The New Year's feast is good, but curry is too! That used to be a commercial. I get tired of New Year's dishes too. Chicken curry and spare ribs are also on the menu. Nice, isn't it?
1月5日:海老が大好きです:
塩焼きとお寿司。
昔は高価だったけれど今はリーズナブル。
嬉しいね。
I love shrimp. Grilled with salt and in sushi. They used to be expensive, but now they are more reasonable. It's delightful, isn't it?
In my second year of high school, I received a photo from a long time ago. I had been using a single-lens reflex camera even back then. Nostalgic and joyful memories.
1月7日:冷蔵庫を空にする:
これから雪国暮らしをする。
大晦日に満杯状態だった冷蔵庫を空にする。
料理はアイディア次第だから面白い。
美味しかったね。
Emptying the refrigerator as I prepare to live in a snowy region. Clearing out the full refrigerator on New Year's Eve. Cooking is all about creativity, and it turned out to be interesting. It was delicious.
The start of a long stay in Hakuba for skiing today. With last night's snowfall, Happo-One Ski Resort is almost entirely open. The roads are frozen due to low temperatures, making them very slippery for both cars and pedestrians. It's quite dangerous. The snowy mountains are more comfortable with powder snow. On the way back, taking a break at the only family restaurant in Hakuba, Gusto.
This morning, it was minus 9 degrees Celsius even in the hotel parking lot. The snowy mountains are in perfect powder snow conditions. Clear skies over the Northern Alps. Everyone was saying it's the best snow quality of the season. Days like these make it impossible to quit skiing.
Manga Café
A shop with just one master.
An oasis for those stranded without lunch.
Lunch for 600 yen, coffee included.
Nice.
1月11日:八方尾根スキー場:
動画が見れない人は、ここをクリックして下さい。
曇り後晴れ
雪質良
八方尾根スキー場の平日ゲストは、ほぼインバウンド客。
特にこのスカイラインコースは95%外国人。
英語の世界です。
Ski Resort Happo-One
Cloudy, clearing later
Excellent snow quality
On weekdays at Happo-One Ski Resort, the majority of guests are inbound visitors, with the Skyline Course being particularly popular among them, with approximately 95% being foreign nationals. It's predominantly an English-speaking environment.
A cold weather is coming. Since it's the weekend, I'm heading to Nagano City. Driving carefully on the snowy roads. The snow-covered landscape is beautiful, isn't it?
Royal Hotel
The hotel in Nagano City is here. It's a luxury hotel and you can see it from the Nagano IC. Surprisingly, they offer free welcome drinks including beer, wine, and soft drinks. There are also snacks. There's a group of ladies having a party. I made a reservation on booking.com just before summer, and the price was unbelievably low.
Peking duck
In the middle of Nagano city, you can find all kinds of food. Tried Peking duck at that Burmian. It's been a while, and it was delicious.
1月15日:八方尾根スキー場・兎平テラス:
かろうじて日本語「ラーメン」が読めるけれど、
日本人は誰も写っていない。
これが八方尾根スキー場のレストラン。
日本の人は遊ばないの?
経済回復とか政治家は言っているけれど。
気持ちが豊かな人生が好きだな。
Barely able to read the Japanese word 'ramen,' but there's no Japanese person in sight. This is a restaurant at Happo-One Ski Resort. Don't Japanese people play around? Even though they talk about economic recovery. I like a life filled with rich experiences.
1月15日:暖炉:
宿泊しているホテルの暖炉
いいよね。
我が家にも欲しい。
The fireplace at the hotel where I'm staying is nice. I'd like to have one at home too.
Clear skies over the Hakuba Three Mountains.
The weather varies every day.
Yesterday, there was a severe storm, and the upper lifts were suspended all day.
Today is calm, isn't it?
The photo is of the Kurobishi slope and me.
Frost rime.
Seen on cold, freezing early mornings.
Supercooled water vapor in the air freezes on the trees.
Needle-like ice reflects the sunlight, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.
A rare sight even in snowy regions.
News ski boots.
Last week, I happened to try on boots at a large sports store in Nagano. It's amazing how they have evolved recently. The fit is perfect, and they don't rub anywhere on my feet. Impressed, wife and I purchased two pairs online. Today, I tried skiing in them for the first time, and it wasn't painful at all. They snugly hold my feet, so hopefully, I can improve my skills.
Hotel Dinner.
A buffet dinner at a hotel with an incredibly wide variety. There's also steak and tempura. Maybe it's best to refrain from this; be cautious about overeating.
1月21日:週末は最悪コンディション:
私はスキーはお休みします。
1月22日:アイスバーン:
八方尾根スキー場は昨日の雨が凍りアイスバーン。
不整地のスカイライン尾根コースはジャガイモ、カボチャ大の氷がゴロゴロ。これが一番嫌い。
スキーの方向がメチャクチャに動いてしまう。
ということで南斜面の兎平、パノラマ、タテッコを滑り降りる。
早々にガストでランチ。
Ice surface.
Yesterday's rain at Happo-One Ski Resort has frozen into an ice surface. The Skyline Ridge Course, with its uneven terrain, is covered with giant ice patches resembling potatoes and pumpkins, making it my least favorite condition. The ski direction becomes incredibly unpredictable.
So, I decide to descend the south slopes of Usagi-daira, Panorama, and Tatteko instead. Soon after, I head to the Gusto for lunch.
ice surface
It's like a skating rink, but it's a ski resort.
Happo-One Ski Resort has an even harder ice surface than yesterday.
Bumps, steep slopes, really frightening.
A severe cold wave is coming tonight.
Lunch is at the usual manga café.
The master's cooking is meticulous.
Cold weather
In Hakuba, it has been snowing continuously for 48 hours, creating incredibly good snow conditions. However, visibility is almost nonexistent. Skiing is on hold, isn't it? The Big's nori bento for 298 yen. This is truly delicious.
The severe cold weather
Well, it often snows. Even the hotel parking lot has accumulated 40 cm of snow. Since it's powder snow, snow removal is easy. It's tough when it freezes. The forecast predicts snow on the 24th, 25th, and 26th.
Finally, the snow has stopped.
From snow to clouds, and then to clear skies in Hakuba.
It's still cold, making for the perfect snow conditions.
I'm gliding down Happo-One Ski Resort.
The Central Course for the first time this season.
Smooth skiing with glimpses of the steep moguls from the gondola.
Lunch at the usual manga café.
Generous portions, affordable, and delicious.
Iwatake Ski Resort Appreciation Festival.
The annual tradition continues with the Appreciation Festival at Iwatake Ski Resort, drawing crowds of people. I was fortunate enough to win a lottery and received a Descente backpack. Participants are treated to complimentary offerings such as sweet red-bean soup, grilled rice cakes, pork miso soup, and alcoholic beverages. Additionally, there are paid services available for those interested.
Breakfast at Nagano Hotel Royal is a remarkable experience, featuring an incredible variety of dishes. Only a small portion is captured in the photos. The idea of attracting tourists with just hot springs and cuisine is impressive. They offer Eggs Benedict, and various burgers are made on the spot. There's also a fun, interactive experience of making your own miso soup with a variety of miso flavors.
Clear skies at Happo-One Ski Resort.
Looking down the Kurobishi slope directly from Urakuro.
Across the river lies the Iwatake Ski Resort.
In the distance, the majestic Mount Myoko.
The snow-covered landscape under the brilliant sunshine is breathtaking.
Clear skies over the Northern Alps.
Urakuro at Happo-One Ski Resort is a self-responsibility zone.
Beyond the ski resort boundaries lies the challenging mountainous terrain of the Northern Alps.
It is a danger zone for avalanches.
Nevertheless, ski tracks of adventurous skiers are visible.
Nutritional replenishment after skiing.
After carving through the clear skies at Happo-One, a delicious meal is in order.
The oyster fry is particularly tasty.
The only family restaurant in Hakuba Village, Gusto.
1月30日:お弁当:
これメッチャ安くないですか。
298円。
白馬村のザ・ビッグ。
Bento.
Isn't this incredibly cheap? 298 yen.
At The Big in Hakuba Village.
Though it doesn't seem to be hoarfrost, the snow-covered landscape is beautiful. It appears that the moist snow from yesterday has adhered to the branches and frozen in the cold this morning. In any case, today is quite cold. The Happo-One Ski Resort is frozen throughout the entire mountain. It's incredibly slippery.
Skiing companions.
The friends from the season pass lounge, which has now disappeared. Throughout the season, everyone skis enthusiastically at Happo-One Ski Resort. Since there are many elderly members, we look forward to meeting each other in good health every year. Participants come from various areas in Japan, and there are also international members.
The weekend at a hotel in Nagano.
As usual, I spent the morning skiing and then headed to JAL City in the afternoon. The renovated hotel is very comfortable. Delicious beverages were provided in the room. Nice touch.
The ski resort is an ice rink.
Visibility is poor, and the snow quality is the worst.
It's unusual, such a snowy mountain.
But as long as the lift is running, I'll keep skiing.
Of course, I cherish the basic lessons at a leisurely pace.
Thanks to that, even the ice rink has become enjoyable.
For meals, I love Peking duck. It's great.
Snowfall.
In Tokyo, a heavy snow warning was issued, and there was heavy snowfall in Hakuba as well.
Just a few hours have passed, and this much snow has accumulated.
This morning, I had to shovel snow.
Luckily, the parking lot was cleared during the night, so it was easy.
Thanks to this snowfall, the ski resort has powder snow for the first time in a while.
Hmm, it's the best.
Microwaveable Noodles.
I've been into easy noodles lately.
I buy them at the supermarket and eat them in the microwave.
Much tastier than cup noodles.
This time, I got ramen and tanmen.
The udon is of a pretty high level and delicious.
Perfect for warming up a chilled body after skiing.
Cold ski resort.
The well-chilled Happo-One Ski Resort.
A world blanketed entirely in white.
The snow quality is quite good.
Still plenty of powdery, fluffy snow.
Bento lunch.
This price is unbelievable given the high cost of living.
It's from The Big in Hakuba Village.
Yesterday, due to heavy snowfall, the roads were closed, so there were no goods.
Today, things have finally returned to normal.
Powder snow.
With a winter-type atmospheric pressure pattern, even when it's sunny, it's chilly.
The mountains are covered in fluffy powder snow from the recent heavy snowfall.
Nice, like a sea of hail.
Exhausted, I descend to the town and have a late lunch at Gusto.
This stewed offal is incredibly delicious.
It's supervised by Yamaya from Kyushu, I heard.
Tempura rice bowl.
I returned home, avoiding the consecutive holidays and the Spring Festival.
Tenya's tempura rice bowl leads in price.
I think the taste has also improved.
The vegetables are delicious.
I buy fresh vegetables at the Lalant Fujioka rest area on the highway.
These vegetables are delicious, aren't they?
The pickles from Hakuba are also good.
Cooking.
I'm back home, so I can make the dishes I couldn't make at the hotel.
French bread hot dogs, tempura of kakina, and oden.
The kakina is a bit bitter, anticipating the season with tempura of taranome.
It's really delicious.
I filed my tax return today.
I successfully submitted my tax return today. Since medical expense deductions can be significant, I visit the tax office every year. I had 45 receipts from hospitals and pharmacies. Health is the most important thing, isn't it?
Ramen.
I received a coupon from an acquaintance, so I went straight to Men-Oh.
It was only 500 yen, less than half price.
It was delicious.
Thank you very much.
Has the plum blossomed, or is the cherry blossom still not here? The scent of spring is approaching. Oh no, I still want it to be the snowy winter landscape. Hahaha.
Tebani.
Nagoya specialty, 'Sanwa's Tebani'.
Received it from my skiing friends in Mikawa.
Used this sauce to try making Tebani myself.
The soup made with this broth is also delicious.
2月15日:蔵王温泉:
自宅マンションのスキー仲間からいただいた。
蔵王スキー、いいな。
Zao Onsen.
Received from my skiing buddies in the condominium.
Zao skiing sounds great.
Cooking.
Since I'm at home, I'm going all out with cooking.
Black Wagyu sukiyaki.
It's cut-offs so it's really cheap and delicious.
Mikawa eel.
Even domestically produced ones are cheap this year.
Nice.
2nd Generation Chosuke's 100% Buckwheat Soba.
Today's soba was exceptional.
The aroma was delightful. The taste, superb.
The tendon (tempura rice bowl) was amazing too.
Freshly fried. The tempura was huge.
All of this for just 1070 yen.
It was so delicious and reasonably priced, it almost felt like an apology.
Rice crackers.
I received these from an acquaintance in my apartment complex.
They're rice crackers from Koufukudou.
Very refined and delicious.
I'm delighted. I'll enjoy them on the snowy mountain.
Sushi from Uobei.
Apparently, it's the most popular takeout sushi.
It has achieved good results on TV shows like Job Tune.
Above all, it's affordable and fresh.
My favorite is the soft and tender anago. It's the best.
The steamed shrimp is also huge.
The tuna scores top points too.
There are some restaurants that only use good quality fish for TV.
Let's be careful.