Shinkansen to Echigoyuzawa
Had a quick breakfast in our hotel as we took train from Sakuragicho to Tokyo then took Shinkansen from Tokyo to echigoyuzawa. Overheard that Echigoyuzawa was already covered with thick snow and most skiing centres have opened.
At Tokyo Train station's waiting room. Definitely more cozy than outside where it was freezing!
It took us about 2 hours from Tokyo to reach Echigoyuzawa. As the train was reaching nearer and nearer to the mountainous area, we can sense the temperature drop from the windows. The train then passed through a long deep tunnel as we fell asleep......
We were greeted by the white world as the train came out of the tunnel. The moutains were covered in snow~!!! Woohhoooo!!!!
Snow were thick and the roads were slippery with melting snow.
We had to drag our trolleys across the snow. As we walked up the slope to our hotel, we saw the town folks shoving snow out from their roof-tops and clearing the path for safe-walking. If snow accumulates too much, over a period of time it could form a slippery surface causing people to slip and fall.
Reached our hotel in about 15 min walk from station.
Picturesque view of Toei Yuzawa Hotel
Sashimi set lunch at a home-restaurant nearby~ The appetizers tasted great!
After checking into our Toei hotel, we had lunch at eatery nearby then headed for the cable-car up the snow hills (costs us 1,500 yen each) for sight-seeing.
Cable-car station is located near our hotel
Inside the car
Thrilled to see the whole town covered in white with the view on top.
Welcome to the White World!
Me in my funny hat!
Cool snowboarders!
We walked up the slope to see more things on top.
We hanged around the place for some time and Aunt took a nap in their hut (free resting). It was indeed very tiring to walk up the snow slope as the ground was steep and too deep for walking. Our boots tend to sink into the powdery snow.
Started building a snow rabbit
Snow rabbit in the making.
Hi~~~
After building the snow rabbit, we headed back to hotel. Saw a child playing with the small plastic raft and sliding down the slope with her mom.
Then we decided to rent one(500 yen) to play too!
Hotel room
Had our onsen, the outdoor one was huge and splendid. Dinner was so sumptuous that we almost puked with the oversupply of food.
....... to be continued in Day 6
