Well that's over a metre reported at Shiga Kogen for the last three days (snow japan reports) Hopefully the rain and warm, temps forecast over the next few days do not do too much damage. 29 days until wheels up, not that I am counting.
Shiga Kogen's lowest point is about 1330m, highest is 2307m. The bottom of Yokoteyama is 1750m (1000m higher than most other places in Japan). Rain won't do too much damage to Shiga Kogen.
In contrast to the images I posted two days ago, today was....how shall I put it?......sticky. The snow was overcooked and gluey. But, I still had fun!
Finally......FINALLY!! I have dreamt of this day for quite a few years, since last in Nagano. On the Shinkansen, back to Tokyo with a mess of these bad boys.... And I've learnt from bitter experience. I bought extra for Ron!
Be interested know how you found Villa Ichinose? I am there in 4 weeks and wondered how it stacks up especially how reliable the wifi was and the food?
This was my second time staying at Villa Ichinose. It's in a great location, next door to the Nepalese restaurant. It's a tired hotel, but perfectly clean and fine in every respect. They have japanese style rooms. However, I was surprised they placed me in a twin western room. I hadn't asked (I was looking forward to the futon) but perhaps becasue I was travelling solo. Who knows. I just felt it was their "last resort" room. Mainly because there is a low lying structural beam in the room that meant I had to remember to duck my head every time I went to the bathroom! But I did have my own bath/shower, which I don't think the other rooms have. It made no difference, because I used their spa (onsen) instead. There is a convenience store located at the bottom of the steps, adjacent to the entrance. Breakfast is a more or less traditional Japanese affair. I would happily stay there again.
Just following on from my post re. Villa Ichinose, I note there a quite a few abandoned hotels in the Shiga area. @Ramenman, will probably chime in here. I think she would say someone should buy and renovate and pitch to a western market. And provide a bar to act as a social hub in the area.
Thanks, I supposedly have a tatami room but will see what I get as I am also travelling solo. I stayed at Shiga Iichi (across the road) and Hotel Japan Shiga (where the Nepalese is) last year and both were excellent, so I am familiar with the area. This one is costing me a bit less so I will see how it stacks up. I always do dinner bed and breakfast so will happily eat whatever they give me, Japanese is my favourite cuisine so its all good. Cheers for the info
12th to the 25th March, I was there early April last year and got cheap rates at both the other hotels but found they were much more exy for the dates in March. I just have to hope that this season gets its act together and I am not skiing slush puppies the whole time. I was blesses with 4 days of powder last year even in April so fingers crossed it will be ok.
Have stayed at Villa Ichinose a couple of times as well. Agree with Tonester, tired but very clean. I would suggest booking just bed and breakfast as there are some great options for dinner around Family and Diamond. Even restaurant 101 downstairs provides variety (and good beer on tap).
The dinner bed and breakfast was only a few dollars a night more than the straight b&b so its a budget saving measure really. I will just have to satisfy my need for variety but grabbing the odd pizza etc for lunch.
It was great when I stayed there last year I did the D,B&B thing again and they fed me dinner one night in the Nepalese and one night in the Korean BBQ place both excellent meals
You've made me super hungry now. I love Indian / Nepalese curry restaurants. Somehow, there are numerous Indian / Nepalese curry restaurants in Japan, including even in very rural villages. I like visiting rural villages for fishing, and the only foreigners I see in those rural villages are often the people working in Indian / Nepalese curry restaurants. I assume it's very easy to get Japanese work visa if they have skills of foreign cuisine.
Skis all scrapped free of storage wax. Ski bag packed. 4x skis and poles, 1x kids boots+ 1 solo kid boot. All in our double roller = 24.18kg. Perfect for the 25kg we have purchased. Now just got to wait a week till we get on the plane. Oh and pack all the ski clothing...
Yes, I've noticed over a number of years, a lot of abandoned hotels. There seems to be a lot of restaurants closed on a Thursday night, which is absurd. I reckon that if a hotel was turned into a hub, with a good bar, two restaurants open every night, it would draw lots of business.
Thanks for the tip. I bought a couple just now after coming back from Matsumoto and they gave me a bonus third one. For the record the store is Midori accessed directly from the station. http://www.eki-midori.com.e.pm.hp.transer.com/nagano/shop-list/foods/ look for Oyaki
Khuls probably nicest place we've stayed in Japan....dinners in every 2nd night always impress, great 'family' rooms...onsen ordinary but location by family lifts superb.
No worries. Midweek may be interesting? 100+ seat dining room with only you and a handful of others unless it's changed in the last couple of years .........at least you will receive impeccable service!
Nice thing about Hotel Japan Shiga was that they have a much nicer small room with just a few tables so when there was only myself and one other group we dined in there rather than the huge dining hall.
Did you book Villa Ichinose directly or through a booking website? Reason for my asking is I noticed some months ago that rooms on a very popular western website where double the price compared to going direct. Not kidding was double!
I used a Japanese booking engine way cheaper than the usual suspect and about comparable with direct.
Ahh. Ok then. As I stumbled out of the Nepalese restaurant last night a fellow walked in who, I imagined, might be you. I’ve only seen a couple old pics of you from your blogs and posts. Anyway, enjoy Shiga
Diamond Shiga is about 50m down the hill from the "Ichinose Ski Jo" bus stop, the one after "Ichinose" bus stop. It's one or two hotels down from the Teppa Room.
I’m arriving Iiyama 20th February, am thinking Shiga if the warmer temps and rain that are forecast for most place eventuates. Anyone skiing shiga (or any other resorts within 30 minutes of Iiyama) 21st to end of month and have kids in Japanese ski lessons? I’ll have a 6yr old with me and will be putting him in. My experience is that much of the time a group kids lesson in Japanese ends up being a private lesson, more fun for him if there are other kids though...
