Kiss the Rain

So Fuji Rock has come and gone. It was a wet weekend with heavy rain but it didn't dampen any of our spirits. Some people were well prepared for the rain in anoraks and wellies, while some thought it couldn't get any wetter so they just jumped in the river fully clothed.

Luckily the rain held of on Saturday and it was great dancing with random people in the sun. There were many stages at Fuji Rock but for me Field of Heaven had the best vibe with the Heineken tent a close second (I think I was there but will need to look at some photos to kick start my memory).

So all in all, it was a great weekend and we look forward to similar shenanigans next year.

For Those About to Rock We Salute You.

Fuji Rock begins this weekend so Yuzawa is jam packed with travellers from near and far.

Yuzawa Station has been revamped with new stores hoping to entice the crowds before they head of to the festival site.

Fuji Rock kicks off with a free party today (Thursday 23rd) before the main 3 day event. We are currently in the office but counting down to 6pm so we can go out and party till we drop.

LET'S RAWK!

Guinness World Record. It's Official.

On March 27th 2009 we attempted the world record for the most ski lifts ridden in 24 hours. We had to include a video of the entire attempt, pictures, log books and written statements as evidence and after a long wait, we finally received the official adjudication from Guinness World Records.

The previous record of 44 was set by WeLoveSnow in 2007 and after a failed attempt in 2008; we finally broke the record in 2009 with a total of 46 lifts.

Whilst not the most exciting record in the world (unless you consider sitting down for most of the day and slowly freezing in the process excitement) it shows just how many resorts are available in Yuzawa.

This certificate will take pride of place on the wall with the view only slightly obscured by the filing cabinet.

Summer Charm

Its rainy season here now but we made the best of a clear day by exploring neighbouring Gunma prefecture which is just a short drive from Yuzawa. It is a great place to visit in summer as it has lots of activities available. In Minakami there is rafting, canyoning and bungee jumping but we decided to take the slow approach to our day off. (Cue obligatory tourist shots).

First stop was “Takumi no Sato” which is a unique town, home to craftsmen of various professions. Visitors can enter the workshops and try their hand at the many crafts available. Craft techniques range from “aizome” fabric dyeing to Japanese “washi” paper making. My favourite had to be the business cards made from thinly shaved wood.

Next up is “Vidro Park” where you can see professional glass blowers at work. Visitors can also make their own glassware with the help of experts. I have to say it looks like pretty hot work in the middle of summer with all the furnaces burning. These guys make it look a lot easier than it is.

We hit a rest stop for lunch and were pretty happy to be served a plate of nothing but meat, lots of meat and a nice local beer. I was always told to eat my fruit and veg as a kid so luckily there was the aptly named “Tomato Land” tomato farm nearby. You can go in and pick your own tomatoes for lunch. Doesn’t get any fresher than that.

So if you're looking for something different to do during your summer holidays, then Gunma would be a great place to start.