Hakodateyama ski resort is about a 70-minute drive from Kyoto City. This time, since it was just two girls on a snowy mountain in winter, we took the train!

It takes only 47 minutes from Kyoto Station to the nearest station, Omi Imazu Station, by JR Kosai Line rapid train, which is surprisingly close.

From here, it is a quick 20-minute ride on the "Koko Bus". However, it is recommended to check the bus schedule in advance, as there is only one bus every hour.

Once you get off the bus, the gondola station is just around the corner.

After disinfecting with alcohol, we boarded the gondola and were off to the summit!

Normally, the gondola accommodates eight passengers, but now there are about four passengers per gondola, and consideration is given to boarding by group.

I snapped a photo for SNS with the snowy landscape in the background.

The summer view from the gondola is great, but the winter view of Oku-Biwako is also exceptional.

When you arrive at the summit, go straight to the rental center just off the mountain. There you can rent a set of clothing and change in the changing rooms to complete your preparations. You can also leave your luggage in a coin locker.

incidentallyRental clothes are processed in advance in the sterilization room, and socks and gloves are also available for sale (gloves are not available for rent), so there is no need to worry in case you forget something.

For detailed information on the cost of each rental, please contacthttps://www.hakodateyama.com/price/#liftCheck the

What you want to keep in mind here is coupon information. Hakodateyama Ski Resort offers many different kinds of discount tickets for different usage scenarios!

Gondola, lift tickets, and rentals can be purchased in advance for even more savings.So, please be sure to check it out in advance when you visit Hakodateyama.

I would have liked to get on the lift and go down the first slope of the year, but I, Kumanatsu, had almost no snowboarding experience to hide.
So I decided to take a snowboarding school.

This time he taught us with Coach Sakashita, a veteran coach with 16 years of coaching experience.He said that there are many beginners, but he is willing to work with any level of students.
He is very good at teaching, and even though I am a beginner, I am improving quickly! (Laughs)

If you are not confident in your skiing, you will have more fun once you take a lesson.

Private lessons are available at +1,000 yen per additional person if the skill level is about the same, so it is recommended that couples or friends join together.

The school is by on-site application only and cannot be reserved in advance,If you wish to take a lesson, please make a reservation first when you arrive there.

When the lesson was over, the weather was just getting better, so we took the lift to the top.

Maybe it's because of the lessons I took, but I'm starting to look good on a snowboard, too, aren't I? (Laughs)

We enjoyed snowboarding for a while, but we were getting hungry.

Decided to take a break & have lunch.

For lunch, I "Kumanatsu" chose the cream cod roe udon, a new menu item this winter, and Rika chose the hamburger steak. It soaked into my tired body!

You can also purchase goods and souvenirs at the attached store.

With stomachs full, it was time to try a little more exciting "snow rafting!

The 1.7-km-long course with banks, waves, and jumps is full of thrills.
There were places along the way where my body jumped around, and my hands hurt from gripping the rope so desperately (laughs).

*This also has been changed from the usual six-seater to a four-seater to ensure safety in order to prevent infection.

After enjoying the thrill of rafting, it is time for sweets at "Parfait Specialty Shop LAMP". The fruit-filled parfaits on the slopes in the middle of winter are exceptional.

The first thing that surprised me was the parfait that was brought to me in a lantern!

New this season, the "Premium Winter Mikan Parfait" uses whole premium "Benimadonna" mandarin oranges.
I would like everyone to try this new jelly-like texture.

At LAMP, a parfait specialty restaurant, tables are thoroughly disinfected to prevent infection. The doors are ventilated and air is circulated by air purifiers while still being warm, so you can relax and unwind.

This was the first time for me to visit the ski resort empty-handed, and I was able to see a completely different side of Hakodateyama from the summer and discover new attractions.

Very easy to get to and from.So, I highly recommend this as a winter activity that can be enjoyed while taking the latest precautions against infectious diseases!