Spent a month in Japan, with about a week at the start in and around Niseko (stayed in Annupuri for 4 nights, Hanazono for 2 nights). Then did about 2 weeks between Tokyo and Kyoto, and finished off with a week in Nozawa onsen. Fell in love with Japan.
I took a mildly tapered pow/freeride board (Atomic Banger) which most of the time was great. It's stiff, a pretty hard charging board, very damp, generally good float. It has a big rockered nose, but has a pretty decent amount of camber between the feet. When I was in Nozawa though, I found I wanted something more playful in deep pow in the