I went to Zao for the world-class snowboarding, but I left raving about my hotel. I visited in the heart of winter, from February 18th to 20th, 2025, and the landscape was a perfect, pristine winter wonderland. My stay at Oohira Hotel’s 善七乃湯 (Zenshichinoyu) in Zao Onsen was so much more than just a place …
Category: Winter in Japan
Chenda International Hotel – A Comfy Stay for Visitors to Ishiuchi Maruyama
Finding accommodation near ski slopes can be incredibly challenging, especially during the peak winter season. With this in mind, I made sure to start my search months in advance when planning a snowboarding trip to Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Area in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, last winter. That’s how I discovered Chenda International Hotel, the place …
Where to Buy Cheap/Second-hand Ski and Snowboard Gear in Sapporo
Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan, is known as a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The city is home to several ski resorts, including Bankei, Sapporo Mt. Moiwa, Sapporo Teine, Sapporo Kokusai, and Takino Snow World, where visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. For those who want to save money …
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Shirakawa-go During New Year
Shirakawa-go, without a doubt, stands as a captivating destination with its traditional Japanese charm. Countless articles, pictures, and online tales attest to the greatness of this village, capturing the hearts of people worldwide. Although numerous guides exist for this UNESCO World Heritage Site, our focus lies on providing comprehensive insights into visiting Shirakawa-go during a …
Sapporo Travel Guide: Bankei Ski Area in March
After finally mastering my snowboarding skills in early February this year, I embarked on a mission to explore as many ski areas in Korea as possible before the snow began to melt away. However, I soon realized that the ski season in Korea after January couldn’t provide the optimal snow conditions for an exhilarating experience. …
A Winter Journey Through the Historical Village of Hokkaido
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, has a history that sets it apart from the rest of the country. Unlike mainland Japan, Hokkaido was shaped by the Jomon culture, known for its hunting and fishing traditions, and later by the Ainu culture, which embraced a deep connection with nature. Before the Wajin (mainland Japanese) settled here, the …
Japan Year-end Getaway : Hello White Winter in Hakodate!
Thanks to limited-stop Hayabusa, Hokkaido Shinkansen, our trip from Japan’s northeast province to northernmost island was extremely interesting. The service from Sendai station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station takes roughly three hours including penetrating through undersea Seikan Tunnel. This underground passage connects Aomori prefecture on the main land of Honshu with the island of Hokkaido. The plan …
Visiting Zao Fox Village in January: A Complete Guide & Honest Review
The post-holiday slump is real. After the confetti settles and the New Year’s toasts are done, that first week of January always leaves me itching for an adventure. This year, my search for a unique winter escape led me deep into the snow-laden mountains of Miyagi Prefecture, to a place that promises equal parts enchantment …
Japan Year-end Getaway : Hello Tokyo. We Meet Again!
I have been coming back to Japan several times visiting different places but yet never get a chance to witness its icon, Fuji Mt. I then didn’t forget to put it as a major destination in the itinerary this time. My boyfriend and I planned to visit Lake Yamanaka on the first day of 2019 …
Japan Year-end Getaway : Nabana No Sato
Even though the sun no longer shines and the moon takes over the sky, admit it your heart still yearns to fly. The train we took left Takayama station in the late afternoon and arrived at Nagoya station in almost three hours later. Realizing my New Year’s Eve was almost gone, I decided to spend …









