Kingofmyrrh

What time is the first ropeway? I know I've made it a couple of times last year when driving up with a similarly-minded friend (sadly left Japan) but I can't really remember what time it was...

So then, after some encouragement from Tsondaboy, I flatlined down to Shibuya station last thing saturday evening to try and pick up a cheap shinkansen deal for skiing Kagura on sunday. Didn't get exactly what I wanted, but came away with a nice deal at an acceptable price - my mood went from gloom to zoom there and then. As I got back to my house a little later than would have been ideal, I decided to set my alarm so that I could get the second shinkansen of the day leaving around six thirty. I managed a pretty smooth act in the morning, balancing skis, boots and day pack on my bicycle a

You did exactly the lines that I did today! Happily it was snowing continuously so your remains had been (almost) erased. The only bit I touched that you didn't is the thin strip on looker's left in your first photo. Pretty narrow but you can duck in and out of the forest and it's good practice for some tight turns. Anyway, saving the rest until I get into work tomorrow, need some way to pass the time!

Didn't quite get the pack, but got some shinkansen tickets much more cheaply than I had expected. A day's skiing all-in for under 15,000 yen - can't complain! Thanks for the encouragement, will report on how it went! And a night-time cycle through central Tokyo is always good fun anyway.

You're right, nothing to lose. Can make it with time to spare if I jump on my bike right now!

The green window is open until 11pm but the びゅうプラザ place shut at 6pm. I was under the impression that you could only get the train deals from the びゅうプラザ travel centre and not the green window... I'll make a dash for it if that's not the case!

Turns out that the person I was going with has pulled out, and I can't afford the car rental/tolls all by myself. Too late to get a train deal as well (please tell me if I'm wrong here!). Really wishing that I had taken a forum member's kind offer of a lift today. Admittedly there was stuff I needed to get done this weekend but now I have a weekend completely ski free... I hate the fact that for skiing/surfing nobody I know is as keen as I am, which means I always get cancelled on... grrr. Anyway, looking forward to seeing some shots in the other thread, second hand vibes will have t

So how was it today?

doubt TB will see this, but if anyone else knows: where do you get this deal? Just turn up at Tokyo station the morning you want to leave?

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy Kin were do you live in Tokyo? Azabu in Minato-ku. What about you tsondaboy?

I have to offer a slightly contrary view about the banks - at the end of the day outside of urban centres land prices are still on the decline, and with structures attributed little value in the domestic market the land price represents the collateral on the loan. There are plenty of examples of lenders getting beaten up because the value, or at least true market value, of the collateral was insufficient. One example would be the original bubble, where market prices used for collateral were blasted after people woke from the dream. Another example, looking from a certain perspective, is the su

Gotta give it a go... I always regret it when I take the easy option. Meant to track down those deals after work last night but ended up at the bottom of a beer barrel.

Thanks TB. I will have an explore after work...

http://view-web-magazine.eki-net.biz/07435_1204/?Page=8 Here is a catalogue for this year... but the prices only seem to start from 12/22. Does this mean that a) there are no deals right now (this weekend) or I am stupid? Normally I go by car but last time I almost fell asleep on the expressway and that's not good...

Everybody is getting waves but me... I was going to go down to Chiba yesterday as it seemed like the tail end of the typhoon was producing some pretty nice conditions for once but I slept in and missed the early session... by the time I got my act together half the population of Tokyo was in the water and I just didn't fancy it. As I get more experienced (while still very much a beginner) I seem to find the crowds more and more of a bother. Still, only got myself to blame this time. Need to escape to somewhere quiet for a week or two!

Originally Posted By: Fattwins that might be the maggot himself. Haha, it was actually a mutual friend of ours whose surname sounds a bit like maggot so that's what he gets called... so you are wrong and right. He'll be with Hakuba with me on weekend of 15th - somehow managed to get the big clown on skis for the first time.

That's just lovely. Reminiscent of Chiba. Not.

I was offered some on bloomberg chat at work today, and I believe that Stuntcok (although I have never actually met him) was the original source, might want to send him a PM.

Lovely photos! I was very tempted to go for a hike on Saturday but restrained myslef until all my safety gear turns up... sometimes it's hard work being a good boy! Even so, the snow on the courses was just lovely.

Reading that report is pretty offputting... that top slab must be pretty much solid if they couldn't get the pencil in...

Kagura tomorrow... bring it on!

Originally Posted By: Kingofmyrrh That japantimes article is unbelievable... http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20071120a1.html And if you check the link now, they have added a new note at the bottom stating that the letter from the official is completely made up... I never had much respect for the Japan Times in the first place, but this is just stoopid...

That japantimes article is unbelievable... http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20071120a1.html

Shiga Kogen is a great spot. Loads of random mini tree runs for a relaxing day out. You can still find untracked snow at the edge of the piste in the late afternoon.

Yes, ICI can be a touch expensive... have you seen their Harajuku branch? More like a fashion store! Having said that, they were much better than anywhere else when it came to taking time to fit my boots. I don't mind paying up a little because I appreciate the extra mile they go. Unless they're really expensive. Then the internet gets some love.