Well, that’s a wrap.
After weeks of deep turns, vending machines, cultural curveballs, and powder dreams, it’s time to pull the goggles off and reflect on what just happened. Here’s what I’m taking with me and what I’d do differently next time. Because yes, there will be a next time.
What I’m Taking With Me
1. Snowboarding in Japan is Not Just About the Snow
Yes, Japow is real. It’s face-shot deep, feather-light, and addictive. But what made the trip unforgettable was as well everything around it: late-night onsen baths, ramen via vending machine, staff sprinting through airports to help us catch a flight, and heated toilet seats that changed my life. Japan surprised me every single day.
2. Culture Shock Can Be Beautiful
At first, I felt like a polite alien, bowing too much, forgetting my toilet slippers, and getting lost in photo booths and capsule machines. But then I got into the rhythm. The rituals. The respect. The quiet. It taught me to slow down, pay attention, and never assume anything.
3. You Can Plan for Snow — But You Can’t Control It
We had dry spells. We had bottomless days. And that’s the game.
4. Gear Fails Make the Best Stories
Cable-tied my bindings, taped down skins, carried Calorie Mate like gold. These little disasters? Now they’re my favorite memories. Pro tip: always pack zip ties and duct tape. Always.
5. The Mountain Deserves Your Respect
Japan’s backcountry is no joke. No rescue. No second chances. That lesson hit hard. We followed the rules, used the right gear, and still got lucky to not fall in a river sometimes.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
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Explore more of the backcountry. Longer hikes, touring missions, and maybe even climbing a volcano or two. No guide, just us, the map, and our legs. A bit more wild, a bit more free.
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Only bring my powder board and a splitboard. I never touched my park board, which I brought to Japan the entire trip. Most parks aren’t even fully built until later in the season, and the terrain in Japan is perfect for carving, even if there is no fresh snow.
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Pack even lighter. Most places had washing machines. Shampoo? Everywhere provided. Extra hoodie? Just took space.
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Get better at Japanese basics. Even just a few words would’ve gone a long way.
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Book a cooking course. I need to learn how to cook a proper ramen — not the instant kind, but real, slow-simmered deliciousness.
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Try karaoke (for real). No more skipping the classics. Next time I’m going full Beyoncé.
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Win in the pachinko. (Okay – not really. But I’ll definitely try again and embrace the chaos.
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Visit Hakuba and the resorts on the main island. Want to go beyond Hokkaido and see what the rest of Japan’s slopes have to offer.
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Plan a stop in Tokyo. To actually explore the city. We skipped it this time, and I felt like we missed a whole side of Japan.
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What’s Next?
This trip lit a fire in me. Not just for snow, but for storytelling, slow travel, and cultural deep-dives. So yes, I’ll be back to Japan, but maybe also to places like Georgia or even Chile. Same powder obsession, new stories.
And as for this blog? This is the last post in the Japow series, but it won’t be the last adventure. I’m already dreaming up the next one.
Until then: Keep the stoke high, your board waxed, and your heart open.
Arigatou and see you soon.
🏂🇯🇵
More about Japow:
The Ultimate Japow Guide
Freeride Safety, Apps, and Survival Rules
The Culture of Japan – Beyond the Powder
Insta vs. Reality – The Japow Edition
My Takeaways & Next Time’s Game Plan
Media: All video footage is owned by me. Some images were generated using Midjourney AI.
Hi Michèle, thanks for this super entertaining Japow blog series! Was really interesting to get your first-hand insights. I’m definitely looking forward to the day I can apply everything I’ve learned – once I finally get the chance to travel to Japan for the first time.
Hi Lukas, thank you so much! I’m thrilled you found the Japow series entertaining and insightful. I hope your first trip to Japan becomes everything you dream of – and more. Let me know when you go, I’d love to hear how it compares! 🇯🇵❄️
The part about gear fails turning into your favorite memories really hit home. It’s funny how the mishaps — like zip ties and duct tape saves — often end up being the stories we tell the most. Totally bookmarking that pro tip!
Right?! Those gear mishaps always sneak into the highlight reel. 😅 I’m convinced zip ties and duct tape are the real MVPs of any snow trip. Glad that tip hit home, may your next adventure be full of great stories and minor fixes!
Dear Michèle 👋🏼 So sad that there won’t be any more blog posts from you! 🥲 But I love that you used this last one to share what you’d do differently on your next Japow adventure. It was such a joy to follow your journey, and I’m already looking forward to more travel insights 😍 – this time maybe in your Insta stories! 🌏📲✨
Ahh thank you for the lovely words! 😭💛 It’s tough wrapping up the series, but it means so much to hear it brought you joy. And yes, I might just continue the journey over on Insta, stay tuned for the next adventure! 🌍📱✨
Hi Michèle, ohh noo, your series is already over! 😢 I really enjoyed it and I could learn so much about Japan and Japow! But now, I wish you all the best and I hope you are able to travel to Japan soon again to hit the slopes (or the powder)! ❄️
Thank you so much, Géraldine! It makes me so happy to know the series brought value and good vibes. Don’t worry, Japan is calling again, and I’ll be chasing that powder (and ramen) soon enough. ❄️🏂
It’s so true that Japow is more than just the snow. The cultural surprises are just as big of a part of the experience—things like heated toilet seats and vending machine ramen really stick with you! It sounds like the whole trip was a beautiful blend of adventure and discovery.
You captured it perfectly, Japow is truly a mix of snow magic and cultural wonder. The little surprises, like vending ramen or magical toilet seats, totally made it unforgettable. Thanks for reading and sharing the stoke!
I love how you highlighted the cultural moments alongside the powder—Japan has this way of turning even the small stuff into something memorable. The vending machine ramen hits different after a full day on the mountain.
So glad that resonated with you! Japan’s ability to make everyday things feel special is such a gift. After a full day on the mountain, vending ramen really does hit different! 🍜⛷️
Loved how you highlighted that Japow is more than just the powder — it’s the onsen nights, the vending machine meals, and the quiet moments of cultural discovery. Totally agree that travel gets richer when you embrace the “off-mountain” experiences too.
Couldn’t agree more, the onsen nights and peaceful cultural moments made me fall in love with travel all over again. “Off-mountain” magic is where the soul of a place really reveals itself. Thanks for highlighting that! 🛀✨