Day two of the Salt Road Festival – Shionomichi Matsuri - saw Sarah from Snow Season Japan dress up in Samurai costume and make the walk from Lake Aokiko to Hakuba along the ancient Salt Road. Another fantastic day with lots of people and lots of sunshine. To see photos from the first day of the Salt Road Festival, walking through Otari village check out our blog post from yesterday.
Witnessing or taking part in one of Japan’s many traditional festival is a real highlight when visiting this ancient land and culture. During the winter season, our longstay Seasonaires get the chance to see one of Japan’s most exciting festivals as part of their experience with Snow Season Japan – the famous Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival. Check out photos of the 2011 Fire Festival on our blog… our seasonaires loved it! All our 4, 8 and 12 week trips also include a day trip to the Snow Monkey Onsen and Zenkoji Temple in Nagano city and a guided Backcountry Day Tour.
We’re currently putting the dates, details and prices together for our 2012 longstay winter season trips/courses in Hakuba, Japan. If you are interested in joining us for a winter season of deep powder and unique culture next season (whether it be for one month… or three!) please contact us now and we’ll add you to our list and send you full details once we release our 2012 trip info. Sign up now, as places are limited.
In the meantime, you can connect with us online at our Facebook page and check out all our videos from the deep 2011 winter season on the Snow Season Japan Vimeo channel. Check out those vids and you’ll see why we love winter in Japan. You simply won’t find deep and consistent powder, like we have in Japan, anywhere else in the world. Combine that with a unique and fascinating culture and Snow Season Japan’s exclusive Japanese language course – and you are in for a unique winter season experience you’ll never forget. Tomorrow is closing day for Hakuba’s ski resorts – our last chance to ride the ski lifts for the 2011 winter season!
The official crew of Salt Road walkers dressed up in old costumes, making our way through the forest, past all the photographers!
Sarah from Snow Season Japan and friend Riku Hasegawa dressed as traditional Samurai.
Our first stop on the long 13km walk. Nagano is a great place to discover Japan’s ancient culture, and in Hakuba you can find lots of shrines and temples dotted all over the village.
It’s official… Samurai only drink お茶 – green tea.
Our second stop, a beautifully decorated Shrine… and some more great traditional costumes on display.
Cherry blossoms on the trees and snow on the mountains, in May.
Samurai were there to protect the precious salt being carried along the road from the Japan Sea inland.
Salt Carriers.
We finally reached the end of the walk, where lots of people gathered and watched taiko drum performances.
Japanese food is sooooo good. An Obento lunchbox to finish off a really fun day in the Spring sunshine under the Hakuba mountains.
