SnowJapan#Andrew

Let's see who can get this one!

That looks like Terakoya in Shiga Kogen to me.

Fantastic photos, muikabochi. Know it well around Niitsu as my wife comes from that area - you should go in autumn as well, it is beautiful at that time of year.

I'd love to Mick, but they have the whole Alley signed up to NDAs. I might try to seek a few anonymous tips every now and again, though. Gambarimasu!

At the risk of making some of you Granview fans really jealous, I can see Mr Granview from both my living room and bedroom windows. How about that then? It probably explains the high cost of living in this neighbourhood though.

Glad you're having fun pie-eater, trekking up Billing Lump hey? The family have been telling me how amazing the weather is right now - good timing there. Have a pie and beer for me before you come back.

Not really. But what it means is that we are developing things entirely the way we want to and in the way we think is best for the site and people using it. There is no-one telling us what to do or shaping things. It's a good thing.

Believe me, we would not be putting everything we do into this if it was not 'fun', for want of a better word. The pressure to make big changes is purely coming from ourselves. The next 3-4 months if the really fun and exciting part for me.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We've got some really exciting plans brewing. Some unknowns but hope we can pull them off. I have just been told the cost of everything we are planning..... anyone got some huge wads of cash they can spare?! It should be :veryshocked: but actually it's

It's probably longer than that David, you know how time flies! I can't ever remember seeing it totally covered in my time here which is 20 years now. Having said that, before this become a topic on here, I can't say that I was looking or noticed! But I have lived in Shiozawa and worked in Yuzawa since the site started in 1999, up until last year that was.

Spoke with a few of the managers over at NASPA in Yuzawa today and they said that while there had been not directl "we have cancelled Fukushima to come here" style bookings, the number of groups has increased this season. They seem to be having a good season all round.

I've been here 20 years now and I can't remember being able to buy any when I first came. Not in this area anyway. In fact, I'm quite sure - I would have bought them if they were on sale! I think it's strange too. I have some posters that resorts have made, but they are not for sale either. Sort of related, I always find it really strange that a resort makes a totally anonymous poster or leaflet of some kids/ladies throwing snowballs or something, when they have some incredible unique scenery they could use to promote themselves.

A friend of mine in Yuzawa took an absolutely amazing photo centred on the whole Minamiuonuma/Yuzawa region (and considerably beyond towards Tokyo) from the sky many years back. Stunning photo it is, I have it framed hanging up at home. Told him he should sell it as I'm sure lots of people would buy. Actually a few of the skijo I have worked with in the recent past have asked about what omiyage foreigners might be interested in. I always tell them this would be a very good idea. Probably because I think it is a good idea and I want them! Postcards even. I can't imagine that Japanese

Ah yes, the old office was the last building on the right, right? No more yuki daruma donuts for you lot. That's right just near the road there. The wobbly one. Good thing we're not near there any more. Those yuku daruma donuts wouldn't fit in with my cunning plan to lose some weight!

Happy Christmas, hope everyone can get out and enjoy the snow. Including myself!

Looks like fun there muikabochi. I see you chose the right menu in Ninjin as well

I was at the Minamiuonuma tourist office earlier today -- picking up 30 lift ticket vouchers -- and asked them about this. It's too late to change the name for this season of course, but we can probably expect the 'Centleisure' to be dropped once the upcoming season is done. I hope they might be encouraged to open up that other lift that has just been standing there doing nothing for 10+ years. Never got on that one.

BTW in reponse to your comments bikertom in the form you filled out ---- I think Stage 3, coming in time for next season, will cover your points. Already working on it.

Not at all, you posted while I was posting that anyway. Glad you like them bikertom and good luck with getting your gloves on some!

One of my 'hobbies' is collecting all these comments and communications. (Sad isn't it). But actually, once the annoying part passes it makes for some entertaining reading. I don't know where it's coming from, but some people seem to have this idea that we owe them stuff. Lots of stuff. And it's all for free. And even then, it's not enough. One of my favourite Giveaways comments was the person who was suitably outraged that we did not include the flights and hotel stay when we did a Niseko lift ticket giveaway a few years back.... you mean to say it's just the lift tickets?!!? I get

Me too, must get round to that. Thanks for reminding!

Andrew you ever been to that Swing Bar? Interesting that Ninjin don't take any kind of reservations/bookings. Wonder why. No, never been. Living in Minamiuonuma, don't get that many nights out in Yuzawa as yourself probably. Would help if there was a train going north after 9pm!

A sure sign of the season kicking off proper, from today the snow depth information and resort status data has started appearing on SnowJapan. This information can be found on the resort pages, and the prefecture and town resort listing pages. Resort info pages: http://www.snowjapan...ail.php?resid=3 Resort listed by town: http://www.snowjapan...fecture=Niigata Resorts listed alphabetically, by prefecture: http://www.snowjapan...fecture=Niigata Our Now! reports are now also becoming regular as the season starts up and you can expect them to click into daily mode when

OK I asked in Ninjin-tei on Friday night. Looks like they don't take any kind of reservations... not even for groups. It's turn up and see if you can get in unfortunately - and on peak weekends it gets very busy. Not sure why seems a little strange. They also own a bar a bit further down the road called Swing Bar. That place has nomihodai - 3000 yen for 2 hours, 3500 yen for 3 hours, 4000 yen for 4 hours. The place has a pool table, big screen etc.

I'll ask them about a possible party there.