Nagano Prefecture is blessed with snow, and every winter many skiers and snowboarders visit the prefecture, not only from outside but also from overseas. This article is for those who love winter sports, and explains the key points for building a home that will allow you to enjoy skiing and snowboarding even more, as well as recommended areas in Nagano Prefecture. We will also introduce some examples, so please use them as a reference.
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For those who love winter sports! 5 points to keep in mind when building a house
Here are some tips to help you create a home where you can enjoy winter sports to the fullest. Check it out as it is packed with ideas to help you enjoy your hobbies even more.
Having a dirt floor makes maintenance and displaying items easier
The dirt floor space is indoors but can be used with shoes on, making it a recommended floor plan for people who play winter sports. It's easy to clean by simply sweeping with a broom or rinsing with water, so you can bring in your winter sports equipment used outside without hesitation.
With a spacious dirt floor, you can maintain your equipment regardless of the weather. Also, if you display your prized items such as skis or snowboards, it will become a favorite space where you can feel the hobbies even in the off-season.
It's convenient to have a storage space in the doma area
Doma storage generally refers to a storage space that is installed next to the entrance hall. However, there are several patterns of doma storage, such as a type that occupies part of the entrance hall, a type that has storage space that is connected to the multi-purpose doma, and a type that has a door on the outside of the house and can be used from outside.
Doma allows you to store things without bringing them inside, making it ideal for storing winter sports equipment that is often used outdoors. You don't have to worry about mud or water dripping into the room when storing equipment before maintenance, or when you want to store it temporarily after use. Another benefit is that it is less susceptible to direct sunlight and temperature changes, so it prevents equipment from deteriorating. Snowboards and skis will last longer if you store them upright.
It's easier to dry if you have a wood stove
Leaving used ski wear, boots, and accessories wet can cause odors and mold. It is important to dry equipment that has become wet from snow or sweat as quickly as possible. In such cases, a wood stove is very convenient. Not only can a wood stove be used to dry wet items, but it also has the effect of removing moisture, which shortens drying time.
Plus, sipping coffee while warming yourself by the fire in the wood stove after skiing or snowboarding is a blissful experience.
An uplifting mountain hut-like design
Many people who like winter sports also love nature, so why not try to give the exterior and interior of your home a taste that evokes nature?
By making generous use of natural materials such as diatomaceous earth, lime plaster, and solid wood, and creating a home that resembles a mountain hut or log cabin, you can feel closer to nature and improve your mood.
In addition, natural materials go well with wood stoves to create a stylish space. Incorporating an open ceiling or a sloped ceiling also creates a sense of openness and makes you feel good.
The built-in garage makes loading and unloading luggage easy
A built-in garage is a popular floor plan not only for car enthusiasts, but also for those who enjoy the outdoors. It also goes well with winter sports.
You can load and unload your luggage regardless of the weather, so it's very smooth when you go out and when you come back. If you install a shelf, you can also use it as a storage space for tools. It is especially recommended for areas with a lot of snow because you can change tires indoors and there is no need to remove snow.
The benefits of owning a home near a ski resort
Owning a home near a ski resort has many benefits in addition to allowing you to enjoy a lifestyle centered around your favorite winter sports.
Ski anytime
The biggest advantage of having a home near a ski resort is that you can enjoy skiing to your heart's content whenever you want. You can easily get to the ski resort in a short amount of time. You can also spend plenty of time at the ski resort without having to worry about travel time.
It's attractive to be able to reduce the time, money, and effort required for travel. When you have free time, you can go skiing or snowboarding, and enjoy winter sports on a daily basis.
Enjoy the rich nature
Ski resorts are often located in areas that are blessed with abundant nature, so you can enjoy the spectacular views that can only be found in that area, as well as the fresh air and water. For example, in Nagano Prefecture, which has ski resorts all over the prefecture, you can enjoy the blessings of the majestic mountains of the Northern Alps. There are also plenty of other attractive spots where you can enjoy the beauty of nature, such as Achi Village, which has been certified as the place where you can see the most brilliant stars.
Some people have even taken the opportunity to move to a new area and started growing vegetables, taking advantage of the large plots of land available. Living surrounded by abundant nature is sure to be a luxurious experience.
Plenty of activities even in the off-season
Many ski resorts are focusing on improving their activities and tourist content even after winter is over, so you can still have fun in the off-season.
The activities available vary widely depending on the ski resort. You can practice skiing on the summer slopes, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the terrain, such as trekking, mountain biking, visiting botanical gardens, and camping. The famous Fuji Rock festival is held at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture.
Owning a home near a ski resort could mean being in nature all year round.
What areas are recommended for people who like winter sports?
Nagano Prefecture has many ski resorts and is a popular place for winter sports, but the prefecture is large and each region has its own characteristics, including the amount of snowfall. The living environment, climate, and snow quality also vary depending on the area you live in. Here we will introduce recommended areas for those who like winter sports.
Hokushin area
There are many ski resorts in the Hokushin area where you can enjoy powder snow. This area is close to Niigata Prefecture, a region known for heavy snowfall, and so you can enjoy winter sports for a long period from mid-November to May. There are many well-known ski resorts, including Shiga Kogen Ski Resort (Yamanouchi Town), Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort (Nozawa Onsen Village), which has the longest course in Japan at 10km in length, Madarao Kogen Ski Resort (Iiyama City), and Ryuo Ski Park (Yamanouchi Town).
These ski resorts can be reached from Nagano city in about an hour. Nagano city is an urban area in the prefecture, but has good access to ski resorts, allowing you to balance convenience of daily life with fulfilling hobbies. If you only have an hour, you can check the weather in the morning and plan your schedule for the day. At Iizuna Resort, which is 20 to 30 minutes away from Nagano Station, you can enjoy night skiing after work.
Another feature of this area is the large number of hot springs. Nozawa Onsen Village is a hot spring town that attracts tourists from all over the country, and there are 13 outdoor baths that you can enjoy for free. At the foot of Shiga Kogen, there are Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen. A hot spring is the best way to soothe your tired body after a day of skiing. There are also many day-trip hot springs in the city that you can easily drop into, so it is also recommended for hot spring lovers.
The Hokushin area, which includes Nagano City, the most populous city and home to the Nagano Prefectural Government, is divided into the central Nagano city area and the tranquil countryside and orchards of Obuse Town, Suzaka City, Nakano City, Iizuna Town, Yamanouchi Town, and Shinano Town. Many companies are concentrated in the center of Nagano City, centered around Nagano Station, and there are also many branches of large companies, so you can choose from a variety of industries when changing jobs. The Shinkansen line provides good access to urban centers such as Tokyo, and some people commute there. On the other hand, if you leave the center, you will find places with good access to ski resorts and a rich natural environment, such as Iizuna Town, which has delicious apples, Obuse Town, which is popular for its chestnut sweets, and Togakushi, which is famous for its soba noodles and shrines.
For more information about the Hokushin area, click here
Omachi/Hakuba area
When it comes to winter sports, Hakuba is a well-known place. With the majestic 3000m-class Northern Alps mountains in the background, you can enjoy high-quality snow. There are many ski resorts that are popular both in Japan and overseas, including Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort, where the Nagano Olympics were held and which has a ski-only slope, Hakuba47, which has a great snow park that snowboarders will love, Able Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield, and Tsugaike Mountain Resort. With abundant natural snow and a wide variety of slopes, everyone from kids to beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy winter sports.
The Omachi/Hakuba area is blessed with a natural environment including the Northern Alps, first-class rivers, and lakes, and is also home to a national park, so it attracts a constant stream of tourists not only in winter but also during the green season. It's perfect for those who love the outdoors, as you can enjoy a variety of activities such as trekking, mountain climbing, rafting, camping, and paragliding. Hakuba, which attracts winter sports fans from overseas, is also home to large outdoor brand stores. It's fun just to look at the stores with their elaborate interiors and exteriors and the wide variety of outdoor gear.
The Hakuba area can be accessed in one hour from Nagano Station, and one and a half hours from Matsumoto Station. The ski resort is about 30 minutes from Omachi City, which is next to Hakuba to the south. Omachi City can be accessed from Matsumoto City and Nagano City in about one hour, so you can enjoy the idyllic rural scenery and the Northern Alps while still having a certain degree of convenience for daily life.
Please also watch this video about Omachi City.
Toshin area
The Toshin area, which is easily accessible from Tokyo, is also one of the areas where you can enjoy winter sports.
Representative ski resorts include Sugadaira Kogen in Ueda City, Sakudaira, Yunomaru Ski Resort, and Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort. Many of these ski resorts can be accessed within 30 minutes from the highway interchange, and there is almost no hurdle of climbing winding, snowy mountain roads, making it easy to enjoy winter sports.
This area also has a high rate of sunny days, allowing you to enjoy skiing under the clear blue skies in a refreshing mood. Because of the high altitude, the temperature is low and the area is characterized by smooth, powdery snow.
There are many slopes suitable for beginners, making it a great place for families.
Yatsugatake area
The Yatsugatake Mountains rise to the east and southeast of Lake Suwa, the prefecture's largest lake. Their long north-south ridgeline and rugged rock faces give them a stately presence. Ski resorts are also dotted at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The vast Yatsugatake area has different ski resort characteristics from north to south, with Mt. Tateshina in Tateshina Town in the north and Mt. Amikasa straddling Fujimi Town and Yamanashi Prefecture in the south.
Although this region does not get as much snow as the Hokushin and Hakuba areas, you can enjoy natural snow in the northern Tateshina area. There are ski resorts such as Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK, where you can enjoy a panoramic view from the summit and hard runs for advanced skiers, and Shirakaba 2in1, which has a variety of slopes for beginners to advanced skiers. Due to the high altitude and low temperatures, icy runs are relatively common. The Tateshina area of Northern Yatsugatake can be accessed in 30 minutes from Chino City, or in about an hour from Higashi-Shinshu such as Saku City.
The Fujimi area in the south has a high rate of sunny days, allowing you to enjoy spectacular views. When it comes to winter sports, the weather is just as important as the quality of the snow. There is the Fujimi Panorama Ski Resort, where you can enjoy a 3,000m long run, and the Fujimi Kogen Ski Resort, which has a dedicated ski slope suitable for families and those new to skiing. As there is little snowfall, most of the slopes are made of artificial snow. The Fujimi/Haramura area in Minami-Yatsugatake is served by the Chuo Expressway and the JR Chuo Main Line Limited Express Azusa, which connects Matsumoto and Shinjuku, making it easily accessible from all over the country.
This area is high in altitude and is popular as a summer resort. There are also many villas in Hara Village, Chino City, Tateshina Town, and other areas, so it has long been in demand as a relocation destination. The area has a welcoming culture, and each city and town is also making an effort to support relocation. In terms of work, manufacturing and agriculture are thriving, so there are plenty of jobs.
For more information about the Yatsugatake area, click here
Two examples of homes built by ski, snowboard, and winter outdoor enthusiasts
Dedicated storage for neat storage
The couple is originally from outside the prefecture. They love outdoor activities such as skiing and mountain climbing, and moved to Omachi City, near Hakuba Village, to enjoy their hobbies.
The space that this family is particular about is of course the doma salon. It is 6 tatami mats in size and can be used as a second living room for daily use, with a camping table and chairs placed there. Your favorite skis and bicycles can be displayed by leaning them against the wall. The doma storage space, which is connected to the salon, can be stepped on with shoes on and used casually without worrying about getting it dirty. Shelves line the entire wall, neatly storing bulky outdoor gear of various shapes and sizes.
The wooden floor area with the eaves is the dirt floor salon and storage. The dirt floor storage has a back door that allows direct access, making it easy to take things in and out. The location allows you to park your car next to the house and there is an outdoor water tap nearby, so the flow of traffic when you get home is perfect.
Gear as interior decor in earthen living room
A couple who lived in Tokyo. They would visit the mountains of Shinshu every weekend to enjoy outdoor hobbies such as skiing, cycling, and mountain climbing. After 20 years of visiting Shinshu, they decided to make a base of operations in the area. They built a house in a place with easy access to the ski resort and easy travel to and from Tokyo, and started a dual-base lifestyle.
Half of the living room is a doma salon. This is the center of daily life. Shelves, hooks, and stands are used to display gear tastefully. The colors are unified and look great.
The 8-tatami earthen floor salon is spacious enough to fit a table, chairs, and a wood stove. On the day you come back from skiing, you can warm yourself up by the wood stove while doing maintenance and drying your gear. It's a space where you can enjoy every moment related to your hobby. This versatile earthen floor salon is also useful for dining with skiing friends or for teleworking. The back door on the side leads out to the carport, making it easy to load and unload luggage.
For house building, contact Forest Corporation
At Kobo Shinshu no Ie, we hold home building consultation sessions from time to time. Our experienced staff will help you with your home building. Please feel free to consult us about any concerns you may have about home building. Consultations are also available online.
summary
Skiing and snowboarding are fun, but the preparation, cleaning up, and maintenance can be a lot of work. By being creative with your home decor, you can reduce the burden of preparation and cleaning up, and even make maintenance time a fun experience.
Nagano Prefecture is a large prefecture, so if you can find an area that suits you, you will be able to enjoy your hobbies even more. Please come and experience the comfort of the snow and green season.
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