SnowJapan#Andrew

Thinking up a cunning plan right now!

We got this email last night, don't know who it's from but thought it was quite funny. ----- It's not snowing enough in Japan. And what's with the rain? That's not on. Do something about it, now.

I manage in a 2WD Celica here in Minamiuonuma, with frequent trips over to Gunma and Nagano in winter. Obviously with snow tyres on. Don't really have issues, though I recall it being a bit dicy going up to Zao Onsen and Marunuma Kogen. We usually hop into my wifes Subaru when going anywhere particularly icy. I think next time I'll go back to a 4WD, but I just liked this car too much to be put off by the 2WD thing when I got it.

I/we make a point of not letting people who give such 'feedback' get us down. Rather the opposite actually. Wouldn't want them to think that they had any influence on what we do at all! Though it's always quite good to have a few let-off-some-steam posts per season. Happy New Year!

I just want to add a few comments here, as some people seem to think they know more about us than they actually do. This is mostly referring to mails that we receive from time to time, like the one yesterday (but not just that one!) I started doing simple reports many years ago (2002 I think) because I was in Yuzawa, there was no info in English and I thought it would be great to share it. It was for fun basically, and I enjoyed it. I can't say that the enjoy factor remains in the same way as it did because we now find ourselves posting 11 reports each day. A lot has changed since

We missed the snowfall the other day but there's still a bit hanging around the base of the famous telephone box. A rainy day here today, but I noticed that last year's thread was also started on 15th November. May the box be completely covered this year. (For newcomers, last year's fantastic and thoroughly exciting thread is here)

Actually, as of this week, Mt Granview is the skijo that is closest to the new SnowJapan World Headquarters. Quite excited about that.

Oh, and I collect them all for future laughs and a possible book.

Absolutely, Metabo Oyaji!

It is indeed, SJHQ is moving. Obviously, a dream move. It somehow feels like this is what we have been working towards.

Yes, dumbstick, it's the same as outside with the little metal hinge-like things. No need for any sealings though.

End of October here. On the subject of siding, we're having the KMEW on our place as well - it seems to be the most used siding in this region for some reason anyway. Actually, having some on the inside as well. Behind the telly in an alcove, and there'll be some gentle light shining down on it from the top. That's the grey-ish one. Not up and done yet, so it remains to be seen what it looks like!

I heard those too. It would be a dream for SnowJapan, for sure, and quite fitting too!

The スノージャパン at the top and 雪 日本 bottom left are not fonts ----- we got a professional calligrapher to brush those for us.

Oh yes, Mt Granview IS in the bottom graphics, you just can't see it. There's actually about 20 images in there before flattening it out... we wanted their 'soul' to be in it, even if you can't see them.

I'm not quite sure Bag. But my colleague has been working round the clock, as they say, to fix that up and touch wood the site seems to be generally stable now. We are continuing to test everything and adjust, and there are a few more issues that we need to get sorted before we can think of taking things a bit easier! There were always very probably going to be some technical issues when we launched this - it's inevitable with such a big change. With complex coding like this, some things only show themselves when an application is live in production, no matter how hard you check things

The Smiths, 20 July 1986, University Of Salford Had a stonking headache that morning but willed myself to be good in time for the gig. Definitely a classic! Was also at the classic gig at Preson Guild Hall when Morrissey got hit by a coin/cup/sausage/piece of bacon during the first song and the gig was cancelled.

We're using a local builder and for options/upgrades go with a few things with them and request some things of our own as well. I imagine some people might just like the simplicity of choosing options that they offer. After all, it's very time consuming doing it all yourself. But hopefully rewarding in the end.

Yes so many options. Definitely should go into the process with a chunk of contingency budget. Some of the optional upgrade costs of things I have seen though have been pretty ludicrous. That's optional extras for you I suppose. The nicer shower head, 1m rail, shampoo stand and different colours on the bathroom adding 500,000 yen (list price) comes to mind. I'm sure the builders would be able to bring that down a lot as part of their package, but still.

Interestingly, I think almost everything that has been added has come from us, the company we are going with don't do the pressure sales thing at all. Which I like a lot. I'm allergic to pushy sales.

Nothing's confirmed yet, still got a few options being looked at, muikabochi. But hopefully here in the Minamiuonuma valley, not that far from where we live now actually. Been here over 20 years now, think this is where I want to be.

Good idea about the underfloor heating might have to look into that. The roof on our bulding - as the plan is now, always changing! - isn't crazy steep. We're going to get the ido water go up there to the roof and melt the snow as well as sprinklers along the front and side of the building. I think. Luckily, there's fair bit of space either side as well so no real worries about any snow that does come down anyway. We'll have 3 floors and still wondering whether to go 高床住宅 or not. Not mad keen on the concrete slab look myself. And talking to more people I don't see that they fare an

We're planning a building for here in Minamiuonuma and going through the process. Looks like there's two options for the sprinkling water thing. The first is digging a well and have that sprinkle around the front of the house or wherever and also have it circulate up to the roof and melt snow up there. That water is natually warm and they have to dig down 70+ (what I was told) metres. Costs around 1.5-2 million yen but running costs are pretty low. If you do that you won't have much snow building up on the roof/falling off the sides and also don't need as much free space either side fo

He definitely needs a break. But not yet Pete. Keep at it!

I don't think there was another lift. Haven't been for ages, I used to go there 2-3 times a week for nighta after work. I think it was the first skijo in Yuzawa to really welcome snowboarders. The resort behind is/was Kayama Captain Coast, now closed.