Elvis 0 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Can some of the kind fellows on this fine site tell me how far Otari is from Niseko in terms of a car ride in normal conditions. I will probably be staying there for a few days in February and would like to know. Thank you Elvis Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 it's about an hour and a half. Of course this depends on the weather conditions and the state of your driving. Link to post Share on other sites
Elvis 0 Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites
deanrobi 2 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Are you asking about Otari which is down near Nagano or Otaru? If its Otaru then it took us about 50 min on the train (if I remember correctly) from Kutchen this year. Great train trip through snow covered country side and along the coast, interestingly the were a few groups of keen surfers out on the days that we caught the train. Now's that's dedication for you in the middle of winter Link to post Share on other sites
Elvis 0 Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Sorry I meant Otaru in Hokkaido. Link to post Share on other sites
skidaisuki 0 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Be sure to have some seafood when you're in Otaru - and try the local microbrew as well. Great place - but I'd try and stay at Niseko if you want to take full advantage of the snow. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Papa had magic sashimi and sushi in Otaru - I am seriously jealous...so maybe I should do a side trip to Otaru this year!! Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted September 3, 2009 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted September 3, 2009 I have edited the titles to avoid confusion. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Huh?? I thought it was Otani. Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I thought it was Tomari. I figured he wanted to visit the nuclear power plant... Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Otaru is seriously overrated IMO. Link to post Share on other sites
deanrobi 2 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 There was a group of hardcore snowboarders staying in the same hotel we were at in Otaru and they were boarding the local resort (the one that can be seen to the right hand side of the city, looking from the coast. Talking to them they regarded the area pretty highly and proclaimed that they would not be going back to Niseko after finding this area and another ski area close by, sorry cant remember any of the names. Evidently there was heaps of un-tracked snow and absolutely no people, not that Niseko is that busy. I did notice that of the four days we were there it snowed constantly and probably some of the longest continual heaviest snow periods I have ever experience in my three trips to Japan. I spoke to these boys every morning and each day they had bigger and better stories to tell. Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 We always use Otaru for a day trip if the conditions are terrible for skiing or on a rest day. There's nothing like getting off the (warm) train and walking out of the station to see the ocean at the end of the main street and get hit by a freezing wind. We have a great day walking around seeing, touching and sampling everything - head over to Wing Bay grab dinner somewhere and then head home. Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I drove over there last trip in some pretty heavy snow and still found it an easy drive, about an hour and a half with stops. Not overly exciting but a good day trip, we skied a few runs at one of the small resorts you can see from town, can't remember their name. Stopped at the Black Whisky Brewery onm the way, nice place but really rough Whisky, even in coke its rough. Very cheap and it would want to be. The canals area is nice and some great food in the old wareouses there as well. Link to post Share on other sites
deanrobi 2 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I think the resorts in question are Asarigawa Onsen & Otaru Tenguyama. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Tenguyama doesn't always have the best snow conditions in the region but the view over Otaru and the ocean is pretty damned nice (that's not me in the photo) Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Thats the one in the Photo, yes it was an amazing view but I never got to fully appreciate it as it was snowing most of the day. I got a better view of Iowana Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaidough 4 Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 While it is nice, I wouldn't go as far as 'amazing'. More into mountain views myself. Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Yeh, love the mountain views but to see a city and the ocean, thats just unique. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 no it's not. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 maybe ASB means to see a city and the ocean from a ski resort. That is pretty rare around the world. Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Is to me Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Surely. Any others anyone can think of? Link to post Share on other sites
deanrobi 2 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 On a clear day you can see the ocean from MT Hutt NZ but not a city as well. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Tis a fine view indeed. Link to post Share on other sites
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