SnowConnection
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teqcheng,
The bus which you mentioned runs this winter.
I did not find the info in JTB Sun&Sun web site, but find it in their brochure (hardcopy).
Title: JTB Sun&Sun Snow Express Bus.
Period: 2004.Dec.12 - 2005.Apr.3 (Everyday).
Destination (6AA0100-U):
Lv.Ikebukuro 23:00 --> Ar.Naeba 05:15am, Kagura 05:35am, Shiozawa 07:50am.
Return (6AA0100-V):
Lv.Shiozawa 14:40, Kagura 16:55, Naeba 17:15 --> Ar.Ikebukuro around 21:00. (One hour early on Sunday).
Bus stops (19 Loc): Asagai, Naeba, Kagura, Kandachi, Iwappara, Yuzawa Park, Nakazato, Echigo Yuzawa, Ishiuchi, Maiko Korakuen, Jyoetsu Kokusai, and Shiozawa.
Fare: 4,000 Yen (One-way).
Twin seat option: 3,500 Yen (One-way).
Contact: Japan 03-5245-5566 (JTB Reservation Center).
It would be comfortable for a night bus sleep to buy twin seat option...
ciao,
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I found that anyone uploaded a copy of the brochure (Japanese) of Tokyo Top Tour Ski&Snowboard JR tours 2005 winter.
http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/yuki...cursion&.src=bc
ciao,
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There is a Japenese web site which sells one day&snowbord JR Shinkansen tours (with shuttle busses from/to the nearest JR stations) from Tokyo area.
http://tour.tokyu.com/tokusyu/ski-board2005/higaeri_ski/index.html
Usually, I go skiing by my own car. I've not used these package yet.
Ski/snowboard people who live in Tokyo and do not have their own cars might be interested in, especially for a big one. You can upgrade your JR seat to Green class with additional cost of 1,000 yen for a one-way ticket.
For the details, please call Tokyu Kanko Reservation Center with phone Japan 03-5725-1093 or fax 03-5725-1093.
ciao,
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I live in Tokyo. So, I do not know about how to reach ski resorts from Kyoto. I believe Kyoto has snow sometimes, but has no big ski resorts around there. There might be any of one-night&one-day ski bus tour from Kyoto or Osaka to Nagano ski resorts. (It's 20-30 min train from Kyoto to Osaka. HANKYU line is cheaper. Osaka is a big city where even I lose my way sometimes.) You may get info at some tourist offices at Kyoto station. Anyone of the local SJ member would provide info....
ciao,
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If you live in a large city in Japan, and your PC is not good for Japanese internet environment, it would be a good idea to use internet cafe PCs.
In Japan cities, we rarely call them "Internet Cafe", but call them "Manga Kissa" (まんが喫茶 or 漫画喫茶). It means commic books cafe.
Some Manga Kissa do not have an intenet PC. Please tell a clerk "I would like to use an internet PC" when checking-in. Some PC faciliate MS Office, but you have to confirm it.
You can not use Outlook Express there, but use a "web mail". Before going to an internet cafe, I would advise, you send objected mails to any of your web mail account.
It is mostly a safety place in Japan, but please take care about "Stealing your belongings" and "Internet Security (key logger, etc.).
ciao,
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The site of http://www.npd.co.jp/malnuma/ says it may be problem at narrow band.
There are many bus times from Numata(沼田) JR station to Kamata(鎌田) Bus stop. You may have a walk from Kamata to Marunuma Kogen (丸沼高原) bus stop, instead of having 25 minitues bus ride. I suppose there would no English signs there. If you can speak/hear some Japanese, you may try it.
The resort have about 30 inns near to the lifts. It is too difficult to have "PENSION" lodge (cheaper) without Japanese language skill. I would pick up a larger lodge "Chalet Marunuma".
http://www.npd.co.jp/malnuma/2005fuyu/syare.html
The cost is 11,800 yen (weekday rate, with breakfast, dinner, and one-day lift ticket) per person for two groups. You have to pay an additional charge for a single use. For the details, please call 0278-58-4300. I afraid a clerk can not hear/speak your English...
ciao,
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I realized there are "daytime" tours, leaving Ikebukuro early morning and returning to Ikebukuro late night (not every day).
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/41c9f418_170...f.rryBBCDqlQZOJ
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/41c9f418_170...f.rryBBtA.hcbCN
For example:
No.: 6AA5060-F (6th page)
Place: Sugadaira Minenohara ski resort.
Period: e.g. Dec.28 - Jan 03.
Cost: 6,300 Yen including one-day lift ticket.
Destin: Lv.Ikebukuro 07:40am --> Ar.Minenohara 11:00am.
Return: Lv.Minenohara 5:15pm (4:15pm on Sunday) --> Ar.Ikebukuro 09:00pm.
Rental Charges: Ski/Borad 1,000 yen, Wear 1,000 yen, Gloves 500 yen, Goggles 500 yen, Cap 500 yen.
Ref. http://www.sugadaira.co.jp/skiindex.htm
I am afraid that large sizes of rentals would not be available. Shuttle bus services to Ikebukuro are available from Yokohama, Shinjuku and Tokyo. For the details, please contact a travel agent office in Tokyo.
I think the cost 6,300 yen including one-day lift ticket is cheap for apx. five hours skiing/boarding time, even Minenohara is not a big ski resort. The snow quality is one of the bests in Nagano.
ciao,
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I found a web site where anyone uploaded a copy of the brochure of JTB Sun&Sun Ski&Snowboard One Day (w/ one night sleep in bus) Bus tours for 2005 winter. (Japanese only)
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/yukidayori2005
The brochure hardcopy is also available free at most travel agents offices in Tokyo city where you can make reservation.
The JTB Sun&Sun Official web site (Japanese Only) is;
http://www.jtbsun.com/sunFormArea.asp?BRL=SS&CTG=BS&KBN=KN
Note that a bus seat size is accommodated for a Japanese. If you are a big one, you would have to have a squeezed sleep in bus, and your neighbor might mind you....
ciao,
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Fattwins,
Greetings! I live in Tokyo, ye.
regards,
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Valkyrie,
I do not know about Marunuma Kogen ski resort at all.
Please refere to;
Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort
MAP:
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.48.39.000&el=139.20.2.423&la=1&fi=1&skey=%be%c2%c5%c4%b1%d8&sc=7
As far as reading the web site, it is so difficult to reach the resort from JR Numata station by bus. It's only "one" time a day.
http://www.kan-etsu.net/r-bus/timetable/numata-kamata-1.htm
http://www.kan-etsu.net/r-bus/timetable/kamata-numata-1.htm
They recommend to come there by guest's own car, a rent-a-car, or a taxi from a JR station. It is 45 Km to Marunuma Kogen from JR Numata station.
MAP - JR Numata Station:
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.38.21.813&el=139.2.19.769&la=1&fi=1&skey=%be%c2%c5%c4%b1%d8&sc=7
I guess Nov/Dec might be a season off period at Aamgi-san and Haruna-san. FYI.
Fijimi-Mura (Mt.Akagi)
http://www.vill.fujimi.gunma.jp/
Tell: TEL 027-288-2211
Miyagi-Mura (Mt.Akagi)
http://www.hurusato-miyagi.jp/MT/
Tell: 027-283-2131
Ref. Mt.Akagi
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~hatorik/traffic.html
MAP:
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.33.26.173&el=139.11.47.264&la=1&fi=1&skey=%be%c2%c5%c4%b1%d8&sc=7
Haruna-machi (Mt.Haruna)
http://www.town.haruna.gunma.jp/kankou/
Tell: 027-374-5111
E-Mail: kanko@town.haruna.gunma.jp
MAP:
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.28.27.136&el=138.51.14.359&la=1&fi=1&skey=%be%c2%c5%c4%b1%d8&sc=7
ciao,
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A typo;
Moni-No-Ki is wrong.
Momi-No-Ki is correct.
Momi-No-Ki is a RYOKAN type inn, I guess.
Note that:
(1) Non-Japanese PC shows funny characters or blanks for Japanese version web pages.
(2) Some non-Japanese PC shows funny characters or blanks for Japanese e-mail English characters. Most Japanes PC use "MS MINCHO" or "MS UI GOTHIC", FYI. Most Japanese PC can accept "Arial" font which is common at English PC.
ciao,
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JoyC,
The number 026-0853-540 might be wrong.
I guess the number would be +81-(0)269-85-3540.
A web search engine addresses the following for the number.
Moni-No-Ki (Japanese Only)
No.4388, Toyogou, Nozawa-Onsen-Mura,
Shimo-Takai-Gun, Naogako-Ken,
Postal 389-2502, Japan
Tel: +81-(0)269-85-3540
FAX: +81-(0)269-85-4461
URL: http://www.avis.ne.jp/~finest/yado/mominoki.htm
e-Mail: Not Accepted
On-line inquiry: available (Japanese only)
Location:
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.55.02.75...%b9%cc%ee&kind=
I would tell that it must be very very tough to travel Japan rural and stay at a cheaper inn without Japanese language. In rural areas, most Japanese can not catch your NYC English. (Even I can not catch your "bullet" NYC English.) I would suggest most Japanse can read/write primary English (don't use slangy words).
You may communicate them with faximile communication.
Ref. Nozawa Onsen Official Web site (Japanese, English or German)
http://www.vill.nozawaonsen.nagano.jp/
http://www.vill.nozawaonsen.nagano.jp/info/english/start.htm
http://www.vill.nozawaonsen.nagano.jp/info/german/start.htm
ciao,
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I am sorry that URLs of Kokudo-Chiri-In (Graphical Survey Institute- http://www.gsi.go.jp/ ) are only index. They would like to provide data with CD at cheap price, I guess.
But, You can get on-line data (1:25,000 scale) from the following page in their site.
ciao,
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If your PC can show Japanese letters and you can read Japanese Kanji, you can get Japan topo map at the following site without fee.
http://www.gsi.go.jp/MAP/HISTORY/20/index20.html
http://www.gsi.go.jp/MAP/HISTORY/5-25/index5-25.html
I myself use a following topo software "Kashimir".
I would advise that three books with program/data CDs are good for easy installation (1:50,000 scale of "All Japan").
Kashimir 3D Introduction (ISBN 4-408-00776-5, 1,900 Yen+5%tax)
Kashimir 3D GPS Application (ISBN 4-408-00777-3
2,300 Yen+5%tax)
Kashimir 3D Perfect Master (ISBN 4-408-00787-0
2,600 Yen+5%tax)
If you want to have 1:25,000 scale for Kashimir, you can buy on-line data (3,000 yen per year).
http://www.kashmir3d.com/online/summary/
An example:
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Athlete-Sparta/8868/Prod/2003/Fuji2003topo.htm
ciao,
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Teqccheng, I am not sure if your PC can display Japanese characters...
Anyway, the URL of JTB Sun&Sun "Naeba" is as follow.
http://www.jtbsun.com/sunTour_Detail.asp...TYO&rj=1&room=1
Naeba site:
http://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba/index.html
Tashiro/Kagura/Mitsumata site:
http://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura/index.html
I pick up key data as followings which might have typo or mis-understanding.
You must confirm data to JTB Sun&Sun by yourself.
Course No.: A3055B0.
Period: 2004.Dec.30-2005.Apr.01.
Type: Bus Round (One night & One day)
Cost: 10,300 Yen including one day lift ticket.
Meal: None.
Ikebukuro: Check-In=22:30,Departure=23:00.
Naeba: Arrival=05:15 (on the next day).
Naeba: Depature=17:15 (except Sunday Depature=16:15).
Ikebukuro: Arrival=Late Night.
Information: +81-3-5950-0303 (JTB Sun&Sun 10:00-18:00).
Note:
- The lift ticket is effective for lifts & gondora in ski resorts of Naeba, Tashiro, Kagura, and Mitsumata.
- The vaule of the lift tichet is 5,000 yen.
ciao,
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There would be two BC courses near to Sugadaira.
One is Neko-dake. Another is Azumaya-san. (-yama, -san, -dake, -take mean Mt.)
Each can be plannded for one-day BC excursion.
(1) Neko-dake
It may be one of good BC tour courses for bigineers in Apr.-May time frame. The difficulty in winter season depends on the weather and the snow. You can find the trail head at the top lift of Minenohara Kogen ski resort.
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.33.11.45....x=174&CE.y=231
Heli-skiing is also available.
On "no wind" & "fine" days, I think it would not be difficult for beginners to have bc sking in Dec-Mar time frame. Note that we always have more chances to meet a dangerous situation at bc fields in Dec-Mar time frame.
You may get another info from Japan web sites with Japanese Kanji search words of "根子岳 スキー".
(2) Azumaya-san
It might be a good course for moderate level. You can find the trail head at Azuma Kanko Hotel.
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=36.30.22.71...0%a4%bb%b3&sc=4
http://www.azumaya-k-hotel.com/
This is not a difficult one. But, I would recommend to check a mountain guide book in detail or consult a Japanese mountain friend when you plan to have a bc tour in Dec-Mar time frame.
Note you can not pass between the top of Neko-dake and the top of Azumaya-san at a direct line in snow season.
You may get another info from Japan web sites with Japanese Kanji serach words of "四阿山 スキー".
I am a moderate level telemark skier, and I do not guarantee any "Safe" of the BC tours in this posting.
ciao,
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In Japan, there are two big organizations of skiing sports.
SAJ came mainly from groups of racers and competitos.
SIA came mainly from ski instructors and teachers.
I am a telemark skier, and not familier with snowboading.
In Japan, I hear that JSBA is a big organization of snowbording sports, established in 1982.
SAJ (Ski Association of Japan)
http://www.ski-japan.or.jp/official/saj/index.html
SAJ Licence system
http://www.saj-edu.ne.jp/education/license.html
SIA (Professional Ski Instructors Assosication of Japan)
SIA License system
http://www.sia-japan.or.jp/qualify/
JSBA (Japan Snowboading Association)
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/jsba/index.html
JSBA Licence system
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/jsba/approval/index.html
Each system requires Japanese language, so that it must be difficult to get a licence without Japanese language skill, I believe.
ciao,
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Zipper, I do not uderstand what you mean. Anyway, Super Express train bounds Tokyo for Hachinohe. East JR(Japan Railway) serves Express trains between Aomori and Hachinohe. You can buy a JR ticket bound Aomori for Ueno or Tokyo. Tokyo is the terminal. (I suppose you would change the trains at Hachinohe...) At Ueno, you may change the train to a "Keisei Skyliner" train for Narita airport. At Tokyo, you may change the train to a "JR Narita Express" train for Narita airport. Keisei is another railway company to JR.
Refer to;
http://web.sfc.keio.ac.jp/~n98236jm/NARITA/index.en.html
ciao,
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P-KAN is a Japanese slang which mostly people loving outdoor sports use. It is a complete fine day with really no cloud.
KOJIEN Dictonary tells P-KAN was a slang among movie staff originally who were sensitive to the weather. Kajiro Yamamoto, a famous movie director wrote a phrase of "The summer sun shined as P-P-KAN-KAN" in his essay in 1955. We say KAN-KAN-DERI for sunshine in a hot summer day, but I do not know what P means. Some guesses P-KAN would come from Peace Can. Peace was an old famous brand name of a Japanese cigarette. Kajiro Yamamoto might love Peace cigarettes. The can package color was blue.
Japanese who loves hiking, trecking and mountainering know this slang, but rarely know the origin, I guess.
For more details, refer to following Japanese web pages.
http://skip.tbc-sendai.co.jp/tenki/diary2/20031104.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/himekuri/021004.htm
ciao,
JTB Sun&Sun Ski Bus
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Anyone uploaded the copy of the brochure.
http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/yuki...us+Only&.src=bc
The page is JtbBusSki14.
ciao,