If this chilly winter weather has you dreaming of Pre-COVID holiday times and that knee deep, powdery light snow that can only found in the land of the rising sun, read on for our latest TFH toolkit where we transport ourselves to beautiful Japan.
We’re slurping up some delicious miso ramen with a truly zany Japanese YouTube cooking show; falling in love with Tokyo through Sofia Coppola’s classic movie ‘Lost in Translation’, and reading up on the Japanese secret to a long and happy life.
We also break down our expert guide to one of our all-time fave destinations – Niseko. Famous for its huge snowfalls (14m on average) of that incredible Japow, awesome restaurants and bar scene, thrilling adventure tours and of course, the soothing hot Onsen bathing, it’s easy to see why Niseko is one of the world’s most widely celebrated snow holiday hot spots.
TRAVEL FOR REAL WITH JIGSAW TRAVEL
While international travel is still on hold for the foreseeable future, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands are inching closer to re-opening, broadening horizons we are itching to explore. While many of you may not yet know, our business has a division solely dedicated to the curation of bespoke travel experiences and customised tours throughout Australia and beyond. Outside of our snow holiday expertise, our Jigsaw Travel team has unparalleled knowledge in the art of travel and exclusive access to the best deals and packages via our partnerships with leading local hotels, resorts, experiences and tour operators.
With additional benefits and exclusive VIP amenities, our Jigsaw team can help bring your domestic, trans-Tasman or Pacific adventure to life, ensuring safety and security as you explore once again. Chat to your Mogul Ski World advisor to be put in touch, and visit our Travel Journal for inspirational itineraries at www.jigsawtravel.com.au
At the end of this newsletter, we are sharing two exclusive Jigsaw Travel offers for luxury Australian short breaks that you can enjoy now.
Happy travels!
DREAM DESTINATION – NISEKO
Niseko, located on the island of Hokkaido is undoubtedly one of the best known and largest ski areas in Japan, if not the world. Sitting at the bottom of the impressive Mount Yotei, Niseko United comprises four interlinked resorts – Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri. The resorts offer some really remarkable back country skiing with off-piste touring, wide open bowls and tree runs. The main village at the base of Grand Hirafu boasts an amazing choice of dining options, from upmarket Michelin star restaurants to small family run izakayas and some super fun bars.
While there’s plenty on offer for families and beginners, Niseko is a great destination for experts and adventure-seekers – mainly due to those endless days of deep powder and the extensive amount of out-of-bounds skiing for which the region is renowned. To really make the most of all the hidden and deep powder runs, we recommend booking a local mountain guide for a day or two. A guide can also take you on day trips to experience the nearby resorts of Rusutso and Kiroro.
WHERE TO STAY
The village of Hirafu is basically split into two halves, with the main street running right through the middle. On the upper side of the main street is the Upper Village. This is where you will find the accommodation that is closest to the lifts, some being ski in, ski out.
Sitting right beside the main Gondola is the 4.5-star Ki Niseko. Offering hotel rooms, 1 and 2 bedrooms, this property is perfectly positioned to access the Gondola for those who want to be on the first lift and for night skiing, which runs until 9pm. One of the best ski schools is also located right next door. With its own Onsen and a fantastic restaurant onsite, there’s no need to head out, but they do offer a free village shuttle to access Niseko’s great restaurants.
Also located high on the hill with ski in, ski out access to either the Quad lift or Gondola is the newly completed 4.5-star Skye Niseko. They offer hotel rooms to 4 bedrooms and stunning penthouses. The facilities include restaurant, café and deli, onsite rental shop and a lovely onsen.
In the lower village, below the main road are a number of newly developed properties. Being in the lower village means a bit of a walk to the lifts or catching the local shuttle, but the high-end options include an on-call car service. These include Haven Niseko and Loft Niseko (pictured), two lovely options with stunning views across the valley to Mt Youtei.
Check out our amazing Niseko snow holiday specials that you can book with confidence now, enjoying penalty free cancellation up until August 31, 2020.
https://mogulski.com.au/destinations/specials/niseko-specials/
TRAVEL FROM HOME TOOLKIT – JAPAN EDITION
COOKING WITH DOG: This YouTube cooking channel has developed a cult following, as much for its wacky premise as its great tutorials of delicious Japanese cuisine. The show features a mysterious Japanese woman known only as “Chef” who prepares the featured dish of the episode while her toy poodle Francis narrates the process (in a seemingly German accent!?). It’s awesomely weird in that fun, Japanese way. Francis provides easy to follow narration and the dishes are a mix of inventive (eg octopus-shaped sausages with sesame seed eyes) and quick, easy Japanese comfort food, like our favourite – Miso Ramen. So delicious! Watch it here.
WATCH – LOST IN TRANSLATION: Set and filmed entirely in Tokyo, Sofia Coppola’s 2013 cinematic classic tells a beautiful story of love and friendship blooming under unlikely circumstances. Starring Bill Murray as Bob, a well-known American actor who, with his career in a tailspin and needing work, accepts a very large fee to appear in a Japanese whiskey commercial being shot in Tokyo, and Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte, a young twenty-something feeling similarly dissatisfied with life. Their unlikely friendship evolves throughout the film as they explore Tokyo together, sharing bemusement and confusion with the sights and sounds of contemporary Tokyo. From the glittering cityscape from the sky-high bar at the Park Hyatt hotel, to the neon-filled karaoke bars and buzzing streets, the city of Tokyo is undoubtedly the third star of the film and has inspired many a traveller to follow in Bob and Charlotte’s footsteps. Many travel articles have been produced mapping out Lost in Translation itineraries and guides to the city. See one here.
READ – IKIGAI The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
In Japanese, ‘IKIGAI’ roughly translates to a reason for being – the intersection of passion, purpose, meaning and wellbeing. It’s a concept that is profound in its simplicity and according to the residents of Okinawa, the Japanese island with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life.
In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100 year olds -one of the world’s Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and their best-kept secret -how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. It also provides some practical tools to help us discover our own ikigai.
JIGSAW TRAVEL’S EXCLUSIVE SHORT BREAK SPECIALS
FOUR SEASONS SYDNEY:
Escape to the 5-star luxury of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney from just $240 per night.
Receive daily hot breakfast for two in Mode Kitchen and Bar, US$100 food & beverage credit to enjoy during your stay and complimentary late check-out and room upgrade subject to availability.
Email [email protected] to book
Offer must be booked before 31 July.
Valid for travel through to 30 November 2020.
PARK HYATT MELBOURNE:
Treat yourself to a short break at the beautiful Park Hyatt Melbourne. Stay 3 nights or more and receive 1 night free when booking with Jigsaw Travel.
This exclusive offer also includes daily breakfast for two, AUD$100 hotel credit to enjoy during your stay, WiFi and early check in / late check out subject to availability.
Book before September 30 2020 by emailing [email protected]
Available for stays through to March 31, 2021.
Similar offers are available for Hyatt properties in Sydney, Canberra and Auckland