Aoba Castle

This year we got some fantastic deals, hence decided to double our skiing and spend 5 days each in 2 resorts; GranDeco in the AIZU Resort Area and APPI Kogen. Adding to this a weekend in Fujisan to admire Mt Fuji and a weekend between the skiing in Sendai to round up the trip.

Mt Fuji

We had seen Mt Fuji before from Hakone on the south side a few years ago. So this time, before our first skiing in the AIZU area we spend a weekend in Fujisan in the Fuji Five Lake area on the north side of Japans highest mountain. We were lucky, Mt Fuji was visible on Saturday until early afternoon. The rest of our stay was overcast and rainy.

Mt Fuji framed by the Kanadorii
Mt Fuji from Fujisan
Mt Fuji from accommodation

There is also a nice viewing platform at the top of the shopping centre by the train station in Fujisan.

The Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine is in dense forest accessed via a long path lined by stone lanterns under tall cedar trees. The shrine’s main hall is dating back to 1615.

The Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine is where traditional climbers started their accent of Mt Fuji from the north. Pilgrims did pray at the temple before passing through the wooden Tori gate at the back and start their walk. These days most climbers start from the 5th Station which effectively halves the distance.

Back of shrine: ancient start of Mt Fuji climb
Main Hall
Front gate

Elevated on the north side of Fujisan is the 5-storied Chureito Pagoda. On a clear day, this location is offering spectacular views of Mt Fuji, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring and in autumn when the leaves change colour.

SKIING – Part 1 – AIZU > GranDeco

The AIZU Snow Resorts area is in the Fukushima district, but a very safe distance from the cost and the reactor location. This is one of the closest snow resorts from Tokio. Many locals visit for the weekend or even just a few hours of skiing on a day trip. During the week in the shoulder season, there are no queues and plenty of room on the slopes.

The AIZU Snow Resort is made up of 22 individual resorts. Some only have a couple of lifts. We got a very good deal as AIZU Ambassadors as part of their promotion of the AIZU region. We styed at the Daiwa Sport Resort in Urabandai . Unfortunately most information at the hotel was only in Japanese. Google translate and the English version of the websites helped a lot. Some staff speak English, so we kept our eyes out for them if we needed anything. Our hotel had free shuttle buses to 3 resorts, to access the others a hire car would be best.

The hotel has a very nice Onsen (Japanese bath). There is a large bath indoor, sauna etc. and another large bath outdoors set in a rock formation. So relaxing to sit there in the hot water (about 45-47~celcius) with snow flocks gently dancing in the sky…

We spend our skiing in the GranDeco resort.

The snow was a bit wet and ‘sorbet’ like the first couple of days. Then after a bit colder weather the snow was perfect for us, especially at the top of the mountain.

Ice Fishing on frozen lake

When the Onogowa lake is frozen, people are ice-fishing.

Sendai

Sendai is with about 1 million the second largest city north of Tokyo. We arrived by Shinkansen train and were greeted by a network of pedestrian walkways above the busy roads feeding conveniently into the surrounding shopping malls, restaurants and hotels without having to cross any streets.

Sendai – Overpasses
Sendai
Sendai Station

Aoba Castle Remains

Ok, there is no castle. Parts of the old walls, a guard house and some stones resembling the ground plan of a hall is all that’s left.
Aoba Castle (青葉城, Aobajō) was built in 1600 by the powerful feudal lord Date Masamune. Because of considerations for the castle’s defense, Masamune chose to locate his fortifications on Mount Aoba, 100 meters above the town below.

BUT the trip is well worth it just for the view over the city of Sendai. There is also the monument to Lord Date Masamune on horseback.

Also at the same location, just a 5 minute stroll, is the prefectural branch shrine of Tokuo’s Yasukuni Shrine, called Gokoku Shrine.

Zuihoden Mausoleum

Zuihoden (瑞鳳殿, Zuihōden) is the mausoleum of Date Masamune, one of the most powerful feudal lords of the Edo Period. Masamune was the first in a long line of Date lords to rule over Sendai from Aoba Castle. His son and grandson, Date Tadamune and Date Tsunamune, are entombed in nearby mausoleums, while other descendants are laid to rest in less elaborate graves and tombs.

Zuihoden was designed in the ornate style of the Momoyama Period. It features intricate woodwork and a rich variety of vivid colors. Masamune’s son and grandson are entombed in smaller mausoleums designed in the same style.

Massive cedar trees surround the paths in the area, and are meant to symbolize the long history of the Date clan. A museum beside the Zuihoden main building shows some of the personal artifacts of the Date family, and even some specimens of their bones and hair.

SKIING – Part 2 > APPI

A couple of trains to Appi Kogen Station where we were picked up by Kayoko, the host of our accommodation ‘Mutti’s’. She also drove us every day the short trip to the slopes and back. If you like delicious Japanese food, this is the place to stay. Breakfast and dinner; fresh local ingredients perfectly balanced and expertly prepared and presented. So much food, glorious food…

Appi Kogen Station
Mutti’s
Mutti’s delicious foos
Mutti’s

“Happy in Appi”…! Appi is bigger than GranDeco, more lifts, more and longer runs. The first 2 days was a bit war with the snow a bit soft, the third day was windy and heavily snowing. Almost no visibility and deep new snow made it difficult for us amateurs. With all the fresh snow, the final 2 days were just perfect skiing!