Japan Bible Home - Perfect Getaway place from Tokyo!

Most people know Minakami for skiing in winter, water sports in summer and bungee-jumping. It is a good place to make a one day trip from Tokyo and you can find a lot of economical ski lots and eating places.

However, in summer this year I visited this place tucked away in the mountains and I was overwhelmed by the beauty and tranquility of the place. This place is run by a not-for-profit Christian Mission organisation and hence they do not advertise about themselves. They reply on word of mouth publicity and their connections to churches across Japan. But the place is open to all kinds of people from all backgrounds. Only thing you will have to watch out for is that they do not allow alcohol in their property. The place is cheap to stay. They only charge JPY5,800 per person per night that includes sumptuous dinner and a healthy breakfast. The stay is more like minshuku type - you will have tatami rooms and bunk beds.

Things to do:
There is hiking both on the roads and in the woods. We have a variety of routes for you to choose from.

There are 4 large dams in the area and some people come to look at them because they are of 4 different styles.

There is canoeing with their canoes which costs 1000 yen per person. They will teach and go with you.

They have 2 inside and 1 outside hotspring baths which you can enjoy at no cost.

There is a small river close-by where children (or adults) can play in.This river water is very clean since no one lives upstream.

Steam locomotives come to Minakami station on Saturday and Sunday.
There is a turn-table where the engine is turned around for the return trip.
Check with the JR Minakami Station for the times.

Other sight-seeing and experiences can be found at the www.enjoy-minakami.jp web site (we went for whitewater rafting).

But the most important part is that they are surrounded by nature and it is good sometimes to just go in the woods and sit and let your senses be touched.

We also did BBQ on the night we arrived and we were amazed at the service we received. They provided everything that is needed for the BBQ - that is, we only had to take the meat, vegetables and soft drinks. They provided firewood, plates, glass and all that stuff.

Their website is not great but you can still see at:
http://www3.kannet.ne.jp/~biblehome/