Mick Rich 78 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Ok, I’m going to take a leaf out of Ippy’s book and ask for your thoughts and suggestions on my trip back down to Kanto at the beginning of March. My criteria is as follows:- 1. I’ve got about 3 weeks to kill; 2. I’m on budget, as this will all be courtesy of my good friend, VISA; 3. I’m using public transport (mainly trains, as I’ll be armed with a trusty seishun 18 kippu) so will be carrying my snowboard bag; 4. I’d like powder and trees (wouldn’t we all) but to be honest, I’m just interested to try out some new resorts. So with all that in mind, here’s my preliminary plan:- a) Niseko for 4/5 days including some side trips to Rusutsu and Chisenupuri and/or Iwaonupuri; Possibly Hakkoda for a day or 2 depending on snow conditions and accommodation cost (but see below); c) Myoko – Suginohara and/or Seki Onsen – for a 2/3 days; d) Ryuoo Ski Park for a day; e) Hakuba for 3 days; f) Marunuma Kogen for a day (to use my SJ competition-winning free ticket) Although I really want to go to Hakkoda I’m prepared to drop this and do it properly next year! I also want to meet up with the Kanagawa crew on their day trip to Niigata but don’t think I can fit this in unless I drop something else, ie. Hakuba!! Decisions, decisions!! I haven't done much research on the travelling front so know I might have to shuffle things around a bit but what do people think so far - or ?? Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Will you be returning to Hokkaido next winter? If not, see Hokkaido - unless you already have. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Funny you should say that because in the event that I only have 2 weeks to play with (which may happen), that's my Plan B!! Should that come to pass, any Hokkaido recommendations apart from the normal suspects? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Mick since you are making your way over to Marunuma, why not try a few other places round there. Cut a day from the well-worn Myoko and Hakuba, or cut one of them completely, and try some of these places: Kawaba White World Oze Iwakura Tenjin They're all in that neck of the woods. You know it makes sense. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Cheers Muikabochi, that's just the sort of info I'm looking for! I'll read up on those now. Are they all do-able using public transport? Sorry but I'm a bit of snow virgin when it comes to Honshu resorts - my Halloween trip to Yeti Snow Town doesn't really count! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Public transport? I'm not sure but I do know that it isn't as easy as places like Hakuba and Yuzawa. You will be getting buses though after Minakami as there's no train up through Katashina. I'm sure if you stay places they will try to help you. Here's my recent visits to those 3 places, I think they are all worth a look in and it's always fun to try new places. I know I'm more scenery photos than words but you might get an idea. http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/347967/White_World_Oze_Iwakura_Gunma_.html http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=47 http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resort_map.php?resortNo=47 http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/343599/Kawaba_Gunma_23rd_December_200.html http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=46 http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resort_map.php?resortNo=46 http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/401307/Tanigawa_Tenjindaira_Gunma_16t.html http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resortdetail.php?resid=14 http://www.snowjapan.com/e/resorts/resort_map.php?resortNo=14 (Don't forget the cheese!) Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Public transport to the Gunma resorts is a bit of a pain in the ass, unless you are going by bus tour from Tokyo....even then though most of them are only the day trips that leave at 7-7.30 and get you there mid-morning.....waste of time and money IMO. If you were staying in Pensions etc along the way then you'd prob be able to get then to ferry you back n forth or at least tell you the best way to get to each resort, but even although Gunma is closer than Niigata to Tokyo/Yokohama its much more difficult to access if you don't have a car Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Something like this. If you are doing more than one of them you will be staying somewhere right? I'm sure it is doable. To Tenjin: Bus from Minakami St. 25 mins Taxi from Doai St. <5 mins Bus from Jomo Kogen St (Shin) 50 mins To Kawaba: Bus from Jomo Kogen St, 50 mins Bus from Numata St, 30 mins To White World: Bus from Jomo Kogen, 80 mins To Marunuma - well, you're going there anyway Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Guys, that's brilliant! You're starting to persuade me that I should forego Hakuba and bum around Gunma instead! & that'll mean 2 separate trips to Hakuba and Hakkoda next season! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Damn, more trips needed. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 dude EVERYONE and their dogs been to hakuba. We have a solemn duty to hype all the other resorts out there. I say gunma and come get me hyped about it Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Originally Posted By: ippy dude EVERYONE and their dogs been to hakuba. Except me and my dog! A question for the Gunma experts:- would it be a better idea to base myself in Minakami (where I'm guessing there'll be more/cheaper accommodation options) and then take buses out to the various resorts from there?? It looks as though I'd be taking the train across from Myoko Kogen, and Minakami is on the way to Numata (for Marunuma). Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Without putting too much thought into my answer, no.... It's a bit much going to and from Minakami I would say. Tenjin is the only place on the list near Minakami really. The others are really in a different and accessed from Numata. If you are doing for example Tenjin / Kawaba / White World / Marunuma over 3 or 4 days, I'd probably look to stay in different places if that doesn't sound like a fuss. Maybe in Minakami + Numata + somewhere in Katashina/near Marunuma Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 hmmm...........any accommodation suggestions Muika (over and above those mentioned in SJ's Places to Stay)? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Not really though a friend stayed at the place listed on here that is near Marumuma and really liked it. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 To be found here indeed http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/gunma-katashina-accommodation.php Actually Numata + Marunuma might be the 2 places to base yourself over the 3/4 days. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Yeah, I've already been in contact with Pension Currants (what a great name!) but was just seeing what other options there might be. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Sorry don't know. But there isn't much up there, there is no town at all just that little tiny pension area. I bet there's lots of business hotels or whatever in Numata. They even have a McDonalds, Mister Donuts and Kentucky! Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Mick, have you consulted with your cheese about all this? Surely he should have some say. How is he these day? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Pension Currants is nice. Stayed there last year. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Originally Posted By: muikabochi They even have a McDonalds, Mister Donuts and Kentucky! A healthy diet of cheap coffee, donuts and fried chicken for me then As for my faithful camembert, he's currently salivating (or should that be lactating) with excitement at the thought of a) a possible trip to Asahidake this weekend and adventuring into the virgin pastures of Honshu! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Originally Posted By: Metabo Oyaji Pension Currants is nice. Stayed there last year. Thanks Metabo! Did you have your own transport or did they shuttle you about a bit? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Do they specialise in serving currants? Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Currants and cheese - what a great combo! Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Sounds like a necessary photo! Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts