grandmastaal 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 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 Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Welcome to the forums, Al from Scotland ! Seems like you got evertyhing fairly well laid out already. I think you'll enjoy both Furano and Niseko - the experiences will be different at both places. Furano can get really cold (<-20C), but it is probably not going to be that bad in late-season. There has been some talk that they have strict off-piste policy - do a forum search here and I'm sure you'll find something. Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share Posted January 12, 2008 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!! Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Yes. Dude, I'd be the first in line to ride at a "you must ONLY ride off-piste" resort! Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share Posted January 12, 2008 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? Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted By: al from scotland What do you think to my timings in each resort? seem good? Yes. With the week in Niseko, I'm guessing that is the "main" destination. I'm pretty sure that'll be enough time to become familiar with the place and explore all the riding options on the mountain. The snow will be fine in March. The several days "warm up" in Furano is enough. The Nagano days will be icing on the cake - if you're going to Tokyo, why not? I know there are a lot of people on here that would say you could spend the entire time boarding in the Nagano area and never get bored (and that's probably true), but this is your first trip to Japan and I think what you have planned out is just fine. You can use what you learn on this trip to plan next year! Link to post Share on other sites
me jane 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Hey Al Sounds like a great plan! You don't have PM's yet so I'm posting here. Email the SJ Admin and ask them to turn on PM's for you if you want to get in touch. I don't know if it would fit in with your dates but my mum is coming to visit in March and I'm taking her to see the snow monkeys in Shiga Kogen (Nagano). We are driving up from Tokyo on either March 11th or 25th depending on another couple of friends who are coming over to visit. Anyway if you can handle a car full of Welsh people and the dates happen to work, you're welcome to a ride up. Post your dates when you are decided cos there there'll probably be other people on here going up that way from Tokyo. MJ Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share Posted January 12, 2008 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! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Hey Al, hope you've been out this last week, looks like Scotland has had some decent snowfalls with the resorts reporting the best conditions in many years!! This shot has been taken about 30 mins ago by my brother on the Devils Elbow at Glenshee, looks like a lot of snow has fallen, Glas Maol will be going off today!! also Harajuku is the place to go on a Sunday if you wanna people/freak watch!! Work off your sat night hangover by walking around the winding streets that will be chock full of people in very imaginative dress sense. As for when the best night to go out in Tokyo...well its pretty much busy every day but of course friday and saturday night is as crazy as it gets, it sure beats Union Street and Amadeus down at the beach front!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Author Share Posted January 13, 2008 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;) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 haha unlucky mate!! Apparently Glenshee, by the end of this week, will have taken in more money than they had for the whole of last year!! I have some bad news for you, the reports show a spike in temps around the middle of next week but should be snowing again by the weekend...but scottish weather is anything but reliable!! Shit there are so many places to choose from, Tokyo is just so big. each area is like a city itself. In Roppongi, a huge Gaijin (thats us) hangout, Yellow is a good club. Usually have some good DJ's playing. Roppongi is pretty expensive and well full of foreigners so if you're looking for "the Japanese experience" i wouldn't hang round there too long. Shibuya has Club Asia, Womb, Ruby Rooms (pretty small) and a pretty neat 300￥ bar (again, packed with us foreigners), there are loads of places up there though and its a must for any visit to Tokyo. The neon lights and the crossing at night is pretty cool to see Ageha is a huge club, its a little outside of Tokyo but is a great night out. I'm not really up in Tokyo so much, so Tsonda or one of the other Tokyoites should be able to give better recomendations. Shinjuku has loads going on as well although I haven't actually been out there...look out for the Yakuza!! Try to pick up a copy of Metropolis magazine when you are here (or check online before you come) its a free english magazine that tells you whats on in Tokyo, you can pick it up from Tower Records and many other shops in Tokyo. Where will you be staying when you come over? Originally Posted By: al from scotland Cheers for the taunt;) haha, no worries mate, but really I can't slag you that much, I'm from Dundee!!! Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Author Share Posted January 13, 2008 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!! Link to post Share on other sites
me jane 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Hey AFS, Too bad, can't change the dates cos they are fit around a whole load of other stuff everyone has going on. Nothing to do with the singing threats...honest Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 AFS, I think the weekend is best for Tokyo - just make sure you don't try catching a train on Friday of Saturday just before midnight, unless you want to experience what it's like to be in a sardine can full of belligerent drunk people! I've seen a couple of good fights on the way back to the hotel on the last train... unless of course you find this kind of thing is entertaining (I thought it was fun the first time, but I was drunk)! Man, surfing the North Sea?! That's hardcore. I had a friend from Chicago who would surf the Great Lakes and icicles would form on his beard! I'm guessing that was probably an exaggeration, but I can't imagine how chilly it must be in the North Sea. Right now in Hawaii it is about the coldest it gets during the year, and that would be 19 to 20C at sea level. For cheap Tokyo accomodations, try looking at the Shinjuku New City Hotel or the Shinjuku Washington. They are reasonably close to the Shinjuku station and bus terminal and not too pricy. The New City is a little further away (on the other side of the park past the Municipal Government building), but they have a free shuttle bus. They have an English website. If I'm there for work and staying on someone else's dollar (sorry, Yen), the Keio Plaza Hotel is nice and very close to the station. Shinjuku is pretty centralized, and you can get to most places in Tokyo quickly from there by either the subway (there is a subway station under the Municipal building) or the train. Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 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) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Unlucky Al, my mate also works on a rig and he's been delayed. Scottish resorts have had a good couple of weeks of it so I wouldnT worry as the forecst has changed a bit and is set for more snow. Depending on where you are in relation to your hotel, taxis are fine. But why not just stay out all night until the trains come back on? I think the subway lines strt about 5am, so really its not that much longer than when you come out of a club. Bars will always be open. If you really can't stay out any longer and you need some shut eye but you are miles from the hotel (therefore the taxi will be too expensive) then find an Internet cafe, get a private box and sleep there. Its cheap and safe (they have staff who check in on you just to make sure you're ok) and you could watch as much por.... :uhoh: movies as you like Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 all night binges - spaff booths - ninja train fights! I am going to love this place! an oil workers dream:) Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 dun forget the used undies vending machines. Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 i heard a terrible rumour that the undie vending machines were no more - they had been removed and were now only to be found in the imagination of tokyo-joes (for lack of a better generality) can someone please confirm this - if they still exisit, can you please give me an address to fire into my tomtom/ google maps. I swear they are not for me, its for my disgruntled uncle and humerous christmas presents for next year. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 apparently you can still get them in the back streets of Shinjuku Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 amazing! and where is the best fugu? and the Ninja resturant! (anything else that could make me even more of a tourist?) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 You should try the Lock up as well if you are looking for unique experiences. Its a prison themed izekaya (japanese restaurant/ bar), you sit in your very own cell, waited on by people dressed in prison stripes, the lights go out at random times and the staff jump out at you and try and scare you. Its interesting, certainly nothing you'd see back home so worth at least 1 visit!! I think there is 1 in Kawasaki (not too far from Tokyo) but there is probably 1 in Tokyo as well. Link to post Share on other sites
grandmastaal 0 Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 fan-bloody-tastic! i shall have a look for one in tokyo town. I should probably start a thread in the off topic forums for more ideas really. Cheers for the shout, sounds amazing! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Not sure if you'd find Tokyo town, but Raponggi is calling you. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Roppongi is shite, don't go there, too many US military guys going round with dodgy taches!! Its expensive too, there is cheaper and better than Roppongi Link to post Share on other sites
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