©Nagano Prefecture Tourism Association

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Japan's high quality snow and resort facilities are attracting increasing international attention from skiers and snowboarders. Hokkaido and Niseko have become particular favourite destinations among adventurous Australians and other overseas tourists. However Japan has many other magnificent venues offering equally excellent skiing. In this issue, jstyle profiles ski resorts of the Nagano and Niigata Prefectures, including the Hakuba region.

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Winter holiday heaven in Honshu
Overview
Winter in Nagano and Niigata Prefectures offers some of the finest powder snow and ski resorts in the world. Nagano City and its many resorts, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, now annually attract skiers, snowboarders and winter snow sport enthusiasts from around the world. Nagano is equally famed for its hot springs, particularly Nozawa Onsen. Neighbouring Niigata Prefecture, where the dazzling 2000m Echigo Mountains stretch across the southeast, has its own ski resort and hot spring offerings.

Collectively these prefectures, isolated in the chubu or central region of the country, are known as "the roof of Japan". Nine of the nation's 12 highest mountains are found here, making its attraction to skiers obvious. However both Nagano and Niigata deliver year-round cultural and culinary experiences that go well beyond winter sport.

Matsumoto Castle, at the eastern end of the alps, is impressive proof of the region's rich heritage. Built in 1614, it is also known as Crow Castle due to its black walls and winged architecture. Visitors can climb the steep stairways and experience the awe-inspiring grandeur of this national treasure. Yahiko Village, south of Niigata City, houses a landmark built centuries earlier in its 1300-year-old Yahiko Shrine.

Parks and shrines are plentiful in the region, with Niigata City's tranquil Hakusan Park being the first in the nation to be designated a public area.

To complete a feast for all the senses, the Nagano and Niigata region is also famed for its food. Near Matsumoto Castle is the world's largest wasabi farm, offering guided tours and cheap wasabi. Local apples known for their particular sweet and juicy qualities are a major product of Nagano, however the area is best known for producing two Japanese staples: soba (buckwheat noodles); and miso (fermented soybean paste). The more adventurous can even sample such delicacies as raw horsemeat and locusts!

Niigata Prefecture is second only to Hokkaido in rice production. The Uonuma area produces koshihikari rice, the highest quality rice in Japan, while rice-related industries like sake (rice wine), senbei (rice crackers) and mochi (glutinous rice cake) are also important to the local economy. As Niigata lies at the junction of Japan's longest river, the Shinano, and the Japan Sea, fresh seafood is available year-round.

Access

First-rate rail networks make Niigata and Nagano accessible within hours of arrival in Japan. From Narita Airport, the JR Narita Express whisks visitors to Tokyo in 60 minutes where the JR Nagano Shinkansen (bullet train) has them in Nagano in around 100 minutes. The JR Joetsu Shinkansen has frequent services to Niigata that only take about two hours.

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Spoilt for choice at a world-class resort:
Hakuba
More than 200 ski runs and the breathtaking backdrop of the 3000m Japanese Alps make Hakuba one of the country's biggest and best winter resort destinations. Its popularity is enduring, with alpine enthusiasts attracted to Hakuba's comfortable winter temperatures and plentiful annual snowfall for more than 70 years.
As well as the vast choice of ski runs, Hakuba offers exiting alternatives such as cross country skiing, snow rafting, tobogganing and snowshoe tours.

Catering for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, the accommodation is equally varied. Resort hotels range from one to five-star or Westerners can sample tradition by staying in a ryokan (Japanese inn). There are also bed and breakfasts, self-contained condominiums, pensions and backpacker accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
With more than 150 restaurants, shops, cafes and bars, visitors are also spoilt for choice among Hakuba's dining, leisure and nightlife options.
Tourism Commision of Hakuba
www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/e/index.htm

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Modern luxuries in a traditional hot spring village
Nozawa Onsen

Nestled in northern Nagano, Nozawa Onsen's ski and hot spring facilities have attracted enthusiasts since 1930. Snowboarders now also flock to the resort for its unique blend of modern facilities set in a traditional village atmosphere.
The first Japanese resort to install ski lifts and the continuing host of major ski and snowboard competitions, Nozawa Onsen's enduring appeal is not surprising. With a vertical drop of 1085m and more than 50km of ski runs, including a 10km beginners' run, conquering the Nozawa Onsen mountain is a bit of a challenge.
What really sets Nozawa Onsen apart are the village hot springs which so beckon the skier after a long day on the slopes. The steam rising from Nozawa Onsen reveals its multiple sources of natural hot springs, which were first discovered in the 8th century. More than 30 springs are located throughout the resort. Thirteen of these are "co-operative spas" which are owned by the village, housed in traditional architecture and available free of charge to the public.
Nozawa Onsen
www.nozawaski.com/e/

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Japan's largest winter resort
Shiga Kogen

No fewer than 21 interlinked resorts in a stunning alpine valley make up Shiga Kogen. This enormous ski resort, in the Joshinetsu National Park, boasts top-class powder snow during a season spanning late November to early May. More than 80 runs cover a wide range of skill levels for skiers and snowboarders.
You can still see the country's first gondola at Shiga Kogen, recalling an earlier era in Japan's resort history. However Shiga Kogen's high-speed lifts, along with cable cars linking all 21 resorts, delivers leading-edge technology. A single lift ticket allows access on all 71 lifts, gondolas and ropeways, making it easy to move between slopes.
Shiga Kogen also has seven hot springs to provide a break from serious skiing, or try a snowshoe hike to enjoy the amazing alpine scenery at a slower pace.
Shiga Kogen Tourism Association
www.shigakogen.gr.jp/english/

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Best snow, most beautiful scenery
Myoko Kogen
At the foot of Niigata Prefecture's Mt Myoko is one of the oldest established ski areas in the world. Apart from its 13-metre annual snowfall and abundant ski areas, it's not hard to spot the appeal. The Myoko area, in the heart of Joshinetsu National Park, has a reputation for stunning beauty amid stark natural contrasts.
For those skiers seeking adventure, set foot on the exciting Suginohara slopes with their vertical drop of 1124m. Perhaps the intimate run through thick beech and aspen forests is preferred, a signature part of the Mt Myoko scenery.
For those traveling with children, Myoko has a children's park and on-slope daycare facilities to make for a relaxing holiday. A guided tour through the forest introduces the visitor to a wide range of Japanese flora and fauna, including adorable tanuki raccoons. At the end of the day, the public or hotel hot springs await to relax and revitalize.

Snow Japan
www.snowjapan.com/e/travel/niigata-myoko.html

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All the facilities plus family friendliness
Naeba

The world's longest gondola ride, "Dragondola" travels more than 5km in 15 minutes to connect the Naeba and Kagura ski areas, which together make up the Mt Naeba resort. With 50 runs spread across 368ha, Mt Naeba's vast stretches of open ski fields, a free-ride snowboard park and a special beginners' zone makes this destination particularly popular among families and young people. While the lower slopes of Naeba are suitably gentle for the beginner, the higher terrain provides a challenge for the more advanced skier. Visitor figures top 2.5 million annually and the resort has hosted numerous international and national ski championships over 30 years, proof of the resort's popularity.
For accommodation, the world's largest ski resort hotel-the 4000-room Naeba Prince Hotel-beckons at the foot of the mountain. Accommodation is also available in the nearby village, as are dining and leisure options to suit every taste and budget. The nightlife, facilities and attractive accommodation packages make Naeba a popular skiing destination.

Naeba Prince Hotel
www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba-e/index.html