Amazing things about Japan that surprise/delight foreigners in Winter

Hi how are you?

Today I would like to show you two things that you can currently only see or experience during the winter in Japan.

One is a monkey soaking in a hot spring as follows
(Engliish subtitles, English narration)

The following photo, while a Dutch cameraman was enjoying to take photos of monkeys bathing in the hot spring, the monkey took his smartphone quickly, and this is it.

 
If you desire to bathe with monkeys, when you stay at a ryokan of “Korakuen” near that Jigokudani Monkey Park, you may have the opportunity to do so as follows,

 

Why is Japan’s snowfall and powder snow the best in the world?

Located on the eastern edge of Eurasia, the world’s largest continent, Japan should normally have very little snowfall due to the prevailing westerly winds.

In fact, 90% of the snow at the ski and snowboard venues for the Beijing Olympics was created by artificial snow machines.

Even in Siberia and South Korea, where temperatures are much colder than in Japan, there is not much snowfall.

Japan, however, is the only country in the world where powder snow falls in a heavy snowfall area, which is extremely rare and the most blessed in the world.

The reason for this is the existence of the Sea of Japan.

When the dry westerly winds from across Eurasia cross the Sea of Japan, where the warm Tsushima Current flows northward, they replenish moisture and bring snow to Japan.

As you can intuitively see from the map below, the ⓵Joetsu Zone, where the distance across the Sea of Japan is longer, is the snowiest zone in Japan. And the snow is heavier because it contains more moisture.

⓶Hokkaido, on the other hand, has the perfect distance across the Sea of Japan, making it the only place in the world where snowfall is both abundant and powdery, making it the best region in the world.

The Blessing of Nature, the Sea of Japan

Incredible snow quality! Skiers from all over the world call it “powder snow”…

This is not overstated that the quality of snow that is called “powder snow” for skiing is the best in the world.

The reason why is, one of the best things about skiing in Japan is the immense amount of light, dry, powder snow.

Japan’s famous snow is a result of large weather systems that form over Russia; frigid and dry winds from Siberia absorb moisture from the Sea of Japan, before dropping huge amounts of snow on the Japanese mountains.

⓷Hakuba-mura(village)area, as illustrated below,

Hakuba Village

Best powder snow and unique winter activities!
Ski, snowboard, snowshoe, backcountry, paragliding, hot air ballooning, trampolining, and more in Hakuba!

Hakuba Village is the one and only “mountain resort” where you can enjoy the great nature of the Northern Alps not only during the winter season when you can ski and snowboard, but also in all seasons.

Hakuba Village Tourism Bureau (7025 Kitashiro, Hakuba Village, Representative Director: Seigo Shimokawa) is pleased to announce the start of the 2023 snow season.

Enjoy the best snow quality and unique winter activities. Please come to Mountain Resort Hakuba Village where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, magnificent scenery and activities in the open nature.
 
Able Hakuba Goryu & Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
 
0261-75-2101 https://www.hakubaescal.com/winter/0261-75-2636 https://www.oito.co.jp/iimori/0261-75-3533 http://www.hakuba47.co.jp/

 
Able Hakuba Goryu Grand Prix Course
 

Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort

 

Ochikura Backcountry Field

 

Mauka outdoor

 

Sky Blue Happo One Paragu Sky Blue

 

Evergreen Outdoor Center

 

Hakuba Lion Adventure(Hot air balloons)

 

HakuBounce(trampoline)

The risks, and safety measures to take, for backcountry skiers

Regular skiing is fun, but you can never forget the exhilaration of backcountry skiing.

Unfortunately, however, there have been several fatal accidents this year, mainly caused by avalanches in backcountry skiing.

For those who come from overseas…for those whose culture is to ski in non-ski areas in their respective countries, it is a natural process (to ski in the backcountry).

Due to a lack of guides, many foreigners say they have no choice but to go into the mountains without a guide.
Japanese ski guides also point out that there are cultural differences between Japan and the West regarding where to ski.

The Japan Avalanche Network offers information in Japanese and English on its website about avalanche risks at selected resort areas, including Nagano and Hokkaido’s Niseko district.

The network also offers English-language information on seven steps to take in order to maximize personal safety while backcountry skiing, which includes being aware of the weather situation and the angle of the slope you are on.

Finally, enjoy the sea of clouds in Hakuba Village, is too spectacular!
How fantastic…it doesn’t seem real!

　　

If you are not used to skiing yet, try a little experience with this VR and have fun.

Thanks for watching