Skiing in Japan: Best ski and snowboarding resorts

Japan has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and holds the world record for the deepest ever snow cover, so it’s no wonder that snowboarding and skiing holidays in Japan are only growing in popularity. There are hundreds of high quality resorts on both Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido for foreign thrillseekers to explore.

Japan is famed for its large amounts of quality dry powder snow. Many resorts average 10-18 meters of annual snowfall, and four or five days of fresh powder snow a week during the ski season. There are also a ton of exceptionally well-maintained routes, as grooming is heavily practiced on Japan’s pistes.

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Top 10 restaurants in Japanese train stations

Traveling can be a hungry endeavor. If you are like many travelers, sampling unique and different foods is an integral part of the journey.

Whether you are looking to grab a quick snack during a train transfer, pass the time as you await your departure, or indulge in traditional or gourmet cuisine, Japan’s train stations offer something for every taste. Extended hours and shorter wait times mean you can count on something to eat almost any time of day, whether you are starting your travels early on returning after a long day of sightseeing. Book your Japan Rail Pass today, and send your taste buds on the journey of a lifetime.

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Japanese fireworks: The best 8 hanabi festivals to visit

Fireworks are a huge deal in Japan and during the summer there are Japanese fireworks festivals practically every weekend. In Japan, they are called Hanabi festivals (Hanabi meaning fireworks).

Practically all the major Japanese firework shows take place in July, August, and September. The annual extravaganza is a long-standing tradition that is very popular with locals.

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Niigata Travel Guide: Access and what to do

Niigata Prefecture is well known for its quality rice, summer fireworks, winter skiing, and year-round onsen. The prefecture’s capital, Niigata City, represents the largest port on the Chubu Region’s Japan Sea coast and is home to more than 800 thousand people.

One of Niigata’s most famous landmarks is the six arches of the Bandai Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1929, is illuminated at night, and supports 20,000 dancers during the annual daiminyonagashi, or Folk Dancing Parade. However, the bridge represents just one of the many appealing attractions that Niigata has to offer.

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