Minakami, Gunma: Backcountry, Whitewater, Onsen & More with Zack Berman / Momi-no-Ki Lodge

Outland Japan

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Episode 37 of the podcast takes us to Minakami in Gunma Prefecture to speak with Zack Berman of Momi-no-Ki Lodge. Originally from the United States, Zack and his wife Amanda own and operate the large self-contained lodge in the heart of Minakami – a hot spring town now well-established as one of Japan’s best outdoor destinations. We discuss the skiing and snowboarding available at the multiple resorts in the area – including the celebrated backcountry of Tanigawadake Tenjindaira and more – along with the fantastic rafting and canyoning, hiking and hot springs all within easy reach of the lodge. Minakami remains somewhat off the radar for international visitors but it shouldn’t and I doubt it will for long.

You can get in touch with Zack and Amanda via the lodge website, their listing on AirBnb or Momi-no-Ki’s Instagram or Facebook. As Zack mentions toward the end of our chat, when booking via the official website, enter the code POWDER for a discount.
This is the first episode of the podcast under the new name 'Outland Japan'. Under the new name, I’ll be expanding the focus of the podcast from just the ‘yukiguni’ or snow country to all of rural, regional and the wilds of Japan. I will continue to focus on the snow country, as I’m based here and want others to discover it, while also exploring those rural, regional and wild areas across the country as we travel outside the big cities to discover a different side of Japan.

Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

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1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Minakami: Where It Is & What To Expect (00:03:35)

3. (A Little Bit of) Zack's Story (00:08:40)

4. Discovering Minakami & Tenjindaira (00:16:07)

5. Finding & Purchasing the Lodge in Minakami (00:20:18)

6. Rafting & Canyoning in Minakami (00:23:55)

7. Hiking in Minakami (00:29:21)

8. Momi-no-Ki: The Setup & Who It Caters To (00:31:07)

9. The Many Ski Resorts on Offer & Finding Fresh Tracks Everywhere (00:33:51)

10. Momi-no-Ki Website & Social Media (00:42:02)

11. Episode Close (00:44:32)