[First season in Japan -- Heading to Hakuba in January. Some questions re driving there.]

I would love to get snow tires -- but I have no place to stash my regular tires. And I drive daily 40km back and forth to work. I think I would rather just get some chains.

 

Plus I would have to get a second set of wheels for the snow tires. Even if they are just steel wheels -- the costs start to add up.

 

I will look into Autobacs for a rack system and the tire chains. Thanks!

[First season in Japan -- Heading to Hakuba in January. Some questions re driving there.]

Hey guys,

 

I am new to the boards. My wife and I are avid snow sports fans (she skis and I board). We moved to Tokyo in October, with my company for a 2 to 3 year stint here. This will be our first winter here.

 

I have a car (a Nissan Bluebird Sylphy) and I would like to drive up to Hakuba in January with a group of expats (it's cheaper and easier for us to drive versus taking the bullet train -- and we want to have a car so that we can get supplies and such as we are renting a house up there).

 

How necessary will it be to get snow chains? In the states I would always get chain up near the resorts -- should I get them here in Tokyo or wait to get them nearer Nagano?

 

Also -- anyone know where I can get a roof rack mounted to the Slyphy? I have a snowboard and ski rack -- but I need to get a rail system mounted to the car.

 

Thanks -- and sorry for all the noob questions.