Join us for this hybrid event to learn how to best enjoy skiing and other winter sports in Japan’s top-notch powder snow!

Winter may get a bad reputation for its chilly weather, but there is much to appreciate in the season: relaxing in an onsen, admiring seasonal décor, and enjoying winter sports. And what better place to experience the season than Japan?

Do you know nothing about skiing in Japan? Are you concerned about bringing a bunch of heavy ski gear to Japan? Perhaps you’re afraid of renting a car and driving (on the wrong side of the road!) to ski resorts? You don’t need to worry!

In this event we’ll reveal Japan’s winter sports attractions that aren’t well-known among tourists, or are off the beaten path. Industry experts will explain how to plan your winter holiday: transportation, gear rental, sports lessons in English, and more. We’ll also talk about snow sports beyond skiing — cross country, snow shoeing, and more!

It’s not too early to start planning your overseas winter getaway!

*Although this event is hybrid, we’d love to see your happy faces! Please join us for networking, a gourmet light meal, and wine.

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Agenda
6:00-6:02pm   Opening Remarks, Kendra De Nike | Japan Society of Northern California
6:02-6:05pm    Video, Hakuba Valley
6:05-6:20pm    Presentation, Cliff Bernstein | Managing Director and Co-Founder, Snow Country Travel LLC
6:20-6:35pm    Presentation, Nadine Robb | Ski & Adventure Travel Writer, Resort Consultant and Owner/Ski & Snowboard Instructor at Hakuba Ski Concierge
6:35-6:38pm    Video, Niseko United
6:38-6:55pm    Q&A, Moderator Ryota “Roy” Ogura | Director and Co-Founder, Snow Country Travel LLC
6:55-7:00pm    Closing Remarks, Takahide Akiyama | President, Japan Society of Northern California

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Date and Time:

U.S.: Thursday, April 28, 2022 @ 6:00-7:00pm (Pacific Time)
Japan: Friday, April 29, 2022 @ 10:00-11:00am (Japan Time)

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Location:

Online via Zoom

*OR*

In-person at San Mateo Werqwise, 4 W 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
*Only 20 spots available!
**A gourmet light meal and wine will be available during networking time.

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Price:
Online: FREE!
In-person at San Mateo Werqwise:

$5 for Japan Society Members
$10 for Non-Members

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OUR AMAZING SPEAKER

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Cliff Bernstein | Managing Director and Co-Founder, Snow Country Travel LLC

Originally from New York, Cliff has been a lifelong skier and snowboarder, and has spent most of the past 30 years in Japan, gradually exploring mountains from Kyushu to Hokkaido while pursuing careers in law and finance. In 2008, he invested in a ski lodge in Niseko and 10 years later established Snow Country Travel to attend to the many requests for services beyond the scope of his modest lodge. Snow Country Travel has supported clients on unique itineraries throughout Japan’s mountainous regions, handling everything from wheels up to wheels down. When Cliff is not going up and down lifts and slopes, he resides in Kamakura and travels throughout Japan.

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Nadine Robb | Ski & Adventure Travel Writer, Resort Consultant and Owner/Ski & Snowboard Instructor at Hakuba Ski Concierge

Nadine Robb is a Ski & Adventure Travel Writer, Resort Consultant and Owner/Ski & Snowboard Instructor at Hakuba Ski Concierge. Born and raised in the south east of England, Nadine arrived in Japan in 2010, and now splits her time between Japan and Canada. Having spent many happy holidays on the Austrian ski slopes as a child, the natural evolution of adulthood was to create a life in the mountains in which she could combine her love of writing with her love of snow sports.

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Roy Ogura | Director and Co-Founder, Snow Country Travel LLC_

Ryota “Roy” Ogura is the co-founder of Snow Country Travel, a Reno, Nevada based travel agency which specializes in luxury custom winter experiences in Japan. Roy began his career in the finance industry with a focus on Asian equities at several investment banking and asset management firms while based in Tokyo and then Hong Kong. Roy earned his BA from Dartmouth College and is currently based in Menlo Park, California.

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