G'day japan! issue #10 by JAMS TV

G’DAY JAPAN!

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ISSUE #10

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QUAINT TOWNSCAPES

SNOW HOLIDAYS

HOT SPRINGS

HISTORIC DISCOVERIES

PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN?

SAY G'DAY FIRST.

TROPICAL ESCAPES

ISSUE #10

©jigokudani yaen-koen/©JNTO

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

SNOW MONKEYS

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

LOCAL DELICACIES

Group Niseko

M Hotel / M Lodge / Monty’s / Heritage

An effortless and comfortable home away from home.

Being in charge of your destiny is easy at M Hotel. Everything you need is just near by - easy access to the slopes, a gym, breakfast buffet service and the choice of the style of accommodation.

The Heritage is a townhouse with four units, each unit comes with 4 bedrooms and a 10 person capacity. Enjoy a quiet and tranquil stay here, located in Izumigo.

Don’t forget to enjoy a tasty meal at Monty’s restaurant after a day out on the slopes.

A pleasant rest stop with immaculate hospitality in between your snowy adventures.

A home away from home, in the middle of Hirafu, a warm, comfortable place to rest in between your adventures in the snow. The M Hotel is right at the centre of Hirafu, close to transport, shopping areas, restaurants and of course, the ski slopes. You have the option to choose between staying at the hotel or the lodge, both simple yet comfortable and comes with thoughtful details to make your stay effortless. From complimentary WiFi to convenient kitchenette amenities, the M Hotel has a sharp eye for detail when it comes to good hospitality. After you’ve had your day’s fill of snowy adventure, it’s only a few minutes walk back to the hotel from the closet ski lift. Once back at the hotel, they have secure equipment and wet goods rooms where you can leave your gear to dry for the night. The friendly

staff will happily help you out in English with sourcing entertainment for the night. As M Hotel is placed right in the middle of everything in Hirafu, they’ll surely find you the best places to have a night out on the town. In the morning there’s a breakfast buffet (free for those staying at the hotel) which will help energise you for a day out in the snow. The restaurant and bar Monty’s restaurant also provides coffee and light meals in the morning, lunch and dinner later in the day and the bar is open till late.

M Group Niseko

170-145, Aza Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Hokkaido Phone: 0136 22 1111 Email: miwa@mgroupniseko.com www.mgroupniseko.com

CONTENTS G’DAY JAPAN!

Like us on Facebook

ISSUE #10

New articles and info coming up on www.gdayjapan.com.au

QUAINT TOWNSCAPES

SNOW HOLIDAYS

HOT SPRINGS

HISTORIC DISCOVERIES

PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN?

SAY G'DAY FIRST.

TROPICAL ESCAPES

ISSUE #10

©jigokudani yaen-koen/©JNTO

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

SNOW MONKEYS

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

LOCAL DELICACIES

Director Ryuichi Kitamura Editor Masanori Chiba Editorial Staff Michael Montague, Ayla Yuile Art Director Koetsu Moriya Art & Advertising Coordinators Yushiro Mizukoshi, Manami Tomaru, Asuka Shimizu Advertising Sales Manager Kayo Okamura Advertising Sales Haruka Shinno, Mayu Takai Published July 2015 by JAMS.TV PTY LTD ABN 85 115 815 551 Suite 3704, Level 37, Gateway1 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: (02) 9252 6307 Fax: (02) 9252 6308 Email: info@gdayjapan.com.au G'Day Japan! is published annually, and printed in Australia www.gdayjapan.com.au facebook.com/gdayjp ©JAMS.TV PTY LTD 2015 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

7 TRAVEL JAPAN LIKE A PRO! 11 APPI: TRAVELS IN IWATE 24 4 AMAZING DAYS IN OSAKA 31 OKINAWA, A TROPICAL OASIS OF HIDDEN DISCOVERIES 37 JAPAN: THE SNOW HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME HOKKAIDO 47 NISEKO 56 OTARU 58 SAPPORO 59 HOKKAIDO POWDER BELT 65 FURANO 74 TOKACHIDAKE 77 TOMAMU 80 KAMUI 81 KURODAKE NAGANO-NIIGATA 84 HAKUBA VALLEY 113 OMACHI 117 SHIGA KOGEN 128 SHIBU ONSEN 135 YUDANAKA ONSEN 139 NOZAWA ONSEN 143 MADARAO KOGEN 148 ECHIGO-YUZAWA 156 MYOKO TOHOKU 158 YAMAGATA (ZAO) 164 THE ULTIMATE JAPANESE STAYCATION GUIDE 165 OUT WITH THE TRENDY, AND IN WITH THE TRADITIONAL 166 A JAPANESE DREAM COME TRUE 168 EXPLORING THE WORLD OF WASHOKU 170 IT’S A RAMEN’S WORLD 172 HAVE YOU HEARD OF SAKE? 173 PARTY LIKE THE JAPANESE! 174 BRING IN A LITTLE JAPANESE SPARK TO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE! Booking & Enquiries Email: japan@sachitours.com.au Phone: 1800 251 350

JAPAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST Get your Universal Studios Japan ® Studio Pass here! 4

Japan Rail Passes Accommodation Flights Optional Tours Package Tours Ski Packages Travel Consulting Services

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IWATE 11

MAP OF JAPAN KYOTO•

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ROBOT RESTAURANT Shinjuku, Tokyo

attle scenes by fearsome robots and tantalizing dancers burst across the neon lit floor to the pumping music... Imagine what Ridley Scott and Armin van Buuren would come up with if they co-directed a movie, and you have the nightly show at Robot Restaurant. It's one of the greatest and quirkiest additions to Tokyo's Shinjuku entertainment district, immediately becoming the talk of the town when it was revealed that it came at a price tag of $US100 million back in 2012. This is clearly the sort of budget you need if you want to stand out in Shinjuku, an area packed wallto-wall with bars, clubs and restaurants. And with its Hummers prowling the streets, and enormous fem-bots standing watch out the front, the presence of Robot Restaurant in the area continues to be anything but subtle. To appreciate the scale of the dazzling spectacle inside, multiply the restaurant's exterior glow to the power of 200 44-inch monitors, and add some seizure-inducing lashings of neon. Presented by a troupe of bikini-clad dancers presiding over titanic battles between enormous robots, the show simply demands a superlative, and 'mind blowing' was the one chosen by 'Filth' author Irvine Welsh after he saw it in 2013 with director Jon S. Baird. Recently, this eccentric entertainment venue placed at no.16 of TripAdvisor's '30 Most Popular Japan Sightseeing Spots for Foreigners' list further proving that Robot Restaurant's magnetic appeal transcends language barriers. They have attracted visitors from more than 65 countries, and with its unique brand of Japanese quirkiness, it's unmissable for anyone who loves the unexpected.

ROBOT RESTAURANT Phone: +81 (0)3 3200 5500 www.shinjuku-robot.com

Travel Japan like a pro! Japan has astonishing depth as a travel destination, showcasing everything from futuristic cities to secluded temples, famously fine and dry powder snow, and brilliant coral reefs. To help you truly experience everything Japan has to offer, here is a guide to some basic tips that will ensure that you’ll be travelling across Japan like a pro!

Money One of the golden rules of travelling in Japan is to always have access to cash. It’s still the main method of payment in Japan, and the only one available at many shops, restaurants, hotels and other accommodations. ATM awareness is the key: you’ll find ATMs that accept cards with internationally recognised symbols like Visa, MasterCard, Plus and Cirrus inside 7-11 convenience stores; you can also use the same cards at Japan Post Bank ATMs. To cash travellers cheques or exchange currency, head to a major bank or post office branch.

for up to 90 days without a visa. Contact your nearest Consulate-General of Japan for full details. No certificates of vaccination are required to enter Japan.

Peak Travel Seasons There are three times of the year in Japan when it seems the entire nation is on the move: New Year’s, the Obon Buddhist Festival, and Golden Week. You'll need to make transport and accommodation bookings well in advance if you plan to travel during or around any of them. The New Year’s holiday period falls between December 27 and January 3, Golden Week between April 29 and May 5, and Obon the week coinciding with August 15.

Weather

Time, Visas & Vaccinations Japan Standard Time (JST) is an hour behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), and extends to two hours behind when states in Australia on AEST move their clocks forward to Daylight Saving Time. Australian passport holders may travel in Japan

Japan's climate varies widely, and an essential resource that will help you pack accordingly is the Japan Meteorological Association's English website at www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html. Particularly important to bear in mind is the summer monsoon and typhoon season; the monsoon begins in Okinawa during May and arrives in Tokyo by early to mid-June, leaving a trail of extreme humidity in its wake which persists until September. The typhoon season starts from the beginning of June in Okinawa, and can bring torrential rain to mainland cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. August and September usually see the most typhoon activity, so check for updates as a typhoon can ground flights and bring traffic to a halt in affected areas.

Accommodation

Luggage and Parcel Delivery Services

With its unique combination of traditional, modern and just plain quirky, Japan offers accommodation options like no other destination. Would you like to step back in time to the comfort of a traditional tatami room with a gorgeous Japanese dinner and hot spring bath? Experience a fusion of European period-style architecture with Japanese service, or perhaps sleep in a capsule hotel? You can experience all that, and everything in between. Advance bookings are standard protocol wherever you stay, as is the custom of presenting a passport no matter whether it is a camping ground, or the Hilton Tokyo. The latter is at the top end of Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s westernstyle hotel range, which caters for guests on business and pleasure alike in a wide range price brackets. Suiting a similar range of budgets are ryokan, or Japanese-style inns. Many have been in business since the days of the samurai and have incredibly refined, attentive levels of hospitality, with menus typically showcasing delicious local produce of the season. Ryokan in hot spring resorts will often also have their own private hot spring bath, an incredible luxury which many guests stay specially to enjoy. Japanese-style bed and breakfasts, usually run by local couples known as minshuku and pensions, offer traditional accommodation in the same vein as a ryokan, but at more affordable rates. They are a great way to experience traditional Japan up-close, with great home cooking! Some other accommodation types worth looking up for a lower budget or for the outdoor traveller in Japan include youth hostels, saunas, capsule hotels and camping grounds, while anyone with an interest in experiencing temple life first-hand should look up temple lodgings.

Thanks to Japan's luggage and parcel delivery services (takuhaibin), there's no need to drag suitcases, skis, golf clubs or other cumbersome items around everywhere you go on your journey. As well as designated pick up and drop off locations at airports, hotels and convenience stores, deliveries can be arranged between preferred locations. And they famously arrive on time, every time, providing a fast and convenient service that makes life even easier for travellers in Japan.

Mobile Wi-Fi To plan your trip to Japan in real time, mobile Wi-Fi is a must. Whether you use it for updates on where the deepest powder is, or finding the best sales in town, access to the Internet at your fingertips will keep you in the know. While there are expanding Wi-Fi networks specially for overseas visitors in major cities, the most reliable way to stay connected remains a mobile Wi-Fi plan. Prebook one before your trip - competitive plans offering excellent value for money are available, with fast network speeds and full English support.

Map Even with smart phone technology it can be hard to find a Japanese address, especially residential addresses written in English when in non-metropolitan areas. On top of that, Japanese addresses use numbers more often than street names, and smaller street signs are in Japanese. That is why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that you take an English street map with you as a backup tool to use with your phoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GPS function, knowing how to pin point your destination on a map will also help with asking the locals for directions.

Transport There are many modes of transport in Japan, all reliable, all efficient and all fast-moving. The most commonly used by both locals and travellers alike are trains. There are several major and minor train networks including JR (Japan Railway) lines, privately owned lines and subways. However there’s no need to worry about getting to the right spot at the right time, English signage can be found inside most trains and on the platform at most stations . When it comes to the ticketing machines, there’s an English option which will make buying tickets a breeze although the easiest way to travel via trains is to get yourself a travel IC card. The pick of the bunch is PASMO, which can be purchased from and charged at a ticketing machine at most train stations. PASMO will get you around Tokyo and most other major rail networks, all you need to do is to tap PASMO over the PASMO logo at gates. Another great thing about PASMO is that you can use it on most buses which are also very efficient when travelling outside of metropolitan areas of Japan. Buses are cheap and most of them will have a set price for travelling regardless of distance. Buses have electrical signage in English which will tell you what the next stop is and you can signal the driver to stop by pressing one of the buzzers placed around the bus. You will find many clean and comfortable taxis around train stations and metropolitan areas, but taxis are one of the more costlier modes of transport in Japan. Certain taxis will have a sticker that indicates you can use PASMO or other IC cards as payments too another reason to get your hands on PASMO for easy travelling. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Japan have blossomed since its domestic airline industry was deregulated, and tickets between major cities are often on a par with the bullet train in price - only the trip is faster.

Japan Rail Pass

Bullet trains are not only one of the fastest ways to travel long distance in Japan but is also an exciting attraction for many tourists. To make the most of your time in Japan, taking the bullet train will not only get you to major cities across Honshu (main island of Japan), but it will also allow you to see scenic country sides of Japan from the comfort of your seat. To arrive at your destination fast and cost efficiently, it’s best to make use of the Japan Rail Pass. This pass allows for unlimited travel on almost all JR (Japan Railway) lines including the famous bullet train, and the value for money is exceptional. To get an idea of just how much you can save, if you bought a single standard return ticket on the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, a classic trip between two of Japan’s most-visited cities, you’d pay close to the price of a 7-day Japan Rail Pass. The pass must be arranged in advance through agents outside Japan and can be collected once you arrive, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

Discovering and buying food Sushi is an internationally loved and known Japanese food, you’ll find there are many sushi restaurants catering to a range of budgets - but sushi isn’t the only food you can get in Japan. You’ll find restaurants that offer various types of cuisines, from African to German to Chinese, and of course, many different types of Japanese food. A lot of restaurants have displays of the menu offered at storefront which makes it easy for overseas tourists to pick what they are looking for. Restaurants aren’t the only place to find good food in Japan, you can find delicious pre-made meals like croquette and yakitori (grilled skewered chicken) in super markets, onigiri (rice ball) and bento at convenience stores and even soup from vending machines. Another place to explore for food is depachika - this is usually at the basement floor of department stores where they have a food market. There you’ll find small stalls that sell baked goods such as bread and cake, traditional Japanese sweets and teas, dumplings, Italian food, Japanese food, salad bars, you name it and they’ll have it. Exploring Japan is a fascinating adventure and exploring food culture in Japan at places like depachika, is a different type of adventure you must take.

electronics or stationary, you can almost say they’ve got anything and everything. This is a nation with a switched-on consumer culture, where quality and value for money are pursued relentlessly - and transcendental customer service is taken as a given. The attentiveness of Japanese shop assistants is another reason why shopping in Japan is so easy. The shopping experience in Japan gets even more exciting during its biannual Japan Shopping Festival. Held in summer and winter, the festival brings together thousands of great stores in the shopping meccas of Tokyo, Kansai, Fukuoka and others for a special series of events and incredible sales. Right around the New Year’s period, many department stores and high-end brands will put together ‘lucky bags’ known as fukubukuro which contain a whole range of products at hugely discounted prices. Like many popular brands and shops in Japan, the festival keeps in touch with its fans through social media, making a mobile Wi-Fi plan during your trip the perfect way to get the latest information on hot products and sales, and enjoy your shopping experience to the fullest.

Dive into Japan's futuristic cities and discover some of the world's most advanced technology and latest fashions, or get sidetracked in endless mazes of music, movies and games; further afield, explore its idyllic rural villages and towns for beautiful works of art and craft, and unique local delicacies. Japan is constantly evolving and expanding its range of products on store shelves, whether it’s clothing,

ACTIVITY

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The best of shopping in Japan

Visit our website for more information on travelling in Japan: www.gdayjapan.com.au

SKI TOUR

AIRPORT SERVICE

inbound@airserve.co.jp

On top of our airport services, Airserve offers activities such as Japanese home cooking classes, visits to a record (vinyl) factory, organic farms, tea plantation, sake breweries and ski tours. See our website for news and details.

APPI

TRAVELS IN IWATE

Unforgettable winter journeys in the Tohoku region 11

IWATE: A SNAPSHOT THE IWATE WIN TER BUC KET LIST The beauty of Iwate in winter has traditionally been kept a secret by heavy snowfall, which cut off access to much of its mountainous interior for extended periods. However, thanks to what is Japan’s highest number of bullet train stations in a single prefecture, visitors from all over Japan and the world are now travelling

APPI

Three stylish, modern hotels lie at the heart of this all-season outdoor playground among the rugged peaks of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which turns into one of Japan's biggest and best snow resorts in winter. With plenty of great snow activities and day tours to enjoy in addition to its expansive variety of runs, Appi is an impressive destination for a snow holiday in Iwate.

to Iwate during winter in record time, returning with unforgettable memories of its special combination of snow resorts, hot springs, cuisine, and local culture. Here's a taste of six popular destinations and attractions on the Iwate Winter Bucket List, which are explored in more depth on the pages that follow…

HACHIMANTAI

MORIOKA

The centrepiece of the Hachimantai City area is the colourful Hachimantai volcanic plateau, a magnet for lovers of the great outdoors, hot springs and the region's local cuisine. Sitting high up at an altitude of 1,613 m, it is inundated with huge amounts of powder snow throughout the winter, and dominating the Hachimantai skyline is the 2,038 m Mt Iwate, the highest peak in the prefecture.

Dwarfed by Mt Iwate on the horizon, the castle ruins and beautiful heritage buildings around Morioka's central business district reflect its long history as Iwate’s capital. The city is also a centre of local art, craft, and cuisine, and one of its biggest winter highlights is the famous Yuki Akari candle and lantern display around the ruins of Morioka Castle in Iwate Park.

VISI TING IWATE BY BUL LET TRA IN The Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train is a fast and convenient way to visit Iwate from Tokyo. An average of around 30,000 passengers use the service between Iwate's cities of Morioka and Ichinoseki every day, and the trip to Morioka Station from Tokyo can be completed in just 2 hours and 10 minutes. A Japan Rail Pass is a highly economical ticket option for the journey, with the cost of a regular return ticket on the bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka alone almost equal to that of a 7 day pass. Morioka Station is a connecting point for train and bus services to other destinations across Iwate including Appi, which is only an hour away by shuttle bus.

Iwate Prefecture occupies the lush northeastern expanse of the Tohoku region on Honshu, Japan's main island, and is fully deserving of the title of "The Golden Land". Bordering on one of the world's best fishing grounds, the Sanriku Coast, and filled with vast tracts of national parkland, its natural environment has a level of abundance that supported one of ancient Japan's most wealthy kingdoms. The legacy of the gold production culture that peaked in the Hiraizumi region of Iwate some 1,000 years ago remains today, in an enclave of World Heritage-listed Pure Land Buddhist temples and other sacred sites. Hiraizumi was eminent enough to capture the imagination of Marco Polo as he travelled across Asia during its peak. The Venetian merchant described Japan as a land of gold, and is said to have yearned to see The Golden Hall of Hiraizumiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chuson-ji Temple with his own eyes.

DID YOU KNO W IWATE HAS â&#x20AC;Ś 5 World Heritage-listed attractions 21 ski destinations 29,247 ha of National Park 177 hot spring areas 7 bullet train stations

SHIZUKUISHI, AMIHARI & IWATE KOGEN SKI AREAS

Although they're a supporting cast to Appi by comparison of size, the Shizukuishi, Amihari and Iwate Kogen ski resort areas are no lightweights when it comes to powder snow, scenic runs and facilities geared to support everyone from pros to young kids just learning to ski. Conveniently located within an hour of Morioka, they are also a great day trip for visitors based in the city.

GEIBIKEI GORGE & HIRAIZUMI

KOIWAI FARM

Rich natural colours and fascinating cultural heritage make these destinations some of Iwate's most popular. Both are conveniently accessible by rail and bus, and Chuson-ji Temple and Motsu-ji Temple, two of Hiraizumi's World Heritage-listed Buddhist sites, beautifully represent the different flavour and artistic splendour of the Pure Land Buddhist culture which thrived in the region some 1,000 years ago.

LEA RN MOR E APPI www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/winter/index.html HACHIMANTAI, MORIOKA & IWATE www.japan-iwate.info/

Koiwai Farm transplanted European dairy farming culture into late 19th century Japan, and has become one of the country's most renowned dairy brands. A fun day out with plenty of activities for young and old, its restaurants are an excellent choice for sampling the best of Iwate's local produce, and its winter event lineup includes the popular Iwate Snow Festival in early February.

Hachimantai Iwate Kogen Amihari Shizukuishi Hiraizumi

Appi Koiwai Farm Morioka

IWATE Geibikei

APPI, THE POWDER PALACE OF IWATE Appi brings a modern sophistication and unspoilt beauty to powder-rich snow holidays in the Tohoku region

APP I FACT S

It's no mean feat to start out as an extra, and end up stealing the show from lead actors who have been in the role for decades. This is exactly what Appi has done however, since arriving on the Japanese ski resort scene in the early 1980s. Initially sneered at for its north-facing slopes in the shade, skiers and snowboarders soon realised that this feature gave Appi a huge advantage over the typically southfacing slopes of other resorts in the region. Appi brought a sophisticated modern snow resort design to a beautiful natural area of Towada-Hachimantai National Park in Iwate Prefecture, already blessed with a lavish annual prescription of what the locals call "aspirin powder". Along with top quality snow, Appi is now famous throughout Japan for having plenty of long runs to enjoy down its two 1,300 m mountains, and just an hour from Morioka, the main hub of Iwate, its location is easy to access from Tokyo thanks to the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train. With a total of 21 runs, the resort offers an exciting variety of slopes for all riders, as well as snow activities and tours that give its guests a closer look at the beauty of its natural environment. Appi also gets into the spirit of festive season with deluxe dinner and dessert menus, and ushers in the New Year with a torchlight ride and fireworks. It's a special time to be at this fun, smart and guest-focused resort, which has grown to become one of the Tohoku region's best snow holiday destinations.

282 ha covered in powder snow 21 runs for all riders 3 hours from Tokyo 5.5 km long run for beginners Fresh Salomon and Atomic rental gear

GET TING TO APP I After taking the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train to Morioka Station, transfer to a shuttle bus bound for Appi, or a train on the JR Hanawa Line bound for Appi Kogen Station. Although the distance from Appi to Tokyo is in the vicinity of 600 km, the efficient transport system makes it feel much closer, completing the journey in three hours. A connecting shuttle service to Appi is also available for guests on domestic flights from Sapporo and Osaka to IwateHanamaki Airport, arriving at the resort in an hour and 15 minutes.

MAP S & TIME TAB LES www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/winter/get_ here/index.html

CH EC K LI ST and sledding P Goartunbitongski and snowboard P Le eck out P Ch adventure playground

Be HAPPY in

APPI!!

the

P Build snow

men

ENJOYING APPI WITH KIDS Just another awesome day at Appi Family Park

Let the fun begin

Family Park has just opened for the day, 09:30 Appi and its freshly prepared snow is itching for some action. So go on, hit the the tubing and sledding course! The snow escalator in Appi Family Park covers the length of the course, giving everyone the chance to enjoy it to their hearts' content without performing an unintentional comedy routine for the 70 metres back to the start. If you're ready to graduate from the snow escalator, head over to the ski and snowboard challenge area to test your mettle.

Stepping it up a notch

you ride a snowboard through arches? 11:00 Can The obstacle course is just one of the fun features for kids learning to ski and snowboard in this 40 metre stretch of Appi Family Park, and helmets are provided free of charge. Like all of the different areas in the park, the ski and snowboard challenge area is also sectioned off with netting, keeping it calm and safe for everyone to enjoy.

CHIL DCA RE FACI LITIE S & SNO W ACTI VITE

For parents who want more freedom to spend a day on the slopes at their own pace, childcare facilities are available at Appi. Just make a booking in advance for its Kid's Room, available for kids aged 1 to 10. There is also a fun selection of Nordic and Telemark Skiing, and Snowshoeing trips available at Appi, which explore the beautiful beech forests around the resort.

APP I FAM ILY PAR K ONL INE

I'm hungry!

Hotel Appi Grand is just 100 metres from Appi Family Park, and with cuisine from all around the world to enjoy, it's the easy option once you've worked up an appetite. Especially when considering the crab and beef steak buffet! The Appi Grand Villa and Appi Grand Annex buildings have more to explore, including some great Korean cuisine, and are just a short stroll from Hotel Appi Grand. Just ask if you have any special food requirements, including allergy-friendly, vegetarian and vegan, and staff will be happy to accommodate.

12:30

Let's build a snowman!

Chances are the kids will already be down the snow escalator and taking on the mountains in the adventure playground by the time you're out the door of the restaurant. Once things have calmed down, enjoy building a snowman together in the play area beside the main entrance. Always doing its best to be as entertaining as possible for both kids and grown-ups, this is yet another one of the reasons Appi Family Park gets two thumbs up from its visitors.

14:00

DO YOU HAV E MY SIZE ? Well stocked with an up-to-date range of quality gear, the chances are that the Salomon & Atomic Collaboration Station in Appi Plaza does! Ski boot sizes range from 15 cm right up to 33.5 cm, ensuring that along with the kids, Mum and Dad will be enjoying their day at Appi in comfort. Rentals are also available at Appi's resort hotels.

www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/winter/kids_and_family/index.html

AFTER-SKI APPINESS

Dining and onsen-ing around Appi is the perfect finish to a day in the powder The volcanic forces which continue to shape the Hachimantai region bless it not only with magical scenery, but the perfect places to relax and enjoy it: natural hot springs, or onsen. Appi Onsen Patio reigns supreme as the main hot spring of the three resort

hotels at Appi, which lie a stone's throw from some interesting boutique springs around Appi Kogen Station. Together with the delicious range of cuisine on offer, they are the perfect finish to a day out enjoying the powder.

APP I ONS EN PATI O

AFT ER-S KI RESO RT DINI NG

Appi Onsen Patio is connected to Appi Grand Annex, and features two enormous bathhouses for ladies and gents that can accommodate up to 200 people at once. The crystal clear spring water in the baths contains electrolyte ions, and leaves skin silky smooth. It can be enjoyed in open-air baths outside in the patio area too, a relaxing, refreshing space with some of Japan's roomiest saunas.

The Hotel Appi Grand, Appi Grand Villa and Appi Grand Annex hotels present more than ten different restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. From the powdercovered plateau of Hachimantai, it's possible to take your taste buds on a tour across Europe and Asia, finishing on the high of beautiful Japanese dishes featuring fresh local produce. Here are three of the destinations en route:

LAPIN Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;OR French, Hotel Appi Grand Served with a magnificent view of the outdoor scenery, the menu at Lapin d'Or features some excellent cuts of beef, including marbled Maesawa Beef farmed locally in Iwate, as well as fresh seafood from the Sanriku Coast.

CHOKAI Japanese, Appi Grand Villa The rich variety of seasonal Japanese dishes at Chokai are as much a pleasure to admire as they are to taste, and the restaurant is a popular choice for its well-rounded seasonal menu, which showcases some great hotpot dishes.

RIKO Korean, Appi Grand Annex Affordable Korean barbecue restaurant specialising in banquets featuring a range of different cuts, with a strong selection of sides including Morioka Reimen noodles one of the three must-try noodle dishes in Iwate.

BOU TIQU E HOT SPR INGS There are a number of other boutique hot springs around Appi with some special features, including one of the few hot springs in Japan sourced from a layer of mordenite in the Earth's crust. The minerals in this spring include sodium bicarbonate, and it has a mildly alkaline pH level that famously leaves skin fresh and beautiful. Other features of these boutique springs are baths available for private bookings, as well as a selection of stone and wooden baths.

UNTOLD BEAUTY

Hachimantai is a nature lover's paradise

Make sure you bring an extra SD card when you visit Hachimantai, because chances are you'll find it hard to put your camera away. The area is dominated by a vast section of TowadaHachimantai National Park, and puts on a mesmerising display of colour throughout the four seasons. Heavy winter snowfall brings with it a palette of soft monochrome shades, balanced with a spectacular cobalt blue and white on fine days, which reveal the awe-inspiring Hachimantai skyline. Beneath the white cloak lies a high altitude volcanic plateau, with an astounding degree of biodiversity. It

gently undulates between an altitude of 1,400 to 1,600 metres, and provides a home to a number of protected species in its old growth beech forests and wetlands. Join a snowshoe trip from Appi to discover the remarkable beauty of this area in winter up close. Scattered further down at altitudes of around 800 to 900 metres are small hot spring retreats known as "hitō". They have a similar charm and depth of character akin to a traditional English country pub, where time seems to melt away. And like trying a selection of handcrafted ciders or real ales, bathing in their fascinating array of multicoloured spring waters is a process which can't be rushed.

HAC HIM ANTAI HOS PITA LITY

THE HITO¯ EXP ERIE NCE

Less an urban metropolis than a collection of town and village communities, Hachimantai City has a welcoming country charm. Skiers and snowboarders staying in and around its Appi area enjoy visiting the local collection of izakaya bars, restaurants and hot springs after a day on the slopes, to experience a genuine slice of the local atmosphere. Wild vegetables from the mountains, especially mushrooms, add an extra level of freshness to hotpot and soup dishes, and meals typically feature white spotted char, or "iwana" in Japanese, a fresh water fish similar to trout.

The Matsukawa Onsen hot spring inn community is an excellent choice for experiencing Hachimantai's hitō hot springs in winter. Hitō means a hidden or secret hot spring in Japanese, and given that the heavy snows of winter in Hachimantai cut off access to several of its hitō completely, it's easy to see why. Matsukawa Onsen however, can still be reached at this time of year from Morioka Station by bus in just under two hours. Its spectacular surrounds include Matsukawa Gorge, which is now famous as one of Iwate's most picturesque. The four inns in the tiny community feature seductive indoor and outdoor baths with turquoise and jade-coloured spring waters, along with freshly prepared local food that perfectly distils the essence of the hitō hot spring experience.

HAC HIM ANTAI TOU RISM ASS OCIATION

www.hachimantai.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

THE CITY OF TREES AND WATER Exploring Morioka, Iwate's historic castle town

Morioka's famous rock-splitting cherry blossom tree, the "Ishiwari-zakura" is almost as old as the history of the city as a prominent feudal castle town. This beautiful feature of the local heritage trail is believed to be between 350 and 400 years old, dating back to the era when Morioka Castle was first established by the local Nambu clan. The castle presided over this natural meeting point of three rivers, which functioned as key trading routes in

Iwate, and the imposing stone walls that still remain are known as one of the three great castle ruins of the Tohoku region. The Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train has put Morioka within two and a half hours of Tokyo, and the city is a popular base in Iwate with a great variety of attractions. They include local art, handicraft and cuisine, hot spring retreats like Tsunagi Onsen, and the Baeren microbrewery.

NAM BU CAS T IRON WAR E

MOR IOKA HAN DI-W ORK S SQU ARE

The Nambu clan worked to establish Japanese tea ceremony culture in Morioka, in turn supporting the production of cast ironware that has become a symbol of the city. The traditional method still used by local artisans can involve almost 70 meticulous steps, creating a sophisticated, aesthetically beautiful product designed to last a lifetime. Discover Nambu cast ironware in Morioka's traditional Konya-cho area, which is a stop on the Denden-mushi loop bus route through the heart of the city.

Morioka Handi-works Square gives its visitors a hands-on taste of local food and craft in 14 different workshops, and makes shopping for it fun and exciting, with an exhibition area filled with more than 3,500 different specialty items. Favourites include Nambu cast ironware, waffle-like senbei rice crackers, and sweet dango rice dumplings. Morioka Handiworks Square also features a interesting replica of an l-shaped "Nambu magariya" traditional farmhouse, and is just 35 minutes from Morioka Station. To get there by bus, board a service bound for the Tsunagi Onsen hot spring village.

DEN DEN -MU SHI LOO P BUS This convenient service departs from Morioka Station every 15 minutes, and covers a variety of historic and natural attractions in the heart of the city. Some of the most popular are Iwate Park, featuring the ruins of Morioka Castle, the Kami-no-hashi Bridge, and the historic neighbourhood of Zaimoku-cho. Priced affordably at 짜100 for a single ride or 짜300 for a day pass, the full journey covers 5.7 km in 35 minutes, and is a great way to experience a snapshot of the different eras of Morioka.

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www.odette.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

EXCITING WINTER TOURS AROUND HACHIMANTAI AND MORIOKA Eight winter tours around Morioka are available from Appi, in addition to two tours that cover the Hachimantai area. Here is a taste of the excitement you can add to your snow holiday by joining one…

HAC HIM ANTAI RUR AL TOW N NIGH T TOU

If you're staying at one of the hotels or pensions around Appi, this tour of Hachimantai Rural Town is a great way to finish a day on the slopes. The route puts 20 different izakaya bars, and sushi, barbecue and noodle restaurants on the menu for guests to choose from for the evening, all offering a variety of local specialties. Buses are scheduled to depart for the area from Appi every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday between December 19 and 29 2015, and January 5 through until March 5 2016. Bookings are required at the Hotel Appi Grand reception by 3 pm the day before.

WAK ASA GI (LAK E SME LT) FISH ING TOU

Seafood lovers will enjoy this trip from Appi to Oshida Dam, a popular local fishing spot for "wakasagi", or lake smelt. Just like eskimos, participants make a hole in the ice, drop a line in and wait for the fish to start biting, hauling their catch up into a tent pitched over it on the lake. The fresh fish makes for a tasty lunch on the tour, which requires advance bookings and is scheduled to run on dates between February 4 and 21, 2016.

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MORIOKA YUKI AKARI FESTIVAL & DINNER

TOUR

The snow covered-walls of Morioka Castle are illuminated with a beautiful colour projection that forms a backdrop to the snaking arrangements of candles, lanterns and sculptures glowing in the city's Iwate Park during mid February. Known as the Morioka Yuki Akari Festival, it starts this tour from Appi off with a magical, romantic mood fitting for the Valentine's Day time of the year, and combines well with a delicious buffet dinner of fresh and healthy seasonal Japanese cuisine.

HINA MAT SUR I & WAN KO SOB A TOU R Morioka's list of heritage buildings includes the Nanshōsō, a charming Meiji-era mansion with splendid gardens. The mansion holds an exhibition of vintage dolls during late February to celebrate the Hina Matsuri, a doll or girls' festival, and is combined on this tour from Appi with a visit to a local wanko soba noodle restaurant. One of the three famous noodle dishes of Morioka, wanko soba are designed to be enjoyed in small saucers at a social get-together - which often turns into an eating contest decided by the person with the biggest stack.

www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/winter/accommodations/night.html

TOU R BOO KING S & ENQ UIRI ES

appi_english@ihr.co.jp

SNOW HOLIDAYS SOUTH OF MT IWATE Three great snow resorts just an hour from Morioka

Enjoying picturesque views and abundant snowfall in winter, the Shizukuishi, Amihari and Iwate Kogen areas are all tailor-made for a great snow holiday in Iwate. They lie to the south of the prefecture's symbolic peak, Mount Iwate, within in hour of Morioka by shuttle bus. Each provide a range of courses, family-friendly facilities and rentals that make it easy to catch the bullet train up from Tokyo, and combine them as part of a journey exploring the many other highlights of Iwate.

SHIZ UKU ISHI SKI RESO RT

AMI HAR I ONS EN SKI RESO RT

Shizukuishi Ski Resort features classy, modern ski-in, skiout hotel accommodation, and 13 courses that challenge and entertain riders of all levels. Those with experience will relish its FIS World Cup-quality runs, while its Kids Free program is the cherry on top for kids aged 12 and under, who receive free lift passes throughout the season. Relax in its charming Takakura Hot Spring after enjoying a picturesque day on the slopes.

Amihari Onsen has long been one of Iwate's famous hot spring retreats, with beautiful turquoise waters in a series of baths that evoke the atmosphere of old Japan. The ski resort complements them perfectly in winter, and is especially popular for its scenic, gently undulating mountain-top terrain that can be enjoyed by all riders. Winding through romantic glades of snow-covered pines, it offers a splendid panorama of the surrounding peaks.

IWATE KOG EN SNO W PAR K

VISI T ONL INE

While the mix of courses and terrain parks at Iwate Kogen Snow Park have something for all riders to enjoy, this resort is especially popular for its family-friendly features. Kids aged 12 and under receive free lift passes all season, and it has a spacious, gentle slope for those just starting out to learn on right beside the main building. Be sure to try the chﾄ《hﾅｫ-don at the restaurant inside, a hearty rice dish topped with melt-in-the-mouth pork belly.

Shizukuishi Ski Resort: www.princehotels.com/en/ski/shizukuishi.html Amihari Onsen Ski Resort: www.qkamura.or.jp/ski/iwate/#tab1 (Japanese only) Iwate Kogen Snow Park: iwatekogen.jp/english.php

THE WINTER MYSTIQUE OF GEIBIKEI GORGE AND HIRAIZUMI Discovering Iwate's World Heritage-listed Buddhist sites, and one of Japan's 100 famous landscapes

GEIB IKEI GOR GE

HIRA IZUM I

Winter cruises on the Satetsu River through Geibikei Gorge depart throughout the day from December to February, and can be complemented perfectly with a lunchtime banquet. Served aboard a traditional "kotatsubune" barge with a heater underneath the tabletop, the delicious meal includes a hot pot of chicken and local vegetables in a miso broth, together with hot local sake. The roof of the barge is clear, providing an excellent view of the monochromatic winter landscape of the gorge. A wilderness area that was traditionally unknown to all but a few local loggers and villagers, it is said that this was once the hideout of surviving warriors from the Northern Fujiwara clan, who made a living collecting ironsand there. Officially included among Japan's 100 famous landscapes, the towering limestone cliffs of Geibikei Gorge wend their way along the path of the river for some 2 km, and the return journey features plenty of memorable stopping points, including a cliff face sculpted by natural forces into the shape of a lion's nose.

Before they were forced to flee by shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1189, the Northern Fujiwara controlled a large swathe of the Tohoku region centred on Iwate. Prospering from trade in gold, livestock and luxury goods, the clan built up a powerful kingdom that rivalled Japan's ancient rulers in Kyoto. The stronghold of their domain was Hiraizumi, now a farming town on a fertile plain to the west of Geibikei Gorge, and the gold-encrusted Pure Land Buddhist temples constructed during their reign are now World Heritage-listed. The leaders of the Northern Fujiwara now lie at peace in the mausoleum of Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi. Decorated with gold leaf and mother-of-pearl, it is known as the Golden Hall (Konjikido), and is one of the must-see highlights of the five World Heritage-listed sites around the town.

TRIP NOT ES The gateway to Hiraizumi and Geibikei Gorge is Ichinoseki, a city in the south west of Iwate. Connected to Tokyo in around 2.5 hours by the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train, buses departing from Ichinoseki Station provide convenient access to each destination in 30 to 40 minutes.

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Geibikei Gorge: www.japan-iwate.info/app/location_detail.php?lid=119 Chuson-ji Temple: www.japan-iwate.info/app/location_detail.php?lid=1

A FESTIVE WINTER VISIT TO KOIWAI FARM Iwate's iconic dairy farm has the goods for a fun day out An easy day trip from Morioka, Koiwai Farm is a delicious stop for dairy lovers on a visit to Iwate. The farm is the source of some of Japan's best milk, butter, cheese, ice cream and gelato, and with a collection of vintage European farm buildings against a backdrop of classic Japanese mountain scenery, has some beautiful views to enjoy.

FAR M-Q UAL ITY LUN CHES

HOM E OF THE IWATE SNO W FEST IVAL

As well as the freshest possible dairy products, the chefs at Koiwai Farm have access to their own fresh meat, eggs and vegetables, to go with the wide variety of quality farm produce available in Iwate. For a hearty lunch, head to the barbecue restaurant inside the Makiba-kan building. It specialises in "Genghis Khan" banquets, a lamb or mutton barbecue dish served ready for grilling at the table with a marinade and fresh vegetables, and is also the perfect place to try some of Koiwai Farm's own beef. The Sanroku-kan building at the farm houses another restaurant with a great range of a-la-carte dishes, including the satisfying omu-rice. For the uninitiated, omu-rice is a popular style of omelette in Japan with a risotto-like rice filling and delicious sauce - and thanks to its fresh ingredients, the Koiwai Farm version is a model example. Recent years at the farm have seen the addition of a night time sculpture park lit up in brilliant colour from late November through to mid January, with a steam locomotive and light tunnel among the main drawcards.

Koiwai Farm is also the venue for the Iwate Snow Festival in early February, featuring a giant sculpture park with loads of great attractions. With play areas, a maze and a jumbo-sized snow tubing run, the festival is a popular choice among families with young kids during the day, and takes on a decidedly more romantic atmosphere later with beautiful light displays on the sculptures. Tours of the Iwate Snow Festival are available from Morioka, located just 40 minutes away by bus, and are a great way to enjoy Koiwai Farm during its winter peak.

LEA RN MOR E www.japan-iwate.info/app/location_detail.php?lid=75

TOU R BOO KING S & ENQ UIRI ES appi_english@ihr.co.jp

FOUR AMAZING DAYS IN OSAKA www.osaka-info.jp/en/

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The Osaka Amazing Pass is the way to go when you explore the Kitchen of Japan

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Welcome to Osaka Osaka Prefecture Osaka • International Airport Osaka City

• Kansai International Airport

GETTING YOUR OSAKA AMAZING PASS Osaka Amazing Passes are available from the Kansai International Airport Travel Desk, Osaka Municipal Subway stations, hotels and other outlets in Osaka. As of autumn 2015, prices are ¥2,300 for a 1 day pass and ¥3,000 for a 2 day pass. Before you go, visit the Osaka Amazing Pass website for the e-Guidebook, and area maps. OSAKA AMAZING PASS: www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html OSAKA FREE WI-FI Osaka Free Wi-Fi is currently available at subway stations and major tourist attractions, and is expanding. To connect, just select 'Osaka_Free_WiFi' or 'Osaka Free Wi-Fi Lite' from your list of networks and follow the prompts. Osaka Free Wi-Fi is unlimited and resets hourly, while Osaka Free Wi-Fi Lite is capped at a maximum of four hours, available over up to eight sessions daily. GETTING TO OSAKA Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka's major international gateway, is a ten hour flight from Australia. Downtown Osaka is accessible from KIX in approx. one hour on Japan Railways' Kansai Airport Rapid Service.

©Kansai International Airport Co.,Ltd/©JNTO

The birthplace of the sushi train, spiritual home of the okonomiyaki pancake, and a mecca for comedians, Osaka is a city that is always up for fun times. Its beautifully restored feudal masterpiece, Osaka Castle, along with Japan's tallest building, Abeno Harukas, represent the city's respect for its cultural heritage, and ongoing thirst for new innovation. Add to this a well-deserved reputation as the "Kitchen of Japan", and you have an enormously rewarding destination to explore. The way to do it is with the Osaka Amazing Pass. An all-in-one ticket, the pass includes free entry to 28 of Osaka's best destinations, free travel on all subway lines, and discounts at selected restaurants, shops and attractions. It's a super convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy the city, especially if you're travelling in a group with family or friends. This feature presents just four of the many ways to combine the attractions on the Osaka Amazing Pass, and create your own ultimate day out in Osaka. They all begin from the Umeda area, the city's main transportation hub - just four stops from Shin-Osaka Station, which connects Osaka to Japan's bullet train network.

SUBWAY STATION NUMBERS Numbers are included in brackets after all the subway stations in this feature - for example, Umeda (M16). Use them to help locate the stations faster on the Osaka Municipal Subway network map, which is available on Osaka Info at www.osaka-info. jp/agent/upload/files/en/railway.pdf.

This route covers the traditional heart of Osaka, and the city's bay area. It's especially nice during early spring, when you'll want to linger in Osaka Castle Park and enjoy the sea of cherry blossoms. The park is perfect for a run, stroll or picnic, and you can pick up a delicious lunch or snack along the way at a department store basement food court ("depachika") in Umeda. Start by heading south on the Midosuji Line from Umeda (M16), change to the Chuo Line at Hommachi (M18) for Tanimachi 4-chome (C18), and take exit 9. Osaka Castle is a short walk away, and your Osaka Amazing Pass will give you free entry to the Osaka Castle keep, and the beautiful Nishinomaru Garden. Their are eight floors to explore inside the keep, with samurai armour, weapons and extensive dioramas, and the cherry of course, is the panoramic view of Osaka from the 50 metre-high observation deck. When you're ready to move to the bay area, return to Tanimachi 4-chome and take the Chuo Line again to Osakako (C11). Osaka Aquarium - one of the world's biggest - is just five minutes' walk from exit 1, and your Osaka Amazing Pass will give you a ¥100 discount when presented at the entry with the included Toku x 2 coupons. The underwater giants at the aquarium like whale sharks and rays stand out among the hundreds of other species in its 14 tanks, which are themed on different ocean environments around the world. Another highlight of the bay area is Tempozan Ferris Wheel - a free ride with your Osaka Amazing Pass. It glitters with brilliant LED projections, and provides another beautiful view of the city skyline.

OSAKA CASTLE: www.osakacastle.net/english/ OSAKA AQUARIUM:www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/ TEMPOZAN FERRIS WHEEL: www.senyo.co.jp/tempozan/ (Japanese)