Snowboarding in Niigata

My snowboard (left)

My brother visited us in Tokyo last week.  As my husband managed to take a day off from work, we all decided to go snowboarding in Kagura, Niigata.  We booked our Kagura day return package at JR View in Shinjuku the day before and it cost only JPY 11,400 per person including Tokyo-Yuzawa return-fare train ticket (reserved) and 1-day ski pass.  Great deal! 

View is JR travel service and offers train trips in Japan.  Tours can be purchased at View (located at most stations) or online.

It was so easy once we were on the train.  Within only 90 minutes from Tokyo, we stood on the top of the mountain in Kagura.  We were the kings of the world!

My younger brother and I

The weather wasn’t so good in the morning.  The wind was too strong that I could see a thing and my knit cap got blown away…  I didn’t notice it’s gone until I was down at the bottom.  We all went up the same course but couldn’t find it :-(  I don't like purple but I bought my purple face mask (the one I'm wearing in the picture above) because I thought it'd matche my purple knit cap I already had.  I hate losing stuff.  Sigh  

My missing knit cap

The weather became sunny after lunch break.  We got excited and tried to go to Tashiro Area but unfortunately, the whole Tashiro area was closed.  Downhill course was also closed, so we could only go up and down the same course over and over again.  Dommage!  Nonetheless we were very lucky to have sunny afternoon. 

Map of Kagura

After the snowboarding, it’s time for onsen!  There was onsen inside Yuzawa station, yu no sawa.  It was really relaxing to bathe in warm onsen after physical exercise.    

 Entrance

It's really nice to get away from the busy city to quiet countryside.  It's also nice to see my husband snowboard.  He is really really good and I feel proud.  Every time I see him on the slopes, I want to shout "That's my man!"  I am always proud of my husband, but on the slopes, ou la la, I find la extra passion for him.