Space Indaver

I didn't even know Groupon was a thing in Japan. I've only heard about it in passing on podcasts.

Yeah all the nice places are already full. We called yesterday. Balls! Now to think about Gunma/Niigata.

I might not contact them, it depends where people want to go. Plus, I said "if you've emailed them". As in, if David has already gone to the trouble of emailing them, it would be nice to hear the answer. At no point did I ask him to go to any extra trouble and contact anyone on my behalf. I was suggesting that this possible new information might be useful enough to add to the info pages of SnowJapan, something I am unable to do. If I talk to them, I'll try to remember to ask though.

Came to say the same thing, ha. Thanks for being so on the ball! Would still be nice to know for future reference if staying at one place gives you access to the other's onsens, if you've already emailed them. Could be a nice little bonus.

Thanks! That's a hell of a quick response. Whichever one actually has the outdoor onsens is in the final three for Nozawa choices.

Sorry, linked to the wrong page. I've edited it. There's the outdoor shot with the wheel, and pinkish-hued indoor shot.

Thanks! I didn't realise there was a page with a big map. That's all I wanted really. I kept ending up on pages with tiny maps somehow. I'm looking through different places in Nozawa Onsen this morning, and I found something weird. Two places seem to share a few photos of onsens. http://www.snowjapan...otos#largePhoto and http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-places-to-stay/nagano/nozawa-onsen/onsen-ryokan-jonnobi/photos both have photos of the same bath(s). I'm guessing one or both of them just googled onsen and submitted those photos?

When you're looking at a snow park or ryokan's page, there's a little map, and you can move it around and see all the local places. But when I click on Google in the bottom corner of the map, it just opens up Google Maps in a new tab and goes to that location, without any of the pins or info. Are those pins saved in a publicly accessible customised Google Map somewhere? Ideally I'd like to be able to have a map open that shows me ski parks and ryokans at the same time, so I can cross-reference that with the locations of onsens. CSI shit.

Thanks for that. That's a lot like the one we visited near Takayama. We'll still take suggestions if people have them! I have relayed this place to the hive though. By-the-by, does anyone know if the embedded SnowJapan maps are public? When I open them up in full-size Google, none of the markings are on the maps. Is there a way to go to maps.google.com and see all the ryokans and skijos there?

We're coming from Toyohashi. Two years ago we went to a really nice onsen (BIG outdoor baths. Sitting in a hot rock pool with snow falling on your head is the BEST) place near Takayama, then had to drive for an hour or so to get to a snow area. Last year 15 (ish) of us went to Nozawa Onsen. Nice ryokan with kaiseki, little onsens, and obviously the snow was walkable. It was very nice, but the onsens were indoor. This year we want somewhere equally convenient in terms of nearby snow, but preferably with nice outdoor onsens. Does anyone know of anywhere? Or should we just try another pla

Try snowclub.jp - I think you can specify Osaka as a starting point (I've booked a January trip to Tsugaike from Nagoya through them) Also, my opinion might be worthless because I'm basically a boarding newbie, but Gifu would probably be significantly easier and quicker to get to for you. Daytrips might then be realistic.

Thanks for your efforts, everyone involved. The amount of info on this site is ridiculous.

Been smacked with a double tax bill this month, so I'd imagine I'll be back on the old shitty Hard Offs this year. Maybe the girl will feel very generous on my January birthday.

I just want the damn Nexus 5 to be announced. I've dropped my S3Alpha and my old S2 LTE has died in the last two weeks, and I'd much rather jump on the cheaper and better Nexus 5 than get an S4. Has anyone tried the newish Nexus 7? I'm also rather interested in this sexy little chappy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7NgPvQZr7A

This has probably been asked a million times, but are there any sites with good prices and cheap delivery to/within Japan? Trying to decide whether to get some more used boots like a scruff or just buy new. Price will probably swing it in all honesty.

Yeah I can't remember my feet ever being cold whilst snowboarding. I've never skied though. Do you use the muscles in your feet less?

In my current newbie kit (from last winter), only the goggles and gloves were new. I might get some new boots this year, since the ones I have are a size small. But hey, the whole shebang (including clothes) cost about 20k, which is damn good IMO. And cheaper than buying clothes new and renting boards for my first season.

Going to Nozawa around Christmas for an onsen/newbie snowboarding group thing. Before then, hopefully at least a couple of day trips to Dynaland or Meiho to get back in shape/balance. By which I mean learn to not fall on my face constantly. Again.

I just find it weird to see the lifts existing over land that isn't covered in snow.

Is there any reason to buy new? Other than to avoid sweatstains. Do boards and the boot clippy things get old/break over time? Can you tell I'm in expert?

I realise you're joking, but are there ever genuinely shitty/short snow seasons in Gifu/Nagano?

It's turned grey and wet and brilliant today. Still humid as shit though. Is it still only October? That means at least three weeks until I break my leg playing football, putting me out for the season.

Any recommendations for places near monkey onsens? Mixture of novices and "can just about make it to the bottom without inducing an asthma attack"s.

I technically supported the bid. Does anyone know where I can get my vouchers for a discounted World Cup 2030 ticket?

If there's a reasonable price for me to connect at Nagoya and get to Nakatsugawa, that will be awesome. There'll no doubt be buses and whatnot that make it a snow hub. Now I play the waiting game. Is it done yet? Also, what novelty meals can I get near the station? I'll start packing.