japan SNOW YOGA RETREAT IN S N O W. Y O G A. R E L A X. R E P E A T. 7 - D AY RETREAT ADVENTURE 28 JAN - 03 FEB 2018
yoga INSTRUCTOR CATHY GAMBA WHY JAPAN? Japan is known for some of the best powder skiing in the world. The Japan snow is world renowned and most of the Japan ski resorts get dumped with an average of 10 metres of snow per season! If you are a bit of a powder hound or wanna-be powderhound, skiing in Japan should absolutely be up there on your bucket list. When you go on a Japan ski holiday, you also have the chance to immerse yourself in the wonderfully interesting Japanese culture. On top of all of this, Japan is close to NZ, people are friendly and hospitable and the food is absolutely fabulous. LET IT SNOW... Rene Kelly from Snow Culture Tours has found us some amazing skiing and snowboarding spots. He s been leading tours to Japan for the last 15 years so we re in experienced and capable hands. For those who are keen to hit the slopes, Japan is an excellent spot for powder. DO YOGA & SNOWBOARDING REALLY MIX? For sure! Most yoga practitioners have other areas of interest and tend to be physically active. I love the idea of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, spending time outdoors and mixing an amazing experience with yoga and mindfulness. And what better way but to relax in the Onsens (Japanese hot springs) after a hard day of skiing or snowboarding? Our Yin yoga practice in the evenings after dinner will be wonderful to release any areas of physical tension. A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE IN JAPAN FOR YOGA AND WINTER SPORTS LOVERS. japan
location DAY 1, 2 & 3 MYOKO KOGEN Famed for its access to the slopes, Myōkō Kōgen is home to one of the oldest ski locations in the world with nine top mountain resorts. We will have the option to visit either Arai, Akakura Kanko or Seki Onsen ski areas. Seki, while small, has good tree skiing and catches lots of snow, great atmosphere and friendly staff. Akakura Kanko has lots of long groomed runs and a nice little section of tree skiing at the top. And Arai is a big place reopening after a long hiatus. WHERE WE LL STAY HOTEL IWATOYA This charming ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is situated high up a remote valley in Tsubame Onsen, away from the rest of Myoko. It s a familyrun, quirky guesthouse that delivers a typical Japanese experience. DAY 4, 5 & 6 NOZAWA ONSEN Located in the prefecture of Nagano, Nozawa Onsen is a large ski resort that spans across 3 main areas. Covering 297 hectares, the southern part of the resort was used for biathlon competitions at the 1998 Winter Olympics. WHERE WE LL STAY NOWAZA ONSEN MINSHUKU This family-run minshuku (Japanese B&B) has an excellent atmosphere for visiting guests and perhaps the best food in the village...if not the prefecture! You will be very warm and comfortable here with sleeping on tatami & futons. After checking out the powder slopes all day, relax in the nearby hot springs, not far from the guesthouse. location Bedrooms come with tatami & futons with private toilets in each room. It has a great outdoor onsen for soaking after a hard day on the slopes! Both breakfast and dinner (delicious traditional Japanese meals) are provided for all 3 nights.
EXPLORE japan ITINERARY 28 JAN - 03 FEB 2018 DAY 1 Meet at Joetsu-Myoko where our guide will meet us. Collect ski rental gear before making our way to our hotel to settle in for a pre-dinner onsen, dinner and then Yin Yoga session. DAY 2 Ski/snowboard at Seki Onsen, Akakura Kanko or Arai ski area. Dinner at hotel. head WHERE WE LL DAY 3 Ski/snowboard at Seki Onsen, Akakura Kanko or Arai ski area. Dinner at hotel. TOKYO DAY 4 Ski/snowboard at Seki Onsen, Akakura Kanko or Madarao ski area then on to Nozawa Onsen. Check in and enjoy dinner at our hotel. DAY 5 Ski/snowboard at Nozawa Onsen. We ll have dinner out in town either as a group or do your own thing. DAY 6 Ski/snowboard at Nozawa Onsen. Dinner at hotel. DAY 7 Airport shuttle taxis will collect us from the hotel and transfer to the airport (approx. 5 hours) for departure or alternatively, train back to Tokyo if staying in Japan post-retreat. HIGHLIGHTS Experienced skiing guide (who speaks fluent Japanese!) Practice yoga twice-daily with Cathy Culinary delights Ski/snowboard the world s best powder mountains Onsen every day
retreat INCLUSIONS 6 nights accommodation» 3 nights at Myoko Kogen» 3 nights at Nozawa Onsen 6 x breakfasts 5 x dinners Yoga sessions twice a day» Vinyasa flow & meditation in the AM» Yin yoga in the PM Ski area guiding & orientation each day 5 lift passes (at 4 different ski areas) Transport for the duration of the tour (as per itinerary) starting at Joetsu-Myoko Station Taxi from Nozawa Onsen to the airport (Narita or Haneda airport) Hosting by bilingual guide NOT INCLUDED: International airfares Travel insurance Lunches and drinks Tokyo hotel & transport Travel from Tokyo-Joetsu-Myoko $ RETREAT PRICE FROM 3,900 NZD PER PERSON IMPORTANT INFO HIRE GEAR Rental hire gear costs are NOT included in the tour price. We can hire gear in Myoko Kogen on Jan 28, and return it to them by courier from Nozawa Onsen at the end of the trip on Feb 4th (extra day for courier). ACCOMMODATION Accommodation is Japanese style with futons on tatami mats for sleeping. Japanese kaiseki dinners. The hotel in Nozawa has shared bathroom facilities but and we will have the whole place to ourselves! At Nozawa Onsen, we will use the same room for breakfast & dinner as yoga, and at Myoko we will have a separate area (tatami mat) from the dining area. TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance (with trip cancellation cover) is recommended at the time you make a deposit. Please ensure your travel insurance covers winter sports. For those who wish to ski off piste/outside ski area boundaries, please make sure you have the appropriate cover. LIMITED AVAILABILTY! SECURE YOUR SPOT WITH A $ 1,250 DEPOSIT
sign up TO THE RETREAT OF A LIFETIME! SECURE YOUR PLACE WITH A $1,250 DEPOSIT PAUSE YOGA STUDIO 28 Moana Road, Days Bay, Eastbourne, 5013 ph: +64 21 410 890 pauseyogadaysbay@gmail.com Need more info about skiing or hotels in Japan? Contact Rene Kelly at Snow Culture Tours: ph: +64 21 039 8208 info@snowculture.co.nz * Non-refundable deposit