seemore 66 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Hey SkidaiSuki Same as Mamabear worked hard got to 40 and decided too spend some money although it is looking pretty exy for a trip over there. You are very lucky to be able to ski a couple of times a year Anyway question for you do the Japanese have piblic ho;idays over xmas and new year? Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 I wasn't begrudging anyone their hard-earned holidays...only teasing, and pointing out the difference between Japanese attitudes and those of other countries towards time off. Guess which philosophy I prefer? Seemore - the Japanese do have national holidays over new year, although Christmas is irrelevant here. If I'm not abroad, Christmas is a work day, though obviously it's not a busy one for international businesses. You can usually get several days off for skiing over new year without missing any work. It gets harder when you are married to a Japanese person and expected to do family stuff though. That's why I married a beautiful girl whose parents live close to a ski-jo.... As I mentioned, even taking off 3 or 4 weekdays in February gets gasps of envy from Japanese friends. You simply can't do it in most jobs, and the idea of getting 13 days in total per season (as I have for the past 2 seasons, including weekends) is also quite an achievement. However long we all get, I can't wait for Autumn and the beginnings of the season. The weather really sucks here at the moment! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Originally Posted By: skidaisuki I wasn't begrudging anyone their hard-earned holidays...only teasing, and pointing out the difference between Japanese attitudes and those of other countries towards time off. We know. Originally Posted By: skidaisuki However long we all get, I can't wait for Autumn and the beginnings of the season. The weather really sucks here at the moment! Hallelujah! oh wait....lets get the Southern Hemi season done first. I am hoping for some more turns in a couple of weeks. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Congrats, Ma'bear ... You are a success story for sure... Link to post Share on other sites
lin 0 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 This week is one of the biggest holidays in Japan isn't it? Curiously no national holidays - does that mean people take holidays or are lots of companies just closed for the week? Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Depends on the company Lin - some of them automatically close down, whilst others stay "open" but expect their employees to use their holiday up. And in regards to the topic - expecting to get into double figures this year, may even get up to the Northern parts this year. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Yes indeed Lin, everything's really slow here and because people are away basically no decisions get made during O-Bon week. This is quite convenient because all of the people we deal with in Europe seem to be on holiday at the moment as well. O-Bon is a traditional holiday in Japan, not recognised with a national holiday, but thanks to lucky timing, we can look forward to a 5-day weekend next month, from 19th to 23rd September. I'd prefer if it fell in late January or February though! SdS Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 skidaisuki No offence taken Mine aren't hard earned holidays my company just closes down for 2 weeks and tells me not to work I would rather they did it at a different time but I think it has something to do with God Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Seemore, have you decided where you're gonna go? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 SDS, my hols are not hard earned. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for taking salary in return for my time on the office internet. Only very seldomly though. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: thursday SDS, my hols are not hard earned. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for taking salary in return for my time on the office internet. Only very seldomly though. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Thursday No mate waiting for quotes from travel agent I am just spending too much time looking at different resorts & accom and getting nowhere Club Med looks good but really expensive. I have worked in Switzerland and France with ski in/out accom and I guess I am looking for the same thing but it's hard to try to compile info. We will see what the agent comes up with. The Vale in Niseko looks good but haven't checked it out as yet. Mate any recommendations would be good Family Accom ski in/out Either Niseko or Nagano Area Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 the Niseko accomodation page has a huge variety to choose from Niseko Accomodation You can contact the properties directly. Personally I would not use an agent as I find booking my own flights and transfers and hotel very easy and straightforward. Niseko is a 2.5hour bus ride (with a toilet break) from Shin Chitose airport. The bus drops you in the centre of everything. And accomodations can pick you up if you request it. But seeing as this is your first time, I understand that using an agent to get all inclusive would feel more comfortable. Can't really recommend any ski in/ski out family accomodation as I always stay at hotels. I just need an on-site onsen, no compromise. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 oh, and if you do contact the places directly, you need to mention Snowjapan to get a mega discount and loads of respect. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I still say Hotel J-First in Hirafu is an excellent choice - just a couple of minutes' (flat) walk to the base lift, good food, clean and comfortable accommodation and pleasant service. It isn't ski-in-ski-out, but comes pretty close. And the rotenburo (outdoor onsen / bath) is very good as well... Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Thanks Thursday Will check it out and will mention SJ Thanks Skidiasuki I will get on to J-First I can live with a flat walk Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 seemore get your pm's working and I can advise you of an excellent agent in WA who can help organise your trip. Agents can often bundle everything together at a very good rate. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Seemore, unless you cna get one of the 4 larger rooms in the j first, you'd be quite shocked at the room size. But the j first is one of my favorites. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Hi Go Native I presume PM is private message not Prime Minister (I don't think he is any help to anyone) I don't know how to enable Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I have sent a notification and asked 'pretty please' for them to be turned on for you. Seemore - a flat walk in Niseko is certainly not a problem. Anything in the upper village is SO accessible. Link to post Share on other sites
SantaCruz 0 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Originally Posted By: skidaisuki I still say Hotel J-First in Hirafu is an excellent choice Is J-First not on the Snow Japan list of places to stay? I don't see it there, but if I Googl....err, Bing it then I can find it. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 No, actually they are not on our lists. Next time someone goes there, tell them they really should be. Link to post Share on other sites
SantaCruz 0 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 If I end up staying there I'll bug them SJ, any chance you can flip on PMs for me? Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I'll give them a shout next time. Link to post Share on other sites
miro 0 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 The wife and I have been to Niseko fo the past three seasons. If your focus is ski in ski out go to the Scott hotel. It is the highest located hotel (not by much) and is true ski in and out. Nice hotel, brilliant location, good breakfast, pillows like rocks. As Thursday said, I think all the 1980's (?) Japanese hotels provide room sizes which could be better described as large cupboards. Link to post Share on other sites
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