Fresh of the Ikonic Bus Tour, the ski committee of The Explorers Club is back with another trip in the works. This time we’re going international to Japan for a 10 day ski tour of Yudanaka with our hosts, Japan Powder Culture Tours.

Itinerary

Thursday January 9th – Depart PDX

Delta Flight DL 69 11:44AM – 15:25PM Narita

Friday January 10th – 15:25 arrive at Narita Airport

Arrive 15:25 at Narita airport and transfer to hotel

  • Narita Express
  • Private Transfer
  • Airport Limo Bus

Overnight options near Shinjinku

Saturday, January 11th – Explore Tokyo

Adventuring around Tokyo

Sunday, January 12th – Travel to Yudanaka

Make your way to Yudanaka (home of the snow monkeys) on either the amazing rail system or a shuttle from Narita or Haneda airport. Get picked up at the station at Yudanaka and taken to your lodging at Ryokan Biyu, or it’s a short walk for those staying at Lodge Aibiya (further information on how to get to Yudanaka is contained in the pre trip instructions). The area has a history of over 1,300 years as a hot spring resort and more recently it was put on the map due to the 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games. You are treated like a rock star at the Ryokan with exceptional service, immaculate surroundings and food to die for. Your first nights meal is at the Ryokan which is an experience in itself. Bring your camera. For those staying at Lodge Aibiya enjoy the many eateries around Yudanaka.

Ryokan Accommodation

Monday, January 13 – Ski day

Made up of 19 resorts, Shiga Kogen is the largest ski area in Asia with the highest lift access in Japan (so the snow is drier). Because Shiga is so large and elevated, fresh lines can be found days after a snowfall. And because relatively few westerners have discovered this area the queues are almost non-existent and another bonus is that very few Japanese ski off-piste. After skiing and riding, why not try an onsen to sooth any aches and pains followed by a local beer or wine from the lounge bar. Tonight the group will travel into the town of Nakano to enjoy a meal at Kappa Sushi Train followed by the new signature event of karaoke at the purpose built bar at Ryokan Biyu. There is a one song minimum either as single, duet or group to ensure everyone can ski the next day.

Tuesday, January 14 – Ski day

Madarao (Madapow) is another of the Japanese ski fields that does not attract the hoards of gaijins (foreigners). This field seems to have its own micro climate and when it snows here it can be very light and deep. If you are looking for a change from the Japanese fare there is a restaurant on the mountain that makes the best burgers and pizzas. Tonight you will enjoy a meal at one of the many traditional Japanese restaurants in Yudanaka.

Wednesday, January 15 – Ski + Fire Festival

After breakfast we will travel to Nozawa Onsen for some more action on the snow. Considered by some as the birthplace of skiing in Japan, its 300 hectares of terrain and 50km of slopes will not disappoint. If time permits at the end of the day we will take a walk through Nozawa Onsen township and enjoy the many shops and eating treats. 

Afternoon / Evening – Nozawa Fire Festival
The old roads that run like rivers between mountain towns in Japan are dotted with gods. Known as dosojin, they are deities of roads and borders with their stone statues usually enshrined at village borders. Dosojin are good gods for the foreign traveler.

Dosoujin Matsuri in Nozawa OnsenIt takes roughly one hundred villagers to build the shrine for the Nozawa Fire Festival. The trees are cut down in October and brought down from the mountain and through the village on January 13th prior to being made into a huge wooden structure or shaden. After the shaden has been constructed, the priest from Kosuge shrine performs a ceremony endowing it with a dosojin. The highlight on January 15th is a “fire-setting battle” which ends up with the setting fire of the shaden with blazing torches by the offensive team and the offering of torches to the deity, making the festival truly spectacular and exciting. The entire festival is quite lengthy and can take up to four hours from the beginning to the end. Some observers gather just for the main attraction which is the battle between the guards and the torch bearing villagers. Add liberal servings of saké to all of the above and you’re sure to go home buzzing after seeing quite a spectacle – and maybe a bit scorched from the flames (don’t wear your new down jacket). The famous Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival is nationally designated as an important intangible folk cultural property. It originally began as an invocation for a good harvest, health and good fortune in the coming year, but has been expanded to include a good ski season as well. Taking place on January 15th every year, the festival is staged by men aged 42 and 25 (so-called “unlucky ages”) to celebrate the birth of a family’s first child, to dispel evil spirits and also to pray for happy marriage.

Thursday, January 16 – Rest Day

This is one of those days where you get to choose. For those that want to stay on the snow we will visit the resort of Togakushi. You will enjoy a totally western free resort with a wide range of runs with an awesome view of the Japanese Alps. Or there is the option for a rest day. If the group collectively decides to take a break or alternatively if there is a day where the conditions are not satisfactory for skiing there is a backup plan. After breakfast the group will visit Matsumoto Castle which is the oldest 5 story, 6 layer castle tower in Japan. 

Get a photo with the Samurai, Ninja and Geisha who frequent the castle garden area. Roam around Nakamachi-dori street and Nawate-dori street to soak up the old time Matsumoto atmosphere. No visit to Nagano is complete without visiting the Zenkoji Temple with over 1400 years of history. Unique in the fact that the city of Nagano was built around the temple thus known as a temple city and that it houses the oldest Buddhist image in Japan. You can walk through the pitch-black corridors under the main hall and tradition has it that if you touch the key below the principle image, your entry into paradise is secured (apparently they have lots of powder snow there). If time permits we will also visit the Winter Olympic Museum and speed skating rink. Dining out comprises of one of the many fine restaurants in Yudanaka.

Friday, January 17

Ryuo Ski Park offers some great tree skiing or open wide courses which are accessed with the areas only ropeway. For those at the Ryokan Biyu it is another exquisite meal in-house and those at Lodge Aibiya either eat out or cook in. For your nights entertainment,  participate in a Karate performance and teaching session from one of Japan’s Grand Masters at the Ryokan Biyu.


Tonight you will enjoy a meal at one of the many traditional Japanese restaurants in Yudanaka.

Saturday, January 18

Finish your last day on the snow as a powder day. Using the many resorts we have already skied we will choose the one with the best snow and go there. After dinner enjoy your last night socialising and reliving your adventure with your new found friends and the guides at the Ryokan Biyu lounge bar which overlooks the township of Yudanaka.

Sunday, January 19

It is time to bid farewell to our fabulous hosts at the Ryokan Biyu and Lodge Aibiya. No visit is complete to Yudanaka without some interaction with the famous snow monkeys. This is the only place in the world you can see the snow monkeys soaking in natural hot pools up close and personal.

PM Train to Narita to catch flight back to Portland

Details & Costs

We’re working on finalizing the details but cost should be around $2,200 – $2,600 depending on room selection. This includes transportation to ski areas, Ryokan in Yudanaka and the culture activities. As always this is a not for profit trip.


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Published by Expedition Leader

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