Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, is a snowy town where snow that easily exceeds the height of a human being accumulates during the high season.
Over the past two years, the Minamiuonuma Migration Promotion Council has held a unique migration consultation meeting for skiers and snowboarders called the Minamiuonuma Migration Concierge four times.
In previous years, it was held in a free space in Shibuya, Tokyo, but this year the venue will not be set up due to measures against corona infections, and the following two times will be held online.
1) March 29, 2020 (Monday) 20:00 ~
Guest Yoichi Watanabe
Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXFTP3mmAmY
2) March 30, 2020 (Tuesday) 20:00 ~
Guest Kenji Kondo
Link https://youtu.be/AXir5Adg6yQ
Guest Profile
Yoichi Watanabe
A photographer who travels the snowy mountains of the world.
He lives in Niseko, Hokkaido, and continues to capture and photograph the climate and lifestyle of snow country, mainly ski photography. Since 2015, he has published Stuben Magazine, introducing snow culture from around the world from his own perspective. In February 2020, he published his photo book "Yuki The Essence of the Winter Forest".
Kenji Kondo
is a certified international mountain guide and mountaineer who has climbed Mount Everest seven times. He does all kinds of mountain-related activities, and in winter he travels around the country on a snowboard. He founded the guide organization "Adventure Guys" to guide mountains around the country and around the world. He is a director of the Japan Mountain Guides Association.
Minamiuonuma is like this
Minamiuonuma City, 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. It takes about 2.5 hours by car from Tokyo, or 90 minutes by Shinkansen to Urasa Station.
In winter, the cold air from the Sea of Japan blows all over the area, and it is blessed with abundant snowfall. From January to February, you can enjoy high-quality powder snow every day, and from March to April, you can enjoy the spring ski season with plenty of remaining snow.
Taking advantage of the abundant snow, ski resorts are scattered here and there, which is a major feature. There are 10 ski resorts in the city, each with its own characteristics. A place with a great snow park, a place where night skiing is great, a place that's perfect for families, and a place that's great for powder on the northern slopes.
There are many ski resorts, and you can change where you ski according to the conditions and mood of the day. It is also located within about 30 to 40 minutes by car. In addition, Yuzawa Town, which has a similar ski resort, is adjacent to the south. There are so many ski resorts and a location with good access to each is rare in Japan.
In recent years, as represented by Maiko Snow Resort and Muika Snow Resort, the tree run area and off-piste area have been opened, and Ishiuchi Maruyama's Gung Ho Monster Pipe has been newly established.
In addition to snow, specialty products that make use of the natural environment are also attracting attention.
Minami Uonuma's Koshihikari is grown in the mineral-rich snowmelt water, and the high-quality rice produces local sake such as Hakkaisan, Kakurei, and Takachiyo, which will impress even Japanese sake lovers. In addition to soybeans, there are also miso, watermelons, and wineries, and people and nature live closely together.
Many people who engage in manufacturing, including agriculture, are full of the spirit of wanting to create something themselves.
Skiing and snowboarding can be done right away, and you can get close to the rich nature right next to the city. If you are looking for such a life, you should consider it as a candidate site for migration and two-base living.
Previously held event included Hakkaisan BC and city tour experience.
Please see the report here. https://www.a-kimama.com/culture/2019/03/91574/
Click here for last year's event