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Home , Asian Games, Nagano (city), Winter sports, Yamagata Prefecture

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WINTER SPORTS

Seasonal recreation enjoyed by millions

Niseko Annupuri (Photo courtesy of Niseko Resort Tourist Association)

Introduction

The popularity of in Japan is As the Siberian air mass approaches substantiated by the country’s distinction of Japan, it picks up moisture from the Sea of being the first Asian country to host the Japan. As a result, regions facing the Asian Winter Olympics (1972). Further proof can be often receive heavy snowfall. Joetsu found in its role as host to both the first and City in Prefecture recorded 232 second Winter (1986 and 1990). centimeters of in one day during 1986— To these, of course, the 1998 Winter enough to bury a one-story building. This Olympics in can now be added. presents a startling contrast with the Pacific Japan’s climate, above all, permits a Ocean side of the archipelago, which tends to thriving winter sports season. Winters are be quite dry and receives much less snow governed by the coldest air mass in the world, during the winter. the Siberian air mass. Many areas of Japan experience relatively cold temperatures and significant snowfall, making them ideal destinations for winter sports enthusiasts.

1 WINTER SPORTS Skier (Photo courtesy of AFLO)

Another factor that enhances the winter s sports environment is that four-fifths of Japan’s land area is composed of mountains. The Japan Alps —a range that is divided into Northern, Central, and Southern sectors— runs down the central part of , the largest of the four Japanese islands. Many peaks in the Japan Alps are over 2,500 meters high and are covered with snow events, including the team , speed during the winter. Since these areas can be skating, and freestyle . reached easily by the rail and highway network from the three major population centers in Kanto, Chubu, and Kinki (with Resorts and Other , , and , respectively, at Facilities their centers), it is natural that these areas are among the most popular for winter sports. A Most of the major winter sports areas on the skier, for example, can board a Joetsu island of Honshu are easily accessible by (bullet train) on a brisk and sunny railway and are outfitted with chairlifts and day in Tokyo, and in just over one hour be at night illumination. A large number of ski a resort in or Nagano grounds are located along the Joetsu line, Prefecture where there are two to four meters which terminates in Tokyo. These include of snow. Depending on the region and Tsuchitaru, Nakazato, Iwappara, Yuzawa, prevailing weather conditions, it is usually Ishiuchi, Shiozawa, Urasa, Koide, and Ojiya. possible to ski from December through the Sugadaira Ski Grounds is a ski resort beginning of April. located along the Shinetsu line, between Mt. Zao Ski Resort Azumaya and Mt. Neko. This ski resort in the hot Zao, a resort on the border of Miyagi and spring town of Zao in Sports Competition Yamagata prefectures, has the reputation of Yamagata prefecture is being the largest and best equipped ski area the largest in northern Honshu, and is popular in the Tohoku region. It is also famous for its with skiers throughout Participation in a variety of international “snow monsters,” -covered pine trees that the winter. (Photo competitive events has raised interest and make for stunning winter scenery. courtesy of Zao Hot helped to improve athletes’ techniques. The ’s northern latitudes permit Springs Tourist first international winter tournament to be held skiing from early December to late April. Most Association) in Japan after World War II was the World of the ski grounds provide a variety of slopes Men’s Tournament. Japan has that offer not only challenges to experts, but been an eager participant in the Winter safe skiing for beginners. Many of these ski Olympics since the second games, held at St. facilities are located close to Hokkaido’s Moritz, , in 1928. With the major cities. exception of in 1948, Japanese teams Skating can be enjoyed at many lakes have taken part in all subsequent Winter and outdoor rinks, and also in some urban Olympic ski Games. areas. Hakone, a recreational area near jumping track at The Eleventh Winter in Mount Fuji, offers good skating facilities. It the Ski February 1972, held in , Hokkaido, can easily be reached from Tokyo by train in resort attracted 1,006 athletes from 35 countries and less than two hours. One of Japan's marked the first time a Japanese earned a largest ski resort gold medal, in the 70-meter ski jump event. areas is the Hakuba In February 1998 the Eighteenth Winter Catering to Modern Valley, in Nagano's Olympic Games were held in Nagano, the Northern Alps. Lifestyles Hakuba hosted second Winter Olympics to be hosted by many events during Japan. More than 2,176 athletes from 72 A winter vacation at a Japanese resort area the Nagano Winter countries and regions participated in these means more than just sports. Like so many Olympics. games. The Japanese team captured the gold other aspects of modern-day living, the pace medal in 5

2 WINTER SPORTS Skating rink (Photo courtesy of Photo Kishimoto)

of recreation in Japan has accelerated and the ways in which people enjoy winter sports have changed. Previously, this would have involved staying in a ryokan (Japanese inn), or family-run bed-and-breakfast, and enjoying pleasures such as hot springs, the beautiful landscape, and of course skiing. Recently, however, there has been a surge in the number of ski resorts that have large hotels As they have changed to better suit modern offering a wide range of facilities, and now lifestyles, in recent years ski resorts have there are a great many more things to do than seen a huge rise in the number of customers just ski. They feature a variety of restaurants from abroad as well as those from Japan. including those with Japanese, Chinese and Hokkaido, which is known as the biggest European cuisines, golf courses, shopping winter resort area in Japan, saw 2.2 million malls and beauty spas… these days, winter visitors in 2018, a 17.8 percent increase from resorts offer much more than sports. The 2017 and up from about 800.000 visitors in availability of domestic package tours that 2013. include transportation, hotel, meals, ski lift tickets, and so on, has made the business aspect of winter sports much more competitive. To kindle consumer interest, resorts have responded by promoting discount packages and offering new styles of skiing, such as freestyle and . The popularity of has grown so rapidly that nearly all ski areas in Japan now permit . This has required the adoption of additional safety measures.

Speed skating (Photo courtesy of Photo Kishimoto)

3 WINTER SPORTS