grade foodies. Conveyor belt sushi normally errs on the cheap side, but a great spot can knock the socks off even the most discerning sushi connoisseur. An oden stand is a B-grade favourite too. Oden is a comforting bowl of fishcakes, tofu, daikon radish and meats simmered in sweet-ish dashi stock.

It is sold at most convenience stores during winter, making it the king of B-grade gourmet for its accessibility and affordability.

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EKIBEN

Ekiben are Japan’s favourite bento-boxes-on-thego – ideal snacks for commuters and travelers!

Ekiben are unique Japanese lunchboxes, purchased at railway stations or on trains. Similar to bento boxes, Ekiben feature tasty, cooked food arranged in attractive trays. These lunchboxes feature local specialities, so once you get out of Tokyo, the options explode. The popularity of air travel has seen the creation of Soraben, or Air-lunchboxes, found at airports.

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Trends Going

Eclectic fashion innovation, crazy concepts and something inventive for every niche in the market make Japan one of the trendiest places to be! Keep up with whats hot now...

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MAKE-UP ART

Looking for something quirky, flamboyant, or simply want to perfect that flawless make-up look?

Japan offers high quality products and services for every make up demand! Make up is a standard for many Asian women and eyebrow and eyeliner dying are popular. Thankfully there are many beauty centers that get the procedure done with minimal pain, super-natural pigments and, crucially, versions that disappear after a few years so you can alter your look with the fashions. If this is not your thing, the nail art of Japan, which is opulent, highly decorative and quirky, might appeal. One can buy made-to-order stick on nails for almost every occasion, including carefully painted continuous designs, funky 3D flowers, or nails featuring miniature pearls and lace. Another top Japanese make up procedure is semi-permanent lash extensions. This is strictly a salon-only treatment, as each eyelash is applied individually.

The overall result is super convenient, eliminating the need for mascara or sets of fake eyelashes for at least a couple of weeks.

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UNIQLO

This apparel store is a Japanese fashion phenomenon: go get your chic on at a reasonable price!

With over 700 stores nationwide, UNIQLO is a fantastically successful Japanese clothing brand. UNIQLO offers swish, classic designs at amazingly attractive prices. Their project – to make simple and inexpensive clothing the new trendy thing – is about as laudable as their low prices. The store is distinctive for its wide range of good quality everyday wear in high quality fabric that you can mix and match with pricier items. Somewhat reminiscent

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of European brand Benetton, the store is stocked to the brim with underwear, sleepwear, office and casual wear in an array of different bold and bright colours and styles. UNIQLO’s hip status and quality of apparel have increased through their collaboration with well known designers and artists. The recent Designers Invitation Project involved many big deal designers design “capsule collections” for UNIQLO women’s and men’s wear; their latest collaboration is with designer Jil Sander.

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MOBILE PHONES

Not just for making calls – mobiles are the latest glam shopping and socialising gadget!

Mobile phones are extremely popular in Japan, where they are referred to as Keitai. High tech and attractively designed phones have a big market in Japan and phones with all the gadgets – including 5.1 megapixel cameras, video recorders, MP3 capabilities, inbuilt TV tuners, GPS and the internet– are the norm. Most phones are even equipped with barcode scanners, which can be used to access information off “QR codes” on advertising posters. Equally exciting are the billions of specially designed homepages that can be accessed through mobiles, allowing users to purchase products, update blogs or download coupons wherever they are. Mobile phone operators in Japan have even started offering a kind of smart card “wallet service” for mobile phones called Osaifu-keitai which provides a phone that can stand in for electronic money, credit cards, membership accounts, airline tickets and public transport fares.

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100 YEN STORES

Your one stop shop for functional ware, gimmicks, souvenirs and everything wacky...

Though Japan is perhaps best known for its taste for luxury, high quality goods, there is definitely ample market for cheaper, accessible and mass-produced merchandise. The “100 yen shops” are fantastic for budget shoppers and are prevalent in cities across the country. The name derives from the pricing: most items are just 100 yen with a 5% tax above this, i.e. 105 yen.

These stores range in ambition: there are shops that cover several stories and would take years to sift through, such as “Daiso Giga Machida” in Tokyo, as well as many smaller corner stores. These stores stock crockery and cutlery, everything you would need to set up your kitchen, garden or next craft project, and a myriad of gadgets and gimmicks to test the limits of your imagination. On a less practical side, if you are looking for the ultimate pair of tartan grandad slippers or a fluoro piggy bank to stash your savings, it is to these stores you want to head.

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HAPPOSHU / THIRD BEER

Move over brewskie, cheap, light and crisp beerlike drinks are hotting up...

The chatter is deafening. Beer-like drinks are stealing the thunder.

Beer used to be the number-one selling alcoholic drink in Japan. But to beat competition, major beermakers have had to come up with new ways to appeal to customers. First, it was a low-malt beer called “happoshu,” meaning “sparkling spirits”.

In 1994, Suntory introduced Hop Draft, containing less than 67 % malt so belonging in a lower tax category than what the nation’s law classified as “beer”. This became a huge hit and the

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manufacturers all rushed to launch happoshu brands that tasted almost identical to beer and for a much cheaper price. Then in 2004 came “dai san no bee-ru,” meaning “third beer”. With less than 24 percent malt content by using alternatives as pea protein, soy protein or soy peptide, “third beer” is even cheaper, tastes just like beer and is light and crisp. These beer-like beverages are mostly consumed at home, and are sold not just in liquor shops but supermarkets and convenience stores. Enjoy them--- as long as you don’t drink and drive!

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CAPSULE HOTELS

Once a pure rest-stop, capsule hotels go upmarket and get a design make-over...

Capsule hotels have come a long way since they first opened in the hustle and bustle of Osaka in 1979. The hotel rooms are still capsule sized, or a tad bigger than a coffin really, and come with television, clean set of sheets and a communal shower. Room rates were cheaper than “business hotels”, yet they are always conveniently located near major train stations. The capsule hotel concept, which is all about functionality, was welcomed by men in suits who often missed the last train to go home and needed a place to catch some sleep before showering to go to work the next day. These days, capsule hotels are catering to a larger clientele. Some hotels now have women-only floors and improved noise reduction. They have opened near tourist spots for people travelling on budgets. In Kyoto, a recent opening of a design-conscious capsule hotel is turning heads among creative types. Called 9h (9 hours), it exudes sophistication with minimal design and space-age décor. All signage is bilingual and easy to follow. Check it out at http://9hours.jp.

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Aussies Style Love

Suzuki Kizashi

Fujitsu Large-size Duct Inverter Air Conditioners

The brightest new model from Suzuki hits the Australian roads in style…

Fujitsu’s original technology means superior energy performance from its latest air conditioners.

“Kizashi,” the latest release from Suzuki, hits the markets with an auspicious start: the name is inspired by a Japanese word which means “a sign of good things to come.” There is little doubt that this model will have a happy destiny: with unprecedented luxury in the form of a leather interior finish, dual zone climate control and a keyless push start system, this sports sedan boasts cutting edge design and a 2.4 litre engine (131kW) and excellent handling capacities are sure to exhilarate. A key element in the appeal for the Aussie driver is the rigorous safety measures built into the Kizashi, including front, side and curtain airbags and ESP technology. The promise of a superior vehicle means many great times, smooth driving and memorable trips to come. Turn the ignition, invigorate your senses and kickstart good times on the road. www.suzuki.com.au/kizashi/

Fujitsu has released two air conditioner models with exceptional energy saving capacities. The large duct inverter air conditioners are rated with #1 energy saving performance in Australia, and Fujitsu’s 20kW nearly matches this, rated at #2. With its hot climate, large duct air conditioners are particularly suitable for Australian homes, in that the air conditioning for the whole house is centralised with one indoor unit. This type of air conditioning suits the climate, but crucially is now also increasingly sustainable and compliant to Australia’s MEPS 3 regulations: lower energy consumption means cooler and greener living. A combination of intelligent engineering means that Fujitsu’s models have improved in energy efficiency by 20% on conventional models. A review of the structural installation of the units has also resulted in space saving #4 and #5 models - which now take up 16% less room than previously.

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You don’t have to be in Japan to reap the benefits of Japanese innovation, style and education: Japan’s hallmark quality and exciting design is widely available down under. From accessories to music programs, the state of the art Japanese lifestyle is closer than you think…

Yamaha Music Education Centre

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Sharp Aquos

Life-enhancing musical experience starts with Yamaha’s courses for children and adults!

The connoisseur’s choice in home entertainment takes TV to a new level

Learning music is great exercise for your child's brain but Yamaha teachers also see their students learn valuable life skills. Improved memory and enhanced concentration are gained through regular practice while frequently performing for peers builds self confidence. Above all, learning music is great fun. YMEC offers courses suitable for children from 3 ½ years of age as well as classes for adults. Instruments include keyboard, piano, violin, drums and electric guitar. Yamaha lessons explore a range of fundamental musical skills including pitch, melody, harmony, rhythm, tone colour and musical form to develop a child’s musical ear. Yamaha engages a team of highly qualified teachers who are supported by worldwide resources. Over the last 40 years more than 50,000 Australian children have enrolled in Yamaha lessons.

For further information: 1300 139 506 or yamahamusicschool. com.au

Get a load of Sharp’s LC46LB700X 46" 100Hz LED Backlight LCD TV – the prodigious TV model that comes with a truly astounding line-up of cutting edge features. The Sharp Aquos features a built-in Blu-ray player and a X-Gen panel with a full-array LED backlight panel as well as a full suite of AV and PC connections.

Aquos delivers unprecedented degrees of black and images that project incredible depth as a result of its ultra-high contrast ratio.

The impressive picture quality is complemented by a piano black design offering breathtaking style. The AQUOS LB series ensures a full cinematic experience with superior quality sound achieved through the TruSurround HD, bass enhancer and digital amplifier.

If you are mystified by all the technicalities, you will surely be sold on the fact that the Aquos topped the charts as the bestselling LCD TV sold in Japan in 2009 (figures based on the GfK Japan survey).

Serious About Sound From Acoustic To Digital.

www.yamahamusic.com.au

1800 805 413 SO COOL, SO JAPAN!

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StyleAussies Love Japanese Beer-Kirin's "Megumi"

Citizen “Eco-Drive Super Titanium”

Kirin’s Megumi beer has taken off and is the hip young thing of the moment in Aussie beer culture

Keep Time with Citizen’s Steadfast Watch Technology

Looking for a local taste of cool Japan? You may not have guessed it, but your local watering hole might just be the place to head: there is now a Japanese beer being brewed in Australia, Kirin’s Megumi. With sales doubling last year alone, this is the fastest growing beer brand in Australia. There is a very well-established beer, or biiru culture in Japan, reflected in the name of this beer Megumi means “blessing” and reflects the Japanese notion that elements such as the taste of quality beer are a gift from nature.

You might recognise the distinctive Kirin label, designed with a calligraphy stroke that signals #1. The calligraphy alludes to Kirin’s distinctive edge in beer culture – their first press beers - as well as the clout that this brand carries. Another significant Japanese element of the label is the depiction of a mythical beast, which foretells the coming of a joyous and festive time. Be sure not to let the beast down!

Featherlight, slick and near indestructible… a description worthy of a superhero, perhaps? Citizen’s "Eco-Drive Super Titanium" Collection offers watches unperturbed by the jolts in the fabric of time: innovative space-age technology translates into durable time pieces. Made from a fusion of lightweight titanium, these watches are five times harder than other stainless steel models and boast a surface that rates 1200 on the Vickers scale, which assesses hardness using a diamond probe. This is complemented by Citizen’s signature ion-plating technology, whereby an electron beam heats the titanium to 2000ºC in a vacuum, pressure-bonding the ionized titanium to become the coating for the watch, resulting in improved scratch resistance and finishing. The "Eco-Drive Super Titanium" collection comes in several different styles for men and women, and are available with chronograph or analogue functions.

SHARP UNMISTAKABLY JAPANESE, UNIVERSALLY CLEAR Large-screen LCD *Based on Large-screen LCD TV TV unit unit sales salesof of retailers in mass retailers in Japan Japan 2008.

2009. Survey by GfK Japan.

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LC-52D77X

JAPAN’S NO.1 LCD TV*

28 years. 230 patents.

at last, a watch that reflects the natural, continuous flow of time. spring drive.

ANANTA. More than 30 years ago, a SEIKO engineer dreamed of a new kind of watch that would reflect the real flow of time.

28 years of R&D later, Spring Drive was born, the only watch in the world with hands that move with no tick and no noise, in perfect glide motion. Today, with an accuracy 5 times greater than any other mechanical chronometer and a design inspired by Katana, the ancient Japanese art of sword making, only the Spring Drive Moon Phase respects the continuous silent and graceful orbit of the planets. seiko.com.au

Renewable Energy in Japan:

A Growing Opportunity for Australian Business

The introduction of an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in Tokyo in April is another sign that Japan wants to play a major role in the reduction of global carbon emissions. Recognising the need to combat climate change and reduce the use of fossil fuels, Japan is moving towards developing more renewable energy sources. This is opening up business opportunities for foreign companies.

As Japanese households make the transition to solar energy, foreign companies are entering the

Tokyo Emission Trading Scheme An Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was introduced in Tokyo in April 2010, which aims to reduce emissions by 25% on 2000 levels by 2020. This is the first of its kind in Asia and a promising sign for the region. Around 1400 of Tokyo’s largest carbon-emitting companies now face severe penalties for failing to adhere to legally binding reduction targets. While Japan is still in negotiation about the terms of its national trading scheme, the Tokyo ETS may serve as a model for other regions looking to play their part in the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is also a positive sign for Australian renewable energy companies looking to expand their business into Japan. Given the Australian government’s recent policy changes on emissions trading and associated uncertainty surrounding future climate change policy, upstarting renewable energy firms will find investment decisions much easier within Tokyo’s ETS framework.

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market at an increasing rate. While these foreign companies have mostly consisted of Chinese and Taiwanese companies, South Korean companies are also getting involved. Australian businesses are taking a hard look at these opportunities too.

As the Japanese Government offers subsidies for foreign companies to exhibit their products in Japan, there is no better time for Australian businesses to expand into Japan.

The Solar Technology Industry in Japan Japan has emerged as a promising opportunity for solar technology companies as foreign companies continue to enter this expanding market. In Japan electric power companies pay generous prices for surplus solar energy which is increasing consumer demand for solar. This is good news for solar energy companies in a land of 126 million people. Japanese companies continue to dominate the domestic solar power industry, particularly Kyocera and Sharp. However, with the opening of the renewable energy market in Japan, foreign companies have found opportunities for expansion, and have even taken market share from these large Japan-based corporations. As Japan continues its move to solar energy, Japanese solar companies are now competing with an increasing number of companies from China, Taiwan and South Korea.

Australian companies are also taking advantage of Japan’s demand for solar energy. One Australian company that has been successful in entering the Japanese market is Dyesol, a leading supplier of

solar technology. Dyesol opened an office in Japan in 2009 and has established a strong distribution network. After participating in Green Device 2009, a green technology exhibition in Japan, Dyesol is now well positioned in the Japanese renewable energy market.

opportunity for companies to get their foot in the door in the Japanese market.

Brendan Jinks is a Trade and Investment Development Officer at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Sydney

Invitation Programs to Clean Technology Exhibitions in Japan There are a variety of exhibitions in Japan every year showcasing the latest renewable energy technologies. In order to increase foreign investment into Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) offers subsidies for foreign companies to attend and exhibit at these events, covering the cost of transport, exhibition space, accommodation and so on for the invitee. This year JETRO is administering several invitation programs for such exhibitions as Green Device, N-EXPO and EcoTechno. These events promote technologies that will support the transition to a low-carbon economy, such as LEDs, solar cells, power semi-conductors and energy efficient components, which provide a unique

JETRO provides business registration advice, access to industry-specific market reports, some free office space in major Japanese cities and a variety of other services.

Businesses thinking about expanding into Japan or Asia are encouraged to contact JETRO Sydney on (02) 9276 0100 to discuss what support JETRO can provide http:// www.jetro.go.jp/australia

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The Japanese experience of food is one quite unlike any other, with a strong tradition behind it. The cuisine is prized the world over for its lifegiving properties. A Japanese meal is a sumptuous culinary experience, with varied and unique tastes, usually consisting of rice or noodles, soup, and delectable side dishes.

The Japanese experience of food is one quite unlike any other, with a strong tradition behind it. The cuisine is prized the world over for its lifegiving properties. A Japanese meal is a sumptuous culinaryexperience experience, varied and unique tastes, The Japanese of with food is one quite u s uother, a l l y with c o nasstrong i s t i n tradition g o f r ibehind ce or noodles, unlike any s o u p ,is prized a n d the d e world l e c t over a b l efor sitsi d e d i s h e s . it. The cuisine life-giving properties. A Japanese meal is a sumptuous culinary experience, with varied and unique tastes, usually consisting of rice or noodles, soup, and delectable side dishes.

a taste of japan

A TASTE OF JAPAN

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the tradition of japanese food

Tradition

Seasons

Beauty

Health

The vegetarian diet of Buddhist monks, known as “shojin” cuisine, eschews seafood and meat and consists mainly of grains, beans, vegetables, seaweed and nuts. From these ascetic roots, the traditional Japanese Kaiseki cuisine evolved as a meal of rice, soup, and three other dishes.

Kaiseki meals were originally consumed at tea ceremonies, but are now popular as a regular way to dine. A fusion of seasonal ingredients, sophisticated cooking techniques and graceful hospitality, Kaiseki cuisine exemplifies Japan's exceptional gastronomic culture.

Japan has four distinct seasons, each of which offers its own variety of seafood, vegetables, and fruits at their optimum flavor, referred to as 'shun' in Japanese. Food in season is not only tastier, but also has higher nutritional value. Whether it be an everyday meal or kaiseki cuisine, the fundamental principle of Japanese cuisine is to capitalize on seasonal food. This approach has allowed Japanese to relish delectable flavors and the enchanting changes of the seasons year round.

Appearance is a key element of Japanese cuisine. This can be seen in the many slicing methods that have been created for vegetables and sashimi.

Japanese cuisine takes spatial beauty to new heights, placing emphasis on the three-dimensional form, color patterns, and other visual aspects.

Tableware is selected so that its character, color, and shape are in harmony with the food and the season. The art of Japanese cuisine delights the eyes as much as the taste buds.

What really sets Japanese cuisine apart is that it relies heavily on foods such as grains, vegetables, and fish, while limiting the use of cooking oil.

Moreover, food is prepared in a simple style that gets the most out of the natural flavors. Since Japanese cuisine offers a nutritionally balanced diet that is rich in vegetable fat, protein, and fiber, but low in calories and animal fat, it has become the focus of global attention as a healthy eating style.

©JNTO

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KUSHIYAKI

A TASTE OF JAPAN

PATISSERIE

popular japanese dishes popular japanese dishes

Sushi Sushi is a display of culinary art, with patrons seated at a counter from which they can relish the beauty of the chef's polished technique in preparing the ingredients and assembling the dish.

A truly eye-pleasing morsel is created when a sushi chef handrolls a ball of vinegared rice (shari), covering it with a carefully prepared topping (neta).

Since freshness is important, neta is bought at the market daily.

The variety of toppings used means that all sorts of seafood can be savored every season.

Sushi is said to originate from an ancient Chinese method of preserving fish by salting it and allowing it to ferment in a container of rice. This form eventually evolved into modern sushi in the Edo period, making its debut at street stalls in what is now Tokyo.

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popular japanese dishes popular japanese dishes

Sashimi Fresh, raw seafood sliced thin and served with soy sauce mixed with wasabi or ginger, sashimi originated as a simple meal for fishermen while out at sea. A Japanese classic, Sashimi satisfies both the palate and eyes. The fish has to be extremely fresh, and specialist sashimi chefs are trained in slicing the different types of fish, which is often accompanied by shredded daikon radish, ginger root, or wasabi.

Tempura Tempura started out as a simple meal of deep fried seafood served at street stalls in the Edo period. Today, however, tempura uses a wide array of ingredients. The use of seasonal vegetables and seafood in tempura dishes gives them a colorful appearance, and allows one to to relish the flavors of each season.

Tempura is deep-fried in a thin coating of batter. Most often, it is dipped in sauce or salt and eaten as a separate dish, but it can also be served on top of rice, or in noodle dishes, as tempura remains delectable even when the batter is softened by sauce or broth. When served over soba (buckwheat noodles), it is called tempura soba or tensoba. Tempura is also served as a donburi dish where tempura shrimp and vegetables are served over steamed rice in a bowl (tendon) and on top of udon soup (Tempura Udon). ŠJNTO

Wasabi Japanese cuisine wouldn't be the same without wasabi, a seasoning unique to Japan that is cultivated in pristine stream beds and is used to accent the delicate flavors of food with its pungent bite and distinctive aroma. As a condiment for sushi and sashimi, it brings out the savoriness of the raw fish and is said to kill bacteria present on the food.

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A TASTE OF JAPAN

popular japanese dishes

©JNTO

©JNTO

Sukiyaki

Udon / Soba

Sukiyaki, a nabemono (Japanese steamboat) style dish for sharing, is cooked in a large pot on your table. It consists of meat (usually thinly sliced beef), or firm tofu, slowly cooked or simmered at the table, alongside vegetables and other ingredients, in a shallow iron pot in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Before being eaten, the ingredients are usually dipped in a small bowl of raw egg.

Udon is a thicker wheat noodle, whilst soba is thinner, chewier, of darker colour, and made with buckwheat and wheat flour. They are served either in a broth or dipped in sauce. Some establishments, especially cheaper and more casual ones, may serve both soba and udon (thick wheat noodles) as they are often served in a similar manner. However, soba is traditionally the noodle of choice for Tokyoites.

Dashi One indispensable element of Japanese cuisine is dashi (stock) made by simmering a base ingredient to concentrate its umami, or savoriness. One base commonly used is kelp, which is attracting attention as a low calorie health food concentrated with fiber, iron and calcium. Other ingredients often used are dried bonito, or small dried sardines. ©Wakayama Prefecture/©JNTO

SUSHI-NAGASHIMA

History of the chef in Sushi Nagashima Please have a look web site below,

If it's Sushi, it's Nagashima

www.sushi-nagashima.com.au/index.html

Born in Minowa in the no-nonsense neighborhood of downtown Tokyo as a third-generation sushi chef, Hiroyuki Nagashima has sushi in his blood!

He prides himself in serving up quality sushi, and his motto is "sushi to cater to your every need."

Armed with a gleaming cut of just-caught fish, he will wield his knife at your preferred location.

F12B / 7-13 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: 02 9223 9962 Fax: 02 9223 9957 Email: sushi-nagashima@bigpond.com Catering Available

Our noodles are made fresh in the store so you can enjoy fresh and the best tasting quality ramen, soba and yakisoba-fried noodles every day. Try other items on the ever-growing menu of authentic Japanese dishes which includes rice dishes, set meals and side dishes.

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BONDI JUNCTION Shop 1, 171-173 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 Phone (02) 9369 3980 11am-9:30pm OPEN 7 DAYS

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staple ingredients for japanese cuisine staple ingredients for japanese cuisine

Rice

Soy Sauce

Rice is both the staple ingredient of the Japanese diet and a source of pride for the nation. The Japonica variety eaten in Japan comes in short, round grains that become glutinous when cooked. In a traditional Japanese setting (e.g. served in a conical bowl) it is known as gohan or meshi. The sheen, aroma, chewiness, and lasting natural sweetness of plump, freshly steamed rice all contribute to the appeal of this delightful food.

Originally derived from hishio, a flavoring adopted from China, Japanese soy sauce is a brown liquid seasoning made by fermenting soybeans and wheat with koji mould. Soy sauce is marked by the special flavor created by slowly, painstakingly fermenting soybeans in a selected environment. Japanese soy sauce also has a distinct slightly sweet sherry-like flavour and provides zest to many of Japan’s best known dishes.

Miso Miso is made by fermenting and aging soybeans, salt, and koji mould. A diverse assortment of miso is created by through using different koji types (rice, wheat, bean, etc.) and altering the length of the aging process. The result is a thick paste used for sauces, spreads, pickling meat or vegetables or mixing with dashi stock to serve as soup. Traditionally, miso was the main source of protein for the Japanese, and it is said to reduce cholesterol and have anti-ageing properties. ŠJNTO

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Miyasaka Jozo is a company driven by their high standards of quality, healthy food and respect for the environment. It offers a variety of miso pastes made from traditional recipes, sourcing only the best ingredients manufactured in ISO9001 plant. An essential item in every Japanese kitchen, miso is extremely nourishing and easy to use for miso soups; the company's wide range of delicious instant soups, garnished generously with tofu or seaweed, are particularly quick and easy to make.

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japanese drinks

japanese drinks

Šframestealer

Sake

Shochu

Sake is a rice-based fermented liquor that, like shochu, has been delighting taste buds in Japan since ancient times. It is so loved by Japanese that a party is just not party without a good supply. Most often consumed with a meal, sake is the best companion for Japanese cuisine, creating a synergy that brings out the full flavor of the food. Delicious sake, which requires good quality water and rice, is a work of art that embodies Japanese wisdom and skill. Sake has been exported to other countries for some time, and improvements in quality have sparked greater foreign demand recently.

Sake comes from various regions in many different varieties and brands. The flavor and aroma of each type are best experienced at a certain temperature range-chilled, room temperature, warm, or hot.

This distinctively Japanese beverage is a distilled liquor found in different varieties in each region.

Varieties include rice liquors, potato liquors, wheat liquors, and awamori. Shochu has a long shelf life, and can be stored for decades if kept in a cool, shaded place. Its big appeal is that it can be enjoyed in all sorts of styles, satisfying the individual preferences of any drinker. A shochu craze is now sweeping across Japan, creating many fans amongst young people in particular.

Shochu can be enjoyed in many ways, whether it be on the rocks or mixed with hot water, cold water, tea, soda, or fruit juice. Note that hot water shochu is best prepared by pouring the shochu into the hot water, as this will mix them better and provide a more pleasing combination.

Japanese Green Tea Green tea was first used in China during the Song Dynasty, and brought to Japan by Myoan Eisai, a Japanese Buddhist priest who also introduced the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Japanese green tea is produced by steaming freshly picked tea leaves to prevent their fermentation. It is now being rediscovered as a health food, as its rich balance of vitamins helps to fend off colds and enhance the complexion. The best Japanese green tea is said to be that from the Yame region of Fukuoka Prefecture and the Uji region of Kyoto Shizuoka Prefecture.

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KIRIN MEGUMI PRESENTS

Top Chefs Talk About Supreme Japanese Beers...

Ryuichi Yoshii Yoshii Most of my customers drink beer at the beginning of a meal, especially during lunch or after a hot day.

People drink it to get out of work mode and relax. In Japan, a glass of beer is always part of kanpai time, to kick off a celebratory occasion or wrap up a project. Japanese people love starting a meal with beer, which enlivens one's palate and mental state. Alcohol content in beer is not so high, so it is easy to drink. Beer is also known to increase appetite. So we consider beer as the most influential beverage we serve, and make sure that our appetiser dishes pair well with it.

usually tastes good around 10 to 12 degrees. In summer, the optimal temperature is about 8 to 10 degrees. I like my Kirin even colder than that. Teamed with something deepfried is heaven; even a bag of chips works for me!

ĺ’Œ

I think Kirin Megumi Ichibanshibori, with its fruity aroma and creamy head, goes down brilliantly. It also pairs well with dishes like savoury tapas style dishes and anything crisp and deep-fried, as well as something delicate like sashimi. A lot of my customers stick to beer the whole night when they order our sashimi and sushi degustation.

Aussie customers and Europeans really care about good beer. Some tell me that beer should not be served too cold, otherwise it loses the creamy head a nice glass of beer should have.

During winter, beer

My father, also a chef, only used to drink Kirin. When I was a child, I grew up watching my father cherish a big bottle of Kirin at the end of the day. The ubiquitous K irin logo used to mesmerise me and I remember sketching the logo often. When I was in primary school, whenever my father poured icy-cold Kirin into a cool glass, I would ask him if I could lick the foam. I loved that slightly bitter flavour. I remember after my shift an apprentice chef, I would put a can of Kirin in the freezer right before I got in the bath. I am not a heavy drinker, but I loved nursing the super cold beer just out of a hot bath; it was just so nurturing for the body and mind. I still do the same when I am exhausted.

Beer is a truly versatile drink. I once made a tomato jelly appetiser, infused with beer. I vacuum sealed the jelly so that you get that fizzy mouthfeel when you bite into it. I also use beer instead of water to make a slightly bitter batter for deep-fried dishes. It is so tasty, you can eat it simply with a bit of salt.

Sometimes, I use beer as kakushi aji (secret ingredient) for dishes like simmered pork and vinegared mackerel. You can taste the bitter-sweet flavour of beer and it's really refreshing in the summer. I'm always thinking of ways to expand my repertoire using beer.

Yoshii

115 Harrington Street, The Rocks (02) 9247 2566 www.yoshii.com.au Lunch Tue-Fri 12pm-3pm Dinner Mon-Sat 6pm-10pm Sun closed One of the most stylish eateries in the Rocks, with a superb wine selection and a cosy, relaxed atmosphere

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In Japan, Kirin is a household name and almost everybody has a story to tell, recalling fuzzy memories of the distinctive Kirin logo. We talked to two top Japanese chefs in Sydney with two things in common: a strong local following and a passion for this premium Japanese beer. For these chefs, beer is not just an invigorating drink that marks the end of the long working day, but also it is their "kakushi aji" or secret ingredient. Here is why...

Haru Inukai Blancharu In Nagano, where I grew up, Kirin was the favoured beer brand. I remember there would always be big bottles of Kirin at home. My first real encounter with Kirin was when I was 17. It was a typical hot summer evening in the countryside, and the summer festival of the year was about to start. We were beating the drums while the adults performed, and during the night the older boys were urged to have a beer in festive spirit. It was the first time I really drank. I totally passed out and woke up at home. I don't think I properly took part in the festival.

I learned a lesson that night.

them, served medium rare in the middle with a bit of truffle sauce. I know fusion is popular, but I also like to keep it simple. We don't have an army of staff so I have a ton of work to do. I source my own vegetables and fish at the markets, and I sometimes do the dishes after service and polish the cutlery. As you can imagine, I am really desperate for water by the end of the night. But I hold off on water until everyone gathers around to sit down and have a beer. I love downing that end-of-shift beer every night! It's like my whole being craves that beer. It goes down so smoothly.

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When I was in high school, I decided to become a chef. Having grown up in Japan, using beer in cooking was new to me. Upon entering a French kitchen as an apprentice, I wondered why beer was used for stewing meats. It was really exciting when the chef calle d me over to show me why. Now I understand that hop in the beer adds acidity and yeast tenderises the meat. At Blancharu, I often add beer in wintery meat dishes, or use it as kakushi aji.

It's been two years since I opened my own restaurant after leaving Galileo at the Observatory Hotel.

At Blancharu, I serve dishes using French ingredients, but you can tell my backbone is Japanese cuisine. For example, I would sandwich foie gras with two slabs of Angus beef and coat them in breadcrumbs. I deep-fry

When I drink beer at home, I am usually behind the barbie with my family.

It's very Aussie, isn't it? At the restaurant we serve Kirin in a glass, but I like to drink it from the bottle to keep it icy-cool. We are really passionate about the wine and beverage list, so we were pleasantly surprised when we received a small wine list award. I think Kirin Megumi is really easy to drink and I love the fac t that Kirin puts a lot of effort into research and brews the Megumi brand in Australia using clean New Zealand hop. Most of my male customers like to drink beer when they first sit down for a meal. A lot of them choose Kirin over local brands.

Blancharu

Shop 1, 21 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay (02) 9360 3555 www.blancharu.com.au Mon-Fri, Sat 6pm-10pm Fri, Sat 12pm-2:30pm Sun closed Blancharu puts a casual twist on sophisticated fine dining, serving signature Japanese-Franco cuisine in a modern setting

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Yamasa Soy Sauce: A Tradition

Y

amasa began brewing soy sauce in 1645 during the Edo era, when Edo was growing bigger after the Administration was established there in 1603. It was based in Choshi, in Chiba prefecture where the weather was cool in Summer and warm in Winter. These temperatures along with high humidity offered the perfect condition for the koji culture (malted rice bacteria) to work, which is essential in making soy sauce. Still located at the original site, our company has been maintaining our traditional techniques and high quality based on our experiences of four centuries, which is longer than recorded Australian history.

O

ne of our special features of Yamasa soy sauce is “Yamasa Culture”. Our unique koji, “Yamasa Culture” is a result of continuous improvements since the Edo era. Yamasa soy sauce has an unique colour, flavour and fragrance which no other soy sauce can beat. This is why it is used in many first-class Japanese restaurants.

A

nother special feature is that Yamasa soy sauce has been manufactured from 100% natural products through a natural fermentation process.

The soy sauce enhances the flavour of the ingredients and turns them into special dishes, which is why more than half the chefs in Japanese restaurants in Tokyo choose Yamasa soy sauce. The letter “上” at the top right of the Yamasa logo proudly shows the recognition best owed upon Yamasa’s high quality soy sauce by the Edo Administration at the end of the Edo era, who granted Yamasa the title of “Premium Soy Sauce”. We still keep this logo so that we will not forget to maintain our high quality standards. *More Information >>> www.gogomelbourne.com.au/yamasa/index_e.html

Storing Your Soy Sauce

Enemies of soy sauce are heat, oxygen and mould. Even the best quality soy sauce goes off in flavour if you keep it in the wrong conditions. Store soy sauce in a proper way and you can enjoy cooking delicious dishes with soy sauce. Once you finish with soy sauce, make sure to secure the lid of the soy sauce bottle properly to prevent oxidation and mould, and keep it away from heat or direct sunlight. Keep your soy sauce in a cool place, ideally inside the refrigerator.

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sake master TOSHI MAEDA presents

SAKE COCKTAIL with CHOYA umeshu & KIZAKURA yamahai

BRIDGE CONNECTION

KIZAKURA SAKE CHILLER

CHOYA UMESHU is the Japanese No.1 Ume green plum liqueur with sweet & sour flavour

KIZAKURA YAMAHAI is traditional Japanese sake featuring a smooth taste & rich flavour.

Featuring CHOYA UMESHU

Featuring KIZAKURA YAMAHAI

•45ml CHOYA UMESHU •15ml Paraiso Lychee Liquor •30ml Pink Grapefruit Juice

•30ml KIZAKURA YAMAHAI •45ml Pink Grapefruit Juice •45ml Cranberry Juice

>> Method 1. Shake all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice 2. Strain into a chilled Martini glass 3. Garnish with a fresh lychee

>> Method 1. Build all ingredients into a Highball glass filled with ice and stir 2. Garnish with ruby red grapefruit

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SAKE JAPAN is Australian premier sake online shop.

We direct import & stock over 80 different premium sake, shochu & umeshu carefully selected by sake master TOSHI MAEDA.

“Now you can purchase sake online from your home!” *Sake Master Video Clip

www.japaninmelbourne.com.au/sakemaster/

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Presents

How to Sensationalise the Tastebuds Kimitaka Azuma is the owner-chef at Sydney’s high-end Japanese restaurant ‘Azuma.’ Azuma-san talks to us about the star ingredient in his kitchen: “Mizkan”’s vinegar. As one of five major Japanese seasonings, vinegar punctuates Japanese cuisine, lending health benefits and versatility to Azuma-san’s dishes.

Kimitaka Azuma Owner chef, Azuma Japanese Restaurant

Vinegar soothes the soul after a big night Do you ever feel like something vinegary after a heavy meal or a big night out? Japanese people love having nibblies with alcohol, but particularly after one too many beer or sake, we crave for a big hearty bowl of ramen noodles. It is a bit rich for a midnight snack, but ramen always sounds like a good idea at 3am! Some of my customers used to wrap up drinking with a dish called “sura ramen” in a restaurant I owned. It’s a soy sauce based ramen, spiked with vinegar and spicy oil, and it was popular because the vinegar made it refreshing and light on the stomach. Some regulars still ask me to put it back on the menu, which is a request hard to decline.

In Japanese cuisine, we normally serve a vinegary salad after a deep-fried dish as a palate cleanser. I think the vinegar helps make more space in the stomach as well! Vinegar is such a central part of the cuisine, that the older generation often remark that ‘one should drink a cup of vinegar for good health.’ This regard for this robust ingredient seems to have carried across the generations, and ‘vinegar diets’ have apparently been a hot trend amongst Japanese youth. When flavours are enhanced with a hint of vinegar, you tend to add

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less salt in a dish as well.

Vinegar plays a crucial role in Japanese cooking.

There is a handy way to remember five major Japanese seasonings, of which vinegar is one. These five letters are part of the Japanese alphabet and are acronyms of the seasonings: sa-shi-su-se-so.

1. Sa = sato (sugar) 2. Shi = shio (salt) 3. Su = su (vinegar) 4. Se = shoyu (soy sauce) 5. So = miso (soy bean paste) They are listed in order of light to strong flavours, so one normally adds the sugar and salt seasonings first. Japanese recipes usually call for one or few of the above, but in my kitchen, I can’t do without vinegar.

It not only adds unique flavour to a dish, it also makes the dish come alive, giving it sheen. Presentation is high on the agenda in our cuisine, so you can imagine how important vinegar is for us. I have been a chef for 38 years, and I have used “Mizkan”’s vinegar since I was an apprentice. It was a natural choice for me because

the kitchens were always stocked with “Mizkan”. I am very happy with the flavour profile and its aesthetic effect on a dish, so the thought of using another brand doesn’t even occur to me. “Mizkan” is a reliable household name.

Easy Recipes Using Mizkan™ Nikujaga (Simmered meat and potato)

Mild and sophisticated, “Mizkan”’s vinegar is truly versatile Australians mainly cook with white vinegar, but I only use Japanese vinegar because it pairs well with the cuisine. I think it’s important to use the type of vinegar that suits the cuisine. For example, sushi rice would be best made with rice vinegar made from Japanese rice, while Italian food paired with wine vinegar would make more sense. I learned this the hard way when I once received a big order for vinegared mackerel. I used Vietnamese vinegar for the dish and needless to say, it just did not turn out right. You can’t underestimate vinegar because it can make a big dif ference in a dish.

I think “Mizkan”’s vinegar is very sophisticated and high in quality. Because it’s quite mild, I think it blends well with western cuisine as well. “Mizkan’s Sushi Seasoning” is convenient for home cooks, because it already contains the sugar and salt you need in seasoning to make perfect sushi rice. So if you need to whip up some sushi rolls for a party at home, “Mizkan's Sushi Seasoning” holds the key. Have fun!

Azuma Japanese Restaurant

Level 1, Chifley Plaza, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney (02) 9222 9960 Lunch Mon-Fri 12pm-2:30pm Dinner Mon-Sat 6pm-10pm Closed Sun Azuma has received a coveted one hat in Sydney Morning Herald’s 2010 “Good Food Guide”. It has been wowing Sydney with masterful and authentic Japanese creations using only the best produce available, with a perfectly tailored wine and sake list to match.

Ingredients (Serves 2) 450 ml dashi stock 50 ml “Mizkan Honteri Mirin Seasoning” 25 ml light soy sauce 25 ml dark soy sauce 25 ml sugar 150 g beef, finely sliced 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered ½ carrot, peeled and cut into bite size chunks ½ onion, sliced Recipe: Add “Honteri”, soy and sugar to dashi stock and simmer the rest of ingredients in a pan until cooked.

Garnish with finely sliced snowpeas (optional). “Honteri” is milder than a typical sweet rice wine, so the sweetness does not overpower the dish.

• You can make a simple sukiyaki dish by simmering beef in equal parts “Honteri”, soy sauce and sake. The combined seasonings can also be used for teriyaki Honteri is a trademark of Mizkan Group Corporation. sauce.

Lotus root marinated in sweet vinegar

Ingredients (Serves 2) 5 or 6 sliced lotus root

“Mizkan Sushi Seasoning” few tsp chilli Recipe: Place lotus roots in a container and add one part “Sushi Seasoning” and one part water until just covered.

Add chilli and marinate to your liking. This refreshing marinade is also ideal for ginger and celery.

• “ Mizkan Sushi Seasoning”, mixed with dashi stock to your liking, can also be used as seasoning for vegetables and seaweed salad.

PR

143

Over 200 Years of History

No.1 Vinegar Br and of Japan (Source : INTAGE Inc., SCI)

Serving Suggestion

Serving Suggestion

For Sushi

For Salad SUSHI SEASONING

How to Cook delicious Teriyaki 1 Heat oil in a fry pan and pan fry 250g chicken until golden brown.

2 Turn chicken, cover with a lid and cook on medium heat until cooked through.

3 Add 3tbsp Mizkan™ HONTERI™ Mirin Seasoning, 2tbsp of cooking rice wine, 1/2 tsp corn flour and 2tbsp soy sauce and stir through.

4 Allow sauce to coat chicken and thicken slightly.

5 Serve immediately.

HONTERI™ Mirin Seasoning

Serving Suggestion

www.mizkan.asia (English) www.mizkan.co.jp (Japanese)

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