Dean

Hate to say it but as far as i know there isnt any backpakers there but if you get in with the Swiss ski instructors you never know!!! As far as i know the only accomodation up there is pensions at about a man a night but check them out....have you looked at the website at all?? http://www.hachi-hachikita.co.jp cant suggest anywehere but, sorry

The Subject speaks for itself. I know all of the ones advertised are great, but thought some of you out there would have some other suggestions. Doesnt have to be rock bottom, but something cheapsh is good. Thinking long weekend in Feb if I can get a place. Anyone want to join is welcome.

Well I am smack bang in the middle of Kyoto fu and am (and other die hard friends) at Hachi Kita the weekends im not in Nagano. Mail me if you want to meet up in HK.

Just made the news here in Oz that there was a size 4 earthquake in Nigatta today. Anyone give anymore info??

SYDNEY HARBOUR

The Sunday Times here ran an article today with the father of the boy saying dont kill the shark leave it alone. But they are still looking for it. Rather a chilling photo though on the front page of a boat with a White Pointer under it swimming and the shark is twice the size of the boat! If the father saying leave it alone is not enough...what do you do? My 2 cents, leave it alone, we have them in Perth too and they dont attack because you are humans so they arent human killers, they are just looking for food for &$&* sake.

Done the Maizuru Otaru one. About 10 000 for a bunk I would suggest as the tatami rooms are not so appealing I have heard and seen. I think they leave every day at Midnight and get in to Otaru at 5 in the morning and you have to wait a couple of hours for the first bus to Sapporo. Dont know if there is a direct bus to Niseko but you could catch the train. Takes about 40 hours. Hope this helps. It was ok but take your own food and save some money as the food is expensive and crap.

I think you for value for money you cant go past Uni Qlo, the clothes are generally good and they do have gaijin sizes. Gap is good too but expensive...... I think when they do discount stuff here because its old ect, no cheaper palce to buy it. For example last weekend in Osaka I got a 28000 ski jacket for 4800 because its last seasons, and it was LL+ size... Look around and ye shall find

Although not on the slopes, I am nursing a dislocated shoulder from 2 weeks ago which granted me a night in hospital here! The doctors still are amazed here take almost double the meds they give to the locals due to my 'sugoi karada'. Desperatley praying it will be better for new years, its slowly coming round. My worst injury......25 stitches in my face and almost 1L of blood loss last year due to a boarder hitting me and me falling on my ski edges....the killer is the guy didnt even stop!! but was on the slopes 2 weeks later.....with a helmet with chin guard!!! Just call me scar fac

Cheers thanks for the advice

Hello all. Just wanted to ask the sempais out there something...... I just got my new skis and the bindings are set at different levels on the left and right! On 7 on one and 5 and a half on the other. Any reason for this or did they just stuff up?? onegaishimasu

Your'e forgetting Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and Kylie Minogue.........Do the Locomotion baby.. Seriously the Bee Gees Album cover with the big pictures on the inside covers use to give me nightmares as a young one....... still cant sleep some nights

For me..... theres nothing better than sitting in an outside onsen with the flakes coming down and keeping the beer cold in the snow shooting the shit with ya mates......god i will miss that when I leave. its almost worth staying just for that! my 2 cents worth

Kyoto, an hour from Hachi Kita.......too far from Nagano

Thanks slow for the link.....man I love Engrish! If you have a look it will tell you the 'Lift and Gondola operation situation' and 'Meal Guidance'. Ok not quite the strict definition of engrish but amusing none the less

The mag quote that 700 000 people went there last year with Aussies, Koreans and Chinese making up the vast majority of the Gaijins. The developers are aiming the market at the Aussies and expats living in the Asia region. They also interviewed Scott from SAS taking about his rise from 1 raft. But thinking about it, other than NZ the next closest place for Aussies to ski with decent snow is Japan. Spose its an obvious target.

Hi all, new member, been reading it for 2 years, only signed now yada yadyada. Anyway I was reading an interesting article in the Hokkaido magazine talking about niseko becoming the new aspen in the future as the is big developments going on in the next few years to cater for especially Australian tourists. An Australian is spending meaga bucks building a new resort there. I know Qantas is doing direct flights to Sapporo from Oz this season. Any thoughts/ideas/comments? BTW Fattwins, hows the drivers liscence going? (remember me??)