Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture is a snowy town where snow piles up well above a person's height during the peak season.
The Minamiuonuma City Migration Promotion Council has held a unique migration consultation session, "Minamiuonuma Migration Concierge," four times over the past two years for skiers and snowboarders.
In previous years, the event was held in a free space in Shibuya, Tokyo, but this year, as a measure against COVID-19 infection, no venue will be set up and the following two events will be held online
1) Monday, March 29, 2021, 8:00 PM ~
Guest: Yoichi Watanabe
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXFTP3mmAmY
2) Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 8:00 PM ~
Guest: Kenji Kondo
Link: https://youtu.be/AXir5Adg6yQ
Guest Profile:
Yoichi Watanabe
is a photographer who travels to snowy mountains around the world.
He lives in Niseko, Hokkaido, and continues to photograph skiing, primarily to document the climate and lifestyle of snowy regions. He has been publishing Stuben Magazine since 2015, introducing snow culture from around the world from a unique perspective. In February 2020, he published the photo book "Snow: The Essence of the Winter Forest."
Kenji Kondo is
a mountaineer who holds an international mountain guide license and has summited Mount Everest seven times. He participates in all mountain-related activities and travels around Japan snowboarding in the winter. He founded the guide organization "Adventure Guys" and guides people to mountains both in Japan and around the world. He is also a director of the Japan Mountain Guides Association.
Minamiuonuma is like this
Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture has a population of 55,000 (as of December 2020). Located in the mountains, the city is close to nature and the city center. It is easily accessible from Tokyo, about two and a half hours by car, and 90 minutes by Shinkansen to Urasa Station
In winter, the area is blessed with abundant snowfall as it receives cold air from the Sea of Japan. From January to February, you can enjoy high-quality powder snow every day, and from March to April, there is still plenty of snow remaining, allowing you to fully enjoy the spring ski season
Taking advantage of the city's abundant snow, the city is dotted with ski resorts, making it a major feature of the city. There are 10 ski resorts within the city, each with its own unique features: some with extensive snow parks, some with excellent night skiing, some perfect for families, and some with the best powder on the north slopes
There are many ski resorts to choose from, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your mood and the conditions of the day. They are all located within a 30-40 minute drive. To the south, Yuzawa Town, which has a similar ski resort, is adjacent. A location with so many ski resorts and easy access to each one, is rare even in Japan
In recent years, there has been a noticeable movement to evolve daily to meet the needs of new ways of skiing, with Maiko Snow Resort and Muika Snow Resort opening up tree run areas and off-piste areas, and the new Gung Ho Monster Pipe at Ishiuchi Maruyama
Aside from the snow, local specialties that make use of the natural environment are also attracting attention. The mineral-rich meltwater nurtures Minamiuonuma Koshihikari rice, and the high-quality rice produces local sake such as Hakkaisan, Kakuei, and Takachiyo, which impress even sake lovers.
There are also soybeans, miso, watermelons, wineries, and more, and people and nature coexist closely.
Many people who are involved in agriculture and other manufacturing activities are filled with the desire to do something and create something on their own.
If you're looking for a lifestyle where you can easily enjoy skiing and snowboarding and be close to nature right next to the city, this is definitely worth considering as a potential location for relocation or dual-base living
A previous event included a BC hike to Mt. Hakkai and a city tour. Please see the report here:
https://www.a-kimama.com/culture/2019/03/91574/
Click here for last year's event