We’d been itching to get a group together to go canyoning and now was our chance. Jack & Ayumi were up from Gifu prefecture and guests were still at the lodge recovering from all the partying. Add a few locals and we had a fifteen-man strong group to brave the rapids. First stop was Evergreen where everyone got suited up – Summer in Hakuba is pretty hot but the water in the canyon has its source high up in the mountains so a wetsuit helps delay the onset of hypothermia. It also helps you slither over the rocks as you make your way down the rapids like a seal. Then it was off to Ochikura, a canyon that drops down from high above Tsugaike. First obstacle after walking down into the gorge was a pretty scary flying fox death slide followed by a series of rapids and waterfalls. The highlight was probably the superman slide down the wall of a 10m waterfall into a deep plunge pool. Unfortunately the other group that day had the camera so we didn’t get any pics from within the canyon itself but here are some from another group that did it. Had a great half day and we’ll definitely be back again to do the full day course!

Obon week – A week long holiday in Japan where people traditionally return to their place of birth to visit the graves of ancestors… …Except for the thousands of people who flock to Hakuba to escape the heat and…PARTY!! Friends from Tokyo and Guests alike filled the lodge for Obon week. Just down the road from the lodge “Mother” , a four day party commenced at Tsugaike ski resort. Something told me we weren’t going to get much sleep this week. At least we had Aokiko lake to cool down in after.

This is the first Morino Blog post so I’ll make it brief. Quite a few customers were getting lost in the environs of Wadano last season trying to make their way back to the lodge – The reason, no sign!! I didn’t have time to make one in the winter but now its the off season the moment had finally arrived. Went round to Mitch’s place to see if he had any wood and he just happened to have procured a beautiful solid slab of cedar that very day. Fate was sealed..Thanks Mitch!! First I planed the wood down, before starting with the router and doing all the niggly bits. Finally I sanded it down…and…voila!   I bought a solar powered spotlight (dubious as to whether it will work or not) and then I’m going to stain the surrounding wood and paint the logo in the same colours as the website logo. We haven’t decided where to put it yet. Stuck to a tree will keep it above the snow but might not look too classy whilst sticking legs on it might make it into bulldozer fodder. Either way, hopefully not as many guests will get lost this coming season.