Travelers to Japan undoubtedly view sake as the traditional liquor of Japan. Historically they wouldn’t be wrong, since Sudō Honke, the world’s oldest sake brewery (and one of the oldest companies in the world), was founded in 1141 in Ibaraki Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. However Southern Japan is home to another authentic Japanese spirit—shochu, which was first produced about 500 years ago, its roots firmly planted in Japan’s warmer southern climes. Kumamoto’s Kuma Valley is home to 27 shochu distilleries. This historic, mountainous region in southern Japan has managed to preserve shochu ..read more

Keith Stubbs has spent more than two decades in the snowboard industry, first as a rider, then a coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand (SBINZ), a division of New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA). His connection with Japan goes back to 2007 when he was a writer for the World Snowboard Guide. Later, he was the editor and photographer for Snow-Search Japan, a book Outdoor Japan collaborated with and distributed in Japan. Keith has contributed to Outdoor Japan over the years with his in-depth knowledge of snow sports. After coaching in Niseko and Furano ..read more

During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.  A canvas of white unfolds as Hokkaido’s mountain ranges and frozen rivers create a mesmerizing panorama below. As we ponder the adventures ahead, a crisp cold air greets us in Kushiro, our gateway to Eastern Hokkaido. The single carriage train awaits to take us from Kushiro to Nemuro. The journey through Hokkaido’s frozen landscape is a visual feast, with snow-covered ..read more

Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams. A low grumble and sounds of furious scrubbing fill the ice rink, followed by a solid thunk and cheers. In the world of winter sports, curling gracefully glides onto the icy stage, where precision, teamwork and the artful sweep of a broom converge in a game that challenges the traditional boundaries of athleticism. One athlete stands out, not only for her prowess on the rink, but for overcoming barriers t ..read more

Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido’s popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.  Eastern Hokkaido’s Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is Japan’s largest wetland. It’s a popular place to visit in the green season, but in search of a break from the crowded ski resort, I visited mid-winter for a canoe tour on the edge of the park. My guide, Tosa-san, has lived here all his life as a guide, smelt fisherman and owner of Lakeside Toro.  After breaking the ice (with the ..read more

Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture is one of the the snowiest regions in Japan. It’s home to Shizukuishi, a resort area with great powder that looks out toward iconic Mt. Iwate. Snow lovers looking for lesser-known resorts will be rewarded with incredible snow quality and authentic, uncrowded resort areas. Here, you can feel the Japanese countryside hospitality at traditional ryokan and minpaku accommodation, as well as many hot springs and carefully prepared local cuisine. Shizukuishi consists of three resorts: Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort and Iwate Kogen Snow Park. They ..read more

Kids will love searching for treasure hidden in snowballs around the slopes during this unique Winter Scavenger Hunt, just ¥300 per child. When: Jan. 8, Feb. 18, Mar. 3 Where: Naeba, Niigata Evergreen Outdoor Center’s Snow Ninja Experience tour brings visitors staying in Hakuba on a day trip to the ancient Togakushi Village where ninja have trained for centuries. Snowshoe to the famous Togakushi Shrine and Zuishin Gate surrounded by giant cedars, then take a martial arts crash course taught by a real ninja and sample local soba noodles for lunch.  When: Thursdays from Jan. 11 to Mar. 2 ..read more

Nozawa Onsen Distillery is the latest addition to Nozawa’s growing culinary and craft beverage scene. Built in a refurbished canning factory, this elegant distillery produces gin and whisky using local ingredients. The distillery is owned by expats who fell in love with the village’s skiing and hot springs and made Nozawa Onsen their home. Although it opened in December 2022, they’ve already made an impressive name for themselves by bringing home four gold medals at the 2023 World Spirits Competition in San Francisco and platinum, double gold and gold medals at The Sip Awards. They were also ..read more

Women in snow sports face challenges ranging from a lack of media coverage to disparities in equipment and access to quality training. Despite these obstacles, women like Tayler Paulsen, a seasoned snowboarder from Tasmania, continue to shape the snow sports landscape. Paulsen is a mom, an advocate for women’s empowerment in the world of winter sports and the founder of snowboard camps called “Yama Women” that cater specifically to the needs and aspirations of female snow enthusiasts.  After spending several seasons as a snowboarding instructor in Australia, New Zealand and Niseko, she ..read more

Hiking the entire one thousand kilometers of the Michinoku Coastal Trail (MCT) can take about two months. Yet if you only have saved up a couple weeks of vacation time, don’t worry, some of the most adventurous, breathtaking spots aren’t too difficult to access. You can easily get your fill in just a few days—if you target the right sections. First, a bit of background about the creation of Japan’s newest long-distance nature trail. After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, the Japanese government funded a number of initiatives to rebuild the coastal areas while promoting sus ..read more