[a couple Niseko questions (what to do when we're not skiing?)]

Hi everyone - I'll be Niseko next week and can't wait. A couple questions about what we should be doing when we're not skiing (i.e. at night):

 

Are there any places that aren't totally obvious (i.e. not walking distance from Hirafu Village, that maybe we have to take a bus to) that are worth checking out at night?

 

And as far as nightlife goes:

 

- what are the best real party spots? Are there places to dance?

- finally, are there specific places where more Japanese people will be hanging out? No offense to the Aussies of course (I'll be traveling with one), but I've read that Niseko is one of the "least Japanese" parts of Japan - in addition to the snow, of course, I wouldn't mind getting a taste of Japanese culture, including the nightlife!

 

 

Thanks!

[A couple takkyubin questions...]

Thanks everyone. Has anyone used JAL ABC? I ask because their counter is in the international terminal at Haneda (I think Yamato is in the domestic terminals), but more importantly it looks like they are open 24 hours.

[A couple takkyubin questions...]

Hi - I'm headed to Japan next week, and while there am spending 4 nights in Niseko. I heard about the takkyubin services and have a couple questions:

 

1) Our flight arrives at Haneda airport at 10:20pm, and their office there closes at 11pm. Obviously this will be very tight - I would guess that we wouldn't make it there by 11. Is there any chance they would stay open for us knowing that we are on the 10:20pm flight? If not, would the only thing be to carry the skis into Tokyo and bring them to an office the next day?

 

2) Time shouldn't be a problem on the way to Niseko, because we arrive in Tokyo on Feb. 9th and don't arrive in Niseko until the 13th, but on the way back, we plan to ski on Friday the 17th, fly from Sapporo to Tokyo on the 18th, and then fly home out of Haneda on the night of the 19th. Would our skis get there on time? Obviously it would be a disaster if our skis weren't there when our flight left. Can they be picked up in Niseko early evening on a Friday night?

 

3) Somewhat related - if it turns out that we can't use takkyubin for either the reasons above, does anyone know if JAL will accept ski equipment? I read that sometimes they will not allow ski equipment on their domestic flights. If so, would there be any additional charge for this?

 

Thank you!