I recently spent ten days in Japan with my wife (Kendra, for those of you who don’t know her). Ten Days. Four towns. Endless luxury hotel visits. More ramen, katsu, and sushi (anddd powder 😊) than we would like to admit. We’re home (and have been for a while – whoops), with lots of thoughts.

I have so much to share with you, but there are a few moments from our trip I keep coming back to.

And a special shout-out to Nana, Gigi, and Grandpa for keeping the kiddos safe, fed, and for sure spoiled back at home while Mama and Dada were in the Far East! We are very appreciative 🙂

The Unexpected Highlight: Our Private Kintsugi Class in Tokyo

After six epic days of skiing in Hokkaido, we spent a few days in Tokyo. We were grappling with how to spend our last day in the busiest city in the world… Do we do a sushi class? A private guided visit to Tsukiji Outer Market? Check out teamLab Borderless museum on our own?

So many great options, but we chose to spend our morning with the sweetest Japanese lady (who barely spoke any English – no worries, we had a translator) in her art studio. 

And we are sooo glad we did!

Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using a special technique, and this turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.

A reminder of how deep, meaningful experiences like this can help you feel intimately connected to the culture of your destination.

 

The Thing We Almost Skipped: Asahidake Ski Touring Day

After so many great ski days, we weren’t sure we wanted to drive an hour and a half each way from Furano (where we set up home base for half of our time in Hokkaido) to Asahidake.

With some encouragement from our private ski guide, it felt like this experience would be a rite of passage, something we had to do when on a Japan ski trip.

It ended up being the best, most meaningful ski day of the trip!

Skiing the deepest, sweetest lines of the trip on an active volcano (and the tallest peak in Hokkaido) that was literally bubbling, steaming, and gurgling all around us on a bluebird morning with epic visibility of Daisetsuzan National Park…

It is a day we will talk about for a long time.

Goosebumps!

Honest Reality Check: Why We Wouldn’t Do This for a Client

In an effort to experience two of the local companies we collaborate with regularly in Tokyo on client trips, we booked two different private guides two days in a row from different companies.

It was beneficial for us to experience both guides (and the companies they work with), but this is something we would never do for a client.

The second day with the guide felt wayyy too disjointed. We were constantly being asked if we had already seen this or talked about that with the guide the day before, and there was no flow between the two days.

Never again!

Key Takeaways From Our Japan Ski Trip

Japan delivers on powder skiing – which is likely, but cannot be 100% guaranteed, even in peak powder season.

So, look at it as far more than a powder chasing trip.

Japan consistently delivers on tradition, food (Michelin stars, convenience stores, and everything in between), respect, and hospitality.

But planning and logistics are key in experiencing all that it has to offer (including the fact you will be hard-pressed to find a trash can on a sidewalk in one of the busiest – and cleanest – cities in the world).

It’s Best For…

Couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who can appreciate the different culture and ways of life.

It’s Not For…

Anyone who quivers at the thought of more involved travel logistics.

Designing a well-rounded Japan ski itinerary means trains, planes, and automobiles, literally.

Is Japan Calling?

Japan is the kind of destination where the planning and expertise really matter. It is important to have someone on your side who knows what they are doing and how to make it all flow as seamlessly as possible.

That’s what we are here for!

If Japan has been on your radar, we’d love to help you figure out if it’s the right fit. Get in touch with team@thejourneybound.com to start the conversation and begin planning your Japan adventure.