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John-San

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Posts posted by John-San

    car rental Tokyo or Nagano

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Thanks for the comments from all. And also good warning on drinking

     

    BTW we have a family of 5 and 5 skis so quite a bit of gear.

     

    I see oxsnowbum found a roof rack from Toyota - Was that recently? toyota have told me they do not have any roof racks in nagano!!

     

    Alternatively if we were to use buses instead - we are staying at Goryu so does anyone know how easy it is to get form there to the other resorts by public bus - including Cortina?

     

    Thanks

    I drive shuttle bus for a hotel. Everyone wants to go to Cortina so I had 2 runs out to Cortina 8.00am and 10.00 am. Last year Cortina started a pick-up shuttle bus servise for Goryu to Cortina directly no other stops and drop you back at Goryu by 5.30 pm . It picked up at 7.30am out front of Sultana. The cost was Y 5000 per head. Ok, it sound good so far but it will be a hassle get to 5 people organise and have breakfast and get your gear and group to the pick up spot before 7.30 am. Most hotels do not start serving breakfast until 7.00 am and no refunds if you miss the bus. If you decide to hire a car. You will still have to leave before 7.30 or risk running to gauntlet. Like i said everyone want to go to Cortina so the road out and up to Cortina is very busy during January at that time in the morning. You will find people in 2WD putting on chain only when they can not go any further. It is MAD. You will have to have a good sense of humour to overcome the greef you could and will encounter. Here a tip If it is dumping I would pull over at bottom at the Otari turn off and wait for a bus and hook in behind it. Because I have have seen it dump 40cm between the snowplows on that road up to Cortina. January is the mad month on and off the slopes. That why I advise people to go Hakuba in February. If I was you and you really wanted to go to Cortina catch the shuttle I have spoken about by your self. With a family in tow you will need a good sense of Humour. I again would advise you to stay local and have a hassle free day and never go to Cortina on weekend during January. If I was you I would consider going to little resort south of Goryu to hit. Look I am not try to turn you off. It can be the best snow trip of your life or it could be you worst. The last thing I want to do is put you off Hakuba and I don,t want you going away disappointed also. The town needs tourist and I have a lot of local friends who earn a living from the foreign tourist trade. I can help you out with advise so you and your family can have that magic snow trip. here just one little tip. Most hotels will state ski in and ski out but in Goryu there is only about 10 or so self-contain accommodation which can state that. The local ski etiquette is no skiing to the roads. A lot of people still do it because the hotel where they are staying will tell you it is OK but is not. The local get real piss off and that local you piss off could be your taxi driver or the bar-person serving you that night. I can go on and on about this subject. You are welcome to email me if want any advise about getting the best out of your trip.

    car rental Tokyo or Nagano

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    With my rental I booked for Feb next year (Small AWD with snow tyres) for 21 day will cost me $1100 AUD. Remember 0 alcohol limit are enforce. So if your going to drink don,t drive. So think hard about renting a car in Japan if you thinking of hit the piss while on holiday because even if you have stack in the afternoon after a big night you will be over the limit. Will renting a car but a damper on your holiday? The shuttle bus are a good free service and will get you to the lift and gondola before opening.

    car rental Tokyo or Nagano

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Try the Idemitsu service station in Hakuba. It is on the eastern side of route 148 s about 500 metres south from the Hakuba train station. It is a Hertz franchise I used in March 2013 and I hope you can speak Japanese. There is a Hertz franchise on the north side of Nagano Station but you have to consider toll charges will be on the bill when you pay. The toll are not expensive but you don,t know what extra fees Rental will put on top of the bill.

    Slow start to snow in Hakuba?

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    The start to the season in Hakuba in 2011 was not so good. the top of Goryu was open from the 20 of Dec but only one run with all the local crew on it. They open the rest of resorts on the 25 of Dec with help of the snowmakers. The start to the 2012 season was great. The first dump came on around the 10 of Nov and just keep on coming. You will get a ride and all the resorts will be open but the quality is another thing. also it is the biggest crowd of the season during the Xmas week break.

    Warm hands and feet!

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Hi everyone. Ive been skiing for a while now but I still struggle with the age old problem, my toes especially are in excruciating pain from he cold! Hands as well. Niseko last year was a struggle. We are back to Niseko after Christmas but I really don't feel like going through all the pain again. So, whats the answer? Ive tried thee activated charcoal pads. They seem to make your feet sweat, socks get wet and you know where that ends up! More socks dont help at all. What about heated socks? I havent tried them at all. My daughter is keen to give them a go. I'm looking to any and all input into this old problem. What are you guys doing to stop the freeze?

    Try taking one Aspro or 1/2 or 200 mg of Ibuprofen in the morning, These are blood thiner so and adds better circulation. First ask Doc about it.

    Cost of Living in Niseko

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Compared to AU food and alcohol is dirt cheap in japan. Like half price or less.

     

    I've heard that about food from several people. The cost of living in Australia sounds savage.

    No it about the same over all. The Meat (Beef, Chook,Lamb), veg and fruit are way cheaper then Japan. I picked up a lovely loin of Scotch Fillet today for Y1000 kg where in Japan it would be Y1000 for 100gm. Where in Japan other daily item are cheaper. So it kind of work out thje same. I do the shopping for the hotel while in Hakuba and I do the shopping at home in Aussie. But I am a shopper and I do source the best prices every time I go shopping. So you can be lazy and top price or be studious Like you can buy 2 litres of milk for $2 shop brand or buy $4 for Top shelf. Most produce are price like that Shop or Genetic brands or Top selve price. But the price Spirits is dead cheap where bber is about the same $45 for a 24 can slab in Aussie, Y4800 for a slab in Japan.

    Cost of Living in Niseko

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Yes I have try, but it very hard to explain how they require dreadlocks but they understand that is upsetting to patrons. I was thinking of asking Hakuba Connect Mag to do item on the subject amptharising the community feeling about the dreadlock subject. Is it bordering on discrimation? I feel not but some may interrupt it as. My Japanese girlfriend is the Receptionist at Cortina resort Onsen and she find it hard to explain this the these self-centred Foreigners and they start abusing her. That why I REALLY HATE IT because It hurt bad when you cannot do anything because she get hurt and might loss work if I intervene!!

    Cost of Living in Niseko

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    I just remember this instant. I was picking up at Happo and it was probably the worse day of the season. While I was waiting for them I notice this old Aussie looking a bit hard done by. I walk over to ask how was his day. He told me he was not happy with the resort. He continued to complain and at the end he state That Thredbo was way better Happo. I was abit taken back by this remark because it is a totally stupid statement to make!!. By then the guest just finish for the day. I ask them how was there day as I loading their skies and the reply was F**King Great. I look over to old Aussie and nodded in his direction saying, Well the Old Aussie over there think Thredbo is a way better resort. They both replied in sequence. What!! Is he on DRUGs! and to that the old Aussie spat it. I reply well if that the case old fellow Thredbo in for chance at holding the Winter Olympics !!! to which the crowd just broke up causing the old Aussie total embarrassment!!

    Cost of Living in Niseko

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Yes you are total correct!! I am in Hospitality , catering for middle class Aussie Families. 90% of Aussie are so self- centred. I pick and put down at the resort and in the Valley. I feel and see their bad attitude and their expression even at the end of great powder, Most whinge about the slightest abnormality. E.G. I am drive a crew of Aussie to the Gondola at Happo One and people are walking on the road making hard for Cars and buses, as is the norm. But the crew will start complain about this, making rude remark about the locals and Gonala is not even open for 15-20 minutes and I am the one who is driving!! I like to drop them off early so I can get people to who are going Cortina to the lifts before they open. I do my work well and great some tips of Americans (Y10,000 ) is not unusual but never off and Aussie. But my biggest hate is their manners in the Onsen. I hate it when a bloke have has Dredlock and entries without raping their hair in a towel. A BIg PiSS OFF

     

    Sorry I mean Abnormal to there way of thinking

     

    I have nothing but total respect for the People of Japan and their society

    Cost of Living in Niseko

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    I'm looking for some guidance on the cost of living in Niseko for a seasonaire. I'm heading over this winter for the first time and I had a hunt around, but I've got quite contrasting numbers. So would be great for someone who has spent a season in Niseko during in the last few years to give some definite numbers.

     

    I've got housing and job sorted.

     

    But would like to know:

     

    1. Cost of food per month

    2. Price of a beer in bars

    3. Anything else that is significant

     

    Thanks.

     

    Steve

    How are you going to get around. If you want a car you have to have a place to park it. Then you have the cost of running a car/ Petrol is Y150 in march. Will you be leasing or hiring a car because that will sort out parking. If you buy a car make sure the cost of shaken the car is not High is costs. Really should talk to a local when you get there.

    Cheese (camonbare) Y 250 150 gm/ Milk Y150 litre/ Bread 180 haft loaf/ green tea 250gm Y500/seafood price are reasonable/ Meat expensive/ pork reasonable price/ season lift pass Y 30,000 or $300 us

    When I live in Japan room and my food is in the work deal but I end up eating out 6 out 7 nights. Y30,000 a week you live quite will. Ad another Y10,000 for fuel if you get a car. hair cut can be Y2500, if your a local Y1000, import fruit is dear, but I love the Japanese Strawberry and the Milk. I can go on and on about the two. The best I have tasted/ strawberry Y450 a big punnet. Hogan Dazs ice cream Y 250 100gm.

    Yes Aussie dream for Abenomic.

    The 2013 Southern Hemisphere Winter Thread

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    "The last 12 months have been the warmest on record, according to the weather bureau, and most states recorded their warmest winter since records began."

     

    From the Australian abc web site....

    I was just checking out the sea water surface temp on BOM for the far south coat of NSW. IT is usual around 15c to 16c this time of year and it is 16c now. What i did notice is an area the size of Tasmania some 50 km of the coast were the surface temp was from 20c to 24c. The surface water in this area does not reach those sort of temp until late January early February. This time of the year the 20c to 24c body of water is usual lying of Brisbane. So what have I notice in changes. This time of year Aug/ Sept the Land surface temp is always a couple of degrees hotter then the water surface. This create strong westerlies which are absent this year which has turned the winds this year to warmer and from the NE.

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