I remember my first winter in Japan, it was soo coold.... i hardly went outdoor. I remember myself sitting on the couch near the heater, watching TV or reading books... what a waste of my time, come to think of it. But things changed when you have a child... my daughter loves outdoor, she loves playing in the snow and most of all she loves challenge!
A few years ago my daughter and I went to our favorite ski resort (Grandeco, Fukushima) and took ski lessons for 5 days. Before the end 4th day, we could ski the beginners course already... never know skiing could be so fun and so easy to do.... i regret not taking ski lessons sooner.
Here in Japan most ski resorts have complete facilities, from ski school (private lessons, group lessons, catered to kids or adults), ski rentals (you need not buy), spa (who would not love to dip in spa after a day of sweat on the ski ground), even ski wear is available in the resort shop.... but i recommend you buy ski-wear (jacket and pants) in Tokyo, which is cheaper.
Skiing is a popular sports in Japan and nowadays many travellers from China, Taiwan and Korea came all the way to ski here. Lessons are in English for foreigners and ski lessons are provided by experienced and qualified skiers, so you need not worry about getting injured.
... unless you are doing what is not being told...
.... afraid of skiing? you may try the slide first before skiing...
For those who don't want to go far away, there are ski resort just an hour from Tokyo or an ice skating ground just a few station away from Tokyo.
... what about ice-skating outdoor @ Toshimaen (December 20th - March 1st), you can rent shoes and skate for 1100 Yen, pay an entrance fee for 1000 Yen and you can skate from 10 am to 6 pm....
... i recommend the Gala Yuzawa Resort, where you can step on the snow just as you get off the bullet train (here we call it Shinkansen) ...
If you are not interested in staying at a ski resort hotel and you prefer indoor skiing, here is another alternative, just an hour from Tokyo, taking a local train from Ikebukuro to Seibukyujo mae. Recommended for beginners with little time to spend.
For those who like to eat, it is worth your time to visit restaurants that serve you warm dishes that Japanese love to eat in winter time: from about 2500 Yen per person you can try shabu-shabu, sukiyaki or chanko-nabe, or from 400 Yen, a more reasonable ones like ramen and oden.
... i recommend chanko-nabe and oden, these are dishes that varies in taste ....
.... many restaurants of chanko-nabe are owned by retired sumo wrestlers...
... for chanko nabe go to Ryokoku station, you will find about 10 choices of restaurants in the same area, one of the best is Chanko Momo Taro...
But then coming to Japan this winter may be a little rush, ... so why not try making chanko nabe at your own home, check out for posting at http://cook4health.blogspot.com/
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