Nature in Yamagata
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2019 Snow Resort Guide in Japan: Asia’s Winter Wonderland
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- The Japan ski season typically begins from December and lasts to April. If you're aiming to see those beautiful white covered landscapes, or just looking for a thrilling slide down the mountain, this is the best time to travel Japan. Japow abbreviated from Japanese Powder, means powder skiing in Japan. Having low water content, the snow becomes dry and very powdery. Since the country is covered with an average of 10-20 meters of snow per year, there is an abundance of ski areas for beginners all the way up to experts; and but of course, for those Japow lovers out there. Most of these sites are only 2 to 3 hours away from Tokyo. With wide varieties of Ski Resorts ranging from elegant 5-Star Resort Hotels to affordable backpacker inns, you’ll definitely find a place to call home for your vacation whatever your budget is. ― Hokkaido: Japan’s Winter Sports Capital Located in the Northernmost part of Japan is the country’s largest prefecture and coldest region, Hokkaido, and it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to fresh seafood, spectacular scenery and snow resorts. Tourists from all over the world flock the area during winter time, especially snow sports enthusiasts, because of its numerous snowy mountains perfect for skiing and snowboarding.Hokkaido is famous for the Sapporo Snow Festival, usually held around the 31st of January to 11th of February, during this time over hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures are built around the area for people to see.▼ Related Articles in the Hokkaido AreaWhat to Eat / What to Do / Other articles for the Hokkaido area Sapporo Snow Festival Niseko Mountains Derived from the Ainu language, Niseko means a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains. Here you’ll find everything you need for a perfect winter vacation from budget to high end amenities, farm to table restaurants, drink all you can bars and clubs, traditional Onsen, to 47 kilometers of powdery snow-filled terrain – plus, the place is tourist-friendly too with its English-speaking townsfolk, you’ll find more English signboards than Japanese ones. Heavily snowed Niseko is a powder bum’s dream come true: it has powdery snow that has just the right amount of water content - making it perfect for skiing and other winter sports.▼ Related Articles in NisekoWhere to Eat / Nightlife / Adventure Activities Niseko Mountains Tomamu Ski Area Right in the center of Hokkaido is the family friendly upscale ski resort,Tomamu by Hoshino Resorts. Its 145-hectare ski area boasts of a 699-meter vertical drop, 28 trails and 4200 meters of skiing distance perfect for long runs, is covered with light powdery snow that you can get a kick out of. For thrill seekers, they are introducing half-pipe skiing and there is an area called “Freedom of Winter Mountain” where you can enjoy back country skiing.There is 70% chance of fine weather rate in the area so the kids and kids at heart can enjoy various activities like the snow playground and snow boat rides or visit the Ice Village. Tomamu by Hoshino Resorts Tomamu by Hoshino Resorts Furano Ski Area If you are looking for a more authentic Japanese Snow Resort experience, Furano is your best bet. Exquisitely blessed with Central Hokkaido’s fluffy, powdery snow, it has 25 kilometer-long of excellently groomed ski slopes with best inclination angles it’s perfect for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. It even has awesome backcountry areas such as Furano Dake and Tokachidake. Furano is also family and tourist-friendly, they have English-speaking child care centers and ski schools, a Family Snowland which offers ice hole fishing, snow shoeing and even dog sledding!After a day of thrilling activities, experience warm Japanese hospitality and culture at the Tokachidake Onsen which has four hot spring “Ryokans” 1280 meters above sea level. Furano Ski Area Rusutsu Ski Area Rusutsu is Hokkaido’s biggest ski area measuring 1,700 hectares has 37 courses, all covered by the finest dry powder snow with very little moisture, so it’s no surprise that the Rusutsu Resort has won World Ski Award – also known as the “Academy Award” of the Ski Industry – for two consecutive years. The resort is so spacious that it has all sorts of accommodations like hotels, lodges and even log houses that lets you appreciate the rich nature of the area. You won’t run out of fun stuff to do here since Rusutsu offers a lot of family-friendly activities such as tubing, dog sledding and snowmobiling. Rusutsu Ski Area Kiroro Resort Just a little off of Sapporo is the upscale Kiroro Resort. It is the part of Hokkaido that receives an overwhelming amount of snowfall, it has 21 courses mostly suited for beginners and intermediates, the longest being 4 kilometers long, has stunning views of the North Japan scenery, it also has off-piste tracks where you can run on untouched powdery snow, or you can join Kiroro Mountain Club giving you the opportunity to enjoy official backcountry skiing or snowboarding.Go out with the family to a snow cat sightseeing tour, snow tubing or dog sledding. One big plus is that the place feels less crowded than the other resorts in Hokkaido, even during the peak season. Kiroro Resort Sahoro Resort Only a two-hour bus trip to Shinchitose Airport is the Sahoro Resort. Being the biggest Ski Area in Eastern Hokkaido, it has 21 courses for all levels of skiers or snowboarders though the ski slopes are reserved for middle to high level skiers and boarders.The Club Med Sahoro offers an upscale, international level of convenience, attracting more foreign visitors.Fine weather rate is high here and the temperature is always low, so the Japow’s powdery snow quality is well preserved. Lifts are also a little pricier than in smaller ski areas, thus there’s less skiers and snowboarders allowing for a smoother and more pleasant cruising. In Sahoro, you can take your partner to a romantic evening with the majestic Tokachi Plane and experience a place full of a sense of openness by joining the snow-covered car tour. Sahoro Resort Sapporo Teine Just a thirty-minute drive away from the popular Sapporo City, you can ski like a local in the easily accessible Sapporo Teine. A beginner’s favorite, it has wide, gentle slopes with the breathtaking views of Sapporo so it is great for just chill cruising or night skiing. Go to downtown Sapporo after skiing for a fun night of sightseeing and have a bottle or two of the famous Sapporo beer. Sapporo Teine ― Nagano: A Dip into Japanese History Nagano has hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and it’s easy to see why.The modern Japanese city has several world class ski resorts and lots of traditional Onsens that gives you the picturesque silver winter view of the mountains.This is also home to the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park where you can watch endangered Japanese Macaques or “snow monkeys” go about their daily lives, chasing and playing with each other in the Jigokudani hot springs.▼ Related Articles in the Nagano Area What to Eat / Getting Around / Other articles for the Nagano area Jigokudani Monkey Park Nozawa Onsen Ski Area Powderhounds love the area for the vast terrains of 100% natural snow, where about 40% is reserved for beginners. The longest slope is about 10 kilometers and is a gateway to see some surreal mountain views. However, Nozawa is not only known as one of the best Ski locations, but it is actually more popular as an Onsen village known for its traditional Japanese onsens and ryokans, like the Nozawa Onsen Sparena and “Gensen-kakegashi” or natural hot springs. Have the best winter party of your life by coming to the Dosojin Fire Festival that is held here every year on the 15th of January.▼ Related Articles in Nozawa Onsen Get to Know / A Day of Skiing / Where to Eat / Nightlife / Public Onsen Experience Nozawa Onsen Ski Area ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Japan
- 18. October. 2019
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Soba Restaurants Around Japan
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- Soba, the humble and thin buckwheat noodle, is rarely heard of outside of Japan. A shame, since soba is known to be one of the dishes representing Japan. A plate of soba serves as a blank canvas to be twisted and created into a whole new dish. The best soba is not found in just one city, it is found all throughout the country. Tea Soba in Uji Tea Soba in Uji Just a short train ride from Kyoto, Uji is famous for providing the former capital city’s famous green tea. Uji is a small town with plenty of tea farms. All of the food has a green tea twist, from ice cream to takoyaki. Tea Soba, soba infused with green tea, is the perfect way to try Uji’s famous tea and indulge in a light meal at the same time. Make Botan Soba in Onjuku Make Botan Soba in Onjuku Onjuku, a small beach town on the Boso Peninsula, is home to Kiwami Soba, a soba shop famous for the rare botan soba. Not only can diners indulge in the soba, they can also try and make it themselves. Both beginners and advanced cooks can take classes with the owner. Be sure to make reservations in advance. Fumotoya Soba on Yamadera Fumotoya Soba on Yamadera Located on the bottom of Yamadera, a holy mountain filled with shrines, Fumotoya Soba is the perfect restaurant to grab lunch post hike. The soba is as traditional as the restaurant itself. The restaurant prides itself on their fresh noodles and original, strong taste of buckwheat. Yamagata is a famous prefecture for their soba and Yamadera boasts some of the best small restaurants in town. Uango in Takehara Uango in Takehara Takehara is a town with a preserved Edo-era street in Hiroshima. Also known as Little Kyoto, Takehara hosts small gift shops and traditional restaurants, just like the former capital. For an off the beaten path lunch spot, be sure to look for Uango, a soba shop located in a small house. Enjoy the hand-made noodles on offer and have a chat with the friendly owner. Kawara Soba at Choshuya Yuda Shop in Yamaguchi Kawara Soba at Choshuya Yuda Shop in Yamaguchi For a unique twist on the noodle and soup set, check out the broth-less green tea noodles topped with meat served at Choshuya Yuda Shop. A Yamaguchi creation, these noodles are a served dry and on a sizzling platter with a lemon seasoning. The dish is perfect for two people to split. The noodles can be found all around Yamaguchi but Choshuya Yuda is one of the most famous, due to their large portions. Togakushi Soba at Gokui in Togakushi, Nagano Togakushi Soba at Gokui in Togakushi, Nagano Be sure to arrive early to Gokui before their popular, handmade noodles run out for the day. Gokui specializes in Togakushi soba, cold noodles served on a bamboo plate in five bundles, representing the Togakushi shrine’s five gods. The noodles were originally eaten by pilgrims who once visited these five shrines. Gokui is located in a refurbished lodging home used for pilgrims, so diners can have the full experience. Azumaya Wanko Soba in Morika, Iwate Azumaya Wanko Soba in Morika, Iwate Iwate’s soba dish is wanko soba, which has become associated with the one hundred bowl challenge. Wanko soba is served in small bowls, or wanko, and is repeatedly refilled until the diner has had enough. The dining experience is like a game, when the noodles are finished the server will quickly refill unless the lid is covering the bowl. Azumaya specializes in all you can eat wanko and serves sides such as meat, fish or vegetables to help flavor the noodles. Kanda Matsuya in Tokyo Kanda Matsuya in Tokyo Located in eastern Tokyo, Kanda Matsuya is one of the most famous handcrafted soba restaurants in the city. The restaurant opened in 1884 and still retains the traditional, wooden aesthetic inside. The portions are served either hot or cold and can be ordered with a side of crispy tempura. Kame Soba in Irabu, Miyakojima Kame Soba in Irabu, Miyakojima Although technically not considered soba by a mainlander, as the noodles are made from wheat as opposed to buckwheat (buckwheat soba in Okinawa is called Nihon soba), we would be amiss to ignore Okinawa soba in this list. This restaurant in Miyakojima is small and cozy, and located in a house. All of the ingredients are local and the noodles and tofu are handmade. The soup is also topped with juicy pork. Kame can get crowded during lunch, as it’s one of the more popular noodle shops on the island. ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Japan
- 21. February. 2019
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Mogami River
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- Mogami River is known as the ‘mother river’ of Yamagata Prefecture, so a visit to the area without paying respects to Mother Mogami isn’t a proper Yamagata experience at all. To really immerse yourself in the beauty of the waterway, hop aboard a riverboat cruise departing from the base of the Goten Bridge, along Prefectural Route 294. Disembarking at Nagashima Bridge, this 50-minute journey down one of the area’s most important canals is a great way to really understand the powerful beauty of this underrated prefecture.
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- Yamagata
- 16. January. 2019
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Get Another View of Japan: 5 of the Best Pleasure Cruises
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- A volcanic island nation with plenty of untouched rugged, unique landscapes, Japan beyond the major cities is an adventurer's delight. Exploring the country by foot, car or bike is always a great way to get around, but for a different perspective, try hopping aboard one of the country's many cruises. Fukuoka Itoshima Keya no Oto Fukuoka Itoshima Keya no Oto Running along the northwest coast of Kyushu Island is where you’ll find Itoshima city, a chilled out beach town boasting picture-perfect coastline and friendly, laid-back locals. An excellent day trip from Fukoaka, there are plenty of ways to soak up the beauty of the area, but for a different perspective consider hopping aboard one of the boat tours that run from the coast out to Keya no Oto. An almost otherworldly scene Keya no Oto is a towering piece of basalt rock that juts out of the ocean standing 200 feet high. A tour from the shore out to Keya no Oto takes about takes about twenty-five minutes but will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Mogami River Mogami River Mogami River is known as the ‘mother river’ of Yamagata Prefecture, so a visit to the area without paying respects to Mother Mogami isn’t a proper Yamagata experience at all. To really immerse yourself in the beauty of the waterway, hop aboard a riverboat cruise departing from the base of the Goten Bridge, along Prefectural Route 294. Disembarking at Nagashima Bridge, this 50-minute journey down one of the area’s most important canals is a great way to really understand the powerful beauty of this underrated prefecture. Kashikojima Espana Cruise Mie Kashikojima Espana Cruise Mie If you’re in Mie Prefecture and are wanting to try something a little different, then you can’t look past the Spanish themed Kashikojima Espana Cruise. It’s a 50-minute sightseeing cruise around Ago Bay that showcases some of the area’s most impressive coastal views, best admired from atop the boat’s open deck. For something authentically Mie, the tour also stops off at a cultured pearl factory where you can witness the making of area’s famous pearls. Nagatoro River White Water Rafting Nagatoro River White Water Rafting If cruising is too slow for you, then maybe you might want to consider signing up for a little white water rafting just outside of Tokyo. Nagatoro is a rugged hub of natural beauty positioned just northwest of Saitama Prefecture and is a place famous for its abundant boating opportunities. Head on over to the Iwadatami Riverside where you’ll find boatmen dressed in traditional garb, ready to take more casual guests on a scenic cruise as well as inflatable rapid-ready whitewater rafts for those more adventurous types. Oboke and Koboke Gorges Oboke and Koboke Gorges Shikoku’s largest, and arguably one of Japan’s most stunning rivers the Yoshino River, is flanked on either side by incredible lush green foliage that transforms with the passing seasons. It boasts colors so vibrant they could only be outdone by the deep emerald greens and bright blues of the water below. The best way to enjoy the area is to take the Oboke Ravine Pleasure Boat (Oboke Yuransen) cruise, it’s a 30-minute journey past some of the river’s popular landmarks like the Komori (‘bat’) Rock and Shishi (‘lion’) Rock and offers excellent photo-taking opportunities. ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Japan
- 16. January. 2019
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The Three Mountains of Dewa
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- One of Japan’s so-called power spots, Dewa Sanzan is the trio of mountains known as Haguro-san, Gas-san, and Yudono-dan. Admired for their spiritual significance and natural beauty, these three sacred mountains for shintoists symbolised birth, the afterlife, and rebirth respectively, and are truly a marvelous location worthy of at least a couple days’ visit while in Yamagata Prefecture. The Three Mountains of Dewa At the top of each of the Dewa Sanzan there are of course shrines and spiritual sites to pay respects to which are the main reason for many to make the journey to these mountains. But visiting one, two, or all three of the mountains is also about the adventure of reaching the top, and what you can see and experience along the way. If you decide to make the trip to this power spot and complete the whole route you’ve got to keep in mind that access to Yudono-san and Gas-san is only limited to the summer and fall, with Gas-san accessible only from July to September, and Yudono-san accessible from July to October both due to harsh weather conditions beyond that period. Haguro-san, on the other hand, is accessible all-year round both on foot and by car. The Three Mountains of Dewa Haguro-san is the starting point to the Dewa Sanzan experience and the closest to Tsuruoka City, thus making it the most visited out of the three mountains. Visitors can choose to trek up the 2,000 plus steps to reach the Haguro Shrine at the the top, head straight to the top via a bus from Tsuruoka Station or driving. Those taking the footpath and driving to the starting point should aim for Amachikogane Shrine which is right next to the forest entrance. The Three Mountains of Dewa ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Yamagata
- 18. December. 2017
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Recommended spots
163 results
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- Zao Bodaira National Campground
- Plateau
- Yamagata Pref. Kaminoyamashi Zaou Takahara Bohei
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- Mogami Gorge
- Valley
- Yamagata Pref. Mogamiguntozawamura Furukuchi
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- Dokkonuma Swamp
- Lake
- Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Zaouonsen Docco swamp
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- Lake Tokura
- Lake
- Yamagata Pref. Obanazawashi Nitoubukuro
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- Yura Beach
- Beach Bathing Facility
- Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Yura
Yamagata Main Areas
Although often overlooked, Yamagata prefecture by no means lacks appeal: the Yamadera temple trail through the mountains, deliciously tender Yonezawa wagyu, and over 100 steaming hot springs, most notably Zao Onsen, await visitors. When winter comes, the snowcapped peaks become dotted with skiers by day and onsen-goers by night, while summer brings the celebration of juicy Yamagata cherries.
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