[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

Shiz man! The North Sea NEVER gets that warm!! 15C in the summer 4/5C at the coldest point in winter, but that doesnt stop snow on the beach. Im a north sea tiger, so its all gravy:)

 

Looks like the wind and the sea levels tomorrow shall prevent my helicopter coming to take me back to land tomorrow so i will have to have another day of not snowboarding!!

 

Back to Tokyo, Are the midnight trains the last ones? I could imagine crazy japanese fights would be funny compaired to the Scottish fights im used to seeing because some stole a chip or spilt some curry sauce on someones foot.

 

I think me and my mate might stand out a bit on account of both being a little taller than 6 foot each. I dont know what the japanese are like, but its generally the short scots who go about and look for tall people to fight - short man syndrome.

 

So yeh, whats about taxis or late busses for gygin?

 

Cheers again for the helfen! Brrrap

 

Friday night al - from scotland (FNA/AFS)

[snowboarding trip insurance questions]

I dont know how that liftpass insurance works, but if i were you i would just sort out some snow holiday insurance online - for a week it wont cost much - a hell of a lot cheaper than medical treatment. I figure its worth while, if you get to the slope and they dont offer insurance with the lift pass you will probably be so psyched that you will just go riding. If you injure yourself then - you are screwed - for a minimal cost, its probably worth wile. Thats my 2 yen.

[jacket and pants opinions]

 Originally Posted By: OkemoLoon

I wouldn't sweat wearing black or worrying about fashion while your on the slopes. Have you seen some of the stuff Japanese wear?

Check out the garb these dudes are rocking when i was in france last year:



I think no matter what you wear there is no chance you will be the sillyest looking on any ski slope in the world.

On a more serious note i have had some great (not overly flashy) jackets/ pants from the following companies:

Sessions - lovely shell jacket - heaps of vents, nice enough to wear about town - fully water proof

DC - bought a DC jacket last year - its snow camo so i get some grief if i wear it to work and also isnt ideal if your lost in snow but great warmth, built in balaclava for those super cold days

Bonfire - probably the best jacket ive ever owned - great features heaps of vents - so good, it got stolen!

In terms of pants, i would recommend:

Special Blend - this years SB stuff is great - they do make crazy tweed and check type patterns but most of the styles are avaliable in plain colours too - i got some black cord pants from them this year and they have a waist snow gaiter system which is excellent - they are cut large so they fit over boots no bother and look decent and they are vent crazy and have a comfy liner.

Ride make good quality simple snow pants too.



Hope this helps, ignore your mate who says all black is bad - youll look like a snow ninja! i think its a banging look - i personally wouldnt go for matching pants and jacket (ala most burton adverts) but thats just me - black and white, thats what i like.
Just look for trusted brands and at least 10k waterproof - you wont go too far wrong.

I think Burton's offshoot company Red make some of the best helmets - i have a budget one and its great, very cosy. some have built in speakers too so you can block out the inevitable nagging you may incur traveling with the mother in law:) hope she doesnt read this!!!

[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

ahhh my travel compadre is a dundonian! so i guess ill be outnumbered when i arrive. Ive sorted some cheap accomidation for Furano and Niseko, but nothing yet for Tokyo. Ive spent all my time planning the both of those places, i havent really looked at much in Tokyo - probably have to do a night in a capsule hotel for the banter but clarting a board etc round busy city = not much fun so i dunno. Any suggestions?

 

Yakuza not to big fans of the foreigners then? Everyone loves the scots right??

 

Cheers for the tokyo info - maybe someone could suggest a good website where i can check out the latest camera equipment available in 'land of rising sun' so i can budget a wee vidyo beauty to document my schenanigans?

 

Ever tried Fugu? Im well up for some of that banter, much better than getting hit by a bus - probably.

 

As i said, im home on wednesday, so thursday ill hit up the schee - perhaps the lecht. No sure yet. My mates were up at the lecht yesterday so im waiting on a field report from them before i decide!!

[Best way to travel between Furano and Niseko?]

What is the best/ cheapest/ quickest way to get from Furano to Niseko?

 

Is there regular transport between the places?

 

Cheers in advance.

[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

How dare you suggest ANYTHING is better than Amadeus!! haha, its been closed for years but i still dream of that place - a night club with a chip shop inside! GENIUS!

 

Cheers for the photie! looks amazing, unfortunatly im stuck on a floating rust bucket of a rig in the North Sea so while all my mates are galavanting about in the snow, im surrounded by a hundred miles of cold sea. GUTTED! Home on wednesday so hopefully the snow'll stick around.

 

This must be the first time we have had decent snow and the road isnt shut. Good old scottish cooncils and their lack of plannin.

 

You got any recommendations of a good club/ good bars? where is the best area to go in Tokyo? Im sure thats a stupid question as im sure there are many good places, but any recommendations?

 

Cheers for the taunt;)

[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

Ezorisu, thanks again for the advice. When is the best time to see Tokyo? is it better to go through the week or the weekend? I want to see crazy japaneseness at its best. I heard that Harujuku is better at the weekend (for people watching) but i dont know about night life. Any suggestions? You live in Hawaii and Sapporo ?!? you have no idea how jealous i am!

I surf off in the north sea, and snowboard in the sorry excuse scotland has for mountains! You are a lucky pup.

 

Me Jane, That sounds great, there is me and my mate heading across so there would have to be 2 spare seats (and i would insist on only listening to music from Newport rappers GLC as singalong tunes with a car full of welshies;) ) You might want to take into consideration, both me and my mate work on oil rigs - you have my permission to retract your offer, i wont be offened:).

 

I am heading across with the following date layout planned.

Leave Scotland 17th March arrive Furano 18th March. Go to Niseko (hirafu) on the 21st until the 27th when we would head to tokyo. Any chance you might delay your monkey see monkey doo trip till after the 25th? as it would be a great trip.

 

Cheers for all your help forum people!

[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

Well i figure even the pisted areas in Furano will seriously blow my snowboard mind and be far and away better than anything i have ever ridden (scotland is slushy icey and rocky - 3cm is good, and ive done Les Arc - in march (good but not amazing) and sunday river in Maine, New England in April) this is gonna be wicked!

 

What do you think to my timings in each resort? seem good?

[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

By strict off-piste policy you mean - no off piste right? rather than a "YOU MUST ONLY RIDE OFF PISTE" type setup? I have sourced some back country day trips in the furano area. Ill take a parka, a ninja mask and my kilt for warmth!!

[Japan trip in March - Furano - Niseko - Nagano]

Hello SnowJapan Forums,

 

I live in Scotland and am coming for some late season snowboarding this year in Japan. My plan is to fly to Tokyo then up to Sapporo and head initally to Furano for a few days. Then take a week in Niseko, have a weekend in tokyo then to Nagano for a couple of days.

 

I plan to fly to and from Hokkaido from Tokyo. Bus/ train it betweeen Furano and Niseko.

 

Any advice if you think this is a good plan as I have never been to Japan and am basing my trip purely on websites etc. I think that Furano should offer some quiet slops to get my snow legs back, Niseko would then offer more of an Aussy party atmosphere and some night boarding (this i am very exited about) then Tokyo (its a must after travelling that far). Can anyone recommend a good resort in Nagano with some Park facilities and some sort of night life?

 

Basically im looking for any tips or advice!! Thanks in advance:)

 

Al in scotland