ceecee 0 Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Looking to coming to Niseko for the first time in 2010 aswell! Sorting out accomodation now but it's tough since there is a group of 10! For those who have been to Niseko before, did you book your fights to Sapporo direct or with the agent? I'm looking at the domestic pages but flights haven't been released yet. I wanted a rought idea how mcuh flights would cost and how much I save if I booked directo or part as a package. Also, how it like on NYE? Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites
dusty23 0 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 make that another... our first season in Niseko also (group of 6-12). sorry to hijack. any ideas on a good travel agent for Niseko? we're based in Nth QLD, so obviously not many choices up here happy to organise via phone/email. also, since we're going over x-mas and NY, does anyone know if the slopes shut down at all during this time? cheers, Dusty Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 shut down over the busiest holiday period? nah.. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Originally Posted By: Dusty also, since we're going over x-mas and NY, does anyone know if the slopes shut down at all during this time? Dusty as Thurs points out shutting down over one of the busiest periods of the season would be complete madness. Not that the Japanese are beyond that sort of complete madness of course but you may not be aware that Japan is not a Christian country and xmas means virtually nothing here and there are no holidays to celebrate it. Link to post Share on other sites
dusty23 0 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 awesome, thanks guys! thought that may have been the case. just how busy are we talking here for Niseko over the holidays??? Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Dusty I wouldnt worry about it. If you have skied in Australia and known peak periods here - then Niseko will be like a quiet day for you. Yes - over New Year and weekends in janaury there are some queues, but nothing to get freaked about. See ya there Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Originally Posted By: Dusty make that another... our first season in Niseko also (group of 6-12). sorry to hijack. any ideas on a good travel agent for Niseko? we're based in Nth QLD, so obviously not many choices up here happy to organise via phone/email. also, since we're going over x-mas and NY, does anyone know if the slopes shut down at all during this time? cheers, Dusty Townsville....I know a guy frm there, Dave Boyd. Good Guy, never been there myself though......sorry not on topic at all Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 OK - all booked Leaving Perth on 22nd Dec for Tokyo - nasty overnight Qantas flight - arrive Narita morning of 23rd Dec 09. Yet to book hotel in Tokyo. Shopping for new boards for growing boys in the shops near Ogawamachi - they will be thier Christmas present this year. Then shopping for funky jeans and hoodies in Harajuku and surrounds. Plan to have a cracker of a kobe beef teppenyaki dinner for Christmas evening meal - any suggestions of a great spot in Tokyo? Then bright and early on the 26th of Dec we are flying from Haneda up to Sapporo Shin Chitose - next bus up to Hirafu Village. I reckon we will be having lunch in Hirafu, and after getting settled into accomodation/buying lift tix and the like we will be hitting the hill for nighta on Boxing Day. Papa and I will celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary on the 30th of Dec so we might have to have a few drinks at Wild Bills that night!! We have 3 weeks in Niseko - heading home on the 16th of January. Link to post Share on other sites
JA2340 16 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Jealousy plus, from me! Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mamabear OK - all booked Leaving Perth on 22nd Dec for Tokyo - nasty overnight Qantas flight - arrive Narita morning of 23rd Dec 09. Yet to book hotel in Tokyo. Shopping for new boards for growing boys in the shops near Ogawamachi - they will be thier Christmas present this year. Then shopping for funky jeans and hoodies in Harajuku and surrounds. Plan to have a cracker of a kobe beef teppenyaki dinner for Christmas evening meal - any suggestions of a great spot in Tokyo? Then bright and early on the 26th of Dec we are flying from Haneda up to Sapporo Shin Chitose - next bus up to Hirafu Village. I reckon we will be having lunch in Hirafu, and after getting settled into accomodation/buying lift tix and the like we will be hitting the hill for nighta on Boxing Day. Papa and I will celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary on the 30th of Dec so we might have to have a few drinks at Wild Bills that night!! We have 3 weeks in Niseko - heading home on the 16th of January. That sounds like a really really good trip. Teppanyaki...western style? with all the throwing and juggling or more traditional Japanese style? The Hilton in Shinjuku used to be one of my favorites for teppanyaki (but cant remember if it was Kobe beef or not -me thinks not). You could even stay there and take the limousine bus direct to Haneda in the morning. make sure you check the Xmas lights on Omotesando (close from Harajuku) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 If its Christmas meal then you might wanna book early MB. Had a nightmare trying to tie up a Christmas dinner booking in Tokyo. Do a google and you should get LAST years restaurant menus and you can then contact them well in advance to make sure you have a place. Is Ogawamachi near to Ochanomizu? Plenty of snow shops to choose from in Ochanomizu/Jimbochu area. If I decide to hit Hokkaido instead of sunny climes for my 30th this Xmas then I may just be able to share a toast with you in Wild Bills!! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Thanks Stemik and Tubby. Great info. Yeah - we thought booking for Christmas Dinner might be difficult if we left it late to organise - which is why we are thinking about it now. We had a fabulous teppenyaki at a little place about 10 minute walk from Shiba Park last trip, and it was not Euro-showy style, but it was certainly entertaining to watch the fellows skill ...certainly no food flying onto plates. But the food was simply amazing....described on the night as 'heaven in a chopstick'. We were looking for a different hotel as we were not that keen to return to the Qantas option of Shiba Park Hotel s I will look into your suggestion Stemik - it will solve a few things at once (where to have Christmas Dinner, new hotel, new area to explore, easy access to Haneda with snowboard bags and suitcases) CHEERS! Yes Tubby - same area - Ogawamachi is the train stop on the other line. We went there last time and bought one of those little mini snowboards (the kids enjoy having a play with that ...especially in Oz on icier days) and a few other bits and pieces, but we were fairly kitted up at the time and disappointed that we didnt need to buy a heap of stuff!! We are gonna hold out now - little dude could do with a new jacket, new snowboards needed by a few of the kids (MY THEY GROW FAST) etc etc - so we will hopefully be a little mini stimulus package for the area when we get there...sorry Jindabyne, but we are not going to spend an awful lot with you now Hope to be able to shout you a birthday beer then Tubby!!! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Been spending the day checking out places to eat, shop and stay in Tokyo...and so Papa's been playing what became the 'Theme song' from our last J-trip - brings a smile to my face every time. It has been done before...but bears repeating...enjoy Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 good one ma'bear. I't only 6 more months... time flyz. Best wishes to you and your family. That goes to everyone, too. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 That TV show was meant to be quality, I'll have to look that up online as I missed it. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 That was a classic!! - like TB i need to get that tv show. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 The basement of the Hilton does Kobe beef. It's about 3man per head though. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Might bump into the bears in 2010. Don't tear the place bears. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Originally Posted By: thursday The basement of the Hilton does Kobe beef. It's about 3man per head though. yeah if i remember correctly there are few restaurants down there, including an Indian! Though the Teppanyaki is upstairs. There is/was a British style pub next to the lounge....actually it isn't/wasnt like a British pub at all. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 didn't try any though. Hotel restaurants in Tokyo are for business budgets. Much prefer the local places near the station and in the backstreets. Link to post Share on other sites
Roger's head 0 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Me too, definitely. Some very interesting places to find. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 The Teppenyaki we had last trip was a little place, difficult for tourist type gaijin to find (thank god for the offspring reading the Japanese Signage or we never wouldve found it!). It was awesome, and as it only had seats for 8 people and we are a family of 6 we were the only ones in there. LOVED it. But if we are going to get a booking for Christmas Night the Hilton might be the only option from this far away... But I suppose I dont have to buy a turkey, ham, plum pudding, crackers, booze, shortbread, mince pies, and all the other fluff and pop that goes with hosting Christmas at home ... so even the Hilton prices might be OK for just one night. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 In Japan Christmas eve is a lot busier than Christmas day Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Yeah... I read that. Also read the LOVE HOTELS are busy that night as it is something similar to valentines day - a night for romancing the signifigant other...hee hee. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Ma' bear There seems to be a few Teppanyaki places in Shiba. Roppongi and Azabu is nearby and there are Teppanyaki places there... I count at least 12 in a relatively small area in Roppongi. Get your kid and google.co.jp and you will get a map. There is 3 along the street that goes diagonally at the main intersection at subway. More towards Aoyama 1 chome. Link to post Share on other sites
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