Little nugget's first snowboard experience and our quick lunch at Choujiya 丁子庵

Jelloman told me we won't be leaving Tokyo for Karuizawa (輕井澤) too early but I guess we have very different definitions for the word early.

We are taking this special-edition JR train to the ski ground. Checking my watch, it was around 8:30am.

The train departs in 10 minutes and the whole journey will be around 60 to 70 minutes. 

I won't say it's a breeze but we finally arrived at Karuizawa Station.

Another 10-minute walk brought us to Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Center, with Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza just around the corner.

Time to get dressed with all the protective gear. 

We met up with little nugget's coach and off we go.

For a Sunday, the ski ground isn't as busy as we had expected.

He's looking good in his ski outfit. 

First, he's learning how to fall!

After about 30 or so minutes, little one was already getting a good grasp of snowboarding.

Comfortable enough for us to retreat and grab ourselves a bowl of rice at nearby Choujiya (丁子庵).

This is a small canteen-style eatery serving simple Japanese rice bowls and noodle dishes.

I went with a small tendon (天丼) with two pieces of shrimp tempura while we waited for little one's meal break.

This was when we got a ping from the coach that they were going further uphill.

He was seen having fun with his snowmen.

Not just one, but an army of them!!! ⛄⛄⛄

Who wouldn't enjoy playing in the powdery snow.......

Time to get back to his snowboard and learn a few more tricks....

Price: ￥￥￥

Address: Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort, 1016-192 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0102, Japan

Closest Metro Station: Karuizawa

Tel: +81 267-42-5588

Opening Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm daily