Wine Tasting in Hakuba

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba Wine

Try before you buy and have a good time doing it.

The Annual Hakuba Wine Tasting event is on again this year at the Village Wine Bar in Echoland. It’s that time of year when all the restaurants and bars in town are stocking up and readying themselves for a busy winter. This is the opportunity for them to try some very good wines from around the globe. It’s also a good chance to chat with some wine experts who are quite happy to put a respectable list together for your establishment. Come and enjoy a great afternoon.

Here is an open invitation to all of the business owners in the area to try out a big selection of wines and discuss in Japanese and English from trained experts. Life is too short to be drinking bad wine.

Date – Monday 9th December, 2013

Time – 1:30PM to 4:30 PM

Where – White Horse Hotel

Address – South on 4th Street, Echoland, Hakuba.

Drink driving is dangerous and also illegal in Japan and the White Horse Hotel would like everybody to stay safe. Please call them on 0904 180 1266 the day before if you would like a lift or please spit your wines, catch a taxi,  have a designated driver or take a pleasant stroll home..

Posted in Food, Hakuba, Hakuba apres | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Who won

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba cortina

Winning this competition is almost as good as a bluebird powder day at Cortina. Maybe not but that’s Robert center stage last season no doubt with a huge smile

The first day of the season has come and gone and with a wise choice of 22nd of November the winner is Robert Lindberg. Congratulations Robert and I am aware you are back here in Hakuba to play again for another season of pow and big lines. See you in a couple of weeks and you can be relaxed in the knowledge that you will stay toasty warm in your new Monkey Rider hoodie and 3000 yen will secure you a very nice bottle of wine at the Village Wine Bar at the White Horse Hotel in Echoland.  Have a great season.

Posted in Hakuba | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“This place is exactly what you dream”

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Hakuba Blog

Sam Cohen, Zach Halverson and Bryce Phillips came out to Hakuba last season and scored some amazing conditions. These guys have obviously had some time on the mountain so for them to say it was the most snow they had seen is just another validation on why you should come and check it out.  Well done guys for putting together such a great vid.

Posted in Hakuba, ski and snowboard, snow | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Dakine in Hakuba

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Hakuba Blog


The guys from Dakine came out to Hakuba last season to shoot some video. Looks like they scored some great conditions.

Posted in Hakuba, Video | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

First snow of the season – Win To Grin.

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba snow

Hands up if you get to ride first days in Hakuba

Each year we run a competition to pick the first day of the season. The rules are

  • The first day the lifts open for skiers and boarders at any one of the resorts in Hakuba.
  • One date per person. If 2 or more people choose the same date then we will have a draw out of a hat to choose the winner.
  • The date must be chosen at least one week in advance
  • If a date isn’t chosen then it’s the closest date before.

The prizes are

  • A Monkey Rider hoodie.
  • 3000 yen voucher at the White Horse Bar in Echoland.

So go to the bottom of this blog and put your date in the comments section or email me HERE and I will add it. Good luck. Remember that the resorts will open as soon as there is enough snow on the ground so it’s pretty much any time now.

The list so far.

Matt Dunn – 11th November

Jiun Hao Neoh – 13th November

Kane Lowan – 15th November

Michael Mcgrath – 16th November

Peter Watt –

Nick F – 17th November

Eugene Morgan – 18th November

David P –

Susan Gatenby –

Kasspa – 19th November

Ryan – 20th November 

Peder Kastengren –

Samir Banjavcic – 21st November

Robert Lindberg – 22nd November

Clare – 23rd November

Angela –

Dan

Richard

Rebecca Robertshaw – 24th November

Sexualsushihaun – 25th November

Scott Haslam –

Josh Keys –

Callan Young – 26th November

Stephanie O’Lone –

Shane T – 27th November

Tony A – 28th November

Nick Meecham – 29th November

Linda Barnes

Mark Shakeshaft – 30th November

Chris R – 1st December

Dave Mulholland – 2nd December

Mick Lay – 3rd December

Alexander Sash K – 4th December

Kavit – 5th December

Stephen Connick

Kath Dumas – 6th December

Joe Gosney – 9th December

Posted in Hakuba | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

Narita to Hakuba Bus service

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba Bus

Bus it to the winter wonderland that is Hakuba

There is now a new morning bus service from Narita to Hakuba complimenting the evening shuttle each day. Alpico who also run the Nagano to Hakuba run will be putting on a bus at 8:25 each morning starting on the 20th of December until the 2nd of March. Take advantage of the rest area stops along the way as there are always some interesting snacks and the coffee is reasonably good from the vending machine with the video screen. Remember blue is cold and red is hot.  For reservations go to the Website here and over to this page here for more info on the evening service 

Posted in Hakuba, Information, Transport | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tokyo Olympics 2020

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Hakuba Blog

2020

Fantastic News for Japan this morning with Tokyo winning the rights to host the 2020 Olympic Games. Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Buenos Aires chose the Japanese capital, which previously hosted the Games in 1964, over Istanbul, after Madrid was dramatically eliminated following a first-round tie with the Turkish city.

The final result was 60 votes for Tokyo against 36 for Istanbul,

Tokyo bid chief and Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda said

“I have waited so many years to experience this joy. It is an honor to be picked as the host city”.

Crowds gathering in Tokyo broke out into wild cheers when the announcement was made.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had earlier flown in to the Argentine capital from the G20 summit in St Petersburg, Russia. Prime Minister Abe said in his presentation that the Olympics were part of his DNA, having experienced them for the first time at a young age.

“I was at the opening ceremony in Tokyo in 1964 and saw several thousand doves all released into the clear blue sky and coming together to make the Olympic rings,” he said.

“It was all amazing to me at 10 years old”.

The decision means it will be the fourth time that Japan plays host to the Olympics, having held the winter Games in Nagano (1998) and Sapporo (1972).

Asia will also see successive Olympics, as the South Korean resort of Pyeongchang is hosting the 2018 winter edition.
The 2020 Tokyo Games will take place from July 24 to August 9.

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Hakuba snow

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Hakuba Blog

Another video showing constant powder plumes. These are not just set up for the cameras, it is actually how it is here often in Hakuba and most of the shots they were taking are just off a lift. Sami Sarsama from Finland had stayed at the Monkey Rider Lodge in Echoland the previous season but couldn’t get enough of Hakuba. He rounded up a bunch of friends as well and decided to settle in for a couple of weeks in January 2013 and he once again scored the goods  The reason why so many people are coming to Hakuba is this type of snow and it is the reason why I live here. Summer time is great too however my heart is with the powder and floating through the White Room is my selfish extravagance in life.

Posted in Backcountry, Hakuba, snow, Video | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

I’m an expat and all I want to do is ski.

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba

Where do you want to be?

“All I want is a ski trip. I don”t want to go home and have to catch up with family and friends”. I hear that a lot from my expat guests. Going home to Europe, America or what ever other part of the globe you are from can chew into your valuable snow time and even though you love your family and friends there comes a time when you just want to be out on the snow and enjoying the great outdoors. We see a lot of expats who are now living in SE Asia, China and even as far as Dubai coming to Hakuba for there yearly dose of snow. It’s an easy flight and transfer and some are even lucky enough to be able to call it a business trip. Actually most will tell their families back home that they have to come to Japan on business and have been able to extend it with a few days on the snow.  So don’t worry about feeling a little selfish about taking some time off this coming winter. You will be amongst like minded fibbers having the best time of your life.

Posted in Hakuba, snow | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Fujiya – A Top Nagano Dining Experience

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Hakuba Blog
Hakuba Fujiya

On the right side as you head up to Zenkoji Temple

One of the best dining experiences you could have is at Fujiya Gohonjin in Nagano. Located in the Zenkoji Temple Precinct is this old ryokan that has been meticulously reformed into a restaurant, bar and functions facility. The first thing you notice as you are walking up toward the Zenkoji Temple is the facade which stands the test of a classic design built in the 1920s. As you walk inside the doors you are greeted by one of the perfectly presented and smiling staff who will assist you for either a seat in the restaurant, bar or lounge. You may be required to wait in the entrance lounge before you are escorted to your seat through a maze of rooms with low door ways and looking out onto small garden areas. The decor and furnishing create an old world charm and the service here is impeccable. The restaurant has a bustle about it and the ambient noise combines thoughtfully with the music. This place seems to make everyone feel special and delivers a smile to every patrons face. This is even before you look at the menu.

Drinks first and at 700 yen for a glass of the local house wine, it is sure to surprise even the most discerning wine connoisseur. I enjoyed the red Musee de van Matsumoto flat Black Queen  from the Alps winery in Matsumoto at 3600 yen for a bottle. There is an impressive international wine cellar here with the prices very reasonable. For a non drinker try the sparkling blood red orange juice.

Eating out

Appetizer platter to get things started

The food here is Italian inspired using fresh local produce. Freshly baked foccacia bread is served with an olive oil dipping bowl. Lunch has a selection of set menus ranging in prices from an absurdly cheap 1000 yen to a sirloin steak set at 3900 yen.  My suggestion is to try the chefs lunch choice at 2400 to get a fantastic mix of what is on offer. Once again the service is amazing throughout the meal with very attentive yet unobtrusive staff who really know hospitality. After the main course you have the option to move into the lounge room to have your coffee and desert. Nagano is renowned throughout Japan for its apple orchards so I have to choose the apple pie for desert which comes out with a perfectly outer crispness and a moist inner pastry. A wonderful way to finish off a great meal. It would also be the perfect place to order another bottle of wine with friends and laze the afternoon away.

Nagano dining

Fujiya bar and lounge area

If you are in Nagano then I would certainly recommend booking in to Fujiya. It is not only a great wining and dining experience but an overall enjoyment to the senses. Even though you can eat quite cheaply here, my suggestion would be to splurge a little and make an event of the day or evening.

Children are welcome at lunch however I would suggest only take them if they can behave in a suitable manner.

Dining out

Step inside to 5 star service

Occasionally the facilities will be fully booked out however they have the Heigoro Patisserie across the road which serves up some amazing cakes and light meals.

Fujiya website

Posted in Food, Japan, Sightseeing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment