Japan is no longer the world’s best-kept skiing secret. Instead, “foreign tourists numbers have jumped in recent years mainly due to a weakening yen” reported the Japanese Times this past month. Crowds aside, Japan stands in stark contrast to what many ski bums see while living in towns like Steamboat and Salt Lake City. Needless to say, the culture is different, way different. And after a trip to the “Land of the Rising Sun,” ski bums must recount their tales of the East to their unsuspecting, uncaring ski buddies. So without further ado, here are the top 5 quotes you’ll hear from skiers returning from Japan… Over and over again.
Disclaimer: After skiing in Japan this past winter, I’ve said all of the following.
1. Night Skiing
“Dude, skiing powder at night is so mind altering… I’ll never be the same”
Sure you won’t. It’s all different now like the Doors were after their first acid fueled trip to Joshua Tree. All there is left to do is start a band, leave you inhibitions behind, and ski naked the rest of your life.
2. Onsens
“Bro, the hot springs are called onsens and they are the best thing in the world”
Yes, the hot springs (or onsens) in Japan are completely next level. But every time you go to the local rec center hot tub, you don’t need to mention how superior the onsen is compared to the bucket of chlorinated and hairy water you are currently sitting in.
3. Food
“You live off sushi and ramen over there man.”
This quote (although I’ve employed its hyperbolic stance) is completely inaccurate. Although sushi and ramen are readily available, there are a lot of western options in ski towns throughout Hakuba, Nagano, and Hokkaido. So in addition to ramen and sushi, I ate philly cheese steaks, burgers, and lots of french fries. Fact of the matter is, sushi is still expensive and ramen gets old quick.
4. Powder Snow
“It snows harder there than anywhere I’ve ever in the world. Powder for days, Bra!”
This is true. Just don’t rub it in god dammit.
5. Culture
“You know it’s not all about the skiing. It’s about the culture too bro”
So what is it about the culture? Please tell me what it is about the culture!
To be honest, I walked by a Shinto temple in Sapporo and tried to go in but it was closed. For the most part, skiing is an ancillary part of the culture in Japan and most skiers only catch a glimpse of the Japanese culture. In order to get a true feel for the culture, you usually have to spend a few months in a Japanese town or city; not a couple weeks skiing at a resort next to Aussies and drinking copious amounts of Sapporo Classic on draft (which is the best beer in the world).