Itinerary
This itinerary is a guide, and the guides have the flexibility to adjust activities as situations arise. The tour is dictated by the weather each day and your guide will fit around where the best conditions are to which ski resort the group will head to. The aim is to be flexible and follow the weather to allow all guests' goals to be met.
The set dinners and evening performances of the geisha, taiko drum, karate and magic performances may vary on which night they fall on the 10-day tour.
Day 1
Make your way to Yudanaka (home of the snow monkeys) on either the amazing rail system or a shuttle from Narita or Haneda airport and be picked up at the drop off points. The guides need to know a minimum of one day in advance what time your shuttle arrives and what time you will arrive to the Yudanaka train station so the Ryokan can have a shuttle van to pick you up.
The area has a history of over 1,300 years as a hot spring resort and more recently 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. The hosts will take the group to the sushi train restaurant or one of the many fine eating establishments in Yudanaka.
Day 2
Known as the birthplace of skiing in Japan in 1911, Shiga Kogen is the largest ski area in Asia with the highest lift access in Japan at 2,307 metres and has 18 interconnecting resorts. 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 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 eat in house so bring your camera and this is followed by an amazing interactive Geisha performance by a second generation Geisha to the area.
Day 3
Madarao (Madapow) is another great ski field. This field seems to have its own microclimate and when it snows here it can be very magical. On the way home the group will have the option to eat at one of the few Okonomiyaki restaurants in Nagano, which is a specialty from Osaka and Hiroshima.
Day 4
After breakfast you will travel to Nozawa Onsen if the conditions are favourable for some more action on the snow. With its 300 hectares of terrain and 50km of piste, it is the second largest resort on the itinerary next to Shiga Kogen. Nozawa Onsen does get a lot of profile, so it can be much busier than the other resorts you'll go to so the guides try to time the visit when there will not be long lift lines or too many people on the precious powder.
If time permits at the end of the day, you will take a walk through Nozawa Onsen township and enjoy the many shops and eating treats.
After two days on the snow the new muscles you have used are fatigued so you may decide to rest so that you will be strong to finish the rest of the tour in style. You may just decide to chill for the day or there are cultural activities.
Day 5
After breakfast the group will travel to old faithful and further explore Shiga Kogen.
After you dine out at one of the many outstanding restaurants around Yudanaka there is the magic show from Fred who is a "local foreigner" and has performed magic for 30+years around the world. The performance is something between great magic, fun comedy and silly stuff. The show will make you laugh. The audience participation adds a bit of improvisation that brings a lot of surprise and the show is a truly enjoyable experience!
Day 6
Togakushi ski resort is on the menu today. This area is highly significant to the Japanese as it is the home of towering cedar trees and the Okusha Shrine sits at the base of Mt. Togakushi so some good walking shoes are required for the cultural side stash walk after the slopes.
Dining is at your leisure around Yudanaka with your new ski/snowboard buddies.
Day 7
Shiga Kogen is back on the menu and if the conditions are right the group will head to the highest lift elevation in a ski resort in Japan called Yokoteyama. The 360 degree views from the top are the best you will find anywhere in the world looking over the Nagano prefecture, and if it is clear enough you can also view Mt Fuji which is Japan’s highest peak at 3,776 metres.
Another amazing in house dinner and for your final night’s scheduled entertainment you can participate in a karate performance and teaching session from one of Japan’s Grand Masters champions followed by a taiko drum, shamisen guitar and lion dance performance.
Day 8
Because Madarao is just that good, the guides will take you there again but also include the adjoining resort of Tangram if conditions are favourable.
After dinner at one of the many restaurants in Yudanaka, you can lubricate those vocal cords for the signature karaoke night.
Day 9
Finish your last day on the snow as a powder day yet again if the Snow God has been kind. Using the many resorts already ridden, the guides will choose the one with the best snow and go there.
Day 10
It is time to bid farewell to your fabulous hosts at your accommodation.
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. The ryokans have a service to drop you at the start of the snow monkey trail EARLY so that you can have the park to yourself before the tourist masses arrive
Self-Guided Cultural Excursions
Here are a number of options for those that either have a scheduled rest day or for those that have ascertained they need to rest to lower the probability of injury. Maps and train schedules are all provided for these cool adventures. Please Note: these are all achievable daily excursions; however you can chop and change them to suit how much time you would like to stay at each venue.
Option 1 (Snow Monkey – Shibu Onsen – Obuse Town)
8.30am leave from ryokan to snow monkey park on complimentary shuttle. Walk to park through national forest. Stop at Enza café at the start of the track after viewing monkeys for a hot drink and snack. Walk to the Sake Museum then down through Shibu Onsen town (this area is over 1300 years old and is where the Samurai used to bath to rejuvenate and where the famous Japanese movie “Spirited Away” was based) then to the worlds tallest bronze Buddhist statue. Take the 12.31pm train to Obuse that arrives at 12.53 and a short walk to Obuse Town. Visit the Hokusai Museum and explore this wonderful little town. Take the 17.11 train to arrive back at Yudanaka train station at 17.33.
Option 2 (Snow Monkey – Obuse Town – Zenkoji Temple in Nagano)
8.30 leave from ryokan to snow monkey park on complimentary shuttle. Walk to park through national forest. Stop at Enza café at the start of the track after viewing monkeys for a hot drink and snack. Pickup at 10.20 from start of monkey park to be transported to train station to take the 10.50 train to Obuse that arrives 11.12 for a short walk to Obuse Town. Visit the Hokusai Museum and explore this wonderful little town and have lunch at the many quality restaurants. Take the local 13.55 train from Obuse to arrive at Nagano 14.30. Exit the train and make way your way to ground level on the west exit of station. Take the Zenkoji bus to the temple. Nagano is the only temple city in Japan which means the temple was built first and the city afterwards. Purchase a ticket in the temple to do the underground chamber tour under the temple to find the gate to eternity and make sure you look in the large mirror when you exit to be born again. Take the walk from the Zenkoji Temple to the train station (Many cool shops and restaurants along the way) and either travel back to Yudanaka on the 18.00 express train or dine in Nagano and take the 19.40 express train.
Option 3 (Obuse Town - Zenkoji Temple and Olympic Museum in Nagano)
Take the 8.39 train from Yudanaka to arrive at Obuse at 9.14 for a short walk to Obuse Town. Visit the Hokusai Museum and explore this wonderful little town. Take the 11.12 or 11.56 express train from Obuse to arrive at Nagano either 11.36 or 12.30. Exit the Yudanaka express train and make way to ground level on the west exit of station. Time for lunch either at the Midori train complex or at the many street restaurants close to train station. Take the Zenkoji bus to the temple from the west exit. Nagano is the only temple city in Japan which means the temple was built first and the city afterwards. Purchase a ticket in the temple to do the underground chamber tour under the temple to find the gate to eternity and also the ticket for the Zenkoji Museum which is behind the Zenkoji Temple. Take the walk from the Zenkoji Temple to the train station (many cool shops and restaurants along the way). Another great place to visit is the M-Wave which is where the Olympic Museum is and the long course speed skating facility which is still in operation. An amazing building with the largest wood suspended ceiling in the world. Would need to get a taxi from train station to this venue. Option to take the 18.00 express train back to Yudanaka or stay for dinner in Nagano and get the 19.40 train from Nagano which arrives in Yudanaka at 20.29.
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