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Sustainable Ski Manufacturing With WNDR Alpine Skis

Pep Fujas talks about ski company WNDR Alpine and the future of sustainable ski manufacturing.

Every year we get excited to see new products coming into the store. This year we have something special from the team at WNDR Alpine skis. These guys are driving innovation on and off the mountain by manufacturing the first truly sustainable ski.

WNDR Alpine was founded in 2018 by Matt Sterbenz who previously founded 4FRNT skis in 2002. He had the ambition of showcasing the technologies developed by parent company Checkerspot, a bio-manufacturing company engineering performance materials. They have been making noise in the industry and challenging the traditional manufacturing process in ski production ever since and the company is now the first industry B Corp certified ski manufacturer.

Shortly after founding WNDR Alpine, long time friend and legendary skier Pep Fujas came onboard. Initially testing the skis and fine-tuning the prototypes. Pep wanted a more hands-on role and is now V..

Furano Cheese Factory Tour: Hokkaido Cheese is so Different! We Try Making Our Own

The Furano Cheese Factory is a spot you will definitely want to check out while sightseeing in Hokkaido. You can enjoy creating your own handmade Hokkaido Mascarpone cheese using local fresh milk and cream.
You are also free to take this cheese home with you. This facility is like a dairy themed amusement park. If you are a cheese lover, you can’t miss out on this!
Inside the Furano Cheese Factory
Enjoy the delicious cheese you make here at home by putting it on a baguette or adding it to a cuisine!
The Furano Cheese Factory is located in a quiet forest, about a 10 minute drive from the JR Furano station.
Inside the cheese park is where you will find tractors, objects, and more. The park is especially beautiful with the fresh green leaves of May and autumn leaves in October!
The main facility here is the Cheese Factory which manufactures and sells dairy products such as cheese, butter, and Furano milk (non-homo pasteurized milk) (180 ml, 124 yen).
There is also the “Handmade Experienc..

Visiting Tokyo in Autumn: Travel & Weather Guide for September-November

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times to visit Tokyo. Since the weather for Tokyo in autumn is generally pleasant and cooler, it's also an excellent season for walking around and exploring to your heart's content. Still, it can get a bit chilly at times just before winter sets in!
The best time to see autumn leaves in Tokyo is from November to early December when the trees are painted with reds and gold. Every fall, it seems like streets everywhere are painted with the oranges, reds, yellows, and greens of autumn foliage.
Here we'll introduce the weather and temperature in Tokyo in September, October, and November, and share some of the best places to visit. With the right preparation, you'll enjoy all that the season has to offer!
Tokyo Weather in September, October, and November
What's Tokyo like in September? Weather and wear
Due to its comparatively higher latitude, Tokyo experiences four distinct seasons. Although September can be a somewhat cooler mon..

6 Reasons Why Autumn is the Best Season in Japan

If you’re a powder hound, you might think winter is the best season in Japan. After all, the north island is renowned for some of the best powder snow in the world! And we can totally vouch for that.. However, Autumn is a close contender..

Here are 6 reasons why:

1.Experience the colourful leaves紅葉,kōyōof fall

As the temperature dips after a scorching summer, the green season fades into a pallet of vivid autumn hues. Momijigari (red leaf hunting) is just as popular as cherry blossom season in spring, drawing crowds throughout the country. Each year, the kōyō front (leaf changing colours) begins in northern Hokkaido in mid-September, and moves southward as the season progresses. Watching the scenery transform is a truly spectacular experience, and not to be missed!

Here’s our favourite spots in Hokkaido:

1. Mt Yotei
2. Lake Toya
3. Panorama Road
4. Noboribetsu Jigokudeani
5. Mount Asahidake

Lake Hangetsu- View through the trees. Photographer: Liam Larnach

­2. The best temperatur..

These 7 Immersive Videos Show Us All Why Tohoku Will Be the Next Big Destination in Asia

In northeast Japan lies the magnificent Tohoku region and its six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima. With its beautiful scenery, historic buildings, and incredibly rich and varied local cuisine, Tohoku Japan and its neighboring Niigata Prefecture will simply take your breath away.
You have to see it to believe it, so to truly show you the wonders of the seven areas (including Niigata, of course), we got together a number of videos packed with Tohoku goodness.
Tohoku Japan
The Japanese autumn leaves are unbeatable! Lose yourself in the dynamic scenery and experience the delicate craftwork in Tohoku’s fall season.
1. Aomori Prefecture
Enjoy the country life in Aomori with a trip that will leave you wanting more of their incredibly fresh ingredients.
Discover more of Aomori Prefecture
2. Iwate Prefecture
Experience Tohoku to the fullest with Iwate’s incredible sights, like Kitayamazaki with its gorgeous cliffs, or the World Heritage City of Hiraizumi.
Read..

Toyosu Market Q&A: What to Know Before Visiting Tokyo’s Brand-New Fish Market!

Toyosu Market opened in 2018 as the successor to Tokyo’s incredibly famous Tsukiji Fish Market. While everyone knew the massive tuna auction of the old venue, what’s there to see and discover at Toyosu?
When is the best time to go? Still very new, many people don’t really know how to start their Tokyo fish market adventure, but not to worry! We’re here to take a thorough look at Toyosu Market and cover all there is to know for your very first visit!
What is the Toyosu Market? Which Areas are Open to the Public?
The Toyosu Market can easily be called the kitchen of Tokyo. Wholesalers, vendors, restaurant owners—this market is a colorful amalgamation of Tokyo’s gourmet industry, a bustling space ruled by professional buyers and sellers. That is precisely why the market is generally not open to regular sightseers.
However, each distinctive area of Toyosu Market boasts its own sightseeing route, allowing curious visitors to take a peek behind the scenes.
And just like at Tsukiji Market, ..

Watch Out! Shinkansen Luggage Restrictions Changed in 2020 – Here’s What You Need To Know

Shinkansen luggage rules have changed! The Shinkansen bullet train connects major cities in Japan and is an indispensable means of travel, with accurate operating times and comfortable rides.
However, travelers with large suitcases may face some challenges! Some luggage is too heavy to lift to the overhead rack, and cannot be left in the aisle. The rear of the carriage may be full, and you may have concerns about leaving your baggage unattended.
Starting from May 20, 2020, JR Tokai, JR West, and JR Kyushu have implemented a pre-reservation service for seats that include space for oversized luggage. Here’s a detailed explanation of the system for first-time users.
What is the Shinkansen luggage pre-reservation system for seats with oversized baggage?
PassionPhotography / Shutterstock.com
The new “seat with an oversized baggage area” service is now available on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines (Tokyo – Shin-Osaka – Hakata – Kagoshima Chuo). When riding the Shinkansen wit..

Osaka Weather & Best Time to Visit: If You Can’t Come Now, When Should You?

Osaka is one of Japan's premier tourist destinations. As Osaka weather is temperate, you can visit at any time of year. But when is the rainy season, and how to pack?
This article will introduce things you should know before visiting the Kansai area such as the monthly climate changes, appropriate clothing, and useful items to bring with you.
Osaka Weather in Spring: March, April, May
March: average temperature ~9°C
The average temperature in March in the Kansai region is around 9℃. Some days it may reach nearly 20° during the daytime, but most days are still chilly. You can feel the beginning of Spring from mid-to-late March, but there will always be daily variations in temperature. The period from mid-March to mid-April is also known as the “spring long rain” and may bring several consecutive rainy days.
April: average temperature ~15°C
In April, daytime temperatures often reach 20-25°, making it ideal weather for cherry blossom viewing. The amount of precipitation is relatively..

Summer in Niseko | Activities and Hidden Treasures

Each year tourists travel from all over Japan to Hokkaido to experience the unique experiences that this island has to offer, and Niseko is no exception. There are loads of interesting things to see and fun things to do nearby, here are a few of our summer in Niseko highlights.

Explore The Area by Bike | Casual Cyclists

Thanks to the unique layout of the Niseko area there are countless destination rides that suit riders of every ability, and of course we have bike rentals available. One of our favorite destinations from our base in Hirafu is Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm (Milk Kobo) near Niseko Village, home of the famous Cheese Tart. Another top destination to visit by bike is Niseko View Plaza, a Michi No Eki with numerous offerings for tourists and locals alike. Be sure to sit outside if the weather is fine, they have a great Yotei view!

Ride Some Serious K’s | Road Cyclists

Known amongst road cyclists for beautiful views and clean air, Niseko is a premier road cycling destinatio..

Sapporo to Furano/Biei Japan: Visiting the Gorgeous Floral Wonderlands of Hokkaido!

The hills in Hokkaido's Furano and Biei areas are colored purple with lavender fields where a variety of flower gardens can be seen. This exquisite scenery is a source of local pride.
Get out and enjoy the great views of Biei and Furano lavender fields by visiting during their blooming season, which is from mid to late July.
While these fields are positioned closer to the city of Asahikawa, there are many ways to get there, making a day trip from Sapporo possible. Here we share the perfect itinerary to make the most of the region!
Plan your Sapporo to Furano Day Trip: Furano Lavender Fields and Biei Hill Drive
■ Morning 1 (From Sapporo → Furano (Car: 116 km, Bus: 2 hours and 28 minutes))
・Sample route (by car): Take the Sapporo IC → Mikasa IC → Route 116 → Bibo Furano Line → National Highway No. 38
If you take a rental car from Sapporo and leave early in the morning, a sightseeing trip to Furano/Biei can be made in one day.
Alternatively, you can take a train or bus to Furano a..