Hokkaido Shinkansen - Kutchan (Niseko) stop?

[rider69 18]

I havent been to a port city in the world that looks rather nice

[HelperElfMissy 42]

Originally Posted By: rider69

I havent been to a port city in the world that looks rather nice

Fremantle's not too bad. Compared.

[SKI 15]

Here's some for starters:

 

Barcelona

Naples

Venice

Palermo

 

I'm sure there are many many more.

[SKI 15]

Goderich

Dublin

Rotterdam

Amsterdam

[SKI 15]

Genova

Cochin

Er, Liverpool

 

etc etc etc

[thursday 1]

Hull

[RobBright 35]

Wigan

[big-will 7]

Originally Posted By: RobBright

Wigan

...is not a port.

[Slippery Jim 65]

Brooklyn

[thursday 1]

Mogadishu

[Thundercat 60]

Vancouver

 

 

But be careful guys, he said HE hasn't been to a port city that looks rather nice... not port cities don't look nice.

[thursday 1]

Portland, Oregon.

[rider69 18]

Last time I was in Van I had a crack dealer try to sell me crack.

I watched an addict search the ground for used fags.

Also saw a fight! All in about a 15 minute time frame.

[SantaCruz 0]

Originally Posted By: thursday

Portland, Oregon.

 

Portland is on a river, but not on the ocean. So depending on what you mean by a port. But def some good food and beer going on there

[ckang008 0]

I'll definitely prefer Shinkansen than flying. At least you don't have to transfer numerous time to get to Niseko and probably just take the same amount of time without the risk of traffic congestion or extended wait time. I wonder how will this affect the real estate market over at Kutchan once completed. I've been thinking of purchasing a place in Kutchan or Hirafu in the next couple of years as a resort home.

[rider69 18]

Quote:

At least you don't have to transfer numerous time to get to Niseko and probably just take the same amount of time without the risk of traffic congestion or extended wait time

 

A snow storm will seriously effect this line. Most of the Shinkansen lines dont run through snow country and if they due it is mostly tunnels.

[muikabochi 208]

Joetsu Shinkansen is out of tunnels from between Urasa and Nagaoka.

It seems to cope pretty good with snow storms which can affect Nagaoka area.

[Thundercat 60]

Flying domestic in Japan is far better than any country I've ever been to... check ins 15 mins before departure, easy train/bus access to the airport, quick and efficient security checks... it's a pretty hassle free experience in my opinion. The new Shizuoka airport (massive waste of taxes) even offers free parking for extended trips. I think there will be little incentive for people to take the train to Hokkaido (expect for all the train geeks who are drooling over this idea)

[RobBright 35]

Depends BM - For those in Eastern Japan - it could be quicker to get to Kutchan via Shinkansen.

[sanjo 2]

I don't think the shink is really affected by strong winds. And in Yuzawa they have sprinklers clearing the rails. I'm sure they aren't free, but the point is that they seem to cope admirably in really bad conditions.

 

The only thing that can stop the Joetsu shink is a shindo 7 earthquake happening 10km away when it goes by.

[sanjo 2]

Don't know what the prices are, but I would prefer a shink over a plane and any hassles accompanying them any day.

[Slippery Jim 65]

Not to dispute that Japan makes domestic flights pretty easy, it certainly does, but I think there will be plenty of people who'd opt for shinkansen to Niseko.

I live pretty equal travel time to Haneda or Tokyo, and for the sake of argument let's say transfer/check-in time is about the same for 7 a.m. departure.

 

Shinkansen: arrive Kutchan 10:45, taxi to Hirafu, lodging at 11

 

Plane: arrive Chitose 8:30, wait required hour for bus at 9:30, 2.5 hours to Hirafu parking lot at noon.

 

Of course taking the train would mean missing that $1 million toilet with the player grand piano, but sometimes sacrifices simply must be accepted.

[SKI 15]

But how much of the Hokkaido stretch is planned to be in tunnels?

[SKI 15]

Originally Posted By: Slippery Jim

Not to dispute that Japan makes domestic flights pretty easy, it certainly does, but I think there will be plenty of people who'd opt for shinkansen to Niseko.
I live pretty equal travel time to Haneda or Tokyo, and for the sake of argument let's say transfer/check-in time is about the same for 7 a.m. departure.

Shinkansen: arrive Kutchan 10:45, taxi to Hirafu, lodging at 11

Plane: arrive Chitose 8:30, wait required hour for bus at 9:30, 2.5 hours to Hirafu parking lot at noon.

I agree.
It's not just about flying time etc, there's that 2.5 hour bus from the airport to add as well.

[Slippery Jim 65]

Also, any weather severe enough to shut down a shinkansen line would very probably also shut down Chitose airport.

 

Of course, JR may never provide the kind of subsidies that make package trips to ski in Hokkaido so inexpensive, and you might wind up paying a premium over flying. But it'll be good to have the choice.