Outdoor Japan Traveler | Issue 73 | Winter 2020

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ISSUE 73

WINTER 2020

19 8

Home in the Mountains

JAPAN SNOW GUIDE INSIDE

13

In Focus: Central Hokkaido

16

Friends Behind the Lens

From the Editor. . . . . . . . 5 Market Watch. . . . . . . . . . 6

14

Matsuri: Sohei Festival

18

Snowledge Japan

Revo Brewing . . . . . . . . . . 7 Events & News . . . . . . . . 33

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F r om t h eEdi t o r

Published Seasonally

W

eekend ski trips to Mt. Hood or—if you were lucky—Mt. Bachelor, were part of growing up in Oregon. We weren’t a ski family, but we’d go occasionally. I’d jump in with friends and their families from time to time and enjoyed being on the mountain with friends. It was also expensive, so I only skied a few times in college. A few years after blowing my knee out in college playing basketball I got out on skis in Japan and it was less than enjoyable on my reconstructed knee. I figured that was it for me and winter sports until a teacher leaving Japan offered to sell me his big Burton Free 6 snowboard with high hard plastic bindings for next to nothing. There was a little ski resort about 20 minutes from my house in Shimosuwa, a town on the north shore of Lake Suwa in southern Nagano. It was called Wada-toge (Wada Pass) and it had a solitary single lift and one rope tow. Southern Nagano is a lot colder and icier than where I live now in Nozawa Onsen, but Wada-toge was fairly steep, if not very long, and rarely groomed. When there was a big dump it was fun and you often had it to yourself on weekdays. The family-run ski resort is long gone, as is Wada Village where it was located; it was merged into a larger district, like many small towns in Japan.

That Burton board was a revelation. It seemed to float through the powder once I learned to ride it. Despite tossing myself down that hill repeatedly that day, my knee felt great—locked in without the twisting or uncomfortable forward lean. The stoke was high until I realized I lost my car keys during one of the tumbles down the slope. Luckily the old lift operator had pity on me and gave me a ride home.

I don’t think it would be hyperbole to say that Jake Burton changed the lives—or at least the direction of the lives—of many people. He certainly did mine. I doubt I’d be where I am now if it wasn’t for the enjoyment, the friends, the moments in Japan’s mountains that snowboarding has given me. Outdoor Japan has been fortunate to work with Burton over the years and have had some great interviews with Burton athletes as well as the man himself when he was in Japan back in 2010.

With deep respect and gratitude we say good bye to Jake Burton—thanks for all the good times.

If it’s been a while since you’ve stood on top of a mountain, felt the fresh air fill your lungs, taken in the views, or just had a fun day out with friends, now is the time to get out of the city and into the snow. There are so many excellent mountains that are accessible no matter where in Japan you are. It’s possible to do day trips to and back from nearly all major cities to some great resorts. If you are willing to spend a bit more time and effort there are countless resorts to choose from.

Our annual Japan Snow Guide can help show you the way and the Events and News & Notes sections have a ton of fun winter events, festivals and activities for the whole family. We are excited to announce we are working with our friends at Snowledge to to help add Japan to their great platform. Their passionate team is led by pro skier—and fellow Oregonian—Eric O’Brien, and they are revolutionizing the on-mountain experience with a mobile app that features GPS tracking, social messaging, sharing and much more at resorts around the world. Also be sure to check out the feature on local adventurer Marin Minamiya and her work with Mirai no Mori, an amazing organization that’s helping kids in Japan through outdoor programs and support. Enjoy our 2020 Winter Issue and be sure to visit us online for even more content. Winter is a magical season in Japan, get out there and get the most out of it!

PUBLISHER Outdoor Japan G.K. DIRECTORS Mike Harris, Charles Odlin, Gardner Robinson FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gardner Robinson MEDIA PRODUCER / EDITOR Rie Miyoshi CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Bill Ross CONTRIBUTORS Joan Bailey, Amy Chavez, Tony Grant, Bryan Harrel, Neil Hartmann, Nolan Isozaki, Pauline Kitamura, Pete Leong, Takashi Niwa, Justin Stein DESIGN Outdoor Japan OUTDOOR JAPAN G.K. 45 Yubiso, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma-ken 〒 379-1728 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES editor@outdoorjapan.com VIDEO / MEDIA PRODUCTION media@outdoorjapan.com SPONSORSHIP / PROMOTIONS media@outdoorjapan.com DESTINATION MARKETING media@outdoorjapan.com

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—Gardner Robinson Editor-in-Chief

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©2020 OUTDOOR JAPAN G.K. all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of OUTDOOR JAPAN G.K. Printed in Japan.

Cover Photo: Nolan Isozaki

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MARKET WATCH

BY JOAN BAILEY

Ito Marche

L

ong famed for its onsen and beaches, Ito City recently added a new event to its repertoire: the Ito Marche. Started in July 2019, the monthly market aims to bring together farmers, craftsmen and women, fishermen and bakers for a festive community gathering focused on local products and makers.

Toshiki Kajiyama is the brainchild of Ito Marche, which attracts more than 3,000 people each weekend. That’s welcome news for the 75 vendors who set up each month at Fuji Park.

"We wanted to do something to raise Ito up a little bit," Kajiyama said as the first live music act warmed up on the stage. Mr. Kajiyama is the owner of R-Ship, a non-profit organization focused on helping rural cities and towns like Ito revitalize their economies and communities while dividing his time between Ito and Tokyo.

Shingo Suzuki serves up Shizuoka’s signature product—tea—hot or iced and offers visitors the opportunity to take some of these local leaves home for themselves. Suzuki darts about his stall talking and serving customers, pouring hot water and hitting the timer to make sure it steeps the right amount of time.

“Three minutes,” he warns.

“Otherwise it gets too bitter.”

A few steps away is Chie Morita and her baked goods. In business for four years, Morita teaches baking and sweetsmaking in Ito. While she has no store, her work is clearly well known as customers flock to her table for the salty caramel cake, sea salt scones, butter cookies and the parmesan and basil bread sticks.

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Those looking for a savory meal or snack should venture over to Shota Katsumata’s booth. Mr. Katsumata is head chef and owner of Il Golfo, an Italian restaurant he started six years ago when he returned to his hometown. His focaccia sandwiches are a savory sample of his ability. One is a generous serving of pimento bologna and cheese, while the other is a hot, slightly spicy concoction of pulled pork.

While tea may be the prefecture’s signature product, Ray Hieda of R-Sou hopes coffee will make some serious inroads as a beverage of choice. One of three coffee vendors on hand at the market, Hieda’s fair trade, organic beans are ground and brewed on the spot for a smooth and delicious cup.

Down a middle aisle is Tamatsu Yasuda’s table featuring his designs on T-shirts, postcards and bags. Another Tokyo transplant, Yasuda finds the Izu Peninsula and the Ito Marche ideal places to feed his creativity and connect with customers for his goods. Meanwhile other artisans, including three masseuses, are busy chatting with customers bearing bags of treats. Ito and its new market are off to a fresh start indeed.

ITO MARCHE Fuji Park, Ito City 10-minute walk from Ito Station First Sunday of every month www.itomarche.info

HAZY SUNDAYS AT REVO BREWING

BY RIE MIYOSHI

I

f it weren’t for the Japanese staff bustling around the brewery and restaurant, you’d swear you were in a Pacific Northwest taproom. Revo Brewing, Yokohama’s newest brewery and taproom, borrowed inspiration from Portland-style pubs and breweries adding to an already blossoming craft beer scene in Yokohama.

R e v o o w n e r M a k o t o Ta k a h a s h i ran three successful steak and wine restaurants in Tokyo and was looking for his next challenge when he learned about a great space that had become available.

He was not a craft beer expert but once he saw the location with views of the bay, he had a vision of what he could add to the developing scene.

He teamed up with former Coedo B e e r b re w e r Ya s u k i M i z u n u m a a n d opened Revo Brewing on the first floor of the new APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower just in time for the Rugby World Cup. The in-house brewery is the first thing customers see as they step inside, followed by the spacious bar and dining area.

Takahashi tur ned to Japan's top American craft beer importer Antenna America for advice. Their nearby taproom and bottle shop was where he was first exposed to a wide variety of craft beer with the hazy IPAs standing out the most.

“It’s not as bitter as an IPA and I thought it would be a good way to introduce craft beer to Japanese people,” says Takahashi. “Also, there aren’t many breweries in Japan making hazy IPAs.” Within the two years it took him to build Revo Brewing, Takahashi and Mizunuma visited breweries in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland. Hazy IPAs have taken the U.S. by storm, consistently outselling traditional IPAs and Revo Brewing wanted the same to happen in Japan. Their I am The President (6.5%) has fruity, tropical notes of mango and orange and a smooth, gentle mouthfeel from the oats. The beer is dedicated to APA Hotel’s president Fumiko Motoya, whose hotels are famously decorated with orange facades, and can only be found at this location. “We’re not affiliated with APA Hotels but because we’re located on

the first floor of their new property, they asked if we could name one of our beers after their president,” explains Takahashi.

Their experimental approach offers customers a fun selection of brews, like their pink-tinted wheat ale using hibiscus. For craft beer novices, their second recommended beer is the mild Green Room Session Hazy IPA (3%) with lower alcohol content and fewer hops.

Although they are mainly focused on hazy IPAs, they also brew West Coast-style IPAs and brown ales and feature friend taps, working with nearby breweries like Yokohama Beer and Bay Brewing. Last month, they collaborated with Level Beer to brew a Brut IPA, brewed in a style not often found in Japan where they used less sugar. In the future they hope to obtain their happo-shu certification.

“Right now we have a beer certificate which allows us to use only up to 5% of fruit juice,” explains brewer Atsushi Kanamaru. “We need more than 5% to achieve similar flavors to the really fruity, hazy IPAs you can get in the states.”

Takahashi has a big vision for Revo Brewing, as he shows off the words printed on his customized jacket sleeve, "Minato Mirai Craft Beer Project." Minato Mirai is the shopping and dining area along the port that has developed over the past three decades. Takahashi hopes this neighborhood will mirror Portland’s craft beer scene offering people numerous venues to try different, unique types of beer.

“Revo stands for revolution, and that’s what we want, a beer revolution,” says Takahashi. “In America, craft beer is a culture, whereas in Japan things like hazy IPAs are just seen as a trend. We want more people to know about it and to transition trends into culture.”

Revo Brewing

9-min. walk from Bashamichi Station or 12-min. walk from Sakuragicho Station (0452) 64-6280 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (open daily) www.revobrewing.com

All American, American. all the time.

Kannai

Yokohama

Shinagawa Home delivery OK! Check our website!

Winter 2020 | 7

HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS

BY RIE MIYOSHI PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARIN MINAMIYA

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Japan’s most accomplished “yama girl” is sharing her love of the outdoors to help inspire and empower marginalized children in Japan.

I

t ’s a t y p i c a l To k y o s c e n e : a J a p a n e s e college student unwinds with a cup of hot tea at a cafe after a busy day at school.

To the casual observer, this young girl sitting i n a n o rd i n a r y c a f e l o o k s l i k e t h o u s a n d s o f other coeds. Yet underestimating this Waseda University student would be a mistake. Beneath h e r y o u t h f u l e x t e r i o r, M a r i n M i n a m i y a i s a fiercely determined soul.

M a r i n d i d n ’t h a v e t h e t y p i c a l J a p a n e s e childhood. Her father’s work took her family to Malaysia, Dalian, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Her middle and high school years were spent at an international school in Hong Kong.

The progressive curriculum seemed exciting initially—students had their own laptops and schoolwork was done online. The school was in a tall, eight-story building and students communicated with phones and computers, while parents’ demanding jobs left many kids unattended. The environment seemed artificial to Marin, who found herself questioning her identity.

“School didn’t feel like school, home didn’t feel like home,” remembers Marin, who was c a u g h t i n t h e m i d d l e o f h e r p a re n t s ’ s h a k y relationship.

Thankfully, she found solace in nature. Her friends encouraged her to go for the the Hong

Kong Award for Young People, a program that t r a i n e d a w a rd - w i n n i n g y o u t h i n l e a d e r s h i p , creativity, community service and outdoor skills.

She started hiking Hong Kong’s mountains, using analog maps and enjoying the human interactions with friends. She climbed most of Hong Kong’s mountains in high school and with each step it felt like she was overcoming her invisible mountain of problems. When she was 13, she went on a volunteer trip to Annapurna b a s e c a m p w h e re s h e v o w e d t o c l i m b M t .

Everest one day.

During her final year of high school, while preparing for university in the U.S., her parents’ relationship worsened and Marin began losing interest in academics.

“If my educated parents couldn’t treat each other nicely or have meaningful lives, why would I want to pursue higher education? I didn’t see the point anymore,” she recalls.

She began meditating up to six hours a day and spent most of her time at home. Her father became alarmed and sent her to Japan.

Back in her home country, Marin felt helpless.

She wanted to take back control over her life, to overcome the invisible mountain she was battling internally while setting her sights on cimbing the highest peak in the world—Mt. Everest.

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Her first obstacle was coming up with funds. She sent out countless e-mails until the Tokyo S h i m b u n a n d Yo m i u r i S h i m b u n covered her Everest expedition in their newspapers. Then, an angel arrived in the for m of an elderly lady who read one of the articles and donated enough for Marin to start her expedition. Since this woman was unable to climb Everest due to her age, she wanted to help Marin fulfill her goal.

More sponsors jumped on board, including Uniqlo, and she decided to set her goal even h i g h e r. S h e w o u l d a t t e m p t t o complete the Seven Summits— summiting the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.

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Her second obstacle was facing the stereotypes created in the male-dominated alpine community.

Among the naysayers was a fellow mountaineer who had completed t h e S e v e n S u m m i t s . “ Yo u ’ re j u s t a 17-year-old girl,” he said. This only added fuel to her fire. Marin c o n t i n u e d h e r r i g o ro u s t r a i n i n g , wearing a 30-kilogram weighted vest while walking on a treadmill at the highest incline two hours a day.

Her Seven Summits journey started with Mt. Aconcagua in South America, followed by Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Blanc, Mt. Kosciusko and Mt. Vinson.

“After completing Mt. Vinson, I asked myself, ‘What are the chances I ’l l ev er b e b a c k i n A n t a rc t i c a ? ’ ” So she skied to the South Pole, then eventually the North Pole the following year while completing Mt. Carstensz, Mt. Elbrus and Mt. Everest, thus making her the world’s youngest person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam—scaling the Sev en Su mm it s an d re ac h in g th e North and South Pole.

“The South Pole was more civilized with research bases and monuments, but the North Pole… it was complete wilderness,” she remembers—it included an encounter with a polar bear.

Everest, on the other hand, was a cathartic, emotional experience as Marin had anticipated this climb since her trip to the Annapurna base camp. Throughout the 60 days of her expedition, Marin was unsure if she would reach the top as she couldn’t see the peak from the South Base route until the day before her summit attempt.

“We were walking towards the mountain at night when the sun started to rise. That was when I realized the peak was right in front of me, and I would be able to summit Mt. Everest in just another hour or two,” Marin remembers.

It was ideal climbing conditions: no wind and no crowds and perfect visibility of the Himalayas. Most of the people had summited a few days before. In her down suit, heavy climbing boots and oxygen tank on her back, Marin felt like she was on a different planet. “I couldn’t e x p re s s a n y t h i n g i n w o rd s ; t e a r s started flowing.”

It wasn’t Everest that was the m o s t d i f f i c u l t c l i m b , h o w e v e r, but her final mountain, Denali (Mt. McKinley). Although Everest i s h i g h e r, t h e b a s e c a m p s t a r t s a t 5 , 3 6 4 m e t e r s . D e n a l i re q u i re s climbers to start from sea level to 6,190 meters, twice the distance of Everest. Climbing season is in the Alaskan summer when the sun never sets.

“It just felt really, really long,” says Marin.

It took two attempts to summit Denali. Her first 30-day attempt left her stranded in a tent for nine days while a storm passed. After running out of food, she and her team rummaged to find food left behind by other hikers—from nearly twenty years ago.

Her most harrowing climbing moment, h o w e v e r, h a p p e n e d c l o s e r t o h o m e , a f e w days after graduating from high school. While climbing Mt. Amida, an unassuming mountain i n s o u t h e r n N a g a n o ’s Ya t s u g a t a k e R a n g e , Marin fell 250 meters down a steep slope after a loose chunk of snow broke loose. It was a miracle she had no broken bones, but she was unable to climb back up and spent the night in a snow cave she constructed. The next day, a rescue helicopter found her.

It wasn’t the brush with death that affected her as much as her parents not showing up during her hospitalization. After being discharged, she returned to an empty home.

This past New Year’s holiday, Marin met Jeff Jensen, a fellow alpinist who has been climbing M t . F u j i e v e r y N e w Ye a r ’s D a y f o r t h e p a s t two decades. They spent New Year’s Eve in a mountain hut where Marin discovered Jeff was one of the founders of Mirai no Mori, an NPO t h a t c re a t e s o u t d o o r p ro g r a m s f o r a b u s e d , neglected and orphaned children in Japan. This hit home for Marin, who immediately related to the children and wanted to get involved. Her rocky upbringing led her to find solace in the mountains and she felt she could help others find inspiration as well. She soon became Mirai no Mori’s first female ambassador.

“I am open to sharing my story, and I want t o n u r t u re a h e a r t f e l t c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e children and support their dreams,” Marin says.

“Despite the challenges in my life, I’m glad I went for it,” she adds. “What I want to tell

young people is that if you want your dreams to come true, you have to be your number one supporter, and not be afraid of challenges.

Have faith in your capabilities all the way. A p e r s o n ’s p o t e n t i a l i s i n f i n i t e , a n d w e ’ re a l l climbing a mountain whether we see it or not.” v

To get involved or learn more about Mirai no Mori, visit www.mirai-no-mori.jp.

For more information about Marin, visit www.marinminamiya.com.

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IN FOCUS

CENTRAL HOKKAIDO

BY NOLAN ISOZAKI

Skinning through Daisetsuzan National Park

H

okkaido is the promised land for powderhounds everywhere. It is situated to be the perfect catcher’s mitt for Siberia’s low pressure storms, which slam into Hokkaido and are trapped by some of these mountains. Riders flock to the western region of Daisetsuzan National Park for its secret pockets of extreme terrain, steep spines and massive powder bowls.

A bluebird powder day at Furanodake

Overlooking the surrounding mountains from Kurodake

N o l a n I s o z a k i i s a N i s e k o - b a s e d a d v e n t u re photographer, skier, climber, and trail runner. He moved to Hokkaido from California after experiencing his first deep Japanese winter and cannot see himself leaving anytime soon.

Backcountry at Mt. Sandan

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MATSURI

SOHEI FESTIVAL

BY PETE LEONG

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WINTER FIRE FESTIVALS

Japanese fire festivals take place throughout the year, but some of the most exciting ones are held in winter to usher in the new year, ward off evil spirits and ask the gods for health and wealth. Witness this fantastic tradition up close (but not too close!).

R

ed sparks dance against the jet black sky as a priest strikes a slow, steady beat on a taiko drum during the Sohei Matsuri in Yunoyama Onsen. The festival commemorates the courageous Tendai Buddhist monks who fought against the feudal system and their samurai for nearly 760 years, until Oda Nobunaga invaded in 1568 and burned the temple to the ground. Particularly magnificent is the sight of the warrior monks carrying the mikoshi around the onsen town with burning torches. There are drum performances and stalls selling hot sake and festival treats.

Yunoyama Onsen in Mie Prefecture is a great stop off between Kyoto and Nagoya. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the hot spring town, a soak in one of the rejuvenating onsens or exploring nearby Mt. Gozaisho, a beautiful 1,212-meter peak in the Suzuka Range. You can take the Gozaisho Ropeway up to the park, ski resort and hiking trails at the summit.

Getting There: Yunoyama Onsen is best reached by bus or taxi from Yunoyama Onsen Station on the Kintetsu Line.

Jan. 7: Oniyo Fire Festival This 1,600-year-old festival is held to drive away evil spirits. Men clad in loincloths wield six enormous torches around the shrine grounds. Onlookers are said to be blessed with good luck if embers or ash from the torches fall on them.

Where: Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine, Fukuoka Jan. 14: Donto Matsuri Locals bring traditional New Year decorations such as pine branches, sacred ropes and daruma to burn for good luck in the new year.

Where: Sendai City, Miyagi Jan. 15: Dosojin Fire Festival Local men of a certain age have a duty to defend a seven-meter wooden shaden (shrine) from villagers attacking it with burning torches. It gets more frenzied as the evening progresses until everything goes up in flames.

Where: Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Jan. 25: Wakakusa Yamayaki This festival starts off with a bonfire at the base of Mt. Wakakusayama and fireworks. Afterwards, the fire is used to set grass on the mountainside alight. It takes around an hour for the fire to spread all across the mountain.

Where: Mt. Wakakusayama, Nara Feb. 6: Oto Festival About 2,000 men dressed in white race down the steep stone stairs of Kamikura Shrine while wielding torches. It is said that this procession resembles a descending dragon.

Where: Kamikura Shrine, Wakayama Feb. 13-14: Hiburiki Kamakura Fire Waving Festival This festival was originally a purification ritual to guard the villagers from sickness and famine. Amidst a snowy landscape, locals hold a rope attached to a blazing bag of charcoal and swing it in a wide circle around their bodies.

Where: Senboku City, Akita

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PHOTO E S S AY

FRIENDS BEHIND THE LENS

BY NEIL HARTMANN PHOTOS BY JIMMIE OKAYAMA

Winter is a special time to explore Japan’s wilderness.

Light and shadow can create stunning compositions on the frozen landscape and it pays to have a good camera with you or, better yet, a friend with one to take some shots of you carving lines or riding powder. Neil Hartmann introduces photos by long-time friend and fellow photographer and winterlover Jimmie Okayama.

ABOVE: While I am usually the one pushing the shutter button, I’m pleased to introduce my friend Jimmie Okayama. His passion for the winter season in northern Japan shines through his photos. Good friends take photos of you while riding powder, and luckily Jimmie got this shot of me.

LEFT: Jimmie truly loves nature, mountains and snowboarding. He does an average of 100 days a year on the mountain and is always up for a hike or tour in the backcountry. He’ll be there regardless of weather or snow conditions, but when it’s good you know he’s out there with his camera, getting some shots like this one. No paying client, no obligations to fill— just a guy out living in the moment and ready to capture the beauty of winter.

RIGHT: The winter playground at higher elevations is a texture lover’s dream. The winds, snow and varying temperatures are always creating an endless display of snowscapes. My hard drives are also filled with images like this, light and shadow, snow and ice, so I understand where Jimmie is coming from with an abstract photo like this.

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LEFT: Nature-based photographers are always on the lookout— anytime anywhere—especially while driving around. I am sure Jimmie’s wife tells him to keep his eye on the road, just like mine does. I hope he stopped the car, jumped out and ran to the center of the road to capture this image. The peak in the background is Konbudake as seen on the way to Niseko. The mountain was named by the Ainu people as they would pass by it on the way to the southern coast of Hokkaido to gather konbu (kelp) used for cooking.

BELOW: Our local hill is called Sapporo Kokusai and it features great snow conditions and amazing views of the Sapporo area. Jimmie captured this northeastern view with Teine Mountain in the center, the Ishikari Bay and, in the distance, the mountain range between Yubari and Mikasa to the north. Lining up a shot like this takes local knowledge, patience and the good fortune to be there when another party of snow lovers walks through the frame.

ABOVE: One more great shot of Niseko powder. Jimmie and I are always on the lookout for dark backgrounds. Here he has found one as the skier slides perfectly along the edge of the shadow. The spray stands out from the background and creates a great sense of depth in the photo. Keep that in mind next time you are out and about with a camera in hand!

RIGHT: Years ago Jimmie and I lived a different kind of life. He was a bartender at a popular club and I was a DJ. We both graduated from the night scene and now spend our days working together to capture photos for a variety of clients. One of our regular projects is Niseko Moiwa Resort.

We run the social media for the resort and the first priority is capturing images like this one. Moiwa is home to Gate #6, which allows access to some amazing side country in Niseko. Skiers with the proper safety gear can exit the gates when open. Here we can see one lucky rider enjoying some powder while the rest of the group watches from above. There is still a lot of open space; come leave your mark on the mountain and we might just capture a photo of you! v

Follow Neil, Jimmie and Mt. Moiwa on Instagram: @neilhartmann @jimmmij @niseko_moiwa_official

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D OWNL OAD SNOWL E D GE

and stay connected with friends at the resort and in the backcountry, track your day, share photos and more!

FREE on the App Store and Google Play

The Snowledge team is made up of professional skiers and snowboarders who wanted to find a solution for the lack of unified resort and GPS tracker apps needed to plan, track and share that perfect day of skiing or snowboarding. Together with input from their community of industry gurus and resort experts, they designed Snowledge, which combines all the features skiers and riders need at resorts and in the backcountry.

They have more than 64 resorts listed across the U.S. and Australia and are teaming up with Outdoor Japan to expand into the Japan market this year. Japan has countless ski resorts, some which are extremely local and hidden and could use the support of inbound tourism. Snowledge hopes to build a connected community of local and international riders and engage them with their favorite ski resorts or introduce them to new places to explore in Japan.

SIGN UP TODAY! FOR SKIERS AND RIDERS • View current snow conditions, and research info on nearby resorts, offers and current contests • Stay connected with friends, family and your favorite resorts, and see what skiers and riders around the world are up to • Find your friends on the mountain and track your day with stats, recorded weather and maps showing runs skied • Customize your profile, bio and gallery, and view detailed activity summaries of your days skied • Get lift status updates, conditions and parking information, as well as offers and contests from your favorite resorts

FOR SKI RESORTS • Engage with skiers and riders at your resort • Reach people who are near your region and connect with a community of skiers, riders and people interested in skiing in Japan • Raise brand awareness of your resort by building your profile on Snowledge's list of over 64 resorts • Schedule push notifications and targeted messaging on your resort's special promotions, offers and contests • Quick and easy offer and contest creation • Use GPS tracking for safety and emergency rescues and determine slope popularity and usage

If your local resort would like to join Snowledge, contact media@outdoorjapan.com.

18 | TRAVELER

THINK DEEP

PHOTO: KAGURA SKI RESORT

KNOWLEDGE IS POWDER,

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HOKKAIDO

Kamui Ski Links Furano

T

he general rule with skiing is, the farther north Kiroro Snow World you go, the better the snow. Well, you can’t go any farther north in Japan than Hokkaido, Niseko Grand Hirafu and the area rightfully creates the biggest buzz for Niseko Village people in search of deep powder. The reason for this is simple: Hokkaido consistently gets the best snow Niseko Annupuri conditions, and Niseko in particular is recognized as a world-class ski resort, rivaling the long-established Rusutsu ski areas in Europe and North America. However, anyone thinking Hokkaido is a one-trick pony will be pleasantly surprised to find there are some great ski areas all over Japan’s north island.

Sahoro

Tomamu

NISEKO NISEKO GRAND HIRAFU, NISEKO ANNUPURI, NISEKO VILLAGE RESORT, NISEKO HANAZONO

Kutchan-cho, Hokkaido Niseko United: www.niseko.ne.jp

Niseko Grand Hirafu 37% 1 8 Park

Park

Niseko Annupuri

Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 1,156m Base Elevation: 400m Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

20 | TRAVELER

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Longest Course: 4,550m Top Elevation: 1,030m Base Elevation: 308m

Niseko Grand Hirafu

Advanced

Longest Course: 5,600m Top Elevation: 1,200m Niseko Village Base Elevation: 240m Longest Course: 5,000m Top Elevation: 1,175m Base Elevation: 280m

40% 5 1

23% 1

Niseko Village Resort 36% 1

32% 4

32% 2

27

courses

30

courses

Niseko Annupuri 30% 1

13

courses

40% 1

Niseko HANAZONO Resort 30% 4

25% 3

11

courses

63%

12%

Niseko gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so. It is the most international ski resort in Japan and consistently gets some of the heaviest snowfall in the world. The mountain, Mt. Annupuri (which, in Ainu, means White Mountain), is home to three ski resorts: Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village (formerly Niseko Higashiyama) and Niseko Annupuri.

Collectively they form Niseko United and share a common lift pass. The Hanazono area of Niseko Grand Hirafu is independently managed, and one of the more progressive areas on the mountain, featuring three terrain parks and the only FIS Half Pipe in Japan, which is well maintained throughout the season, and a bag jump, where you can safely practice your freestyle tricks.

Niseko Village (which is a 10-minute drive from the main Hirafu Village area) also has nice facilities and a lot of activities. Niseko Annupuri keeps the lowest profile of the three, but has some nice areas that can be less crowded. Other nearby resorts are Niseko Moiwa and Niseko Weiss. The lifts are no longer running at Weiss, but cat tours service the area. While a few other resorts may challenge Niseko’s claim to the best powder in Japan, there is no doubt Niseko has the best, and widest, selection of restaurants and accommodations in Japan.

The infrastructure is well organized, with efficient bus service to/from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport and a shuttle bus that takes visitors to the various resorts. On one of those rare midseason clear days, the view of Mt. Yotei from the slopes is the quintessential image of skiing in Japan.

NISEKO ANNUPURI

(0136) 58-2080 https://annupuri.info/winter/english 8:30 - 20:30 (16:30 - 20:30) End of Nov. - Mid-May

1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

Adults Kids

¥5,500 ¥3,200

Park

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Niseko Station

By Car: 120 minutes from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport

NISEKO GRAND HIRAFU

(0136) 22-0109 Nov. 23 - May 6

1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

Adults Kids

www.grand-hirafu.jp 8:30 - 20:30 (16:30 - 20:30)

¥6,200 ¥5,000

Park

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station

By Car: 130 minutes from Sapporo City and 130 minutes from New Chitose Airport

NISEKO VILLAGE

(0136) 44-2211 Dec. 1 -May 6 1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

Adults Youth Kids

www.niseko-village.com 8:30 - 20:00 (16:30 - 20:00)

¥6,100 ¥4,600 ¥3,700

Park

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station

By Car: 120 minutes from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport

NISEKO HANAZONO RESORT

(0136) 21-6688 Dec. 7 - Mar. 31 1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

Adults Kids

https://hanazononiseko.com 8:30 - 17:00

¥5,900 ¥3,600

Park

By Train: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kutchan Station

By Car: 120 minutes from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport

Winter 2020 | 21

RUSUTSU RESORT

(0136) 46-3111 Nov. 23 - Apr. 5

Rusutsu, Hokkaido

www.hokkaido-rusutsu.com 9:00 - 20:00 (16:00-20:00)

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥6,200 ¥3,200

Park

Rusutsu is more than a good day trip from Niseko. It’s an excellent all-round mountain with 37 courses over three mountains: Mt. Isola, East Mountain and West Mountain.

Powder lovers will love the big valleys full of deep tree runs funneling down to the modern, efficient lifts, and everyone will enjoy the views of the back side of Mt. Yotei and the quieter alternative to bustling Niseko. The skiin/ski-out Rusutsu Resort Hotel is the most convenient place to stay with hot springs, day care, fireworks during Christmas and New Year and a variety of great activities.

30% 4

40 7

Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

30% 4

40% 7

Advanced

37

courses

Longest C Top Ele Base Ele

30% 7

Park

ACCESS

Beginner

By Bus: 120 minutes from Sapporo Station via free shuttle bus Lifts

By Car: 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport

KIRORO SNOW WORLD

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

Longest Course: 3,500m Top Elevation: 994m Base Elevation: 400m

37

courses

Akaigawa, Hokkaido

(0135) 34-7111 www.kiroro.co.jp/english/ 9:00 - 20:00 (16:30 - 19:30) Dec. 8 - Beg. of May

Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

¥5,900 ¥3,100

Kiroro is a relatively new (opened in 1992) ski resort just 30 kilometers west of Sapporo. The resort has great facilities, some amazing views of the Japan Sea and the natural surroundings and gets a lot of snow from mid-December until early May. Kiroro makes up for its lack of challenging terrain by offering a few powder pockets and plenty of gentle slopes for beginners and children. The "Powder Zone" opens middle of January to middle of March.

Kiroro also has one of the best base lodges in Japan, complete with a hot spring to soak away the day’s bumps and bruises and an adjacent hotel with good restaurants.

Park

37% 1

37 4

Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

37% 1

37% 4

Advanced

10

courses

Longest Co Top Elev Base Ele

26% 4

Park

ACCESS

By Car: About 30 minutes by car from Otaru or 80 minutes by car from downtown Beginner Intermediate Advanced Lifts Gondola Sapporo

SAPPORO KOKUSAI

Sapporo, Hokkaido

(0115) 98-4511 www.sapporo-kokusai.jp 9:00 - 17:00 Nov. 22 - May 10

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,600 ¥1,000

If you ski or snowboard, Sapporo is hard to beat. Residents can get a few quick runs just 15 minutes from downtown at Sapporo Bankei. However, many families make the one-hour drive out to “Kokusai,” which offers more choices for beginners and intermediate skiers and has a nice park. Although this is a day-trip resort, it does attract a spattering of international guests who find it hard to stay in the city when snow is falling. Most will be pleasantly surprised as this coastal resort gets its fair share of powder days and offers some varied, albeit fairly short, runs and a small, but decent park. Night skiing is not available.

Park

ACCESS

Beginner

By Car: One hour from Sapporo city center, depending on traffic Lifts

SAPPORO TEINE

(0116) 82-6000 Nov. 23 - May 6

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

1 DAY TICKET

Beginner

Adults Kids

Intermediate

By Car: 30 minutes from Sapporo city center, depending onLifts traffic Gondola

22 | TRAVELER

Park

30% 2 Park

Beginner Lifts

30% 2

7

courses

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

60% 1

10% 2

7

courses

60 1

Longest C Top Elev Base El

Longest Course: 3,600m Top Elevation: 1,100m Base Elevation: 670m

Sapporo, Hokkaido

www.sapporo-teine.com 9:00 - 21:00 (16:00 - 21:00)

¥5,400 ¥2,800

If someone mentions the Winter Olympics in Japan, you’ll undoubtedly think of the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Yet 26 years earlier, Sapporo hosted its own Winter Games at a resort just 30 minutes from downtown Sapporo. Yet, what might be most surprising is this resort, Sapporo Teine, offers some steep and deep powder fun for intermediate and advanced riders. The offpiste terrain is up in the Teine Highland area, accessible without having to duck ropes or elude the patrol. The Teine Olympia is a kinder, gentler area, which has a lively park scene.

Night skiing available until 9 p.m.

ACCESS

Longest Course: 4,050m Top Elevation: 1,180m Base Elevation: 570m

10

courses

Advanced

Park

40% 1

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

40% 1

15

courses

30% 1

Advanced

30%

Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,023m Base Elevation: 680m

15

courses

30 1

Longest Co Top Elev Base Ele

SAHORO RESORT

Shintoku, Hokkaido

(0156) 64-4121 www.sahoro.co.jp 9:00 - 18:00 (15:00 -18:00) Nov. 30 - Apr. 12

Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

ÂĽ5,800 ÂĽ4,600

Park

Sahoro is a well-run resort that caters to families. There are 17 nicely groomed courses, some “semi-backcountry� and a terrain park.

Like Tomamu, it’s a place where you can have fun whether you are a skier or not, with lots of activities. Two all-inclusive hotels service Sahoro Resort: The Sahoro Resort Hotel, an attractive luxury hotel, and the Club Med Sahoro. English ski lessons are available and lots of organized fun for the whole family. Sahoro is not for the budget traveler, but makes for a great family getaway.

ACCESS

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By Train: 94 minutes from New Chitose Airport to Shintoku Station

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By Car: 200 min. from Sapporo to Tomamu I.C.

HOSHINO RESORTS TOMAMU

(0167) 58-1111 Dec. 1 - Apr. 5

Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

ÂĽ5,900 ÂĽ3,900

 � �

Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

ÂĽ6,000 FREE

Park

Central Hokkaido's Furano Resort is known for blue skies, yet manages nearly nine meters of snow each year. There are two sides to the mountain, serviced by a 101-person cable car (Japan’s fastest). The nearby Tokachi Range is a popular backcountry playground. The ski-in/ ski-out New Furano Prince Hotel has a new hot springs facility. Join the Host Program and get a tour from a local or a bus tour from January to March to Lake Shikarebetsu’s ice village and bathe in ice bathhouses or enjoy a drink at the ice bar built on the frozen lake.

Park

 �

Park

Bus or car access is recommended: 60 minutes from Asahikawa Airport to Furano

Station  �

KAMUI SKI LINKS

Furano, Hokkaido

(0167) 22-1111 www.princehotels.co.jp/newfurano 8:30 - 19:30 (16:30 -19:30) Nov. 23 - May 6

ACCESS

Park

By Train: 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport to Tomamu Station

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By Car: 100 minutes from New Chitose Airport

FURANO RESORT

Shimukappu, Hokkaido

www.snowtomamu.jp 9:00 - 18:00 (16:00-18:00)

To m a m u h a s e x c e l l e n t f a c i l i t i e s a n d a beautiful location. Many courses are suited for beginners, yet a challenging double black diamond course and cat-ski tours will challenge advanced riders. Tomamu is a destination in itself with a plethora of ways to entertain the whole family. There’s a good selection of restaurants, an indoor wave pool, Kids Park, Ice Village and a variety of spa and relaxation options. The resort has also expanded the Family Adventure area and connected the two mountains.

ACCESS

Asahikawa, Hokkaido

(0166) 72-2311 www.kamui-skilinks.com 9:00 - 17:00 Dec. 1 - Mar. 31

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ3,800 ÂĽ1,800

Park

Kamui Ski Links is a resort run “by skiers, for skiers.� Those who enjoy powder and tree skiing will understand why this little resort 20 kilometers outside of Asahikawa has so many admirers. Management has no restrictions on tree skiing and has even left several courses in which to play ungroomed. On top of that, the snow quality is excellent. You may find yourself in some short lines for the lifts on weekends, but on weekdays it is nothing but fresh lines down the hill. Be sure to warm up by the fireplace at Mt. 751 at the top of the gondola.

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ACCESS

Bus or car access is recommended: About 40 minutes from downtown Asahikawa

 on Route 12

Winter 2020 | 23

TOHOKU Hakkoda Ropeway

Hachimantai Resort

Tazawako

HAKKODA ROPEWAY

Grandeco

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

6 Times (on Ropeway) ¥6,100 ¥2,150

Miyagi Eboshi

Alts Bandai

Yamagata Zao

APPI KOGEN

Hakkoda, Aomori

(017) 738-0343 www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp Mid-Dec. - Beg. of May 9:00 - 15:20

Appi Kogen

(0195) 73-6401 Nov. 30 - May 6

Photo courtesy of JapowTours.com

T

he Tohoku Region represents about 35 percent of the area of Japan’s main island, Honshu. Running north-south through the center of Tohoku are the Ou Mountains, ranging between 1,500-2,000 meters. When the famous poet, Matsuo Basho, wrote The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oku no Hosomichi), these were the mountains toward which he walked. Today they are full of some of Japan’s least crowded ski resorts. Tohoku may seem far away, but it’s only two-to-four hours by bullet train or you can jump on a domestic flight. Regardless, it’s never too far to go to find good snow.

Hachimantai, Iwate

http://www.appi-japan.com/ 8:00 - 20:00 (16:00 - 20:00 1 DAY TICKET

Park

Adults Kids

¥5,600 ¥3,300

Park

Tour Route Area Tour Route Area

20% 1

60% 1

20%

30% 2 1

Park

40 3

The eight peaks of Hakkoda attract Japan's most Longest C APPI is a giant resort (45.1 kilometers of trails) with Longest Course: 5,000m devoted powder lovers. It is basically backcountry 21 Top Elev Beginner Intermediate Advanced season 5 aToplong Elevation: 1,324m(thanks to the many north-facing Beginner Intermediate Advanced courses Base Ele with a 100-person gondola that takes 10 minutes Lifts Gondola courses slopes) plus some Lifts Gondola Base Elevation: 660m great facilities (thanks to bubble to the top with four trips every hour. Once you era spending). Unlike many resorts in Japan that get off, you can choose from "Direct" or "Forest" 40% 30% 30% 60% 20% 20% have relatively short runs, the average course length trails. You won't get many blue bird Tourdays here, and at APPI is 2,100m; the longest 5,500m. It’s possible Area 2 3 11 visibility can be difficult during Route snowstorms, which 1 1 Tour Route Area to do Appi as a long day-trip from Tokyo but, with happen often. So if you are a Hakkoda newbie and two ski-in/ski-out hotels and an annex hotel, which want to explore the terrain, it's best to grab a local collectively sleep 4,100 guests, why not stay and guide. Hakkoda Sansou, across the parking lot from Longest Course: 5,500m soak away sore muscles at one of the two natural Longest Course: 5,000m the gondola, is the closest accommodation. Up the 21 Top Elevation: 1,328m Beginner Intermediate Advanced 5 hot springs after a day on the mountain.

Families Top Elevation: 1,324m Beginner Intermediate Advanced courses road, Sukayu Onsen is a mixedLiftshot spring with a Lifts Gondola courses Base Elevation: 660m Base Elevation: 828m Gondola will appreciate the Kids Park.

300-year history and a 1,000-person bath.

Park

ACCESS

By Bus: 80 minutes from Aomori Station

By Car: 35 min. from Aomori I.C. and Ishiguri I.C.

ACCESS

HACHIMANTAI RESORT

TAZAWAKO SKI RESORT

Hachimantai, Iwate

(0195) 78-4111 www.hachimantai.co.jp 8:30 - 20:00 Dec. 14 - Mar. 29

By Train and Bus: 50 minutes from Morioka Station to APPI.

By Car: 15 minutes from Matsuo-Hachimantai I.C. or Ashiro I.C.

Tazawako, Akita

(0187) 46-2011 www.tazawako-ski.com 9:00 - 16:00 Dec. 20 - Mar. 31 1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,200 ¥2,900

1 DAY TICKET

Park

Adults Kids

¥4,100 ¥1,100

Park

40% 1

PANORAMA

30% 1

20% 5

30% 2

When it snows in Tazawako, and it usually does, there is deep powder and a good variety of courses to enjoy.

When Longest Course: 2,700mit is not snowing, you are treated Longest Cou 13 Top Eleva 14 toTopone of the1,130m great views of any ski resort in Japan, Elevation: Beginner Intermediate Advanced Beginner Intermediate Advanced courses courses Lifts Gondola Lifts Gondola with Lake Tazawa below providing a stunning Base Elev Base Elevation: 540m backdrop. For this reason, Tazawako is a popular 30% 40% 30% ski resort for people in Tohoku, but the lines are 40% 30% 30% still relatively short when compared to resorts in 4 2 1 1 5 other areas of Japan. The lifts run directly from the Tazawako Onsen hotel area. The selection of runs should keep everyone happy; on one side is a beginner and intermediate area, and on the other is Longest Course: 3,000m Longest Course: 2,700m 13 Top Elevation: 1,186m 14 Top Elevation: 1,000m a more challenging advanced course.

Beginner Powder Intermediatelovers Advanced courses courses Base Elevation: 540m Lifts Gondola won’t want to miss the Komagatake Panoramic Cat Base Elevation: 608m Tour.

SHIMOKURA

It’s easy to get confused because there are two Iwate Hachimantai resorts and another in Akita.

Iwate’s Hachimantai Resort, is a great family ski destination. Hachimantai Resort covers PANORAMA two main areas, Panorama ski area and the Shimokura ski area. Both are well sheltered from the weather, and Panorama features a huge SHIMOKURA night skiing area. There are high-speed lifts and mainly beginner or intermediate courses.

Park

Beginner Lifts

ACCESS

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

Park

Park

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka Station (2 hours , 11 minutes), then about 90 minutes by bus to Hachimantai Resort

24 | TRAVELER

30% 4

Park

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Tazawako Station (3 hours), then 30 minutes by bus to the ski resort

EBOSHI RESORT

Zao-machi, Miyagi

(0224) 34-4001 www.eboshi.co.jp 9:00 - 22:00 (16:00 - 22:00) Nov. 29 - Apr. 5

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,600 ÂĽ2,000

Park

Miyagi's Eboshi Resort is on the other side of the mountain from the more famous Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort. It's much quieter, the lift lines are shorter on this side of the track, and the views are fantastic. Although it's a decent sized resort with well laid-out courses and a variety of ways to descend the mountain, it is more geared for beginners or advanced riders, as there is not a lot of challenging terrain.

Powder hounds will be salivating on some of the areas outside the lines.

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ACCESS

ZAO ONSEN SKI RESORT

(023) 694-9617 Dec. 7 - May 6

Yamagata-shi, Yamagata

www.zao-ski.or.jp 8:30 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ5,000 ÂĽ2,500

Ski resorts each have their own personalities; it is one of the joys of exploring new resort areas.

Zao Onsen has a big bubbling personality. The town is literally bubbling with hot springs, and the ski resort offers a unique ski experience— skiing among the famous Zao Snow Monsters (juhyo). The resort is big with four gondolas, 32 lifts and a 10K downhill course. Skiers will enjoy the layout more than snowboarders (too much traversing), but the highlight, undoubtedly, is riding among these huge creatures formed of ice and wind. The peak season is February, and the juhyo illumination is spectacular.

Park

By Train and Bus: 2 1/2 hours by bullet train from Tokyo to Yamagata Station,

 � then 40 minutes by bus to Zao Onsen

 �

(0242) 74-5000 www.alts.co.jp 8:30-21:00 (17:30-21:00) Dec. 21 - Mar. 29

1 DAY TICKET

HOSHINO RESORTS ALTS BANDAI SNOW PARK & RESORT Adults Kids

Park

Park

ACCESS

(1

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shoroishi-Zao Station hour, 54 Â Â? Â? minutes) then about an hour to the ski resort

ÂĽ4,900 ÂĽ2,100

With 30K of rideable terrain, nearly 30 courses and progressive free-style parks, it is no surprise ALTS is a favorite of many of the top park riders in Japan. The resort is the largest in southern Tohoku and was the home to the Asia Open. ALTS has a Cat Ski area on the west side of the resort where visitors can enjoy some deep turns. Slide into Yama Cafe for a drink or relax in the hotel's great hot springs. ALTS is a southfacing resort, so it’s bright and features some nice terrain for free riding, but powder lovers will want to head next door to north-facing Nekoma. This year, a route connecting ALTS and Nekoma will open so you can reach Nekoma within a 15-minute walk.

ACCESS

GRANDECO SNOW RESORT

(0241) 32-2530 Dec. 11 - May 6

www.grandeco.com 8:30 - 17:00

By Train: 45 minutes from Inawashiro Station via local bus. Beginner Lifts

By Car: 35 minutes from Inawashiro Bandai Kogen I.C.

Bandai, Fukushima Park

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Aizu Ura Bandai, Fukushima 1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,700 ÂĽ3,500

Grandeco Snow Resort is a medium-sized resort with first-rate facilities, which include a gondola and express chairlifts and artificial snow-making capabilities to guarantee early and late-season riding. There is also a luxury hotel and SIA certified Snow Academy. Although the resort is best suited for beginners and intermediate riders, there are tree runs for advanced riders and a well maintained park. Gran Deco is one of the highest resorts in the area, which means good quality snow. The nearby Hotel Gran Deco has westernstyle rooms, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool (open in winter), Jacuzzis, saunas, hot spring baths, restaurants and bars.

ACCESS

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By Train: 90 minutes from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station

By Car: 75 minutes from Fukushima International Airport.

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

Park

40% 1

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

40% 1

8

45% 4

Advanced

8

45% 4

15% 2

Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 1,590m

courses Base Elevation: 1,010m

15% 2

Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 1,590m

courses Base Elevation: 1,010m

Winter 2020 | 25

NAGANO Togakushi

N

agano is the traditional center of the Japan snow scene, and at the heart of it is the Japan Alps. The prefecture is home to some of the finest, steepest and biggest resor t s in Japan, and boast s arguably the most breathtaking scener y. Within Nagano, the sheer volume of ski areas is due to the jagged spine of rugged natural beauty known as the Japan Alps slashing through the prefecture. This area is as much a Mecca for photographers as it is for skiers, with its many onsen, snow-swept valleys and bristling peaks. Backcountry fun here is limited only to your preparedness and daring.

Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa and the Iiyama areas are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

HAKUBA GORYU

Hakuba Cortina Tsugaike Hakuba Iwatake Hakuba Happo

Okushiga Yakebitaiyama Shiga Kogen Area Hoppobundaira Higashitateyama Nishitateyama

Hakuba 47

Hakuba Goryu Norikura

HAKUBA 47

Hakuba, Nagano

(0261) 75-2101 www.hakubagoryu.com/e/index.html Mid-Dec. - Beg. of May 8:00 -16:50 (18:00 - 21:30) 1 DAY TICKET

Nozawa Onsen Madarao

Hakuba, Nagano

(0261) 75-3533 www.hakuba47.co.jp Mid-Dec. - Beg. of May 8:00 - 16:20 Adults Kids

ÂĽ5,500 ÂĽ2,900

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ5,000 ÂĽ2,700

Park

Park

40% 3

35% 1 1

30% 1

25% 9

40% 1

Part of Hakuba Valley Resorts, Hakuba Goryu is one Hakuba 47 5,000m is a relatively new resort (opened Longest Co Longest Course: of the most scenic and pleasant places to ski. Soak up in Top 1990), and1,624m they’ve been trying to take some Top Eleva Elevation: Beginner Intermediate Advanced Beginner Intermediate Advanced courses courses the view as the Japan Alps soar behind you, and then Lifts Gondola Lifts Gondola Base Ele Base Elevation: 950m steps to making a better resort fresh, progressive head down to Escal Plaza, one of the best base lodges experience. There are loads of activities and events, 40% 25% 35% 40% 30% 30% in Japan. There is a ski/snowboard rental shop, a nice an extensive snow park with lots of jibs, kickers selection of restaurants and even a bath open until and things to launch off, and a great half pipe. The 1 9 1 4 3 1 9 p.m. daily. The Toomi Piste is open until 9:30 p.m. resort also has some excellent intermediate courses, If you’re on a tight budget, there is a “resting room� a challenging mogul course and a shared ticket 1 where you can wait for the lifts to open. It’s a common with Goryu, so no shortage of courses from which space that fits up to 100 people (no reservations Longest Course: 5,000m Longest Course: 6,400m to choose. If you were wondering about the name, required). Serious skiers can challenge Top Elevation: 1,624m Top Elevation: 1,614m Beginner themselves Intermediate on Advanced Beginner Intermediate Advanced courses Base Elevation: 950m courses Base Elevation: 820m the goal of the resort is to offerLifts a great mountain Gondolashares a Gondola the Champions expert run. HakubaLifts Goryu also experience “4� seasons and “7� days a week. common lift pass with Hakuba 47.

Park

Park

ACCESS

Park

16

Park

16

By Train and Shuttle: Shinkansen to Nagano Station and the direct bus to Hakuba. A shuttle service runs between Goryu and Hakuba 47

HAKUBA HAPPO-ONE

Hakuba, Nagano

(0261) 72-3066 www.happo-one.jp 8:00 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00) Mid-Dec. - Beg. of May 1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

8

8

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1 hour, 45 minutes), then an Alpico Bus to Hakuba (60 minutes)

HAKUBA IWATAKE SNOW FIELD

Hakuba, Nagano

(0261) 72-2474 iwatake.jp Dec. 13 - Mar. 29 8:00 - 17:00 Adults Kids

ÂĽ5,200 ÂĽ3,000

1 DAY TICKET

Park

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,600 ÂĽ2,800

Park

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Happo is a huge resort that is heaven for skiers If the crowds at Happo are too much for you,

who enjoy well-groomed, long courses. There are

over to nearby Iwatake. The base of the

head

  � many runs, good challenging terrain and a nice

resort looks up at Hakuba’s highest peaks for a park and the Hakuba Banks Park opens on Feb. 1. spectacular view while you enjoy the slopes. The

Happo hosted the downhill races during the 1998

resort itself is surprisingly big, making it a great Olympics and, if you want to test your meddle,

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� � head to the top of the men’s downhill course. While place to go to get away from the crowds and advanced riders will love Happo, beginners may get explore the 26 courses. Lift lines are relatively

Â? frustrated with the many narrow paths leading down short by Hakuba standards, and you can often the mountain. If you need a break, there are plenty  Â?  Â? Â? Â

find some pockets of powder here after it has of restaurants to stop for a bite. Note the resort’s

especially

popularity means it can get crowded, on been tracked out at other resorts nearby.

 �

 long weekends. � �

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1 hour, 45 minutes), then an Alpico Bus to Hakuba (60 minutes)

26 | TRAVELER

­ €

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1 hour, 45 minutes), then an Alpico Bus to Hakuba (60 minutes)

HAKUBA CORTINA SKI RESORT

Hakuba, Nagano

(0261) 82-2236 www.hgp.co.jp 1 DAY Adults ¼4,200 8:30 -17:00 (Sun-Fri: 17:00 - 20:00, Dec. 14 - Apr. 5 TICKET Kids ¼2,600 Sat: 17:00 - 21:00) If you are looking for a place to spend a quiet, romantic ski weekend in the Hakuba area, head over to Cortina. The massive Green Plaza Hotel with northern European architecture is impressive.

If your ski partner is just starting out, the course right outside the door of the hotel is a gentle slope and great for beginners. Although most of the runs are in the beginner to intermediate range, there are some steep courses, and they have adopted a progressive approach to tree skiing and power areas in which guests are responsible for themselves if they get into trouble. The Hakuba Cortina Resort also offers a convenient shuttle from Nagano Station (one-way, 1,000 yen).

ACCESS

Beginner

By Train: From Shinjuku to Minami Otari: 4 hours (By Azusa) Lifts

By Car: 90 minutes from Nagano I.C. to hotel

HAKUBA TSUGAIKE KOGEN

(0261) 83-2515 www.tsugaike.gr.jp Mid-Dec. - May 6 8:00 - 17:00 (8:00 - 20:50 on Sat.)

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

Adults Kids

Beginner Station Intermediate

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Lifts Gondola (1 hour, 45 minutes), then a shuttle to Hakuba Cortina (80 minutes)

40% 2

16

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

30% 5

30%

16

courses

30%

Longest Course: 2,025m Top Elevation: 1,402m Base Elevation: 872m

Longest Course: 2,025m Top Elevation: 1,402m Base Elevation: 872m

ÂĽ5,100 ÂĽ3,000

Park

Advanced

50% 1 1

Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

50% 1 1

14

courses

30% 1 9

Advanced

14

courses

30% 1 9

20% 9 2

Longest Course: 4,630m Top Elevation: 1,704m Base Elevation: 800m

20% 9 2

Longest Course: 4,630m Top Elevation: 1,704m Base Elevation: 800m

Norikura Kogen Onsen, Nagano

(0263) 93-2645 www.b r n o r i k u r a . j p 8:45 - 16:30 Dec. 14 - Beg. of Apr.

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,300 ÂĽ2,200

The base of Mt. Norikura (not to be confused with the smaller Hakuba Norikura) starts at 1,500 meters, meaning the snow quality is excellent, and you’ll spend more time riding than in lift lines. It is a relatively small, local resort, yet the dedicated locals have created a progressive and challenging terrain park and good facilities for beginners to learn to ride.

There is no ATM, so bring cash or your credit card and make sure to pack chains or have a 4WD, since Norikura is nestled deep in the Northern Alps. After a day on the mountain, don’t miss the great rotenburo at Yukemurikan.

ACCESS

Beginner Lifts

30% 5

Otari, Nagano 1 DAY TICKET

Park

MT. NORIKURA

40% 2

courses

Tsugaike is actually located in Otari Village, just up the road from Hakuba. The resort could be considered one of the most underrated, considering it has some huge bowls, a big gondola, terrain park, cross-country course, good night skiing and some interesting runs.

There are even heli-skiing tours in spring and good places to hike to get fresh turns. The Children’s Square is great for kids just starting out on the slopes. Most of Tsugaike’s runs are in the intermediate range, but there are a few expert areas as well. To finish off a great day, head over to Tsuga no Yu hot springs, just 100 meters from the gondola.

ACCESS

Park

Park

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â?

Â?

(2

By Train: Super Azusa Express train from Shinjuku to Matsumoto hours, 37

minutes. Transfer at Matsumoto, then on to Shin Shimashima (30 minutes)

Winter 2020 | 27

SHIGA KOGEN Shiga Kogen, Nagano www.shigakogen-ski.com

Shibutouge

Okushiga Kogen

Terakoya Yokoteyama

Yakebitaiyama Yama no Kami

Ichinose Family

Hoppo Bunadaira, Higashidateyama, Nishidateyama

Tanne no Mori

Diamond

Kumanoyu Giant Hasuike

Kidoike SunValley

Maruike If you include all 19 interlinked ski resorts, Shiga Kogen in northern Nagano is Japan’s largest ski resort area. Surrounded by 2,000-meter mountains, Shiga has good elevation and is a great place to get in some early or late season runs, as the season stretches from late November to early May. Shiga Kogen hosted the women’s downhill, slalom, the super giant slalom and both snowboarding events for the 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games.

W ith more than 80 accommodations scattered around the area, there is no shortage of places to stay, although it has retained an “old school� feel with most restaurants found inside hotels; some serving Shiga Kogen’s excellent microbrew. There are many onsen in the area to soak in after a day on the mountain, yet the most famous in the area is off-limits to humans.

Jigokudani Yaen Koen is a sanctuary for resident snow monkeys that lounge in their own hot springs, while visitors snap away with their cameras.

Shiga Kogen has limited ATM access (ATM is available at the Shiga Kogen Post Office in the Hasuike area), so bring some cash.

Starting this year, a common ski lift pass will be available for Shiga Kogen Resort’s 13 ski areas which are part of the “Shiga Kogen Resort Chuo Area.� These resorts include Sun Valley, Maruike, Hasuike, Giant, Happo Bunahira, Higashi Tateyama, Teragoya, Takamahara

Mammoth, Nishi Tateyama, Tanne-no-mori Okojo, Ichinose Family, Ichinose Diamond and Ichinose Yama-no-kami. If you plan to try all the ski areas, you’ll need to give yourself at least a few days to explore the various terrain.

Okushiga Kogen is known as “Skiers Paradise� as it remains a skiers-only resort, (along with Kumanoyu), while Yakebitaiyama is a Prince Resort with excellent facilities. The Hoppo Bunadaira area is great for beginners and families with small children while Higashidateyama is best suited for advanced skiers, although there is a gentle woodland course as well. The resort hosted the men’s and women’s giant slalom in the 1998 Olympic Games, and it boasts an extremely challenging downhill course. The restaurant at the summit of Mt. Higashidate boasts incredible panoramic views and is the starting point to get to other ski areas such as Terakoya.

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: 110 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then bus (70 minutes) to Shiga Kogen resorts

HOPPO BUNADAIRA - HIGASHITATEYAMA - NISHITATEYAMA

(0269) 34-2301 www.facebook.com/ShigaKogen.Ski 8:30 - 16:30 Mid-Dec. - Mar. 31 1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,900 ÂĽ2,500

Park

By Train: 110 minutes from Tokyo Stn. to Nagano Stn. By Car: 300 minutes from Tokyo

Â

YAKEBITAIYAMA (0269) 34-3117 www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/shiga/winter Dec. 7 - May 6 8:30 - 16:00 (18:00 - 20:00) 1 DAY TICKET ACCESS

Adults Kids

ÂĽ5,000 FREE

Park

By Train: 110 minutes from Tokyo Stn. to Nagano Stn. By Car: 300 minutes from Tokyo

 �

OKUSHIGA KOGEN SKI FIELD (0269) 34-2225 www.okushigakogen.com 7:30 - 16:30 Mid-Dec. - May 6 1 DAY TICKET ACCESS

28 | TRAVELER

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,000 ÂĽ2,000

45% 1

35% 5

20%

Park

By Train: 110 minutes from Tokyo Stn. to Nagano Stn. By Car: 300 minutes from Tokyo

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

9

Longest Course: 2,200m Top Elevation: 2,000m

courses Base Elevation: 1,460m

MADARAO MOUNTAIN RESORT

Iiyama, Nagano

(0269) 64-3214 www.madarao.jp 8:30 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00) Dec. 14 - Mar. 31

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥5,000 ¥2,000

Park

Located in northeastern Nagano just above Iiyama Town, Madarao Kogen features 16 lifts and 22 courses across a bowl-shaped terrain on Mt. Madarao (1,382 meters). The resort has a nice variety of courses, groomers, a tree run area, free ride park, wave courses and kids park. They claim 60 percent of the course is ungroomed so, if you like riding powder, there should be plenty in which to play. There is also a joint ticket available for Tangram Ski Circus, a small, pretty resort. Backcountry tours can be arranged through the resort.

Park

Beginner Lifts

ACCESS

Advanced

29

courses

TANGRAM SKI CIRCUS

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,200 ¥3,200

Tangram Ski Circus sounds like a great place for kids—and it is. The ski-in/out Hotel Tangram sits right at the bottom of this family-friendly resort. Facilities include hot spring baths and a heated indoor swimming pool. The resort features 14 courses on the northwest side of Mt. Madarao, with well-groomed runs, great for mom and dad to get in some leg burners with the kids. The trees look tempting, but beware the ski patrol is vigilant here. However the resort is connected to Madarao Kogen, giving you 30 courses to explore if you get bored with the runs right outside your door.

29

courses

TOGAKUSHI

Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,350m Base Elevation: 440m

30% 5

Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,350m Base Elevation: 440m

Park

30% 2 1

MADARAO MOUNTAIN RESORT Park

Beginner Lifts

30% 2

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

40% 3

30% 1

29

courses

40% 3

30% 5

Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,350m Base Elevation: 440m

Longest Course: 2,500m

Togakushi, Nagano 1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,000 ¥3,600

Togakushi is an interesting, medium-sized resort. The name “Togakushi” means “hidden door,” it derived from the Japanese myth and the resort is owned by Nagano City, yet it is still relatively unknown to people outside the area.

The best way to describe Togakushi is pleasant.

The conditions always seem to be pretty good, course is variegated and there are often great powder days. Best of all, it never seems to get as busy as the more popular Nagano resorts, and it has retained a very local feel. Togakushi Village is in itself an interesting place. It is famous for soba, and there are some beautiful shrines, temples and onsen nearby to finish off a great day on the mountain.

Park

30% 2 Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

30% 2

40% 5

Advanced

19

40% 5

30%

Longest Course: 3,000m Top Elevation: 1,750m

courses Base Elevation: 1,200m

30%

Longest Course: 3,000m

Park

19 Top Elevation: 1,750m

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station toBeginner Nagano Station Intermediate Advanced courses Base Elevation: 1,200m Lifts (1 hour, 30 minutes), then less than 1 hour to Togakushi byGondola bus

NOZAWA ONSEN

Nozawa Onsen, Nagano

(0269) 85-3166 www.nozawaski.com 8:30 - 17:00 (16:30 - 20:00) Dec. 10 - May 6

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥5,200 ¥2,900

If you’re looking for the quintessential Japanese ski experience, Nozawa Onsen is hard to beat. This traditional hot spring village sits at the base of a great mountain (Mt. Kenashi, 1,650m). The resort is one of the oldest ski grounds in Japan, getting consistent snowfall. There are two gondolas and a large selection of courses to choose from. The town also features 30 hot springs scattered around the village (including 13 free baths in town) and the Dosojin Matsuri (Fire Festival) held on Jan. 15, which is a spectacle to behold.

Park

Park

40% 2 10

Park

Park

Beginner Lifts

40% 2 10

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

30% 5 1

40% 3 1

36

courses

Longest Course: 10,000m

By Train: Tokyo Station to Nagano Station by Shinkansen (109 minutes), 36 Top Elevation: 1,650m Beginner Intermediate then Iiyama Line to Togari-Nozawa Onsen St. (60 minutes) and taxi Advanced or courses Base Elevation: 565m Lifts Gondola shuttle bus to Nozawa Onsen. By Car: 75 minutes from Nagano Station Park

ACCESS

30% 5

14 Top Elevation: 1,320m Beginner Intermediate Advanced

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano City (1 hour, 28 courses Base Elevation: 800m Lifts Gondola minutes) then by bus to Tangram Madarao

(026) 254-2106 www.togakusi.com 8:30 - 16:30 Dec. 15 - Apr. 1

ACCESS

40% 3

Advanced

40% 3

Madarao, Nagano

(026) 258-3511 www.tangram.jp/eng 8: 30 - 16: 30 (17:30 - 20:30) Mid-Dec. - Beg. of Apr.

ACCESS

Intermediate Gondola

30% 2 1

Park

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen from Tokyo to IiyamaBeginner Station (100 Intermediate Gondola minutes) then take a bus to Madarao Kogen HotelLifts(30 minutes)

30% 2 1

TANGRAM SKI CIRCUS

Winter 2020 | 29

30% 5 1

40% 3 1

Longest Course: 10,000m Top Elevation: 1,650m Base Elevation: 565m

NIIGATA O

ne day in 1986, the good people of Joetsu, a coastal city in Niigata, were deluged by 232 centimeters of snow—in one day. That’s roughly enough to bury a one-story building. Although this sort of thing doesn’t happen every day, Niigata gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan. The town of Yuzawa was where Yasunari Kawabata penned his awardwinning novel “Snow Country� (Yukiguni). It is also Niigata’s most popular of winter sports areas, due to the easy access from Tokyo (77 minutes) and the variety of ski resorts a snowball’s throw from the station. Just over the border from Nagano Prefecture, in the southeastern part of Niigata, the Myoko Kogen area is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. This scenic, mountainous area stretches all the way to the Sea of Japan coast and features some great resorts in its own right.

Joetsu Kokusai

NASPA Ski Garden

GALA Yuzawa

Iwappara Charmant Hiuchi Seki Onsen Akakura Myoko Suginohara

Kagura Tashiro Mitsumata

GALA YUZAWA SNOW RESORT YUZAWA KOGEN

Naeba

GALA YUZAWA STATION

NUNOBA

Mt. NAEBA KAGURA • MITSUMATA

NUNOBA FAMILY IPPONSUGI SKI RESORT

Mt. NAEBA KAGURA • TASHIRO

ECHIGO YUZAWA STATION

NASPA SKI GARDEN

IWA-PPARA WINTER RESORT

KANDATSU KOGEN LUDENS YUZAWA SKI

YUZAWA PARK SKI YUZAWA NAKAZATO KAYAMA CAPTAIN COAST NAKAZATO SNOW WOOD Mt. NAEBA

Mt. NAEBA • SHIRAKABA Mt. NAEBA • ASAGAI

GONDOLA ROPEWAY

MT. NAEBA

Yuzawa, Niigata

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

KAGURA - TASHIRO - MITSUMATA

(0257) 88-9221 Nov. 23 - May 24

(0257) 89-4117 http://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/naeba/index.html 8:00 - 17:00 (16:00 - 20:30) Dec. 7 - Apr. 5, 11 and 12

Yuzawa, Niigata

www.princehotels.com/en/ski/kagura 8:00 - 17:00

ÂĽ5,200 FREE

1 DAY TICKET

Park

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,900 FREE

Park

To Naeba

30% 3

40% 5

30% 5

­

Â?

Park

 �

Mt. Naeba calls itself "The St. Moritz of the East" and is a popular choice for Kanto trendsetters

These three connecting ski areas form one big wishing to get away for a convenient ski weekend.

Longest If Course: you 4,000m count Naeba, the total rideable area

The crescent-shaped Prince Hotel cuts an impos22 resort. Â Â? Â?Â? Â?

Top Elevation: 1,789m Beginner Intermediate Advanced 303 hectares.

From Naeba, you’ll be lifted above

coursesis Â? Â? Â?

ing figure at the base of this classic ski-in/ski-out Lifts Gondola Lake Tashiro to wider and less crowded slopes Base Elevation: 900m resort and features all the trappings you would and better snow quality, but the area closes at 4

p.m. and the lift line back to Naeba can be­

long, 40% 30% 30% expect from a Prince-managed resort hotel. Off the Â?

so beware. A better option is to access the Tashiro mountain, there are children’s services, hot springs Ropeway on Route 17.

You can then traverse across

3 5 5 and other amenities and, on the mountain, a terrain To Naeba Tashiro in about 40 minutes to Kagura, a popular

 �

park, kids park, family snow park and more. Naeba backcountry zone and a great option for early and is connected to Kagura, Tashiro, and Mitsumata late season skiing. The Mitsumata area has a small

ski areas via the "Dragondola," which travels 5.5

boarder's park, a few jumps and two good slopes Longest Course: 4,000m for learning. Accessible by the Mitsumata Ropeway

22 Top Elevation: 1,789m kilometers in just 20 minutes, soBeginner there are 55 trails  �

Â?Â? Â?

Intermediate Advanced

courses on Route 17. Â? Â? Â?

Lifts Gondola explore if you have the time.

Base Elevation: 900m Park

Park

Park

ACCESS

By Train: Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa Station (77 minutes) then take the local bus to Naeba Ski Resort (50 minutes)

30 | TRAVELER

ACCESS

By Train: Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa Station (77 minutes) then take the local bus to Kagura Ski Resort (30 minutes)

GALA YUZAWA SNOW RESORT

(0257) 85-6543 Dec. 14 - May 6

Yuzawa, Niigata

www.gala.co.jp/winter/english 8:00 - 17:00

Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

¥5,000 ¥2,500

Park

If you want a quick, convenient day-trip from Tokyo, you can’t get any easier than GALA Yuzawa. The ski resort has its very own bullet train and train station that doubles as the ski center. The amazing efficiency means you won’t be alone on the hill. However, get up to the mountain, get in a few runs with friends and be back in time to buy your favorite designer goods in Harajuku. The resort is geared toward recreation and families with kids, but it does connect to other resorts, so there are more options for serious skiers. And if you just want to have fun in the snow for a day with friends, you can’t beat the convenience.

Park

Beginner Lifts

Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

¥4,300 ¥2,500

NASPA NEW OTANI

(025) 780-6888 www.naspanewotani.com 8:30 - 17:00 Dec. 20 - Mar. 29

40% 2

¥4,300 ¥3,300

40% 7

20%

20

courses

Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 985m Base Elevation: 400m

Park

38% 2

Park

Beginner Lifts

38% 2

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

37% 1

25% 2

37% 1

25% 2

Longest Course: 2.2km Top Elevation: 690m Base Elevation: 430m

8

courses

Longest Course: 2.2km Top Elevation: 690m Base Elevation: 430m

8 Beginner Yuzawa Intermediate StaAdvanced

By Train and Free Shuttle Bus: Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo courses Lifts Gondola tion (77 minutes) then free shuttle bus to NASPA Ski Garden (5 minutes) www.jkokusai.co.jp 8:00 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)

Advanced

20%

Longest Course: 4,000m Top Elevation: 985m Base Elevation: 400m

20

courses

Park

JOETSU KOKUSAI SKI RESORT

Intermediate Gondola

40% 7

Yuzawa, Niigata Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

NASPA is a relatively new ski resort (opened in 1992) whose claim to fame is being one of the last skiers-only resorts left in Japan.

The ski hill is behind the deluxe New Otani Hotel. The resort definitely caters toward families who ski and want to stay in luxury.

Guests can enjoy the excellent hot springs, Jacuzzis, a swimming pool, fitness center and a selection of restaurants. Its location near the station makes for a quick, convenient ski weekend from Tokyo, if you want to get in a few turns (on skis) with the family.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

¥4,300 ¥2,500

One of the largest ski resorts in Japan, Joetsu Kokusai boasts four zones catering to different levels that satisfied a wide range of skiers and snowboarders. There is a kids park right outside the hotel, rentals and ski school programs for beginners. Enjoy soaking in an onsen and dining on local cuisine after a day on the slopes. There are also free events held throughout the season.

Park

30% 3 Park

Beginner Lifts

30% 3

Park

ACCESS

25% 3

Park

Beginner Lifts

IntermediateStaAdvanced

By Train and Shuttle Bus: 77 minutes from Tokyo Station to Beginner Echigo Yuzawa Lifts Gondola tion then shuttle bus from Echigo Yuzawa Station (10 minutes)

(025) 782-1028 Dec. 7 - Apr. 5

Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,181m Base Elevation: 358m

40% 2

Although Iwappara looks like a relic of Japan’s bubble era, with big pink apartments along the course, it is still one of the more popular resorts in the Yuzawa area. It’s super convenient from the station (10 minutes) by shuttle bus, so it is quite possible to do a day trip from Tokyo. The main course is very wide open, making it a great place for beginners to practice their turns without fear of being run over by a speedy skier (or vice versa). The views from the top are nice, and the village area around the ski area has a nice selection of restaurants.

ACCESS

25% 3

Yuzawa, Niigata

(025) 787-3211 www.iwa-ppara.com Dec. 21 - Mar. 29 8:00 - 19:00 (17:00 - 19:00) (Saturdays: 8:00 - 21:00)

ACCESS

40% 1 4

16

courses

40% 1 4

Longest Course: 2,500m Top Elevation: 1,181m Base Elevation: 358m

16 Beginner Intermediate

By Train: 75 minutes from Tokyo Station to GALA Yuzawa Station Advanced courses Descent Course Lifts Gondola

By Car: 5 minutes from Yuzawa I.C. (Kanetsu Expressway)

IWAPPARA

Intermediate Advanced Descent Course Gondola

35% 1 2

Park

ACCESS

35% 1 2

Intermediate toBeginner Echigo YuzawaAdvanced Lifts Gondola

By Train and Bus: Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station (77 minutes) then train to Joetsu Kokusai (15 minutes)

22

courses

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

50% 4

20% 18

22

courses

Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,017m Base Elevation: 200m

Winter 2020 | 31

50% 4

20% 18

Longest Course: 6,000m Top Elevation: 1,017m Base Elevation: 200m

MYOKO SUGINOHARA

(0255) 86-6211 www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/myoko Dec. 21 - Mar. 29 8:30 - 16:30

Myoko, Niigata Adults Kids

1 DAY TICKET

¥4,800 FREE

Myoko Kogen is simply one of the naturally prettiest ski areas in Japan. Suginohara is part of Prince Hotels (although there is no hotel here), and the facilities are well maintained. The runs above the gondola are where advanced skiers and powder hounds will have the most fun. The resort has 17 trails, a terrain park, kids sledding area (ask about kids skiing free) and six on-hill restaurants. Suginohara also boasts one of Japan’s longest top-to-bottom, an 8.5-kilometer thigh burner that will test anyone’s meddle if left for the last run of the day. The stunning view of Lake Nojiri below from the gondola makes it worth the trip alone.

Park

40% 1

40% 2

Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

40% 2

20% 2

40% 1

16

courses

Longest Co Top Eleva Base Ele

Park

Longest Course: 8,500m

ACCESS

16 Top Elevation: 1,855m Intermediate

By Train: 120 minutes from Tokyo Station to MyokoBeginner KogenGondola StationAdvanced courses Lifts Base Elevation: 731m

By Car: 180 minutes from Tokyo

AKAKURA ONSEN

Akakura Onsen, Niigata

(0255) 87-2125 www.akakura-ski.com 8:30 - 22:00 (17:00 - 22:00) Dec. 11 - Beg. of Apr.

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,800 ¥1,000

Akakura Ski Resort is located at the bottom of Mt. Myoko and is the largest resort in the Myoko Heights area. The resort has a nice variety of courses as well as powder stashes and some challenging courses on the old “Champions” side of the mountain. The town’s hot springs date back to 1814, and there is no better way to finish off a day on the mountain. The Akakura Resort & Spa sits majestically on the slopes. It’s a great place to stay if you want ski in/ski out luxury. The area averages about 13 meters of snow annually, so there is plenty of fluffy stuff, and it has a pleasant natural beauty.

Park

ACCESS

Park

50% 2 Park

Beginner Lifts

30% 4

50% 2

Advanced

20

courses

Longest Co Top Eleva Base Ele

20% 9

Longest Course: 3,000m Top Elevation: 1,200m Base Elevation: 650m

20

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

By Train: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1 hr., 45 min.), then take the courses Lifts Gondola JR Shinetsu Honsen Line to Myoko Kogen Station, then 10 minutes by bus

SEKI ONSEN

Intermediate Gondola

30% 4

Seki Onsen, Niigata

(0255) 82-2316 www.sekionsen.com 9:00 - 17:00 End of Dec. - Beg. of May

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥3,800 ¥2,800

Seki is the highest ski area in the Myoko Kogen area and, even though there are just two lifts, there is access to many powder runs. This is a locals mountain, and they check the weather reports and know when the storms will hit, sometimes dropping one or two meters of new snow overnight. It pays to get up early if you want first tracks. Don’t expect groomers; this is natural terrain and free riding at its finest: tree runs, natural pipes and some good hits.

Park

20% 1

30% 1

Park

Beginner Lifts

20% 1

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

30% 1

50%

Longest Co Top Eleva

6

courses Base Eleva

Park

ACCESS

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

By Train: Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1 hr., 45 min.), then take the JR Shinetsu Honsen Line to Sekiyama Station, then 20 min.Lifts by taxi Gondola

CHARMANT HIUCHI

(025) 568-2244 http://charmant-hiuchi.jp 8:30 - 16:30 Dec. 14 - May 6

Longest Course: 1,600m Top Elevation: 1,620m

6

courses Base Elevation: 1,000m Itoigawa, Niigata

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,000 ¥3,000

Charmant is a locally owned and operated ski resort most of your friends do not know about but may wish they did. The resort is literally right on the Japan Sea (you can see it from the top lifts) and gets some of the heaviest snow dumps around. It is also a healthy drive from Tokyo (four hours), but is worth the trip if you enjoy short lift lines and uncrowded slopes.

There are lots of ungroomed areas and advanced terrain including a 1,000-meter powder course. The proximity to the sea means there is some excellent seafood nearby as well, and you can ski straight through Golden Week.

Park

20% 1 Park

Beginner Lifts

20% 1

Intermediate Gondola

Advanced

45% 2

35%

Park

ACCESS

32 | TRAVELER

Beginner From Intermediate Car access is recommended: Train and bus service is inconvenient.

TokyoAdvanced Gondola it takes 4 hours by car, depending on traffic and weather Lifts

45% 2

16

courses

Longest Course: 2,700m Top Elevation: 1,009m Base Elevation: 501m

16

courses

Longest Co Top Eleva Base Ele

JAPAN SNOW GUIDE 2020

WinterEvents Snow Tubing Curling Competition Join this hilarious twist to curling: one person sits in a snow tube as a “curling stone,” while teammates sweep with a curling broom. Free participation and prizes available.

When: Dec. 29, Jan. 12, Feb. 24, Mar. 14 (Joetsu Kokusai); Jan. 13, Feb. 23, Mar. 15 (Iwappara) Where: Joetsu Kokusai / Iwappara Ski Resort, Niigata Oze Iwakura New Year Fireworks Enjoy an evening of night skiing from 5-9 p.m. followed by a fireworks show.

When: Dec. 31 Where: Oze Iwakura, Gunma New Year Countdown at Alts Bandai End the year with night skiing and fireworks.

When: Dec. 31 Where: Alts Bandai Snow Park and Resort, Fukushima Nozawa Onsen New Year’s Eve Fireworks Ring in the new year with the annual fireworks at Nagasaka Station. Enjoy free sake tasting on the slopes or join the visitors in front of The Craft Room to enjoy some warm drinks and craft beers while enjoying a great view.

When: Dec. 31 Where: Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort, Nagano

Madarao New Year Fireworks

New Year at NASPA New Otani Watch the slopes light up with torchlight skiers on New Year’s Eve followed by fireworks. On New Year’s Day, take part in traditional mochi (rice cakes) pounding.

When: Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Where: NASPA New Otani, Niigata Madarao New Year Fireworks Ride until 11:45 p.m. on New Year’s Eve then enjoy a countdown and fireworks to celebrate 2020.

When: Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Where: Madarao Mountain Resort, Nagano New Year Festival at Hakuba Cortina Enjoy a spectacular countdown with fireworks on New Year’s Eve and sample free toshikoshi soba, noodles traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day. When: Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Where: Hakuba Cortina, Nagano New Year Torchlight Skiing at Niseko Take part in Japan’s biggest torch skiing! 150 skiers and snowboarders will be riding down as the clock strikes twelve; register by Dec. 29 and you could be part of this spectacular occasion. There will also be fireworks and a New Year “Lucky Draw” where you could win prizes.

When: Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Where: Niseko Grand Hirafu, Hokkaido Hakuba Iwatake Winter Night Festival

New Year Countdown and Sake 2019 ends on a romantic note at Joetsu Kokusai with candles and fireworks. The resort will be serving Niigata’s sake the following day.

When: Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Where: Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata Iwappara New Year Party Ring in the new year with fireworks and a special show.

When: Jan. 1 Where: Iwappara Ski Resort, Niigata New Year Sunrise Skiing Catch the first sunrise of the year with the Summit Express, which runs from 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day. It is ¥1,800 for one lift and ¥3,500 for the whole morning (6 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

When: Jan. 1 Where: Sapporo Teine, Hokkaido Competitive Sled Racing for Kids This sled race is great for children and families. Free of charge, prizes available.

When: Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 16 (Iwappara); Jan. 26, Feb. 16, Mar. 8 (Joetsu Kokusai) Where: Joetsu Kokusai / Iwappara Ski Resort, Niigata

Hakuba Cortina Snow Machine Fes

Winter 2020 | 33

Gala Yuzawa Kamakura Igloo Festival

Soul & Snow Retreat

Winter Night Festival This spiritual event will be held at Kirikubo Suwa Shrine and features traditional taiko drumming.

When: Jan. 23, 30 Where: Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field, Nagano

Tazawako Kogen Winter Festival Experience the 48th annual yuki matsuri, which includes impressive fire dances, a lantern festival, fireworks, dances and treasure hunt challenges.

When: Feb. 15-16 Where: Tazawako Ski Area, Akita

Kamakura Igloo Festival Stay cozy in these surprisingly warm igloos while enjoying winter festivities during this three-day event.

When: Jan. 24-26 Where: Gala Yuzawa, Niigata

Kutchan Yukitopia Snow Festival Kutchan Town located in the Niseko Region will host an activity-packed snow festival blending traditional community festivities (taiko drumming, local food and rice sampling, dances) with exciting bobsled and snow rafting challenges, snowshoe hiking, test ski events and live music.

When: Feb. 15-17 Where: Asahigaoka Ski, Kutchan, Hokkaido www.nisekotourism.com

Dynaland Fireworks Festival Spend a romantic evening watching the fireworks from the slopes or even from the lifts.

When: Jan. 25 Where: Dynaland, Gifu 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Sapporo’s beloved festival is one of the most impressive ice sculpture festivals in the world. Enjoy the impressive sculptures featuring everything from famous monuments to Darth Vader.

When: Jan. 31 - Feb. 11 Where: Odori-koen, Sapporo, Hokkaido www.snowfes.com Thanksgiving Festival in Hakuba Warm up with traditional winter food like tonjiru (pork soup) and mochi rice cakes and participate in a lottery for prizes.

When: Feb. 1 Where: Hakuba Iwatake, Nagano Soul & Snow Retreat If you’re a woman who loves to ski, snowboard and healthy living, escape to this winter yoga retreat for women by women. Held in Myoko, this retreat includes daily yoga lessons, guided meditation, backcountry guided tours, local Japanese meals, kimono experience, onsen hopping and your private room. Guides speak English, Japanese and French.

When: Feb. 2-8 Where: Myoko, Niigata www.nano-yoga.com/retreat

34 | TRAVELER

2020 FIS Mogul World Cup Watch the world’s top athletes c o m p e t e a t t h i s f re e s t y l e s k i i n g championship.

When: Feb. 22-23 Where: Tazawako Ski Area, Akita First Tracks at Hakuba Cortina Free first tracks!?! Limited to ten guests staying at the resort hotel.

When: Mar. 1, 8, 15 Where: Hakuba Cortina, Nagano Snow Machine Festival 2020 This alpine music festival comes to Japan and will showcase four days of dance music around Hakuba Valley.

The lineup includes international and local artists including Peking Duk, Bag Raiders, What So Not, Hot Dub Time Machine and Confidence Man. When: Mar. 1-4 Where: Hakuba Happo-One, Nagano www.snow-machine.com Alts Japan Sky Lantern Festival The night sky lights up with glowing lanterns at this fun event for families and a romantic one for couples.

When: Mar. 7 Where: Alts Bandai Snow Park and Resort, Fukushima

FIS Mogul World Cup

Nozawa Festival of Lights Nozawa Onsen’s January Fire Festival may get all the glory, but this night festival at the Hikage Base is a fun family affair with lanterns in the snow, a torch ski procession with traditional ski costumes through the ages, music, sake tasting.

When: Mar. 7 Where: Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort, Nagano Joetsu Winter Carnival March is still a great month for skiing with less crowds and great snow.

This annual festival features fireworks, torch skiing, raffle prizes and special performances.

When: Mar. 14 Where: Joetsu Kokusai, Niigata Niseko Shootout and Film Festival Join this season-long photo and video contest to win gear, wear and exciting snow season prizes. Tag #NisekoShootout for your chance to win.

Photos and video will be featured at the film festival at the end of the season.

When: Until Mar. 14 Where: Niseko, Hokkaido www.nisekotourism.com Madarao Speed Challenge All you need to do for this simple race is to ski or snowboard as straight and fast as you can, and you get two tries!

Participation is free and prizes available.

When: Mar. 15 Where: Madarao Mountain Resort, Nagano Niigata Festival Sample the local cuisine and learn about the culture at this festival put together by Niigata Tourism.

When: Mar. 19-22 Where: Gala Yuzawa, Niigata Hakuba Cortina Snow Machine Fes If your kids love trains and planes, be sure to let them hop into the resort’s snowcats, which will be on display for one day only.

When: Mar. 22 Where: Hakuba Cortina

JAPAN SNOW GUIDE 2019-20

News&Notes Exciting things are coming to Hanazono Niseko this season, starting with the Hanazono EDGE, the new ski center. This center includes a restaurant, café and bar. A kids' climbing wall and fun obstacles will keep children occupied at the Galaxy of Kidz Activity Center. The Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is a ski-in, ski-out luxury accommodation opening this January. www.hanazononiseko.com Warm up with seasonal Hokkaido hot pot dishes like the traditional ishikari nabe, Hokkaido beef shabu shabu and king crab seafood hot pot at ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo's inhouse dining. Courses start at ¥5,000 per person. www.anacpsapporo.com/ english Ta k e i n t h e v i e w s f r o m t h e 1,088-meter Terrace of Frost Trees at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu while sipping coffee or cocktails. The trees are lit up at night and you can enjoy the scenery from the Cloud Bar, an unusual viewing spot that looks like a bar sitting three meters above the ground at the terrace.

The city of Tokyo shines brightest at the end of the year. The illuminated streets make for great cycling and colors and designs vary from area to area of the sparkling metropolis.

Training around gets you to only a few places at a time; however dress warm and jump on a bike to hit 10 spots or more while exploring the city. Cycling Holiday Tokyo, produced by Takashi Niwa, offers bike tours in Tokyo for foreign visitors and residents. English guided tours on electric bikes are offered daily. Tokyo Illumination Rides are running through the end of the year. www.cyclingholiday.tokyo

Tokyo Illumination Ride

Live it up at 14,000 meters with great views of the Hakuba Valley at the Hakuba Mountain Beach Resort at Hakuba Happo One. Relax in the open-air jacuzzi or sauna and dine on locally sourced cuisine. You can also enjoy Hakuba S Class, the resort’s VIP service which provides access to special lounges on the mountain, priority access to the gondola and designated lifts and pick-up services from your hotel.

Get First Tracks at Yakebitaiyama in Shiga Kogen. Each weekend from Dec. 28 - Mar. 29 as well as from Dec. 30 - Jan. 3, Jan. 13 and Mar. 20. First Tracks are from 7:50 - 8:30 a.m. and tickets are ¥1,500 per person including one drink. On New Year’s Day, wake up a little earlier for the 6:45 a.m. first tracks lift and watch the sunrise from 2,009 meters high.

Yuzawa area ski resorts are lit up nearly every weekend throughout February and March during the Yuzawa Fireworks Festival starting Dec. 31 at Yuzawa Park Ski Resort, NASPA Ski Garden and Kandatsu Snow Resort. Jan. 1: Yuzawa Nakazato Resort, Feb. 1: Iwappara, Feb. 8: Gala Yuzawa, Feb. 21, 27: Naeba Feb. 22: Kagura-Mitsumata, Feb. 29: Nakazato Snow Wood, Mar. 6: Yuzawa Kogen, Mar. 14: Kagura-Tashiro, Mar. 21: Ipponsugi Ski. www.niigata-kankou.or.jp Take a break from Shiga Kogen’s slopes and enjoy Yakebitaiyama’s Snowshoe and Snowmobile Tours.

A relaxing two-hour guided snowshoe tour is a good workout for beginners, while single and tandem snowmobile tours offer a bit more excitement.

Hokkaido Cuisine at ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo

First Tracks at Yakebitaiyama

Naeba Ski Resort’s Fireworks Festival will once again be taking place nearly every weekend of the season as the mountains form a backdrop and fireworks light up the sky—and the slopes—Dec. 21, 28, 31, Jan. 1-4, 1112, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 10, 15, 21-22, 27, 29, Mar. 7, 14, 20-21, 28.

Get more for less with Shin’etsu Shizenkyo Super Value Tickets. These vouchers can be purchased until Feb. 29 and exchanged for one-day lift passes at 21 ski resorts around the Shin’etsu Shizenkyo Region in Nagano and Niigata from Dec. 14-Mar. 31. Each booklet (¥23,000) comes with five tickets and can be purchased online or at the Shin’etsu Shizenkyo Activity Center at Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku shinkansen line. Depending on the resort, you can exchange them for resort packages including lift passes, rentals, meals, access to hot springs and souvenirs. www.shinetsu-shizenkyo.com/ supervalue-ticket/english.php

Hanazono EDGE

Winter 2020 | 35

GUNMA

Kawaba

Minakami Houdaigi

Okutone Snow Park Tenjindaira Tanigawadake

Oze Iwakura

Norn Minakami Manza Onsen Kusatsu Kokusai

W

hile neighboring Niigata gets most of the attention, Gunma quietly has some great snow resorts of its own. Located in northeast Gunma near the border with Niigata, Minakami has 10 ski resorts and is just 90 minutes from Tokyo. Oze Katashina is another quality area that flies under the radar. Katashina Town lies in the shadows of mighty Mt. Hotaka and Mt. Shirane and features nearby resorts such as the popular Oze Iwakura, Hotaka Bokujo, a boarder’s park, and Oguna Hotaka, a nice mid-sized resort. Manza, to the east of Katashina, the popular ski and onsen areas of Manza and Kusatsu Resort & Spa are great places to relax before or after a good day on the mountain.

MINAKAMI HOUDAIGI

Minakami, Gunma

OKUTONE SNOW PARK

Minakami, Gunma

(0278) 72-8101 www.okutone.jp Dec. 8 - Beg. of Apr. 8:00 - 22:00 (weekends & holidays 6:00 - 24:00)

(0278) 75-2557 www.hodaigi.jp Dec. 15 - Beg. of Apr. 8:00 - 16:30 1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

¥4,500 ¥3,000

1 DAY TICKET

Park

50% 2

30% 5

Adults Kids

¥4,200 FREE

Park

20% 1

30% 5

40% 1

Park

Park

Longest Course: 1,400m Minakami Houdaigi ski resort is the largest pipes and jumps are your thing, Okutone ski Longest Co 16 If rails, Top Elevation: 1,400m Beginner Intermediate Advanced in the Minakami area. The resort, due to 10 Top Eleva coursesareaBase is the place to go in Minakami. The park staff takes Beginner Intermediate Advanced Lifts Elevation: 830m courses Base Elev the higher elevation, also gets good quality Lifts Gondola good care of guests who come to perfect their style snow. Although there are many beginner and at the resort’s park. The night sessions are popular, 30% 20% 50% 40% 30% 30% intermediate runs, there are a few advanced since they keep the lights on until midnight on Friday 1 2 5 courses as well, including a killer 40-degree and Saturday nights and before national holidays. The 5 1 slope and a 2,600-meter cruiser. Parents can let north-facing courses have nice snow quality, and you can enjoy some turns on the 3,900-meter long course. their kids have fun safely on tubes and airboards Longest Course: 1,400m Okutone is just two hours from Tokyo, making it super in the “Kids Land,” and older kids can enjoy the Longest Course: 3,000m 16 Top Elevation: 1,400m Intermediate Advanced convenient. They offer free tickets to kids under 12 and 10 Top Elevation: 1,083m “Action Land” with tabletops, Beginner waves and banks.

Beginner Intermediate Advanced courses Lifts Base Elevation: 830m courses Base Elevation: 550m Lifts on weekdays.

Gondola free coffee if you come before 10 a.m.

Park

Park

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen to Jomo Kogen (75 minutes) then bus to Houdaigi (70 minutes)

NORN MINAKAMI

Minakami, Gunma

(0278)-72-6688 www.norn.co.jp 8:00 - 22:00/24:00 (16:30 - 24:00) Dec. 20 - Mar. 31 1 DAY TICKET

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen to Jomo Kogen (75 minutes) then bus to Okutone (40 minutes)

TENJINDAIRA TANIGAWADAKE

Minakami, Gunma

(0278) 72-3575 www.tanigawadake-rw.com 8:30 - 16:30 Dec. 10 - Late May Adults Kids

¥4,500 ¥3,600

1 DAY TICKET

Park

Adults Kids

¥4,000 ¥2,500

Park

30% 2

50% 2

30% 1

20%

40 4

Park Park

Situated just three kilometers from the Minakami Interchange, Norn Minakami is the most convenient of the Minakami Resorts if you are coming by car.

The resort is great for families. They’ve created “family zones” where the average slope is just 13 degrees and a Day Care Center where parents can drop off the little ones and enjoy some time on the mountain themselves. Norn is open from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekends, so you can enjoy a long day on the slopes and, like all Minakami resorts, it Beginner Intermediate Advanced is not far from some great hot springs.

Lifts Park

ACCESS

Although Tenjindaira is better known to most Course:in2,000m Longest C forLongest trekking summer, when the tram is packed 5 10 Top Elev Tophikers, Elevation:the 1,220m Beginner Intermediate Advanced Beginner Intermediate Advanced resort is a popular stop on the courseswithBase courses Lifts Lifts Gondola Elevation: 820m Base El backcountry trail. The resort itself is relatively small, but lift lines are usually short and the snow 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 60% quality can be excellent if it’s not too windy up top.

However, the secret to “Tenjin” is off the main trails.

1 4 2 2 Those who like their riding steep and deep head for the backcountry. This is “enter at your own risk” territory and not a place to go without avalanche Longest Course: 4,000m Longest Course: 2,000m gear (and the knowledge how to use it). Better yet, 10 Top Elevation: 1,500m 5 Top Elevation: 1,220m Intermediate and Advanced hire one of the knowledgeableBeginner local guides courses courses Base Elevation: 820m Lifts Gondola Base Elevation: 750m enjoy some "Japow!"

By Train: 150 minutes from Tokyo Station to Minakami Station, then free shuttle. By Car: 90 minutes from Tokyo (Nerima IC) via Kanetsu Expressway

36 | TRAVELER

Park

ACCESS

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen to Takasaki Station, then change to the Joetsu Line to Minakami Station, then 20 minutes by bus to Tenjindaira

KAWABA

Kawaba, Gunma

(0278) 52-3345 www.kawaba.co.jp Dec. 1 - Mid-Apr. 8:30 - 16:00

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,900 ÂĽ3,600

There’s something different about Kawaba.

You’ll notice it the first time you pull into the covered parking area of the eight-story Kawaba City center house. There are six floors of parking and the seventh and eighth floors are filled with restaurants and ski/board shops.

On the mountain, Kawaba is progressive as well with a nice balance of park and powder.

Within the 10,790 meters of skiable terrain is the “Powder Zone,� a section of the mountain left ungroomed for powder lovers. There is a good mogul course, the Free Ride Park (back by popular demand) and a 3,300-meter trail for cruising. Kawaba City also includes a ski school, kids corner and locker rooms.

A little-known place awesome for Skiing & Snowboarding

Park

20% 3 Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

20% 3

40% 1

Advanced

40% 1

10

40%

40%

MINAKAMI 1 1 GUNMA Longest Course: 2,000m Top Elevation: 2,020m

courses Base Elevation: 1,290m Ski &

Alpine Lodge Snowboard Lessons Backcountry tours Snowshoe tours

Park

Longest Course: 2,000m

10 Top Elevation: 2,020m Beginner

By Train and Shuttle Bus: Shinkansen to Jomo Kogen (75 Intermediate minutes),Advanced courses ACCESS then a 50-minute shuttle bus ride to Kawaba Lifts Gondola Base Elevation: 1,290m

KUSATSU KOKUSAI

(0279) 88-8111 Dec. 14 - Apr. 5

Kusatsu, Gunma

www.kusatsu-kokusai.com 8:30 - 21:00 (17:00 - 21:00)

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,000 ÂĽ3,000

Although Kusatsu is famous as one of the country’s best onsen resorts, the area also features a quality ski resort that has been around since the Taisho Era and is open nearly six months out of the year. Kusatsu Snow & Spa has a zipline, Kids Square where the little ones can enjoy activities such as snow tubing, and a variety of courses for all levels. However, ­ the best part of being at Kusatsu is the fact you can enjoy some world-famous hot springs after a great day on the mountain.

Park ­

MANZA ONSEN

+81-278-72-2811

M.O.C Nagata

Â? Â

 Â? Â

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen to Karuizawa Station from Tokyo (72 Â? Â? Â ACCESS minutes), then 55 min. by direct bus from Karuizawa Station

www.canyons.jp

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 Â?  Â? Â? Â

Tsumagoi, Gunma

(0279) 97-3117 www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/manza 8:30 - 17:00 Dec. 7 - Mar. 31

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,700 FREE

Manza Onsen is another of Prince Resorts signature properties, and the hotel’s buildings command an imposing presence at the bottom of the hill. The resort features a lot of good beginner and intermediate runs and is a great place for families. There are not a lot of challenging runs for advanced skiers, but the scenery is beautiful, the snow quality excellent as it is one of Japan’s highest resorts and the hotel has a nice rotenburo (outdoor bath) for after-ski soaking. The facilities and amenities are on a par with what you’d expect from Prince Resorts, making for a stress-free ski experience.

Park

Â

Â?

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ACCESS

By Train & Bus: Shinkansen to Takasaki Station (50 minutes) then to Manza-kazawaguchi

Onsen

Station (90 minutes). Then change to the Seibu Kanko Bus to Manza (50 minutes).

OZE IWAKURA

Katashina, Gunma

(0278) 58-7777 www.oze-iwakura.co.jp/ski Dec. 14 - Beg. of Apr. 1 DAY 8:15 - 17:00 (17:00 - 21:00 on Dec. 31, Jan. 11-12, Feb. 8-9, 22-23) TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ5,000 ÂĽ2,900

Oze Iwakura is the largest of the Katashina ski resorts. It was also one of the longest skiers-only holdouts. The mountain itself has a timeless, genteel feel to it, where visitors enjoy breathing in the fresh air and taking in the views. With the Shisaka Tunnel, access from Numata I.C. has never been easier. If you get tired of groomers, you’ll find some nice powder on the fringes while some areas outside the lines will be tempting. Yet Iwakura remains a skier's mountain at heart, and skiers will enjoy the long, cruising runs, moguls and some challenging steep terrain. After a day on the slopes, rest at one of the resort’s two ski-in, ski-out hotels equipped with hot springs. � �

ACCESS

Park

Â?

Â? Â?

Â

Â?

Â?

SNOWBOARD WITH THE LOCALS

Nagano

Â?

By Train and Bus: Shinkansen to Jomo Kogen (75 minutes) then by bus to

 Oze Iwakura (80 min.)

Winter 2020 | 37

â—Š Niseko Alaska â—Š USA â—Š Canada www.cloudlinetours.com

GIFU Takasu Snow Park Dynaland

A

s far as resorts in central Honshu go, Gifu gets much less attention than Nagano, Niigata and Gunma. Nonetheless there are a number of quality resorts in the region that primarily service the Nagoya and Kansai regions. Less than a couple hours from the main Gifu ski resorts is the Edo-style town of Takayama, known as “Little Kyoto.� Takayama’s master carpenters built some beautiful shrines and temples here at the base of the Japan Alps. Also in the region, along the border of Gifu and Toyama prefectures are the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokoyama, known for the thatched roof houses built in gassho-zukuri (praying hands) style. These A-frame farmhouses are constructed to withstand the heavy snowfall that blankets the region each year. If you are looking for good skiing and mixing in some great cultural experiences, Gifu is a great winter destination.

TAKASU SNOW PARK

Takasu, Gifu

(0575) 72-7000 www.takasu.gr.jp 8:00 - 16:30 Beg. of Dec. - May 6

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,900 ÂĽ2,100

Takasu is well known to park riders. The resort has a large free ride park that includes kickers, rails, boxes and one of the biggest super pipes in Japan. There is also a 600-meter professional boarder cross course and a mogul course.

The resort is the training grounds for many of Japan’s rising stars and has hosted a number of competitions including the FIS Snowboard World Cup. Aside from the amazing pipe and park, winter sports enthusiasts of all levels can enjoy the open-faced free ride terrain including a 4,800-meter trail, one of longest in western Japan, and several other 4,000-meter trails.

There are even some backcountry tours through Dainichi Valley.

Park

35% 1

35% 3

Park

Beginner Lifts

Intermediate Gondola

35% 1

35% 3

Advanced

12

courses

Longest Co Top Eleva Base Elev

30%

Park

ACCESS

12 Beginner Intermediate Advanced

By Bus: A bus leaves Nagoya at 8 a.m. stopping at both Takasu courses Gondola and Dynaland. The trip takes about 2 hours, 45Liftsminutes

DYNALAND

Longest Course: 4,800m Top Elevation: 1,550m Base Elevation: 950m

Takasu, Gifu

(0575) 72-6636 www.dynaland.co.jp 8:00 - 16:30 Dec. 14 - Apr. 5

1 DAY TICKET

Adults Kids

ÂĽ4,900 ÂĽ2,100

Dynaland is the largest of the Takasu ski resorts.

There are 19 runs; the longest a 3,200-meter thigh burner. There is a shared ticket to neighboring Takasu Snow Park and two places on the mountain that connect the resorts. If you want to get out on the slopes first thing in the morning, the Hotel Villa Mon-Saint is right in front of the resort, and there are 6 a.m. openings for first tracks on selected dates. The resort has featured a resident DJ who will take music requests, and you can do some good for Mother Nature while having a lunch break since the Dynaland Eco Project collects proceeds from resort restaurants to support a Gifu tree planting project. Night skiing runs until 11 p.m.

Park

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Â? Â?

ACCESS

By Bus: A bus leaves Nagoya at 8 a.m. stopping at both Takasu

Â

and Dynaland. The trip takes about 2 hours, 45 Â? minutes Â?

38 | TRAVELER

Winter 2020 | 39

40 | TRAVELER