Nagano, Japan, March 13-24, 2008

Olympics, Buddhist temples, Japanese castles and snow monkeys!
 

The Roanoke Ski Club’s last trip of the season was to the Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefecture of Japan. Since this was the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, we got a chance to ski the Olympic downhill at Happo One. Some even observed the resort from the top of the Olympic ski jump.  But skiing took a back seat to sightseeing, exotic eating, luxury hotels, and a wonderful Japanese custom of soaking in the “Onsen” (bathing nude in an outdoor hot spring.)

Our first stop was Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Our guide took us on a tour of the awe inspiring Golden Pavilion, the Nijo Castle and to the 7 story Kyoto handicraft center.

While skiing in Hakuba, we took day trips to the Matsumoto Castle, the Daio wasabi farm, or a fishing village on the coast. The final two nights were in Tokyo.

Trip leader: Mandy Pommerenke.  Japan photographs courtesy of Seth Parvinder, Roger Pommerenke, Tony Donato,  Bruce Prillaman, and Denny Revak.
 

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