tripitaka

Aussie is now the least affordable place to buy a property in the world. Skiing's not too cheap either!! http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,23081706-462,00.html

Originally Posted By: SG Russell Crowe is Australian, even he sayes so. He might say so but he's a Kiwi. His cousins even played cricket for NZ.

Originally Posted By: Mr Wiggles RIP big man. So who's the most famous living New Zealander now? A J Hackett?! Probably Russell Crowe.

Originally Posted By: Oyuki kigan I'm getting 大雪祈願　across my knuckles That could get you on the website. Do you know the site OK? Some of the stuff cracks me up. http://www.hanzismatter.com/

Originally Posted By: Samui Kitsune Yeah, I know, but my girlfriend says there really is not proper Kanji and that the Japanese use the term Deep Powder Snow. I think she's onto it by keeping it simple. That's my philosophy after many years working as a copywriter. There's a whole website devoted to non-Asian people who get kanji tatoos. I don't like kanji tats, but if I were to get one, I'd do it properly, but I guess ignorance can be bliss.

Originally Posted By: janus77 so the more I look at it, the more unlikely it seems that we can get from Osaka to Hakuba on the evening of the 22nd. Our flight arrives at Kansai at 8pm.. all the car rental places close at 8pm. The overnight bus leaves Osaka city at 9pm (too early), and the Shink to Nagoya probably doesn't run as late as we need either. What time to trains stop running in Japan normally? The Shink to Nagoya, transfer to Matsumoto, then transfer to Hakuba seems like the best option to me. Pray for snow This is your best option I think. The bust leaves Shin Osaka a

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy 400 km on local roads! That would take you more than 10 hours m8. You're probably right. Guess I'll have to put with the tolls.

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy You can get a 50% discount only if you drive less than 100 km on the highway (that's why you have to get out before the 100 km point and get back on to do 100 more) and only in the morning and afternoon time zones. I will try to post more details later. If you guys tell me where you get on and off the highway, I will try to see if you can get a better deal in the morning or afternoon zones. If you can read Japanese, here is the home page that explains how ETC works. http://www.w-nexco.co.jp/ Thanks Tson, if it's for the sake of a few thousand yen, it

Originally Posted By: bobby12 I also do not follow logic of the above, and I've never experienced any 50% discount anywhere. When I go to Nagano from Kansai I make sure I leave at about 18:00 to arrive at 00:05AM and get the 30% night discount. Its actually the time most convenient to drive for me anyway so the discount is a nice free bonus. Bob, that's the only experience I've had as well. By the way, where do you get off and how far does it take you to Haks from there?

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy Night discount means that you will have to drive between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM. You get a 30% discount on the toll, no mater how many km you drive on the highway. 12:00 to 4:00 AM is the night discount time zone. Now there are 2 more zones, the afternoon, morning zone and the late night early morning zone. The late night/early morning zone is between 22:00 and 6:00. You get a 50% discount (in some cases only 30% if you drive less than 100 km on the highway. The morning afternoon zone is between 6:00 and 9:00 and 17:00 and 20:00, again with the 100 km l

Originally Posted By: tsondaboy I was trying to check that yesterday for Ewok. You will definetly need 2 cards to do the 350~400 km root and it wont be significanetly cheaper than the night time discount. The only advantage is that you will be able to get the same discount even if you drive in the evening or early in the morning. Sorry Tson, I'm a little stupid so could you explain 1.) the night discount and 2.) how 2 cards works for me.

How about from Osaka, Kobe or Kyoto?? Any advice?

Why don't you ask a native Japanese speaker? If you want to get the correct nuance, etc., this is is usually the way to go if you don't want it to sound awkward.

Do you know Osaka and where to hook up? I'm possibly driving up that day but I'm a long way from the airport. From the airport to Hakuba, I would allow at least 6 hours but it all depends on when you arrive.

Just be careful. A guy with a card issued in NZ with all the right affiliations couldn't get his card to work out at the 7-11 last week. A mate put his card through the credit card system at the lodge and there was no problem. The poor guy was refused a cash advance through a local Japanese bank (why?? I do not know). It pays to bring as much cash as possible.

Great comment from Helen Clark, NZ prime minister. "Sir Ed was not one to bask idly in celebrity. He drew on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear. His enduring commitment to and respect for the Sherpa people reflects the best of what we as New Zealanders can contribute, from our small developed nation helping another less privileged one."

Originally Posted By: warhawk Yes, Triple J was great. I remember getting yelled at when I was working in Aus cos I would turn the radio over from crappy adelaide commercial stuff to triple J. Philistines! Triple J's not commercial?? Personally, I don't really care as long as the music's good. Only listen to Aussie radio through internet for the rugby league (Warriors fan).

Originally Posted By: Samui Kitsune Great pictures. Awesome! I wish I get that good in a hurry! So, for my noob questions: 1) What is a bowl? First, time I heard a guy mention it on the slopes I thought he was talking about smoking weed. Now I see it is something different. Just remember not to pack your bowl too tight.

Originally Posted By: joshnii ....as will most places, it's hardly a unique thing... Really, so most places will go out of their way to drop off a couple of punters at Cortina? I guess I need to be a but more demanding.

Originally Posted By: Samui Kitsune How is the White Horse Location for accessing Goryu / 47? How long does the shuttle ride take to get Goryu /47? WH is not located near G/47. However, they will get you there when you want. I droppped by there a couple of weeks back and hopefully I'll be staying at the WH in March (hopefully). Part of the deal is that they'll get you to where you want to ski (within reason).

Originally Posted By: mountain_neko Hi everyone, I'm heading to Japan next weekend from Sydney and have been trying to find information on buses to Hakuba. I know you can catch a train easily enough but my friends and i want to get there on an overnight bus. If anyone knows any websites pls let me know! Cheers Just been talking about it. The overnight buses can only be booked via a travel agent. You can call the company directly but there is no Enlish support service. I don't think you can book from Australia.

Originally Posted By: deemacvee Thanks for these posts. Most useful. We are a bit too old & spoilt to endure the long and uncomfortable trips you are describing (been there, done that, still remember the back pain of 20 years ago). The more luxurious one referred to by triptaka sounds more our style. Anyone know more about that one? We're not all that fussed about the price (within reason). Mainly just looking for a way of reducing the time and hassle of the multi-train trip. Has anyone heard of a small shuttle service (eg mini vans) that we might hire to take us south?? Man

I did the night bus 3 weeks ago. Pure hell. However, has anyone experienced the most expensive one with only three seats across and the reclining seats? Not that much cheaper than the train but could be a good time-saving option. The Sunshine Tour buses all stop in Kyoto if you request it.

They do locals pricing too And half-price draft Ebisu's in offseason! Me and my daugher are probably the No. 1 gaijin clientele. About twenty times since it opened in November. We still pale next to my next-door neighbour. He has a year pass and goes every day! That's hardcore. I had some of the 50 yen off tickets. The way it's going they'll recoup their investment pretty quickly.

Originally Posted By: Mr Wiggles Don't tell anyone, but Hakuba's nicest onsen is at Goryu. Wigs, that wouldn't happen to be Obuya? If so, well worth the extra yen. They've got a solid gaijin clientele already. They do pretty good food in there as well. Saw a few tattooed japanese & foreigners so no drama.