Japan Stories

#Travelstories - a secret powder trip to Japan.

Chapter 1:

TOKYO

We arrived in Tokyo early in the morning, some of us more jet-lagged than others. Before boarding the Shinkansen to Morioka—a 4-hour, 544-kilometer journey—we had a few hours to spare. What better way to shake off the jet lag than by exploring the vibrant capital of Japan?

With our ski bags and duffels, we jumped on the subway, unintentionally disrupting the flow by walking on the wrong side, burdened with gear and brimming with excitement.

After finding a luggage storage, we took a taxi to the iconic Shibuya Crossing. We spent hours wandering, taking in more impressions than ever, trying the frashly made Japanese udon noodles, and exploring shops stocked with unexpected items and crazy interiors.

Exhausted but exhilarated, we eventually boarded the Shinkansen to Morioka, leaving behind the busy city for the quiet, snowy mountains.

Chapter 2:

FIRST SKI DAY

We boarded the Tohoku Shinkansen in Tokyo and stepped off 544 kilometers and three hours later in Morioka. Jimmy Odén and Gakoyo picked us up in two mini-vans—our rockets to shuttle us between secret powder spots.

Our first encounter with the legendary powder snow was near Lake Tazawako. We drove through the Japanese countryside, winding our way up towards the mountains. In this area, many houses are old and abandoned, adding a melancholic charm to the landscape. The winding road eventually brought us to a parking lot outside a mountain onsen, a place many locals came to visit frequently.

Our first ski tour began at Ganiba Onsen, taking us up the magical mountains of Tazawako. Experiencing Japanese powder for the first time is unforgettable. The snow was light and puffy, covering everything except for the creeks and rivers that was still open and warm from the hot volcanic water running in the area.

Chapter 3:

THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACES

Driving around the Akita and Iwate Prefectures, we chased the best conditions of the day. We spent our days on the mountain, mostly ski touring to reach untouched snow and nature, but occasionally taking the ski lifts at the resorts. The snow quality in Akita is hard to describe. Coming from Åre, Sweden, and being used to ice-packed slopes, skiing in Japan felt like a dream. The snow was light and fluffy, treating us like gods on the mountain. The State of Elevenate was not hard to find in the untouched snow, skiing between the big, beautiful trees in the sparse forest.

At night, we stayed in different hotels, most of which were visited by Japanese tourists for the onsen experience. On our third night, we stayed in the countryside of Akita, in a traditional Japanese hut outside the city of Sumiyoshicho. We drove into Sumiyoshicho for dinner, visiting the restaurant of a chef who had grown tired of Tokyo and moved to this small city to start his own place. From the outside, it didn’t look like much—but the food. Let me tell you, it was an experience.

At night, we stayed in different hotels, most of which were visited by Japanese tourists for the onsen experience. On our third night, we stayed in the countryside of Akita, in a traditional Japanese hut outside the city of Sumiyoshicho. We drove into Sumiyoshicho for dinner, visiting the restaurant of a chef who had grown tired of Tokyo and moved to this small city to start his own place. From the outside, it didn’t look like much—but the food. Let me tell you, it was an experience.

Gakoyo

Mariko Soto

Osanai Haruto