Category
Niigata
ChubuNiigata
Just a little over an hour away from Tokyo is Niigata, home to world-class sake and cuisine, authentic hot spring towns, ocean sunsets, thrilling alpine hikes and of course, powder snow.
Sea Kayaking
Freedom in Exile
There is an upside to a recession, I thought to myself. My head down, arms paddling too hard against wind and waves to worry abou...
Winter
Off the Main Trail
Smaller and lesser known resorts in Japan pack a big powder punch if you know where to go. Some of the most uncrowded runs, de...
The Local Brew
Echigo Beer
Where Craft Beer in Japan First Began The new brewpub for Echigo Beer was quite a sight when it opened in December...
Backcountry Skiing
Myoko Backcountry Ski School
Myoko Backcountry Ski School (MBSS) began with a bunch of locals who simply liked going into the mountains. It is now in its 22nd...
Craft Beer
Myoko Kogen Beer
There are so many local breweries in Japan with the name “kogen” (mountain heights) in them (off hand, I can think of at least si...
Myoko Kogen
My Myoko
‘It’s the snow, stupid.’ Just ask the Baron. When people (usually the snow-addled locals) ask, “Why do you live in Myoko?” I ofte...
Niigata
Ponshukan Sake Museum
Sake (or Nihonshu) can be as involved and varied a subject as wine. Both have their experts, aficionados and divided opinions...
Stay
The Hawk and Hare Inn
Michael Perrin spent his childhood trekking the holly-and-spruce-filled ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. A native of Atla...