As an avid snowboarder, I have been always dreaming about snowboarding in Japan. I have read about legendary JaPow. Light and fluffy powder than can be a few meters deep and still be fun and rideable!
Japan is a truly spectacular country situated on multiple islands in the Pacific ocean, close to Korea and China. Full of bursting cities, picturesque landscape, a fantastic culture and friendly people. I cannot imagine that in Western culture someone would not hear about Japan. Snowboarding here is a lifetime experience thanks to unique snow.
Not only JaPow!
Japan is definitely not only JaPow – world famous powder snow. If I would have to come up with only one reason why you should go to Japan, excluding snowboarding in Japan, it would be food! Mouthwatering food can be found everywhere. This was one of the biggest surprises for me personally. I love sushi, sashimi, bento, ramen etc.
I couldn’t possibly dream about noodles bought in a shop, the cheap ones you can find in every shop in your country, but proper. Moreover, the shop staff will prepare it for you while you wait and you can enjoy a hot and hearty meal on the go. Oh yes, super cheap!
On every corner, I could have freshly made ramen and tempura, and man, all fresh! Every single meal, even the cheap noodles looks exactly as advertised. I had no problems with ordering on the go or in restaurants. I had to simply point on the picture and done. So convenient.
Fresh ingredients are the key in Japan cuisine. And the beef. Any beef, not necessarily wagyu beef, however wagyu beef is exceptional. Red marble steak served exactly how you want it, buttery texture which melts in your mouth, sorry vegans and vegetarians! Must try.
I could talk about food for hours! My favourite so far, shabu-shabu, beef and ramen. What I would highly recommend is to open your mind (and close your eyes) and try everything.
Tokyo by night
I and two friends were planning this trip for a while and Tokyo by night was one of the highlights. We have booked our flights, accommodation, insurance and a few other bits and bobs. I wrote another post about How to travel to Japan, go ahead and check it out. Anyway, we were supposed to change several times and spend the night in the famous Tokyo! I was hyped. Still when I think Tokyo I see Tokyo Drift in my head. Famous crossing and tuned cars. Everything has been planned and arranged.
Early morning on the departure day a text message came. No email or any other form of communication, just text. “We are sorry to inform you that your flight has been cancelled”. Oh, come on! I didn’t even manage to leave my house. A few hours later my friend Jasica, managed to get us on an alternative flight to Paris. That moment we all knew, that there will be no Tokyo by night, but Paris by night. Paris?! It is not really a Tokyo Drift, is it?
Big in Japan!
Eventually, we flew through Paris and Korea to go big in Japan. I even managed to forget my electronic’s bag on a plane. Speaking louder and louder to Korean airport staff in the English language will not help them understand you. I didn’t realise that I was doing that, but my friends are always happy to help and take the piss out of you. I had to nearly break into a plane to retrieve my staff but in the end, I succeeded.
Japan! At last. I was excited, happy and impatient for another adventure. I wanted to try and see everything. Experience the famous powder snow, food and sake. Learn the culture and relax in onsens. Fun fact: in Japan, you can drink alcohol EVERYWHERE. I am sure you are familiar with vending machines. The first vending machine at the airport has served us lovely Sapporo beer and a green tea. Right next to it we bought fresh-made tempura. Proper Japanese breakfast.
The snow and snowboarding in Japan!
A short bus drive later we have arrived in Niseko and finally see the snow! It was a late afternoon and it has already been cold and dark. But we were in Japan. I was the happiest bloke in the world. My beloved Lib Tech HP snowboard in my wheelie bag and we all were hyped! Our host was very kind and picked us up, so we got to our apartment in no time. The place was cosy but very westernised. Excluding a few minor bits and bobs, it felt like the Alps, at least the accommodation. The snow, on the other hand, was superb. Deep, light, and unique! Perfect for what we came for!
I quickly assembled my snowboard and we head out for some shopping. I almost forgot! We had the same vending machine at our accommodation as we found at the airport. We had a bigger selection of beers though. Because of a time zone difference we have decided that there is no time to lose and went out to ride the streets. Beer and snowboard, classic 90s.
Mt Yotei, Mt Niseko and snowboarding infinite treelines in Japan
I woke up excited to go out and explore, Mt Yotei and Mt Niseko could be seen around us with an infinite treeline. I quickly ate hot noodles, some rice snacks and I was ready. Ready to throw me into another exciting adventure. Fifteen minutes later we were in gondola soaking the views and planning the first ride.
It wasn’t our first snowboarding trip, so we knew how it goes. Ride hard and party hard! So we did, straight to an off-piste craving for powder. JaPow big time. Guano Apes was playing in my headphones with the classic “Lord of the boards” and “Big in Japan”. Why not?! We all were just shredding, falling and laughing now and then. It was the first time in my life, and I ride for over 20 years now, that I was able to snowboard waist-deep snow. Exhilarating and electrifying experience.
I didn’t want to finish the day of snowboarding in Niseko, Japan, but I knew that tomorrow will be at least the same if not better. By the end of the day, I started to feel jet lag kicking in so we went for a proper dinner and drinks. Ramen, hot sake and a few other drinks later I was back in business. I didn’t know by then that pubs are closing relatively early in Niseko, however, at around 1pm we already knew it was time to finish the day.
Mt Yotei
Mt Yotei is a volcano which can be hiked and moreover ridden. If the weather allows it is possible to snowboard into the crater. This was supposed to be the highlight of our trip. It wouldn’t be wise to attempt it without a licensed and experienced guide so we went to the NAC- Niseko Adventure Centre. I did my research, had the maps printed and well thought the route through. By checking the weather forecast I knew that we had a very tiny chance for the weather window. A guide explained in a broken English that we can go tomorrow and will cost this and that. Our seemed strange as it seemed that the weather will be bad an avalanche risk high so I asked again.
At this point, I would like to point out that when you travel you should always be cautious and always do your research. Question every decision and offer. Be smart and confident! It turned out that the guide wanted to take us only to the line, which in fact can be done unguided. Because of the avalanche risk and poor weather conditions, there was no way we could safely get to the summit. Be smart!
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat!
Every day was similar: eat, sleep, drink, repeat! According to the rule ride hard, party hard, we did. Along with snowboarding in Japan, we were also exploring and testing something new every day. New slopes, new unexplored by us backcountry runs in the deepest powder in my life or totally new and unfamiliar experiences. One of the most memorable experiences for me personally across all my adventure travel was onsen.
Onsen is a hot spring in Japanese style! Again big in Japan. We went to the Hilton hotel straight from a slope after the whole day of snowboarding. We had nothing with us, but nothing was required. Onsen is separate for males and separate for females. The reason you don’t need anything is that you won’t wear anything. Simple. Personally I am not a big fan of high temperature, boiling hot water etc. I struggle to have a hot bath but Onsen has been one of a kind experience where I had to get out of my comfort zone big time.
Speaking about an onsen, my parents opened the Onsen studio in my home town, onsen-bielsko.pl. Definitely check it out if your body screams for relaxing and muscles need to recover. Onsen-bielsko.pl
I will be back
The time was passing by in a blink of an eye and I will definitely be back! I went for ten days and I should have gone for a month. Japan is one of those places where you want to go back before you even leave. I should have explored more, stayed longer. This adventure travel was amazing, however, Niseko was a bit disappointing. It had a Japanese vibe, but it is so westernised that it was lacking true Japanese experience with some exceptions.
Food was exceptional, culture interesting and snowboarding in Japan was simply superb!
If you would like to plan and book your own trip, please take a moment to read how to travel to Japan.