torihada

Quote: I have never heard of anyone losing stuff to thieves on the piste in Japan Quote: I never locked anything until my brand new board got stolen after 6 days in Niseko Thieving Aussie bursturds...

I'd use your skis as poles to get me over the flats. Hey! I found a use for skis that doesn't involve matches and lighter fuel.

I don't disagree thursday as FR says I think its worth it for the peace of mind. Hence MRs T is buying a new sb lock as I write. Gotta say though that regarding honesty Japan is unusual (obviously ignoring the organised crime and horrendous otaku murders etc) A friend lost an expensive set of binoculars in Osaka. We were passing the place where she lost them 3 months earlier, so she popped into the police station to see if they'd been handed in. I couldn't understand, as I waited outside, why we were wasting out time; out she walks with binoculars in hand. She didn't think it was anythin

sorry CT I re-read your post and you're in Shizuoka. I think that's still in JR East area, but I could be wrong.

I have recently used the jr east 4 day flexible pass; you get four days travel which you can use at any time (You don't have to use the 4 days consecutively) Once you start using the pass on that day you have unlimited travel for that day. For me in the past my main trips were 3 weeks apart and a three week JR pass was too much, the 4 day pass was great. Flexible 4 day pass: 20,000 yen jr east prices Only downside is if you're travelling with Jap national they can't buy one, even if they reside in UK (unlike JR pass). (Obviously I don't know where your inlaws are so East pass may be no g

Soub: I have a very similar experience and that same incomprehension from Japanese family when I question security/theft. On my first trip to the 'family' in Akita my brother-in-law took us shopping. It was cold and snowing, so when we all went into the shop he left the keys in the inigition with the engine running to keeep the car warm. I couldn't believe it. My father in law's house doesn't have locks. This is a relatively rural area, I think in the cities, especially in apartments, the attitude might be different. I enjoy the experience, especially as we live in London. Then agai

mmm Tsonda; I'm inclined to lock up as I have new gear, which equals paranoia. Soub's reply has relevance to me personally, as I am spending most of my time in north Tohoku I may not lock up, as we all know northerners are a lot more honest than southerners

I carried a board lock on my first trip to Japan and ended up not using it. In the Alps last year with a group of friends, no one locked their boards and I followed suit (my board was the last one anyone would nick). I've got a new board & bindings this year and I'm intrigued to know if anyone (while in Japan) locks up their skis and boards while necking their ramen? Has anyone had anything nicked?

looks like late Jan is a good choice given snow in Japan at moment. I hear snow's ok high in Switzerland, but you'd never have got there due to fog. You got a crystal ball? I fly out on Mon (fog permitting) and weather in Japan is forecast for warm temps mid next week Just got to be patient and hope for some fresh snow end of next week.

Curt: She only did it 3 years ago. She had to be stretchered off the mountain.It was the first day of her holiday.When she came back to the UK they had to reset her wrists. After hearing all of this I bought some wrist guards oh and a helmet. I think if I was visiting the park I'd wear more protection. Someone was showing me their rails scars the other day..ouch!

met office reckon fog will clear up in 48 hours. They might divert you to another airport? BA cancelled all domestic flights, but internationals were ok. Short haul (Europe) also suffered. Good luck

In London mini cabs have to be licensed now. No 'knowledge' maybe, but cars have to be less than 5 years old and taxi drivers have police check. Obviously there are guys, unlicensed, driving around the streets picking people up (mainly centre of London)but you've gotta be nuts to get in one of those cars (hence publicity in London about using these 'cabs' and the risk of rape)

I remember taking a taxi from Ikebukuro eki to the kimi Ryokan. The taxi driver took us on the most circuitous route. At one point we stopped at a Koban to ask the police man for directions (spent 10 minutes looking at the enormous map in the Koban). Taxi driver did switch off meter while at the koban. Eventually found the Ryokan after 20 min taxi ride. Dumped our bags, left hotel walked to end of street, turned left and hey presto! Ikebukuro eki. The taxi driver wasn't ripping us off (Mrs T, nihonjin, was there) he was just a useless taxi driver. I found it funny then and I still do.

Its a real pea-souper and Sherlock Holmes is back. Me Hackney carriage is late and the chimney sweeps stolen me muffins. lord help us, its fun in blighty. Now where's me bowler hat? I'm flying out of heathrow on Monday to nihon so hopefully it'll be nice and clear by then. bag & 2pints; where you off s'boarding?

I've never boarded without wrist protecters because; A friend who is a seasoned boarder (close on 20 yrs) shattered both wrists. She was out of action for the best part of a year. The xrays of her wrists looked like macaroni. She wasn't doing anything extreme at the time. Dakine do some reasonable wrist protectors. Butt pad? I've got in-built genetic arse protection. I pity you skinny, boney boarders

On the commuter trains, but not for shinkansen? Mrs T always laughs at London commuters complaining about overcrowding. She says if she can get a foot on the train then she can get on. Which is fine if you're a wee Japanese lady, but us western lardarses....mmmmm.

I had my first fondue in a French resort last year. One meat and one cheese. Very nice, but I was all cheesed out.Mmmmmmmm cheese ramen anyone? Actually I'd try roquefort sushi. But not shabu shabu fondue. I think mentaiko (sp?) spaghetti with parmesan would be nice.

As JR East says; Caution: Please note that during crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed a seat on a specific train. The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows: December 28 to January 6 The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometown areas.

I'd book your tickets sooner rather than later.

www.sports-camera.com are in N.Ireland otherwise I couldve sorted something out for you. States might be better as exchange rate for yen - pound is not good for you. Great for me (that graemlin is for db)

Woollyman: I got mine from easycarbon, here's a link to the mic page; helmet cam mic Shipping was reasonable and very quick (about 5 days states - UK)

Trouble is Veronica, I'm too freakin excited. Just glad I'm in north Tohoku after looking at the weather reports, even though it doesn't look that great up there....the snow's receeding

NB. Yes woollyman,I think you're going to have to power the mic; my mic is powered by the 9 v battery pack used for the helemt cam.

db; cheers for the advice. Half the problem is knowing what questions to ask, as sometimes you don't know what you're looking at. This is exactly what I want to know; why are we taking this route to the summit/ridge/whatever, how do you work out the degree of a slope, identifying different snow conditions after rain, sun etc.Things that are benefical for whenever you're in the mountains. Funny what you said; I was just packing a compass in my pack. I actually never travel without one (even driving in a foreign country a compass is a godsend). Definitely looking forward to seeing som

Cheers woollyman, I liked the clip. Now as we're playing this game; This is what I've just finished.I am particularly proud of my modification to a small pelican case for the mini dv. Hopefully the velcro for the bullet cam will hold up (it's stuck to the helmet with heavy duty carpet tape). I got the bullet (420 lines) from the states for a pretty good price. I got a high gain mic bundled with the cam, and it seems pretty good.You can see the additional cable for the mic disappearing into the cam sleeve. The av cable from the mini dv has yellow (video), red & white jac