ippy 66 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 And you had a JR rail pass that would take you anywhere, what would you do for that month? 31 days on niseko? Or just spread it around a bit? Im asking for selfish reasons, but i dont want my selfish reasons to dictate the scope of this thread so indulge yourself. Where you going and if you can, why? Im personally thinking few days at hakuba, then pop to myoko for 2 days. Maybe sit around nozawa for a day or two, then head to tokyo/hamamatsu for a few days to see friends. After that nip up to zoa for three days, and then spend some time (6 or so days) in hokkaido before coming back to fukuoka and grabbing the ferry back to korea. Sound like a plan? What would you do with a 21 day rail pass and enough cash to afford 21 days riding plus 21 days accomodation if you could do anything? Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Tohoku Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Tohoku sounds good. Or perhaps Gunma - 1 week Yuzawa+Myoko - 1 week Nozawa+Shiga Kogen - 1 week Zao - the rest Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I would probably make my way up to Hokkaido, with stops in some of those Tohoku places on the way. I'd prefer 2 lots of 2 weeks or even better 4 one-week periods. Can I do that? Before though I'd spend ages thinking and planning. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 gimme some names! Furthest north i ever went in my four years in japan was saitama (that pretty much put me off going north for life). I know the nagano district fairly well, but was really looking for more ideas. Which resorts specifically in tohoku would blow me away. Id be happy to cut down the nagano side if it meant something a bit different Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Zao. Take a look at muikabochis pics on here http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/306411/Yamagata_Zao_Onsen_late_Februa.html I'd also like to go up to Appi Kogen and Shizukuishi as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I would probably spend a week in the Hakuba area hitting up Goryu, 47, Tsugaike, Cortina etc. I'd spread 10 days over Myoko (Akakan/Onsen, Suginohara), Nozawa and Shiga Kogen depending on the conditions at the time. I'd spend the rest of my time in Hokkaido at Niseko, Rusutsu etc. Where I start would really depend on when my month started. If its from the end of December, I would start in Hokkaido. If the end of the season I would end in Hokkaido... and the middle of the season it wouldn't really matter. I'm the kind of person who prefers to really get into a place so I wouldn't go to all those far-away, out-of-the-way places in Tohoku or more northern Hokkaido and only spend a day on the hill. Anywhere worth going is usually worth spending at least 2 - 3 days at. Personally, I usually have a month off from mid-December to mid-January and I spend almost all my time in Hokkaido. I've also split my time between Hokkaido and Hakuba during that month and wasn't disappointed. A lot of resorts aren't that accessible by shinkansen so I kind of think it would be a waste to get a really expensive rail pass. You also tend to lose money on those things if you spend a few days in one place (assuming that it's a pass that must be used on consequtive days) I'd do a bit more research on the travel costs because it's hard to imagine the benefit. Using the rail passes travelling between big cities is usually very cost effective though... As well, if you have a working visa in your passport you will find it difficult to use a rail pass as it's illegal to do so (although I've heard plenty of stories of people getting away with it... wink wink) Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm with Black Mountain in that having the train pass while skiing is a waste. Does "coming back to Fukuoka" mean you are in Kyushu? Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Hakkoda in Aomori prefecture (furtherest north on Honshu) looks amazing. Haven't been there myself. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 BTW domestic flights aren't really expensive. For example, Tokyo to Sapporo can be as cheap as 9,600Y. Something to think about. I think that even if you had a 21 day pass you'd find that you'll spend most of your time on the train if you hit up all the places you listed above. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 really? which airline? anytime I've looked 1 way has been at least 15k Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Check airdo.com. As well, Both ANA and JAL have been offering great deals recently (10,000 - 14,000). I booked 2 separate one way flights from Haneda to Sapporo for 9,800Y and 9,600Y this winter. Obviously dates are important... flying too close to New Years will result in higher fares. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: Black Mountain I would probably spend a week in the Hakuba area hitting up Goryu, 47, Tsugaike, Cortina etc. I'd spread 10 days over Myoko (Akakan/Onsen, Suginohara), Nozawa and Shiga Kogen depending on the conditions at the time. I'd spend the rest of my time in Hokkaido at Niseko, Rusutsu etc. Where I start would really depend on when my month started. If its from the end of December, I would start in Hokkaido. If the end of the season I would end in Hokkaido... and the middle of the season it wouldn't really matter. I'm the kind of person who prefers to really get into a place so I wouldn't go to all those far-away, out-of-the-way places in Tohoku or more northern Hokkaido and only spend a day on the hill. Anywhere worth going is usually worth spending at least 2 - 3 days at. Personally, I usually have a month off from mid-December to mid-January and I spend almost all my time in Hokkaido. I've also split my time between Hokkaido and Hakuba during that month and wasn't disappointed. A lot of resorts aren't that accessible by shinkansen so I kind of think it would be a waste to get a really expensive rail pass. You also tend to lose money on those things if you spend a few days in one place (assuming that it's a pass that must be used on consequtive days) I'd do a bit more research on the travel costs because it's hard to imagine the benefit. Using the rail passes travelling between big cities is usually very cost effective though... As well, if you have a working visa in your passport you will find it difficult to use a rail pass as it's illegal to do so (although I've heard plenty of stories of people getting away with it... wink wink) Im in korea. Not only that, but near gwangju so much closer to busan than seoul. Flights Busan to tokyo are pretty pricey whilst the ferry is dirt cheap. So just going to nip across on the ferry to fukuoka, spend day 1 travelling to hamamatsu to see all my old friends. Then its probably a trek up to nagano to see some people at hakuba (and then myoko because suginohara i consider my home turf - i was there all last season ). These are pretty much 1 day affairs. I did both last season way more than enough never managed to make it to nozawa in my first two years tough, i did see it from togari on my very first snowboarding mission though, so im itching to put that one to bed too Maybe 2 days there. after that, i can nip to tokyo to see some more people, spend the night there, then early on venture to zao. Dot around there for 5 or 6 days before heading across to the Hokk and meeting my mates (who are there for the pre snow festival cheap weekend but ducking out to go play on niseko). Then itll be back home around the 8th or 9th, a day on a train to fukuoka then back on the ferry to busan just in time for students graduation on the 11th. Literally, you couldnt use a rail pass more effectively Because i do have quite a lot to fit in, its pretty much worth it. Plus the whole three different areas things means i can have a few days break so i dont feel absolutely drained from three straight weeks boarding. Plus i wont be wasting accomodation cause when im not boarding ill be in cities visting mates Honshu is pretty much sorted. Really i dont know all that much about hokkaido and tohoku though. But once again, this thread isnt entirely about my plans, its an interesting question nevertheless Where would YOU go and what would YOU do? Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Sounds like an interesting itinerary. Definitely too busy for me! But if the main goal isn't only boarding then I can understand why you want to get around so much. I can't really comment on taking the train in Tohoku or Hokkaido because I've always used airplanes and buses for those areas. I suppose since you lived here(?) then you would know a little about travel times. Hyperdia helps with that. Anyway, I'm interested in hearing how the trip goes so don't forget to make a trip report here! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 For one month, I'd start on Hokkaido and end on Hokkaido. Start from the south and work yourself north, culminating in a visit to Rishiri. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 You really really really really really really love Hokkaido, don't you thursday! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 abit. I'm saving up to buy the island. Don't tell anyone though. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: Black Mountain Sounds like an interesting itinerary. Definitely too busy for me! But if the main goal isn't only boarding then I can understand why you want to get around so much. I can't really comment on taking the train in Tohoku or Hokkaido because I've always used airplanes and buses for those areas. I suppose since you lived here(?) then you would know a little about travel times. Hyperdia helps with that. Anyway, I'm interested in hearing how the trip goes so don't forget to make a trip report here! Actually thats a good idea, but im frankly the worst writer youll ever come across. Maybe itll be good practice for me though Oh, and yeah, was living in hama for three years and then moved to suzaka for a year before heading back to the uk (hated it so got the first flight back to asia, which is why im now in korea.) Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Photos will do too Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Originally Posted By: thursday abit. I'm saving up to buy the island. Don't tell anyone though. Coz if word got out then it would be as good as you having given advice without being paid! Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 make sure you sample all the yummy 駅å¼ã€€obentoh's at station stops Link to post Share on other sites
black diamond 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I always suggest to people to rent a car and do a Japan road trip. Ski resorts and buses/trains don't really mix too well. You miss out on to many first track mornings (unless you're travelling at night) and for myself at least I hate packing and unpacking. Your car IS your suitcase. Have you seen the Japanese snowboard movie series Car Danchi 1-4? These guys live in their vans and travel from resort to resort and sleep in the parking lots. Indeed with the ample amount of onsens and a nice heater with a long extension cord, you could spend a month quite comfortably. the ferry from Nigata to Otaru is only like 25,000yen with car and driver. If you look around you can find cheap rentals. Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Originally Posted By: Black Diamond do a Japan road trip. Great idea! And it's not only movie stars who sleep in carparks. I believe there's quite a tradition among regular Japanese and I've talked to a few gaijins who've done it the whole season. Originally Posted By: Black Diamond a nice heater with a long extension cord, you could spend a month quite comfortably. Are you suggesting stealing electricity? Invest in a -15 sleeping bag and you should be ok. Apparently some vans have heaters you can run for a few hours without killing the battery. Might be worth buying a small 2nd hand van rather than rent. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 You need　車庫証明　proof that you have garage (rented or otherwise) to buy a car unless it's light vehcle Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 no drivers license. Not going to happen for me! Would definitely be top of my hit list though if i did. Could be hysterically funny Link to post Share on other sites
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