Tenjin Opens Tomorrow

The winter is finally about to get underway in Minakami as of Saturday December 10th when Tenjin will open.

We've been watching the mountains gradually turn white over the recent weeks with great anticipation. There have been a couple of warmer spells which have pushed the opening date back a bit but as of tomorrow it is all back on again.

There's a base of 35cm up there at the moment and it is snowing right now so there may be some good lines to be had first thing tomorrow. It probably won't be the whole resort open tomorrow but will be as much as they can. The lift ticket will only be 2,500 yen too so get your gear ready and we will see you up there.

Early Season Skiing with JR Ski

With some early season snow falling on the peaks recently our thoughts are turning to winter. The start of the season is a while off yet but plenty of time to plan and get excited.

JR have released their winter ski packages brochure which is an awesome resource if you are looking for a great value getaway in the snow.

The have some amazingly priced day return trips that include your bullet train tickets from Tokyo and back as well as the lift ticket (and often rental as well.)

There are also deals with train, lift tickets and accommodation if you fancy a longer break. There are offers for GALA Yuzawa, Kandatsu, Naeba, Maiko, Yuzawa Park, Joetsu Kokusai, Iwappara and Nakazato all of which are ideal for the family ski vacation.

We offer lessons in all the above resorts (as well as resorts in Minakami and Nozawa Onsen) so have you covered for quality English language ski and snowboard instruction.

We're playing the waiting game now to see when the snow arrives but it is a great idea to get that first lesson in early in the season to set you up for a long winter of enjoyment on the snow.

Nozawa Onsen Ski Lessons & Snowboard Lessons

One of our favorite places to go and rip on a day off has always been Nozawa Onsen, just over the border in Nagano. It is an awesome little town with small, winding lanes, loads of amazing onsen tucked away and the ski resort itself has lots of great terrain.

Friends are always asking us if we are available to teach over there and happily, now the answer is yes. Starting December 2011 we will be offering our English language ski and snowboard instruction in Nozawa Onsen. If you haven't been yet it is well worth checking out and the Fire Festival in January is a must-see - truly one of the most bizarre little festivals you will ever set eyes on.

If you need more information or some pointers on great places to stay, drop us a line on the usual email.

Minakami Adventure Festival - October 1-2

Not long to go until the Minakami Adventure Festival which was a stunning success last year, and looks like it will be even better this year. The basic idea is to showcase all the great stuff in Minakami. Tours are half price so there is no excuse not to have a crack at that activity you have been eyeing up for a while.

The Festival takes over the whole of Yubiso Park and this becomes the hot location in the town for the weekend. Loads going on with fun and games for kids and adults alike - bungy running, buggies, mountain bike trials, candle making workshops, hula & hip hop dancing among other attractions.

The other big draw to the weekend is the adventure race which this year is aimed at first timers. You don't need any equipment, just a team of 3 and a sense of adventure. The race itself will be fun 5 or so hours of multi-activities including rafting, swimming, canyoning, rappelling, and orienteering. Adventure racing is a great way to spend a day and you won't even notice the time pass.

There is live music during the day, and into the night. And for any of you keeping a close eye on the rugby, the games will be playing on the big screen at Canyons.

Pro Wrestling in Minakami

This may look like our current crew photo but it is actually the promo poster for the upcoming Japan Pro Wrestling Event in Minakami.

Saturday 8th October is the date. We'll be there cheering for the half naked, oily one.

Upcoming Lodge Events: Yukata, Taiko & Skate Jam

Summer is here and with many people on holidays it is getting busy. There are a few events coming up at the bar that you should know about if you are heading this way.

Saturday August 13th is Yukata and Taiko night. Get togged up in your summer Yukata and join in with the Taiko workshop as some local masters take you through the basics of this fun, traditional skill

Saturday August 20th is the Summer Skate Jam. The ramp is set up outside and everyone is welcome to strut their stuff.

Cheap bus to Minakami

We've long lamented the lack of a cheap bus option to bring adventurers to Minakami but it seems as if a company have just stepped up to the plate.

Harvest Tours' new Onsen Liner service stops in Minakami on the way up to Yuzawa & Muikamachi.

Departures are from Shinjuku Station, Tokyo Station and Saitama Shintoshin Station. Prices start from 1900JPY per person one way on weekdays and 24ooJPY for peak times (Saturdays from Tokyo or Sunday and holidays from Minakami) and is running until the end of August. Bargain.

Special Tour Schedule 2011

For those of you who have had an eye-opening experience on one of our canyoning tours it is time to step up and try one of the Special Tours.

Yamanashi Canyon is our big waterfall canyon - big drops with no ropework.

August 11 & 21, September 18 & 23

Crystal Canyon over in Niigata is for those who love the jumps.

September 3 & 4, September 25

Poison Canyon is one of the few warm water canyons in the world

September 24

Maple Canyon is better known as a half day tour but adding an extra section makes it an even more thrilling proposition.

September 10

Okutama Mononoke Canyon offers a bit of everything for the keen canyoneer.

August 2, 27 & 29

Buy Local.

Out of season perhaps, but a solid message from the boys and girls at BURTON.

We have cider! [And NZ cider at that.]

All our Christmases have come at once. After years of demanding refreshing cider for our after tour tipple, someone has finally taken note. And we are spoilt for choice. We have bottled cider, draft cider and boysenberry cider courtesy of Nelson's Old Mout.

Good times are sure to follow. (Donations of cider gratefully received:)

New Look Website

After much work behind the scenes by the tech folk, the new website is out on display, and looking pretty good we think.

We would like as many people to see it as possible and a bit of feedback from you would be nice as well. So, we have a bit of an offer going on. Post some news about our new website on some form of social media site and we will give you 500 yen next time you come up. Easy money, no? Let us know where you've posted, when you're coming and what you think on this form.

Remember Your Member's Card

Your wallet is probably stuffed with cards, but it is worth digging your Canyons card out from the back of the sock draw if you are heading up here. Each stamp you get has some nice swag attached to it.

Your first tour got you your first stamp and after that:

2nd - 500 yen cashback on a weekend or 1,000 yen on a weekday

3rd - Canyons T-shirt

4th - 500 yen cashback on a weekend or 1,000 yen on a weekday

5th - Coupon for 50% off a half day tour

6th - 500 yen cashback on a weekend or 1,000 yen on a weekday

7th - 500 yen cashback on a weekend or 1,000 yen on a weekday

8th - Coupon for free half day tour

The unpredictable weather at this time of year can cause havoc with your plans but canyoning and rafting only get better. If the weekend weather looks dodgy, head up here and pray for rain.

June Half Day Rafting Weekday Campaign

Here's something worth shouting about...

For the rest of June on weekdays our half day rafting tour is just 5,000JPY per person. The water levels are still good and it is a great opportunity to enjoy the last few weeks of high water season before the full day canyoning tours kick off.

Fuji Rock '11

Beautifully warm weather up here at the moment which has us eagerly anticipating summer and all the fun it entails. Just had a quick look at the Fuji Rock line-up for this year and there are some stand-out acts to check out. If you're heading up this way and want to get in the mood, or heading home and looking to wash off the grime of a 3 day festival, there is no better way than jumping in the river. (That's the voice of experience talking.)

We'll see you there.

Still Skiing

There's masses to do around here over Golden Week with rafting, canyoning, mountain-biking, bungy, paragliding and canoe tours all full operational, but an often overlooked option is skiing and boarding. A couple of resorts are still open and spring means the jumps and park features get top billing. Tenjin have built a massive kicker right by the main lift and have plenty of other stuff to play on. (Those are 3 park crew you can just about see shaping that jump.) A day pass is a bargain 1,500yen, so a cheap day out.

The snow might be a bit dirty, but there is plenty of it up there. The marker is around 160cm at the moment. That's all going to melt at some point and add to the whitewater madness in the river.

Tenjin will be open until 15th May so plenty of time to get some turns in and pray for an early start to next winter.

Golden Week Starts Tomorrow...

....the river is HIGH and the cherry blossoms are out.

We're doing pick-ups from Jomokogen bullet train station this year (as well as the usual ones from Minakami) to make it even easier to make the quick trip up here.

Don't waste your Golden Week - do something exhilarating!

Perspective on the current situation

There’s been plenty of conflicting information and many alarmist reports on the effects of the tsunami and the Fukushima meltdown over the last month. In our secluded valleys, we are enjoying the same pristine environment that has always existed. Our aim is to offer reassurance of the safety of Minakami as a tourist destination and our commitment to continue providing exhilarating, refreshing adventures.

Earthquakes

Historically Minakami has never suffered from large earthquakes. This is thanks largely to its location at the base of the mountains and the hard rock base on which it stands. This was one of the reasons that it was chosen as a safe location for the dams that were built upriver.

The recent quakes and aftershocks have been tremors here in Minakami. Historically the largest earthquake has registered as a 4. Earthquakes or aftershocks do not affect canyoning or rafting tours in any way. (Caving is on hold for the moment.)

Radiation

Environmental

Background radiation naturally occurs everywhere and despite the current events, radiation levels at present are lower in Tokyo than in Hong Kong and Singapore. Minakami has been relatively unaffected and all measurements are at normal background levels at this time. Hourly measurements are being made at the nearby city of Maebashi.

20011/04/15 Maebashi             0.040 µSv/h http://atmc.jp/

20011/04/15 Tokyo                    0.079 µSv/h http://atmc.jp/

20011/04/15 Singapore            0.090 µSv/h http://app2.nea.gov.sg/index.aspx

20011/04/15 Hong Kong           0.100 µSv/h (http://www.hko.gov.hk/radiation/ermp/rmn/applet/map/rmn_hourly_e.htm)

Water

The Tone River runs right through the heart of Minakami and is key to its tourism. As a precautionary measure the local government has been monitoring the condition of the river and have given it a clean bill of health. (no traces of radiation)

Food

We have always believed in supporting local producers and this is paying dividends at the moment as food from Gunma is perfectly safe and healthy. Added to that we have also checked with our suppliers to find out where they source their supplies, in order to ensure the quality and reliability of our food.

Refresh and contribute

The tourism industry in Minakami have been helping in many ways with the relief effort; sending people as volunteers, providing needed goods and accommodating refugees. To continue these efforts, Minakami now NEEDS YOUR HELP to stop the secondary disaster of a possible recession.

Accommodations, activity providers, restaurants and other tourism related businesses have all been hit hard over the last month with cancellations, in some cases nearly losing 100% of business.

The best way everyone can help is to go out , HAVE FUN, SPEND MONEY and REFRESH YOURSELF! This not only reinvigorates you, but is a major contribution to the tourism industry in Minakami, which in turn contributes to Japan's economy and eventually those affected in Tohoku.

So get a day away from the daily drag, refresh with a shot of adventure, enjoy the clean and safe natural environment and do your bit for the economy at the same time. 

www.canyons.jp

Canyons help with the disaster releif

Many of the Canyons crew have been helping out in the Tohoku areas in a number of different capacities over the last few weeks. We have been working with many different agencies but the main one was the Minakami Rescue and Support team, made up of staff from all the outdoor companies in Minakami. The team (to date) has done a total of 16 runs to some of the worst hit areas in the Miyagi and Iwate regions, carrying supplies and offering manpower.

Beau (Bungy Japan) also headed up a number of missions to various ares in Iwate delivering much needed supplies.

Below are some pics from one of the missions we did delivering items to HOPE internationals heliport in Miyagi Pref.

 Loading the Heli to do food and water drops on one of the Higasji Matsushima Islands that had been cutoff from the land when the road bridge collapsed.

 There was a fleet of 4 heli's shuttling goods, 5-7 trips a day each carrying around 250Kg.  The pilots were all volunteers from the Japan Helicopter Club. Great work guys!

Sometime we hooked up with other NPO's to get supplies to people that were in desperate need.  This is one of the warehouses in Sendai.

SHH at Canyons on the long weekend.

There's a long weekend coming up from 19th-21st March, and knowing how much we hate to waste one, we've lined up a great live act to get the bar pumping on the night of 20th. It promises to be great out on the slopes, there is the Snow Festival on in this area and the band + supporting DJs are going to be the icing on the cake.

What else are you going to do with those precious days off?

Check out the SHH website for a taster (http://www.myspace.com/shhsounds)
or the Japonicus site for more details (http://www.japonicus.com/jap/shh/index.html)

The Winter Ticket

In our quest for outstanding value we have launched a limited run of winter discount tickets. Imaginatively named "The Winter Ticket" (it's been a busy season!), they are available in sheets of ten for the bargain price of 34,000 yen.


Tickets can be exchanged for stays at the Alpine Lodge or for tours. One ticket gets you a night at the lodge or a half day snowshoe tour, and two tickets get you a backcountry tour or a full day snowshoe tour.

Some quick mental arithmatic, or in my case, some time prodding a calculator, and you discover that this offers you some fantastic savings. Get in on the action - we only printed 100 sheets of these and the tickets are valid until the end of March.

Ski and snowboard lessons upgraded for 2011

Our ski and snowboard instructors for this year are a mix of some old faces and a few fresh ones from all over the world.  All of them of course have their New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance certificationand are passionate about snowsports.


If you have ever had dreams of becoming a instructor, Canyons is running an official NZSIA ski certification course on Jan 15-18th.  Let us know if you are interested and we will send more details.

In 2011 we have upgraded our lessons to include a high definition video option that is FREE with every lesson.  Just let us know when you book and our instructors will take video of you during the lesson which can be used for technique analysis or just bragging rights with mates!
See lesson details here:
http://www.canyons.jp/lessons.html

Other news:
Snowshoe tours have now started to Ichinokura and Ooyu ice cave:
http://www.canyons.jp/snowshoe.html

Backcountry tour to Kagura has now started.

http://www.canyons.jp/backcountry.html