Today was my first time skiing in Japan! And my first time skiing in 9 years. It’s about a two hour drive to Minakami in the north of Gunma where we went skiing at Hodaigi. Sadly the lack of snow made itself known there as well. The ski slopes were mostly okay - some grassy patches and icy slopes. The drive was like Japan’s usual - windy, curvy, and mountainous. I met up with two other people who were snowboarding. Renting wasn’t difficult, all the ski stuff was called ski set, ha. Had to fill out a form, pay, and keep my receipt for when I return them. When buying my lift pass, the lady spoke English so again no problems. Either way, the two people I was with speak Japanese and could translate. The runs were pretty long. We stuck to the green so both of them were beginner snowboarders. Skiing came back to me pretty well. I’m glad it’s like riding a bike. The views were stunning - all the snow covered mountains. I spotted a couple other foreigners, including some ski instructors.

Parts of the ski resort were still closed because the snow conditions weren’t safe enough. The blacks looked super scary and high up though. The greens were a little bit too easy so we tried a partially red/green trail next. We get to the top of the ski lift and it looks like the trail is closed. There’s a bunch of signs warning about off-trail skiing and to watch out for rocks and things. So instead we have to go down the solid red/intermediate side. It looks quite terrifying from above. Somehow I made it down alive, heart pumping. It was super icy and slippery and my skis almost slipped out from under me several times. After I get down, I see the other side is open after all. Cries. I decide to brave the other side, deciding it couldn’t possibly be worse.

There was a quite a flat stretch where I had to push myself with the poles and do the awkward shuffle with the skis. The first bit was a bit snow less, but much less steep than the other side. This was more of an enjoyable ride down. The whole trail I’d consider a proper intermediate, not partially beginner!

It was pretty different from the three ski places I’ve been in the US. Less fancy halls for rentals and foods. Kinda the bare minimum needed. We ate at a cafeteria partially down the slopes. There were three places to eat in total. No snow machines here, all natural snow. The lift passes were also cards that you scanned to get on the lift, not tags to attach to your zipper. I had to learn how to walk in ski boots again.

The two specks by the trees are
my friends by the top

Post-skiing, we went to an onsen, Takagawara, which has been recommended to me multiple times. I didn’t realize it was so close, only 10 minutes away! The long, hot soak was good for ensuring a lack of sore muscles. Very interesting decor. There were two black bears in cages on the way in. Three mixed bath pools, and one ladies only built along the river. Very picturesque. There were actually some other foreigners here as well. My first mixed bathing experience. Everyone wears towels into the water. Most of the dudes just have a small towel they hold in front not so carefully, while the women are wrapped up. It was interesting...the towel is really floaty so it just billows around in the water. It was more freeing to go without in the ladies bath. This was also much cooler than others I’ve been to. There are wooden boards sectioning off the water where the temperature differs.