I was waiting for our first wet, heavy November snow to start our reports for the new season. The 15th is always the target for getting the trees tied up, bamboo wands out so we know where to plow (or, more realistically, where not to plow) and snow tires on. Got everything done except the snow tires, but that's getting done along with a brake job in a few more days. The road isn't too bad anyway; there's snow on it but nice lanes down to asphalt, so a strong 4WD vehicle can manage....
OK, the highlights for the coming season. The new gondola at Akakan is the most visible change. Instead of the venerable (old) white units the local kids affectionately called the onigiri (rice balls), we have sparkling red cabins with the retro lettering Akakan uses. And which we appreciate—remember that the hotel and ski area opened in 1937, and has firmly embraced its history and status as one of the oldest ski resorts in Japan. See, we're not just a generic resort with lots of cookie-cutter condominiums and chain restaurants at the base. Speaking of which....
The widely reported massive investment which, depending on which news outlet was reporting it, was going to turn Myoko into the next 1) Aspen 2) Whistler/Backcomb 3) pick your favorite European mega-resort. US$12 billion? $20 billion? Property has been acquired, no doubt, but no five-star hotel chain has signed up yet, nor has any work begun on the sewage work that would have to be done in advance. Rumor is that a lot of the effort was not so much on the ski hill side (not that we couldn't use some investment/improvement) and more on the real estate development front. I know many readers have been concerned about this, and we also would hate to lose the Japanese-ness that is part of the attraction here. I know that's what brought me here 400 years ago or so.... We will keep you posted on the changes as they occur. Or don't.
Akakura Kanko: Planned opening December 14 Akakura Onsen: Planned opening December 14
Ikenotaira Onsen Alpen Blick Planned opening December 14
Myoko Suginohara: Planned opening December 21
Kyukamura RunRun: Planned opening December 21
Seki Onsen: Planned opening late December
Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort: Planned opening December 21
Madarao Mountain Resort: Planned opening December 14
Lotte Arai Resort: Planned opening December 14
Kurohime Kogen Snow Park: Planned opening December 21
Next month; see listings for planned openings