JAPAN 2013/2014
- Now for tips on the mountain!!!!!
If ya get Freshies down low, first thing to do is hit the black steeps around the base of the resort first up!!!!! The top of the hill (And where the good Tree Runs are) will stay nice and fresh due to the elevation, even if it gets tracked out a little before ya get there!!!!
While yamabiko is the most popular tree area its def not the best. OOB is awesome but a serious avi threat! I found dropping off skyline left or right way better and steeper than the top. Also trees under challenge lift. And the tree off Tanuki heading down to karasawa are a treat.
Thats so funny Drc about old mate putting cold water in while your tryin to play by etiquette.
Oops deleted quote marks. Im sure u can tell by the !!! who wrote it tho. 
Haha Tobi…
I saw it when you tagged Billy on a facebook status…
Fingers crossed for a good deal for you.
there might also be Jet* Japan as an option too? Can’t remember when they start operations?
- Now for tips on the mountain!!!!!
If ya get Freshies down low, first thing to do is hit the black steeps around the base of the resort first up!!!!! The top of the hill (And where the good Tree Runs are) will stay nice and fresh due to the elevation, even if it gets tracked out a little before ya get there!!!!
While yamabiko is the most popular tree area its def not the best. OOB is awesome but a serious avi threat! I found dropping off skyline left or right way better and steeper than the top. Also trees under challenge lift. And the tree off Tanuki heading down to karasawa are a treat.
Thats so funny Drc about old mate putting cold water in while your tryin to play by etiquette.
Oops deleted quote marks. Im sure u can tell by the !!! who wrote it tho.
More a comment on the condition of the snow on higher elevations will still be good if ya leave them till after ya’ve shredded the lower slopes!!!!!
I see said the blind man. Def a go to get down low and go go go early. Twas only by getting a bit lazy one morn I found that out. Lapping challenge lift was all time.
Im gonna have to go back to test some of the eats you mentioned as I missed a coupla them.
Im gonna have to go back
I’m gonna have to work on my flexibility so I can fit in your suitcase! I reckon you’d be good fun to ride with around Myoko/Nozawa with your knowledge of the mountain!
I see said the blind man. Def a go to get down low and go go go early. Twas only by getting a bit lazy one morn I found that out. Lapping challenge lift was all time.
Im gonna have to go back to test some of the eats you mentioned as I missed a coupla them.
Yep, Challenger is exactly one of the areas that I would head to first!!!!!
Had I known the area a lot better, I would’ve loved to bomb through the “Village Trail”?????, that winds down the far left side of the mountain too!!!!! I talked myself out of it a couple of times after seein some of the pitfalls that ya get to see when ya in the Gondolas!!!!! Hahahaaa!!!!! I would def love to ride that area with some local knowledge though!!!!!
And I ate at a few other joints too, but they were the ones that stood out to me!!!!!
You guys got any recommendations also, as I’ll be slottin myself into DRC’s bag while he’s gettin into yours?????
You guys got any recommendations also, as I’ll be slottin myself into DRC’s bag while he’s gettin into yours?????
haha that sounds potentially painful.
As for my eating adventures in Nozawa I can’t actually remember what any of my places were called just the general direction.
While trying to locate them I remembered this pdf that might come in handy for lano
http://www.lodgenagano.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nozawa-onsen-town-map.pdf
First up was Yakitori at a place down the far south end of town. It was on the left hand side and you could see into the area where the old bloke cooked.
Now this place comes with a funny story. I went there with a few guys I’d met and we sat at the bar, placed our order (we were starving and it was around 7pm) and got into the jumbo sized Asahi’s. Time passed with good conversation and more Asahi’s consumed. Other people around us were served so we remained patient. Before we knew it our stomachs were joining in the conversation we were that hungry and it was now 10pm and the two elderly owners (who spoke next to no english) were staring at us awkwardly like we were a bunch of alco’s but no cooking was happening (the grill had been turned off).
We were most confused/hungry/tipsy when finally an english speaking Japanese couple walked in and when we started talking to us they laughed and informed us that the elderly couple actually had Alzeimers and had likely completely forgotten we’d even ordered food.
After a bit more communication the grill was fired up but by then he only had about 8 skewers left so the 4 of us shared those. They were very tasty but it’s an experience I look back and laugh about.
The second dinner I had was also at the southern end of town in a Okonomiyaki place. It actually specialised in a dish something along the lines of Mokonomiyaki (that could be completely wrong) which was Okonomiyaki topped with fried udon noodles. The food was great, the decor was interested (Japanese style but with large flat screen tv’s on each wall showing Japanese comedy style clips i.e youtubeish. We all sat on the floor to eat which was a little difficult after days of riding in deep pow.
Final dinner was at an Izakaya right up the north end of town. The guys order a bunch of finger food but I got a dumpling soup which I think turned out to be the pick of the night.
As with all Japanese mountains, On snow lunch’s are cheap and amazing! Here’s a sample of Myoko/Nozawa lunches.
Oh and in Myoko you have to go to the Izakaya right up the top of town. Down the stairs on the left. I had chicken karage (JFC Japanese fried chicken) a couple of times there as it was so damned nice! They put on snowboard videos on a little tv on the bar for you when you walk in as well! The green side in the photo is one of the few things I just couldn’t eat while over there though. Such a strong taste!
so much to do lol i think i am not staying long enough.
OMG that karage looks devine!
The gyoza’s don’t look so bad either!
so much to do lol i think i am not staying long enough.
Hah I always get like that try to fit so much in especially in Tokyo. I’m sure it won’t be your last time in Japan so it’s good to be spoilt for choice!
OMG that karage looks devine!
The gyoza’s don’t look so bad either!
It was soo nice Kim you would have loved it there was a reason I went there twice for dinner in the week. I don’t eat much fried stuff in general but the chicken was just so juicy inside and the crispy skin was amazing. You could select from quite a few different flavours but I think it was mostly just a difference in dipping spices. I think that little bowl had salt/pepper in it.
I can assure you the Gyozas were great as well. 
Thanks for makin me hungrier than a Sumo, DRC!!!!!
Ohhh, and pretty sure the Green Side Dish is Nozawana, the local Nagano Vegetable that I suggested Lano avoid somewhat!!!!! Although I did like it when it was Pickled!!!!!
Thanks for makin me hungrier than a Sumo, DRC!!!!!
Ohhh, and pretty sure the Green Side Dish is Nozawana, the local Nagano Vegetable that I suggested Lano avoid somewhat!!!!! Although I did like it when it was Pickled!!!!!
Haha it actually had the same effect on me I ended up eating lunch straight after posting as I got so hungry. Unfortunately packed sandwiches paled in comparison 
If it helps I’m sure I could dig up a photo of the Chankonabe I had the first night I was in Nozawa, seems to do the job for Sumos.
I think you’re right about the Nozawana. I’ve had it given to me in a number of places but it would certainly make sense. Thanks for solving that mystery.
I thought we discussed you wearin ya DP’s around here before?????
I thought we discussed you wearin ya DP’s around here before?????
Haha DP’s are my Summer attire!
Keep this up and the NSFW onsen photos may find there way on here, that ought to sort out you’re appetite! 