by admin on February 11, 2011
One thing about me – I’ve always been scared of heights. It’s a bit sad, but true.
So for me, gondolas and chairlifts were a cause for concern. Now I think back on it, it was definately a contributing factor to why I didn’t ski very much when I first got here.
I am improving though, and I’m quite proud of that. I can now look out the gondola window and enjoy the view, instead of keeping my eyes closed and trying to pretend I’m somewhere else.
Even the chairlifts are all fine now, even the ones which are really steep with no safety bar. I’m such a hero. Haha.
by admin on February 8, 2011
One of my favourite places in Nozawa Onsen is Le Carte, a gorgeous little coffee shop. It’s run by a mother and daughter and I think what makes me love it is the wall of books. People just grab a book to read while they drink their coffee. I think that’s awesome! Although of course, all the books are in Japanese. But that’s okay, I bring my own.
It also has the only pool table in town – filled with a massive collection of chopstick holders and covered in glass – much to the disgust of Luke. There’s also a collection of old tea tins over the counter.
And the hot cocoa. Wow. It’s wonderful, full of buttery goodness. I’m similarly in love with the New York Cheesecake. I really need to get a recipe for that.
So yes. That’s where you’ll find me, more often than is probably reasonable.
by admin on February 6, 2011
I finally made it to the Yudanaka, the snow monkey park. Yay!!
I joined one of the tours the lodge runs twice weekly, as it seems near impossible to get there on public transport.
First stop was the awesome sushi train in Iiyama. Love it. Delicious, as always. And it’s so fun ordering by shinkansen. 
When we got to Yudanaka there was a 1.6km walk in, which was almost worth the bus ride in itsef. It was so pretty, with all these picturesque snow capped trees. We saw a geyser along the way, and slightly more awkwardly a naked man using the outdoor onsen at a hotel we passed.
The monkeys were great! Technically they’re wild animals, but they’re so used to humans that they just completely ignore you. And so many! They all come to the area with the onsen in the winter to warm up… and of course they’re also lured with barley twice daily for the benefit of the tourists. There were hundreds of them! Everywhere. Kind of scarily human-like. Or maybe we’re scarily monkey-like? Either way, it was really interesting. And they’re so cute.
Photo from the wonderful Julie Jobson
by admin on January 24, 2011
I had a really amazing day at Karasawa today. Karasawa is the ski run that is only about 2 minutes walk from Villa Nozawa (10 min in ski boots).
Until now, my skiing hasn’t been progressing terribly well. I didn’t
get skis until the end of December and I’ve spent a fair chunk of January sick. So all I can really do is snow plough, which is the slowest, easiest way of doing things. A few weeks ago, Yan and Manuel, the ski instructors, told me how to do parallel turns and I’ve been wanting to try it for ages and today was the first chance I got.
So, Karasawa, a beautiful wide 3km slope.
I don’t know how or why, but it
all just worked. I was chilled out enough that I didn’t freak out on the chairlift – it’s sad, but that’s actually quite an achievement for me – and when I skied I found my brain was switched off enough to go a bit faster and started doing the parallel turns without even consciously trying.
It was a really stunning day on th
e mountain as well. Lots of fresh snow, beautiful clear sky, gorgeous scenery and only about 4 other people on the whole 3km run.
So basically this means I’m going out again tomorrow.
And yes, I know I look sensational in my hat. :)
by admin on January 9, 2011
What do they do with all the snow in all the places that don’t have water running constantly through the town like a drain-river?
We just put it in the pond or down the drain and wait for it to melt. What happens in other places?
I’m sure I’m revealing the naivity that comes from growing up in the Sunshine State, but sure.
