APPI
www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/
Number of Courses: 21 (Beginner 40%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 30%)Number of Lifts:18 (Gondola 2, Chairs 16)
Longest Course:5.5km
Vertical Drop:828m
Snowboarding park:Yes
Mogul slope:Yes
Half (Quarter) pipe:No
One make jump:Yes
Hours: 8:30-20:00
Night Skiing: 16:00-20:00
Season: Early Dec.-Late Apr.
There is Arlberg in Austria… Aspen in the USA… and the
Appi resort in Japan's spectacular Hachimantai National Park!
A very large ski resort spread over 282 hectares with 45.1km
in total of course runs, Appi is well serviced by two gondolas
and 16 lifts with excellent capacities and turn-arounds -
avoiding the hassle of long queues. Snow conditions are
optimum in this park because it is situated facing north,
thus the slopes are not hit by so much direct sun and ideal
ski conditions are maintained for longer. The Appi resort
benefits from what is known as “Asprin snow,” which is
constituted by very fine, light snow flakes, which skiers can
enjoy throughout the extended ski season - from early
December to early May. This quality of snow, combined with
excellent regular course maintenance affords skiers a less
strenuous ride down the mountain and reduces exhaustion
at the end of the day. The resort includes 21 different terrain
types for skiers and snowboarders, many of which run right
from the peak to the base and associate Appi with a unique
brand of longer runs not often seen in the Japanese ski
scene. Of special note is the Yamabato run, which is both the
longest run available in the park - 5,500m! - and also suitable
for beginners.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
Summer in Tohoku is the time for traditional festivals, dances and fireworks displays. Four major summer matsuri (festivals) here astound visitors from all over the world. Among them, Aomori Nebuta Festival has one of the most spectacular displays and parades. There are festivities all year round with the spring cherry blossom festival and winter festivals such as the Namahage (men dressed up as demons dance to drums) and Enburi (dances to pray for harvest). Tohoku's well-preserved local culture shines in these festivals and they are a fun way to see the locals let loose!
AOMORI NEBUTA FESTIVAL
The Aomori Nebuta Festival
at tracts over three million
visitors from across Japan
and abro ad. I l lumina t e d
floats light up the night sky
a ccompanied by dancer s
called haneto who jump up
and down shouting “rassera,
rassera!” Anyone can join as a haneto, so go for it!
AKITA KANTO FESTIVAL
Skilled performers balance
giant bamboo poles on their
heads, shoulders and hips as
the city fills with excitement
and energy during festivities.
T h e gi ant p o l e s ho ld up
46 candle- lit lanterns and
together they portray straw
bags of rice to pray for good
harvest.
SENDAI TANABATA FESTIVAL
The show- s topper at this
festival is color ful paper
decorations hanging from
1500 bamboo poles that line
Sendai's streets. Following
Tanabata traditions of praying
for good health and harvest,
people write wishes on the
paper strips which are then strung together by the locals.
Enjoy this 400-year tradition with fireworks displays as well.
YAMAGATA HANAGASA FESTIVAL
The festival is a visual feast of
some 10,000 dancers parading
down the s treet s wearing
hanagasa ( flower hats ) ,
chanting “Yahho, makasho” to
the jovial beat of taiko drums.
Watch out for spec tacular
performances like the twirling
of the hanagasa hats.
