January Snow Report

This winter's snowfall in Uonuma is far less than that of average years.

We normally have more than 1 meter depth of snow in January, but the depth is about 30 centimeters now!

It's good for daily life as we don't have to care about cleaning snows on the roads, which helps us to drive safely, and we don't need so much heatings.

But actually it's a little dissapointing, especially for winter sports lovers...

Jan 5
We had some snow during the new year's holiday, but

Jan 8
it melted next week.

Jan 11
It snowed a little again.
Enough snow on mountains for skiing.

Jan 12
Now roads are covered with snow.

Jan 19
It's gone again.

Jan 27
Sunny!

Jan 28
Now the snow is about 30 centimeter deep (or less).

New issue is coming soon!

We just completed the new issue of Jiyujin!
For a while, I was occupied by editing, too busy to blog (bad excuse, I'm sorry...)




The coming issue focuses on historic towns in Japan. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, old castles to ancient roads... Lots of fascinating places are visited.

What I like the best is Ninja's town; Iga and Koka...
But the detail will be next time.

It will be on sale on Jan 26!

Santa Claus has come!

Yesterday some Santa Clauses came to our office.


A little bit hasty, though.

I chose the one with very cute strawberry cap, topped with whipped cream, whose body was filled with strawberry flavoured pudding (right).

Wish you happy Christmas!

Hot Springs Encyclopedia

After the first snow, we had little snow and the blanket of snow has gone.

But still it's winter and I can't be away from the heating... A good season to visit hot springs now.

The other day Jiyujin's extra number, Onsen Zukan (Hot Springs Encyclopedia) , was released.
This issue features "Nigoriyu," a type of hot springs with clundy colour.

"The Secrets of Cloudy Colours of Hot Springs"

There are great variety of hot springs in Japan.
Different smells, tastes, temperatures, benefits for the human body...
Colours, or visual effects, are also valued, as Japanese people enjoy hot springs by bathing.


The variety of colour is amazing.
White, brown, green, gray, blue, black.....
These waters are not trasparent but cloudy, whitish, mysterious colour.

Gray? Blue?
Colours often change day by day

I like blue ones. Isn't this colour like a mixture of the sky and clouds?

Michelin-starred chef's choice

Last spring we had a guest from Michelin's three-starred Japanese restaurant "Kanda."
Chef Hiroyuki Kanda visited Uonuma, seeking for "the best rice in Japan" to serve in his restaurant.

Chef Kanda studies in the field

Uonuma is well-known for good Koshihikari rice. But the area which produces "Uonuma Koshihikari" is vast and the tasted of rice differs by fields because of natural conditions.

He met three producers we recommended, visited their rice fields, and tasted the rice. Consequently, he chose the rice produced by Mr. Kiyoshi Suzuki (Kiyoshi-san), saying

"It was moving. The taste was just like Kiyoshi-san, clear, straight..."

Kiyoshi-san with his wife

Last week, we had a good news from the Michelin. Kanda won the Michelin's three stars this year again.

Congratulations!!

Kanda in Moto-Azabu, Tokyo

First Ride of the Season!

Ski and snowboard season has begun around Uonuma. Kagura ski resort in Yuzawa (next to Minami Uonuma City) opened on 21 November. Our company's ski and snowboard lovers (team?) went for the first ride of this year. Although not much snow left at the bottom of the mountain, there was enogh upper on the ski slope.

around the parking lot

on the ski slope

Another mission of this day was to distribute fliers of coming ski and snowbord events. We just published back country ski and snowboard magazine "Spray" and are planning to hold a series of workshops about funs and dangers of a backcountry ride. (language : Japanese only)

fliers of the events

Thanks to people who were so nice to stop by and receive these fliers!
See you at the workshops!




Reported by Hirasawa

Winter has come!!

Yesterday, we had the first snow in Uonuma.

Only the mountain-top of Mt. Hakkai was snow capped in the morning

It was sunny in the morning, though the cold north wind was getting stronger.
The weather suddenly changed in the afternoon.

Rain? Sleet? Sleety rain continues

It was rain at first, then sleet, and finally white snow continuously falling on the town!

In front of the office

After one night of snow... The town was covered with a blanket of snow.