Commemorating the centennial anniversary of the introduction of ski into Japan, The Gunma Ski Resort Management Association is pleased to announce “Ski Week”, a draw with lots of prizes!
See below for details of how to enter the draw. Guests who are at one of the 24 ski resorts in Gunma between Sunday, January 10 and Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 are eligible to enter.
By post: Write down your name, age, address, and phone number and paste something that proves you were at one of the ski resorts such as an old lift ticket on a postcard and mail it to the below address by the closing date, which is January 29, 2010.
The Gunma Ski Resort Management Association c/o Gunma Tourism International Association 2-1-1, Otemachi, Maebashi-shi, Gunma 372-0026
At one of the ski resorts: Fill out the form and drop it into the box provided there.
Prizes: A pair of skis, a snowboard, hotel accommodations for 4 couples, one-day lift tickets for 48 couples, local specialty for 20 people, JR Orange Card for 38 people
Winners will be announced by way of mailing the prizes directly to them.
Here is the list of 24 ski resorts in Gunma. Please check the Website of the ski resort of your destination and make sure they are open that day before you leave home. Also, take your snow chains with you just in case.
A walk in snowshoes at Ikenotaira, where it is all quiet with deep snow, takes you on a journey to have a good look at Japanese larch trees and follow the footprints of foxes and antelopes.
| When | Saturday, January 30 |
|---|---|
| Where | Ikenotaira, Tsumagoi-mura (Assemble at the Kazawa Information Center) |
| Access | By car: 30 min. from Komoro Exit of Joshinetsu Expressway or 40 min. from Tobu Yunomaru Exist => Prefectural Road Tobu Tsumagoi Line |
| Inquiry | Kazawa Information Center 0279-80-9119 |
Kusatsu Snow & Spa Resort presents young man and women who are celebrating the day this year with a lift ticket good for the day. Show them your ID with photo.
| When | January 11 |
|---|---|
| Where | Kusatsu Snow & Spa Resort |
Treasure Hunt for Children:
Children in 3rd grade or under are eligible. Search for a ball hidden under the ski slope and exchange it for treasure. (No fee is required.)
| When | Sunday, January 17 13:00 ~ |
|---|---|
| Where | Kusatsu Snow & Spa Resort |
| Access | By car: 90 min. from Shibukawa-Ikaho Exist of Kanetsu Expressway By bus: 4-min from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal |
|---|---|
| Inquiry | Kuwatsu Snow & Spa Resort 0279-88-8111 |
From 10 a.m., approx. 500 regional, local, and women volunteer firemen will parade the street in front of Shibukawa fire department. At the ceremony following the parade, there will be demonstrations by scaffolding men as well as water-discharge by the firemen.
| When | Sunday, January 10 |
|---|---|
| Where | Street in front of Shibukawa Fire Department |
| Access | 10-min walk from JR Shibukawa Station |
| Inquiry | Public Administration Section, Shibukawa City Hall 0279-22-2111 |
January 11th is Kagami-biraki, the day for eating New Year's rice cakes. People eat the rice cakes or kagami-mochi to wish for a healthy and happy year. The tradition of kagami-biraki originated in the Edo period among samurai warriors. The custom then spread among merchants as an event to bring good luck. This day was also officially the first work day of the New Year. However, this particular event has little to do with eating rice cakes. There will be Maniwa Nen-Ryu demonstration matches. This year’s GTIA Chinese/English tour will visit the event.
| When | Sunday, January 17 |
|---|---|
| Where | Koushi-Kan |
| Access | 5-min walk from Maniwa Station, Joshin Dentetsu or 7 min. from Yoshii Exist of Joshinetsu Expressway |
| Inquiry | Industrial Section, Yoshii Branch of Takasaki City Hall 027-387-3111 |
A game of swans flies from Siberia to spend the winter at Tataranuma pond in Tatebayashi. Their graceful reflections on the lake can be seen until early spring.
| When | Until mid-March |
|---|---|
| Where | Tataranuma Pond in Tatebayashi |
| Access | 20 min. from Tatebayashi Exit of Tohoku Expressway |
| Inquiry | Global Environment Section, Tatebayashi City Hall 0276-72-4111 |
