<p>Fujiwara buried in the snow</p>

Fujiwara buried in the snow (Photo: C. Rio)

Fujiwara

Sleepy mountain town

C. Rio Jan 08, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Fujiwara buried in the snow</p>

<p>Hotakasan hovers above</p>

<p>Tanigawadake looming in the distance</p>

<p>Winter tourism is anchored firmly in the Ski and Snowboard industry</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Looking down the valley</p>

<p>Homes have to be built strong enough to deal with the weight of the winter snows</p>

<p>Fujiwara from the other side of the lake</p>

<p>The Fujiwara dam regulates the flow of water all the way down to Tokyo</p>

Nestled deep in the mountains that border Gumna and Niigata, the town of Fujiwara is the winter gateway to several ski resorts in the area. Most people pass through this sleepy little area on their way to Hodaigi or Minakami Kogen ski resorts. Perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in the area, Takaragawa Onsen (the largest co-ed outdoor onsen in Japan) is also close by. The large lake that borders the lower slopes of town is formed by the Fujiwara dam, which is one of many controlling the flow of the Tone river, whose waters make it all the way to Tokyo and out into the Pacific Ocean.

C. Rio

C. Rio @matthew.shewchuk

Based out of Minakami, where I work as a canyoning guide. I love hiking and am always looking to the skies for good weather.