The Cheapest Deal to Tazawako Ski Area from Tokyo!

If you are in Tokyo and want to get a few days away for a ski trip, come to Tazawako! Here is a surprisingly great deal to Tazawako Ski Area departing from Tokyo area.

The price per person starts from 33,500 – 38,100 yen and it includs the round trip Komachi super-express (shinkansen bullet train), hotel accommodation with meals, and 3 All-Day ski ticket at Tazawako Ski Area!

It’s HARD TO BELIEVE – Regularly, a round trip to Tazawako via JR Shinkansen cost more than 30,000 and plus two nights at a hotel with 4 satisfying meals, and 3 All Day Tickets (3,800 yen worth)! Hit your calculator … It’s simply the cheapest deal you can get!

Please inquire at JR View Plaza for more information. You get to choose your hotel from Highland Hotel Sanso, Komagatake Kanko Hotel, Plaza Hotel Sanrokuso, Hotel Tazawa, Tazawako Sports Center. With an option, you can add ski rental with discounts – ski or snowboard set for 2,000 yen (regularly 3,500 yen). Your price will vary depending on your plan.

The deal is available until March 29th! So please hurry!

Tazawako Ski Area Pamphlet 2011-12


 

2012 Tazawako Kogen Snow Festival [Highlight]

The 2012 Tazawako Kogen Snow Festival took place over the weekend, February 17 – 19 at Tazawako Ski Area. Despite the uneasy weather, many people visited from far cities and enjoyed the last snow festival in Semboku City!

Let’s remember this year’s event in the photos. The followings are the highlights of each day:

Friday, February 17th

At 17:00 – The festival was started with a memorable ceremony. This year was the first held after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. To remind us of such memorable occurrence that united us all in Tohoku, a number of candles were lit in a shape of Tohoku.



Candle Lanterns in shape of Tohoku and a word of Kizuna ("Solidarity")

 

The center circle is our Lake Tazawa!

 

Hand-made with recycled cans with wishes of local residents and Miyagi students.



"Tohoku Recovery", "World Peace"





Each lantern was hand-made with recycled aluminum can by the hands of local people and Tohoku Gakuin Junior High School students from Miyagi Prefecture. They embedded special messages, especially related to the Tohoku area’s recovery and reconstruction. The Junior High School Students, later, released their kamifusen balloons with their wishes written to reaching for the sky. 

We couldn’t help but felt personal as a member of the Tohoku community!

At 18:00 – At the stage, the lighting ceremony was held, at which the snow sculptors were awarded. Also, free sake and amasake were given to the guests to commemorate the annual event.



These snowmen will be shown for 2 months on
NHK Educational Channel's popular program, Nihongo-de-Asobo! 

The first place was a team of local green tourism organization, Fureai Kyogikai.

The illuminated snow castle looked just like out of a fantasy world! Very beautiful!

From 18:00 to 21:00 – Food tents were open with lots of warm and delicious foods. These tents were open through the 3-day event.

 



Many different types of foods:
Bear soup, Stone-baked Sweet Potatoes, Spiral-shaped fried potatoes,
broiled Japanese char, Akita's signature Kiritanpo,
"Tornado sausages", Takoyaki, Yakitori, Spicy ramen noodle soup, and lottery for prizes!

Saturday, February 18th

At 13:00 – Treasure Hunt in the Snow was held for the daytime attraction! The rule was pretty simple: You choose a rope and pull when it is cued. Your treasure ranged from a pair hotel ticket, a buffet ticket, bathing powder packets, candies, and beers (lucky if you are an adult)! Not only the children but also adults participated in the game and had a great time!

The golden kunimasu fish is the first prize -- a pair hotel ticket at Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo

 

Meanwhile, near the food tents, Tazawako Ski School gave a surprise mochi-pounding activity! Steamed sweet rice was pounded with traditional wooden mallet and mortar. This practice has been less commonly seen in Japan, so that many people gathered to catch a glimpse and participate in the pounding! After that, the delicious (really, mouthwatering just to think of it.) fresh mochi cakes were served in three different styles: kinako (soy bean powder), anko (red bean paste), and in a soup.

Mochi-Pounding was demonstrated.

Very soft and delicious -- Mochi with kinako (top), in soup (left) and anko (right).

At 18:00 – The evening ceremony started with a performance of Tazawako Ryujin Taiko.

Tazawako Ryujin Daiko Performance

Shortly after, the Tohoku-shaped lanterns were lit as the previous night, and sake and amazake were given to the guests. Meanwhile, Two of the traditional snow festivals in Semboku City were demonstrated. This was a rare opportunity for the visitors to see and participate in the mini-version of the traditional festivals held at different locations and days.

Kakundate Town's Hiburikamakura

Nishiki's Kamifusen


At 19:30 – Hinowa-kuguri (fire ring performance) were held by professional demonstrators and thrilled the audience.

Hinowa-Kuguri (Fire-Ring) Demonstration

Another trademark attraction of the festival is Taimatsu-kasso, a march of skiers with torches in hands, was held on the steepest Kuromori slope. This year was especially meaningful – instead of simply coming down the slope, the torches prepared in the shape of a kanji character was lit one by one. In a minute, the fire revealed a symbolic word of the past year – kizuna, meaning “solidarity,” that was used by many in hopes of Japan’s recovery.

Kizuna means Solidarity

At 20:10 – Fireworks show in the snow is the trademark of Tazawako Kogen Snow Festival. This has been what many people visit there for: Colors of fireworks are even brighter in the crisp, freezing air. The fireworks are crafted by an award-winning company in Omagari City.

Fireworks in the snow!

Sunday, February 19th

Although Day 3 is almost half-day, there were two main attractions held for family visitors.

Around noon, a rare sight of all 9 different local characters all together was on stage.  The 9 characters came from areas around Semboku City. From left, the Omotenashi 3 Brothers (Fukainda, Iyasunda, Nukuinda), Nairikkun, O-Umechan, Tsutsudon (from Daisen City), Takkochan, Donpan-Jiccha, and Sugicchi.

At 13:00 -- Treasure hunt in the snow took place as the previous day, in which many adults participated and found some treasures! Later, at 14:00, there was a stage performance of Chojin Neiga, which welcomed many kids and alike to the site. Their humorous plot entertained us all – as usual!

Tazawako Kogen Snow Festival takes place annually in late February!

This signals the end of snow festivals in Semboku City.

What’s coming next? – Spring!

“Kamakura de Nabe-Lunch” at Tazawako Ski Area

Where the best ski area in Japan with the best food service? You got it: Tazawako Ski Area!

The restaurant at Tazawako Ski Area has been rated as the highest for its wide variety of delicious meals available under 1,000Yen. The area offers you many unique activities in which you can have an unforgettable time.

Kamakura de Nabe-Lunch is plan in which you can enjoy a lunch of Akita’s traditional nabe (hot pot), Kiritanpo-nabe or Yamanoimo-nabe, inside an igloo known as Kamakura.

The lunch also includes some rice, pickled vegetables, and 2 drinks. It is available from 2 people for 3,000Yen and 1,500Yen for an additional person. The hours are 11:00 – 11:50, 12:00-12:50, and 13:00 – 13:50.

Call Tazawako Ski Area (TEL 0187-46-2011) one day before.

Come to Tazawako Plateau Snow Festival on Feb 17-19 !!!

DETAILS IN ENGLISH IS DOWN BELOW.

Tazawako Plateau Snow Festival is an annual event held at Tazawako Ski Area. The 3-days event welcomes approximately 20,000 visitors every year. The festival is known for the beautiful fireworks, snow statues, and a demonstration of local traditional snow festivals!

During the day, the Neiga Show, a stage performance by Akita’s popular superhero group, is scheduled as expected, as well as Treasure Hunt in the Snow, a new game that will replace the Kecchizori Contest, a butt-sliding contest, of the previous years!

Unfortunately, we do not have Kecchizori Contest this year, for the committee’s decision to carry it out every two years. But the Treasure Hunt will be full of surprises – We promise you a memorable time for both children and adults.

At night there will be a free sake and amazake (non-alcoholic unfiltered sake). The snow statues will be illuminated and there will be a memorial illumination with about 20,000 candle lanterns made of recycled cans – like this one.

The tentative schedule is announced as follows:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17.

17:00 – 21:00 Recycled Can Candle Lanterns Lighted.

18:00 – 21:00 Illumination Ceremony

                       Sake and Amazake Service

                       Snow Statue Contest Awarding Ceremony

18:00 – 21:00 Food Tents Available

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18.

10:00 – 21:00 Food Tent

13:00 – 14:00 Treasure Hunt in the Snow

17:00 – 21:00 Roadside candles lighted.

17:30 --         Illumination Ceremony, Sake and Amazake Service

18:00 – 18:30 Hiburi Kamakura Demonstration

18:45 – 19:30 Kamifusen-Age Demonstration

19:30 – 20:00 Torch March and Fire Ring Performance by the ski instructors

20:10 – 20:30 Firework Show

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19.

10:00 – 15:00 Food Tents Available

13:00 –14:00 Treasure Hunt in the Snow

14:00 –15:00 the Neiga Show

*The schedule may change without a notice due to the weather condition.

MORE INFO: Tazawako Tourist Information Center FOLAKE 0187-43-2111

Find Pyong-Chan, The Mascot Character of Tazawako Ski Area!

Tazawako Ski Area has been welcoming many visitors with a new staff - A mascot character named Pyong-Chan （ぴょんちゃん）!

Pyong-Chan has first appeared in the 2011-12 pamphlet and the poster. He or She - we don't know - is named "Pyong-Chan" after the Korean city, Pyoeongchang, where the 2018 Winer Olympic Games will be held. Tazawako Ski Area is celebrating that our Korean neighborhood will be hosting such an honorable event! Therefore, this is their way of expressing support for the successful games!





Pyong-Chan, the rabbit character, has been spotted at Tazawako Ski Area. Many people have seen it skiing very skillfully and tweeted with photos and comments like "Pyong-Chan is cute. Wow, he is a great skiier!"

Tazawako Ski Area has been promoting the character in a campaign! It is called "Wanted: Find Pyong-Chan!", in which you send a photo of you with Pyong-Chan to a designated e-mail address and enter the drawing for an all-day ticket, a 1,000Yen free lunch ticket, or a drink ticket!

The drawing will be held once during the following periods: December to January, February, March to April. The winners will be annoucned at Ski Center and will receive the prize at the Ticketing Counter (Information Center). - See the facility map.

*The prizes won on the drawing between March-April will be valid next season, 2012-13.

*Photos must be sent to oec@tazawako-ski.com.

Another fun event with Pyong-Chan: A game (hide-and-seek with Pyong-Chan) will be held on the Children's Day (January 22, February 19, March 18) at the Chibikko-Hiroba (Children's Play Area). Also, tickets for children (elementary to senior high school) will be half-priced on those days.

FREE Ski Tickets for All 19 Years-Olds Throughout the Season 2011-12 ! (And Free for 20 yrs-olds on Jan 15)

Are you 19 years old? Planning a ski trip? You may be eligible for this Free for 19 campaign at Tazawako Ski Area!

Tazawako Ski Area is among the 6 ski areas in Akita Prefecture that give you a great deal. Lifts are free for all those who are 19 years-old according to the Japanese academic calendar –that is those who were born between April 2, 1992 and April 1, 1993.

All you have to do is to show your valid photo ID at the ticketing counter and get an all-day ticket. This deal is all throughout the season 2011-12 and available as many times as you come!

This campaign is called Akita de Snow 19 and it is to commemorate th 100th year since ski was introduced to Japan. Other ski areas in Akita are Akita Hachimantai, Daisen-shiei Kyowa, Ani, Chokai Kogen Yashima, and Junesu Kurikoma. As a part of this campaign, the tickets are free for the 20 years-olds on Coming-of-Age day, January 15.  

To see Tazawako Ski Area Pamphlet,

Click HERE.



New Items Tasted at Tazawako Ski Area's Pre-Season Menu Evaluation! Delicious!!!

Tazawako Ski Area is known for the panoramic view of Lake Tazawa, the excellent snow condition, and perhaps the restaurant with great quality food for low prices!

Yesterday, Tazawako Ski Area staffs including the ski instructors gathered at a tasting evaluation of the new items on the menu. Each year, the restaurant comes up with unique noodle soups and curry dishes and alike, and they are thoroughly checked by all the staffs and company president before finally becoming available in the restaurant when the season begins.

The staffs seriously enjoyed and reviewed the new itesms on the menu!

This is probably the reason why Tazawako Ski Area is rated as one of which has in-site restaurants under the price of 1000Yen! Even some non-skiers come to this place only for the great quality food.

Here are some delicious dishes that were tasted yesterday! Each of them were rated individually and advised for the further improvement.

What do you like having at a ski area? Many people prefer curry and rice! So here are some of the curry-rice plate as well as a rice bowl dish tried at this event.

Ainori Curry (Carpool Curry), Hamburg Curry, Yaki-Curry (Grilled Curry), and Sanzoku-buta-don (Bandit’s Pork Bowl)

The next is the noodle soup category - it could be everyone’s favorite! They are known for the variety of unique ramen noodles at Tazawako Ski Area. Also available are udon and soba soups.

Udon/Soba Noodles (Top from Left): Ebi-ten (Shrimp Tempura) Nabeyaki Udon, Buta-Nira-Tsumire (Pork-Leek Meatball) Udon, Kitsune (Fried Tofu) Udon, and Tonkatsu (Pork-Cutlet) Nabeyaki Udon.

Ramen Noodles: Tonkatsu-Tonkotsu (Pork-Cutlet and Pork bone Broth) Ramen, Curry Ramen, Yasai-Bijin Tantan-men (Vegetable Beauty Spicy Noodle Soup), and HOT Shoga (Ginger) Ramen.

Also, as a side dish, Komeko (Rice Flour) Pizza was reviewed here. The dough is chewy like mochi and had some mixed vegetables on the top. Pretty good!

All of the items are already satisfactory! Whether or not all the items will be available in the restaurant, but we sure hope they all will! Make sure you come and try them!

Tazawako Ski Area will be open on this weekend, December 16th! See the pamphlet here!

Tazawako Ski Area 2011-12 : Ski & Snow Board Rental / Nursery

Tazawako Ski Area has a most convenient equipment rental service. You can rent them at the Rental Counter at 1st floor of Ski Center building. The detailed information is listed below:

1. 1st Floor, Ski Center Rera

Carving Ski, Snowboard, Fan Ski, (A Set)

3 Hours : 2,100 Yen (Adult) / 1,200 Yen (Child)

5 Hours : 2,800 Yen (Adult) / 1,600 Yen (Child)

All Day : 3,500 Yen (Adult) / 2,000 Yen (Child)

* The set is available for discounted price on the second day (2,500 Yen)

* Telemark Ski Set is 3,000 Yen / Day.

2. Snow Scoot

2 Hours : 1,500 Yen

All Day : 3,000 Yen

3. Skiwear Set (Suit, Hat, Gloves, Goggle)

3 Hours : 2,100 Yen (Adult) / 1,200 Yen (Child)

5 Hours : 2,800 Yen (Adult) / 1,600 Yen (Child)

All Day : 3,500 Yen (Adult) / 2,000 Yen (Child)

*The set is available for discount price on the second day (2,500 Yen).

4. Full Set (Includes Skiwear Set and the Board Set (1)

3 Hours: 4,200 Yen (Adult) / 2,400 Yen (Child)

5 Hours:4,800 Yen (Adult) / 2.800 Yen (Child)

All Day: 6,000 Yen (Adult) / 3,500 Yen (Child)

5. Snow Shoes: 3 Hours for 1,000 Yen
    Snow Sled : 3 hours for 800 Yen


*All Day rental must be returned at the time when the lift operation ends. (9:00 – 16:00)
*Valid ID is required.



6. 2012 Model – Expert Equipment Rental

Business open until Sunday, April 1.

Carving Ski (Exchangeable):

All Day : 3,500 Yen

5 Hours: 3,000 Yen

3 Hours : 2,500 Yen

1 Hour : 1,000 Yen

White Wax : 1,000 and plus

*All Day rental is available until the end of lift operation. The regular operation hours are 9:00 – 16:00.

7. Kids Room (Nursery)

Reservation Required. Located at 1st Floor of Ski Center Rela

3 Hours : 2,000 Yen

5 Hours: 3,000 Yen

All Day : 3,500 Yen

*Open Until Sunday, April 1st

*Open from 9:00 – 12:30, 13:30 – 16:30

*Age Between 2 -6 Year Old

*Inquire at TEL 0187-46-2011

Tazawako Ski Area 2011-12 : Ski Center Facility Map (Restaurant / Rental / Tickets)

The Ski Center at Tazawako Ski Area is the main building with restaurant, rental service, ticketing center. Here is a facility map from the new pamphlet.

The Map Legend:

1. Lift Ticket Counter

2. Restaurant

3. Coffee Area

4. Rest Rooms

5. Equipment Rental

6. Ski School (Ski & Snowboard)

7. Kids Room

8. Changing Rooms

9. Guest Rooms (A & B)

2 large rooms are available for groups. Reservation is required.

1 Room for Half Day : 3,000Yen

1 Room for All Day : 5,000Yen

10. Delivery Service:

You pick up your luggage here. Please send it to the following direction:

Ski Center Rera, Tazawako Ski Area

73-2 Shimotakano, Obonai, Tazawako, Semboku-Shi, Akita-ken 014-1201

TEL: 0187-46-2011

Tazawako Ski Area 2011-12 : Package Plans (Hotel +Ski)

This Package Plan is a great deal for a group of more than 2 or 3 people. You can choose a plan from two different prices that include a hotel with two meals and a One-Day lift ticket. Each plan has a list of hotels from which you can choose from.

Plan A: 10,500Yen Per Person

Plan B: 8,400Yen Per Person

*Bathing Tax is not included.

Additional 1,000Yen will be charged per person, when the room is used by only two people and when you arrive on Saturdays, a day before national holidays, or during the New Year holidays (December 27th – January 3rd).

The hotels in each plan are listed below:

 

Plan A: 10,500Yen Per Person

Kyukamura Nyuto Onsenkyo

Komagatake Kanko Hotel

Plaza Hotel Sanrokuso

Highland Hotel Sanrokuso

TUFS Tazawako Onsen Lodge

Tazawa Plateau Hotel

Lodge Iris

Motoyu Mizusawa Sanso

Pension Climber

Komagatake Onsen

Minshuku Marukomaso

Donguri Sanso

Log House no Yado Sen’nin

Lodge Yoderu

Lodge Yama no Uta

Hutte Birke

Hutte Ryojinboku

Pension Shiroihoshi

Aoni Sanso

Hotel Koshintei

Pension Magobei

 

Plan B: 8,400Yen Per Person

Minshuku Room

Minshuku Midori-so

Tazawako Sports Center

Pension Sounds Good!

Kokumin Shukusha Tazawako Lodge

Minshuku Jinkichi

For More Information:

Contact FOLAKE Tazawako Tourist Information Center (at JR Tazawako Station)

TEL 0187-43-2111 / folake@tazawako.org

Tazawako Ski Area 2011-12 Season (Schedule / Hours / Tickets)

Tazawako Ski Area's 2011-12 Pamphlet is finally out!  

(Click for the whole pamphlet in Japanese.)

Here is some information on the season schedule, opening hours, and lift tickets prices.

Season Schedule:

Tazawako Ski Area will open the 2011 season on Friday, December 16th. They are scheduled to remain open until Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, while it opens every day until Sunday April 8th and opens on the following Saturdays and Sundays until it closes on April 22nd.

Lift Operation Hours:

Until Sunday, April 1st, 2012:

Ginrei Quad Lift --- 9:00 to16:30.

Ginrei Dai-3 Lift --- 9:30 to 16:00

Other Lift --- 9:00 to 16:00

Kuromori-yama Lift --- 9:00 to 10:30 only on Weekdays

From Monday, April 2nd, 2012:

Kamoshika Quad Lift --- 7:00 to14:30

Ginrei Dai-3 Lift ---7:30 to 14:00

Ginrei Dai-1 Lift --- 7:00 to 14:00

*All the hours and dates are tentative and may change without a notice due to the climate condition.

Lift Tickets and Prices:

During the High Season (December 23 – March 25)

Fukko (Restoration) Charity 3 Hours Ticket (includes 1,000Yen worth lunch):

3,200Yen (Adult) / 2,100 Yen (Junior and Senior High School) / 2,300 Yen (Older than 60)

Fukko Charity 3-Hours Ticket:

21,500Yen (Adult)/ 13, 500Yen (Junior and Senior High) / 15,500Yen (Older than 60)

6 Hours Ticket (Includes 1,000Yen worth lunch):

4,000Yen(Adult) / 2,900Yen (Middle and Senior High) / 3,100 Yen (Older than 60)

During the Early Season (December 16 – December 22)

Fukko Charity 3-Hours Ticket (includes 1,000Yen Worth Lunch):

2,300Yen (Adult) / 1,700Yen (Junior and Senior High School) / 1,900 Yen (Older than 60)

6 Hours Ticket (Includes 1,000Yen Worth Lunch):

3,000Yen (Adult) / 2,400Yen (Junior and Senior High School) / 2,600 Yen (Older than 60)

*Other tickets (5 hours, all-day, 1 ride, 11 rides, and a Season Pass) are available at different rates.

For Elementary School Pupils:

Get All-Day Ticket (1,000Yen), 1 Ride (220Yen), or 11 Rides (2,200Yen)

For Children Before Elementary School :

FREE -- please get a child ticket at the ticketing counter.

NOTE:

*If you a purchase of 6-Hours Ticket and decides to retire before the expiration, you can exchange your remaining hours (Minimum is 1 hour; Maximum is 3 hours) for hourly tickets. If you save more than 5 hourly tickets, you can change it for a 5-hours ticket or 6-hours ticket with an additional purchase of a 1,000Yen Lunch coupon.

*A ride on Quad Lift requires TWO 1-ride tickets.

*Night Ski is not available in this season, due to the energy conservation.

Tazawako Ski Area's 2011- 12 Season Pamphlet is Out!

Tazawako Ski Area’s new 2011 - 2012 season pamphlet is out! In the past few years, both their poster and pamphlet feature a beautiful photograph by Neil Hartmann. In the previous years, children and ski were the main theme; however, this year a rabbit and snowboarder are the main feature - a little change!

(Click the images to see them bigger.)

As of now, the pamphlet is available only in Japanese. We will break it down for you in the following posts.

1. Season Schedule / Opening Hours / Lift Tickets and Prices

2. Access

3. Ski Center Map

4. Ski and Snowboard Rental Service

5. HOT NEWS (Discounts, Deals, and Acitivities)

6. Package Plans

Ski/Snowboard + Hotel (with Onsen) for the Lowest Price!

Tazawako Ski Area has just introduced a ski/snowboard plus hotel package for an breaking price!

“Otona-no-Winter Package” @Tazawako Sports Center

For group guests of more than 5 people.

Not available on Saturdays and a day before holidays

PRICE: Starting from 8,260 yen (depends on your plan)

Ski and Snowboard Plus Accommodation

 at Tazawako Sports Center

( Incl. Meals and two 5-hours tickets for the first and second days or one all-day ticket)

*Rentals is optional.

Available from January 11th to March 31st