Snow Country Japan: Why I Value It, Why You Should Visit & What I Do Here

Outland Japan

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In Episode 08 of Snow Country Stories Japan I delve a little deeper into what and where the snow country is, why I value it, why I think you should visit and my own story and the services I provide as a writer and guide based in Nagano. I also provide some basic information about how to get to the snow country, which obviously depends to your exact destination and how you want to travel.

As discussed in the episode, the term ‘雪国 / yukiguni’ or ‘snow country’, refers to regions and areas of heavy snowfall and its broadest sense can be applied to just over half the Japanese landmass. Despite that, it’s a region of Japan largely unknown to the outside world as most international visitors spend their time in the large cities of Tokyo, Yokohoma, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka and typically only venture into regional areas a daytrip or overnight visit. Through this podcast I want to promote the snow country to the world. It’s an invitation to visit or better yet, come to stay and grow old with us in the snow country.
I call the snow country my home, working as a freelance guide and writer in Nagano. You can find more information about my services as a writer and services as a guide on this website, along with ‘My Story’ – in which I provide a little information about my background and motivations. I have been guiding in Japan for more than 6 years – mostly in and around Nagano Prefecture along with surrounding prefectures of Central Japan. The website lists my current tours. I design tours that provide guests with engaging experiences that are fun, well-paced and with the flexibility to suit your needs, interests and itinerary.
Toward the end of the episode I provide some information about moving to, from and around the snow country including use of the Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ network. If you plan to do so it’s worth considering the Japan Rail (JR) Pass as it can represent significant savings (depending on how often you plan to use the train) along with regional passes including the JR East Nagano & Niigata Pass, the Hokuriku Arch Pass, the JR East Tohoku Pass and Hokkaido Rail Passes.
Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

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1. Snow Country Japan: Why I Value It, Why You Should Visit & What I Do Here (00:00:00)

2. What & Where is the Snow Country? (00:01:55)

3. Why I Value the Snow Country & Why You Should Visit (00:10:47)

4. Who I Am & What I Do Here (00:18:35)

5. How to Get to the Snow Country (00:22:53)