Steph B knows all the best places to shred, eat and play in Japan!
Japan is the powder Mecca of the ski world. With big snowfalls, international visitors and a plethora of bars, restaurants, onsens and adventure tours, it may the destination that steals your soul, drawing you back year after year. It did for our Skimax Japan specialist, Steph B.
Steph hit up Niseko 10 years ago, she has been back a whopping 6 times since and visited the likes of Hakuba, Rusutsu, Furano, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen, Shiga Kogen, Madarao, Appi Kogen.
- How long have you worked at Skimax?
3 years
- Skier or Snowboarder & how many years?
I've been skiing for about 20 years.
- Favourite Ski Destination?
Myoko Kogen hands down. The Myoko Kogen ski area is ideal for powder hounds,Myoko Kogen is also great for those looking for a bit of a Japanese cultural experience. It is a far cry from one of those glitzy bubble era resorts or the highly westernised “Japanese” ski resorts.
- What do you love about Myoko Kogen the most?
The incredible amount of snow it can get there, in the 2014-15 season Myoko Kogen notched up over 16 metres of snowfall! Plus there are plenty of options to get off-piste and explore. Powder hounds can easily also visit nearby ski areas such as Madaro and Lotte Arai to score more pow.
- Best place for coffee?
Full Circle Café Myoko Kogen. Cafe by day and wine and whiskey bar by night, the interior is more Sydney than Japanese but the coffee aroma and the freshly baked goodies are a winner.
- Best place for apres?
Shaggy Yak Madarao!! You're welcome.
In Hakuba my pics are Jack’s Bar and The Rabbit Hole. For something more Japanese, I love Mockingbird in Echoland or Hakubar in Happo.
- Best village dining and favourite dish?
The restaurant upstairs at Onsen Ryokan Jon Nobi in Nozawa Onsen, amazing traditional Japanese Hot Pot!
- Special occasion dinner spot?
Mimi’s Restaurant in the Phoenix Hotel in Hakuba, amazing fine dining (but oh boy, it has a price tag!)
- What should visitors not leave your resort without doing?
Checking out the Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park.
- What item should visitors take back with them?
Green Tea Flavoured Kit Kats!
- Any other tips to making the most of your stay in this resort?
Be sure to ski nearby Suginohara and Seki Onsen
