After a winter in Hokkaido, I feel at home skiing on the mountains here. Sometimes I even forget I am in Japan, until something "only in Japan" happens.
You know you're skiing in Japan when:
* You see a Ferris wheel on the ski slope. Yep, a Ferris wheel! Many ski areas in Japan double as amusement parks in the summer time. The gondola lifts are used to transport people up the mountain and the wide open spaces at a ski area can accommodate big rides such as roller coasters and invariably, a Ferris wheel.