▶IOERC10 Field Trip
Outward Bound Japan Nagano School:
 Snow Mountain Camp, Snow Cave Experience

Dates: Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, March 3, 2024

Outward Bound Japan will offer an experience at the Outward Bound Nagano School, a centre for adventure education in Japan. Otari Village in Nagano Prefecture, where Nagano School is located, is one of the world’s heaviest snowfall areas.

On the first day, you will craft your own sleeping place / snow cave. That is your private dwelling. In addition, the group will create a communal kitchen and dining space made entirely out of snow. Meals will be served on the snow, and you will sleep in your own cave. The stars will be all around you.

On the second day, we will go to a nearby peak. We will use traditional Japanese snowshoes called “Kanjiki,” which are unique to Japan. We will climb through the forest, breaking trail on fresh snow. It’s really a whole new world. At noon, we will have a leisurely lunch in the Outward Bound Nagano School, and then go to an onsen (hot spring).

We will finish off with a review and evaluate the experience.

▶Information

Dates: Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, March 3, 2024

■ The Meeting Place
Travel: by public transportation
Meeting Place: Hiraiwa Station on JR Oito Line (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture)
Meeting Time: Saturday, March 2, 11:10 a.m.
Connecting train: The Hokuriku Shinkansen departing from Tokyo Station at 7:52 a.m. will get you there in time.

■The Leaving Place
Leaving Place: Hiraiwa Station on JR Oito Line (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture)
Leaving Time:Sunday, March 3, 16:40
Connecting train: Departing from Hiraiwa Station at 16:45, you can change trains at Itoigawa and arrive at Tokyo Station at 20:00.

■ Capacity
12 persons with a minimum number of participants: 5

■ Conditions for participation
Participants must be 18 years of age or older, in good health, and physically fit enough to carry 10 kg of luggage on their backs and walk a distance of about 5 km.
*Those who live overseas must have “overseas travel insurance” to participate

■Participation fee:
28,600 yen (including 10% consumption tax )
Included in the participation fee: guided program, 3 meals, lodging, facility use, 1 hot spring, equipment rental fee, and transportation during the program.

■Cancellation Fees
In case of cancellation, the following cancellation fees will apply:
If cancellation notice is received by the Association after registration
■ 30 days to 8 days prior to the start of the course: 5,000 Japanese Yen
■ 7 days to 2 day prior to the start of the course:10,000 Japanese Yen
■ 1 day prior to the start of the course,and on the course start date or later: 100% of the course registration fee
*In case of cancellation up to 31 days prior to the start of the course, the participant will be responsible for the bank transfer fee for the refund.

■ What to bring
Professional tools required for this course will be lent by us.
Please bring your own personal clothing and other personal belongings.
The main items are,
・Waterproof winter wear (jacket and pants)
・Fleece sweater
・Down jacket
・Winter boots (waterproof shoes appropriate for activities on the snow)
・A winter hat (knit hat that covers ears, etc.)
・Sunglasses ・Sunscreen
・Lunch on the first day
*Rain wear can be rented (3,000 yen) /Big sizes (larger than XL) are not available for rent.

▶Requests

■ Requests during the course
We will use a lot of fire-sensitive equipment. In order to run the course safely, we ask that you refrain from smoking. We also ask that you refrain from drinking alcohol during the course in order to concentrate on the course. Please understand this in advance.

■Photography on the course
OBJ staff members or persons commissioned by OBJ may record still or moving images and use them on OBJ’s website, in publications, and in other media. Please understand this beforehand. Please contact OBJ in advance if you have any concerns

▶Application   ※No Vacancy – Registration closed
Link to Course Application Form


▶Contact

Outward Bound Japan,
Nagano School 
10650 Kitaotari Otarimura Kita-azumigun Nagano-ken ,
Phone:+81-25-557-2211  
(from Japan) 025-557-2211 

Please contact us by e-mail.
info@obs-japan.org