muikabochi 208 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 One of the closest resorts from my house, Joetsu Kokusai is not somewhere I go to that often. I just prefer Hakkai-san and Maiko. JK gets some stick from some people because of the lift system. It does often seem slow and frustratingly laid out. But there are ways to enjoy Joetsu Kokusai. I'd recommend that when you go there, concentrate on one area. The resort covers a very wide area and there are a few connecting lifts that are basically taking you from one area to another - over almost flat areas. I would either stick to the Osawa/Atema area which is the left hand side of the resort as you look at the mountain from the base, or stay in the main area in front of the hotel. If you do that, the frustration of the connecting lifts is largely reduced and you can spend more time riding. Perhaps spend half a day in one area and the rest of the day in the other. But if you set out to try and cover the whole resort in a day, you'll end up feeling like you are hardly getting any skiing in and you're taking some kind of "lift scenic tour"! Admiteddly a very pretty tour as there's lots of trees up there. So, lots of tree photos. I like trees. Centleisure Maiko in the background Background resorts: Centleisure Maiko (left), Kandatsu (centre, just about see it), Yuzawa Kogen (top right) Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 "When I grow up, I want to live in Zao" Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 so uh, need a roommate muikabochi? Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 What bag do you use to carry your camera? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 It's just a Lowepro one, Rob. Now complete with broken zip as of today. So I am going to have to buy a new one. Mitch, I'll ask the lady. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Ok shall have a hunt - looking at photos now (too bloody many!) and can see the difference between my POS and SLR. :S Love the first pic btw. A true winter wonderland. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 My house just out of sight to the left. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan#Andrew 6 Posted January 11, 2010 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 11, 2010 You can see my house on there, centre background. Wish I was up there muikabochi better than sat in front of a computer. Was it busy? Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Originally Posted By: SJ#1 You can see my house on there, centre background. narrows it down then. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 It might not look it on the photos, but yes it was fairly busy though I suppose that is expected on a holiday. Perhaps 5 minutes wait for the main quad in the hotel area. I prefer the Osawa/Atema area. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan#Andrew 6 Posted January 11, 2010 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted January 11, 2010 Can't you see it Rob, look over there, next to the yellow house. Yes I prefer that area as well though haven't been to Joetsu Kokusai for a while. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Love to see all the trees weighed down with snow. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 I like that too. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 wonderful photos (again) Muika -san. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Brilliant ! Cheers muikabotchi ! Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Nice. Did you make the little snowman muikabochi? Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Fine pics muikabochi. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 No the snowman was already there. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Great pics, lovely area! Link to post Share on other sites
Ross 4 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 great pics as always. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 All good photos, but the last two are the best. Link to post Share on other sites
furumachi 0 Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Nice. I used to go to the international university in Urasa and used to go to JK quite a lot. I agree with your comments about how to not get frustrated there! Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Do students at that uni get any kind of deal on lift tickets in the area? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 I don't know though I suspect not. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 if school kids do.... Link to post Share on other sites
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