Mintyjulep 0 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Well, if I had the money I would be skiing in Japan right now. Provided I could get there. I was telling Mr Minty last night that I want to be in Japan right now - I mean if we're going to have EQ's and AS's, I might as well be sliding down a big white mountain rather than sitting at home every day (Feeling EVERY SINGLE AS!!! I'm losing it here) because my place of work has fallen down. People are saying here in NZ that the nuclear power plant explosion is the worst industrial disaster ever (Remember that NZers are hugely against nuclear power for the most part) which seems a little quick to jump to conclusions. I don't mind radiation in exchange for awesomeness Fortunately from what everyone is saying here I don't even have to have any radiation. We've had to put off having children because our house will be slightly dangerous to live in for the next 6-9 months until EQC come and see us (and probably the next year after that until they come and repair our house), so maybe we can save up for another Japan Ski trip! Link to post Share on other sites
jackay 0 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Originally Posted By: MikePow Arrived in Chitose under clear blue skies and 0 deg C temps at mid-day today. Same on the drive to the Niseko area, but within 30 mins of arriving in Niseko Hirafu the temps dropped significantly and the flakes started falling. Hasn't stopped since. Kiroro tomorrow to pick up my seasons pass and see what's fallen. For anyone in two minds about visiting the mountains of Hokkaido, I haven't witnessed any damage or lack of goods or services in the short time I've been here. Energy provision is not a problem, night skiing is still fully operational. Hirafu is quiet but there are still people here very much enjoying the quality of snow and the lack of crowds. It looks like everything's good still up in Niseko. Maybe I should still go ahead with my trip ? It seems that everything have quieten down in the last few days (on the news). Except there are radiation contaminated food down in Tokyo area. I guess all I have to do is change some flights and I'm good to go. Opinions? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 There is no reason why you should cancel your trip to Hokkaido. Radiation contaminated food in Tokyo is a bit of a stretch.....they found radiation in Milk from Fukushima (where the Nuke plant is) and in spinach in Iberaki both of which isn't Tokyo. They did however find trace amounts in the drinking water, although apparently its well within government guidleines just that previously there was zero level. If this causes you a problem then drink only bottled water Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver If this causes you a problem then drink only bottled water You can use your original mouth, or the new one that will appear on the back of your head!!! Link to post Share on other sites
jackay 0 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 hehehehe! I think I'll stick with bottled water or tea, since they're probably a more popular option in Japan. My plan was to head to Niseko -> Osaka -> Kyoto -> Hiroshima then Tokyo as a final stop for 3 days. I might need to change this. Suggestions? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 or use your gills to inhale water when you're in the bath Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 no reason to change this for reasons of safety in light of last weeks earthquake/tsunami Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Originally Posted By: grungy-gonads Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver If this causes you a problem then drink only bottled water You can use your original mouth, or the new one that will appear on the back of your head!!! OK... I But who drinks water when they go on a ski trip to Japan? Isn't it all sake, Sapporo's and Pocari Sweats? Link to post Share on other sites
jackay 0 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Originally Posted By: Mamabear Originally Posted By: grungy-gonads Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver If this causes you a problem then drink only bottled water You can use your original mouth, or the new one that will appear on the back of your head!!! OK... I But who drinks water when they go on a ski trip to Japan? Isn't it all sake, Sapporo's and Pocari Sweats? I like your way of thinking LOL!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Tex 3 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver There is no reason why you should cancel your trip to Hokkaido. Radiation contaminated food in Tokyo is a bit of a stretch.....they found radiation in Milk from Fukushima (where the Nuke plant is) and in spinach in Iberaki both of which isn't Tokyo. They did however find trace amounts in the drinking water, although apparently its well within government guidleines just that previously there was zero level. If this causes you a problem then drink only bottled water I heard some British expert, from a Japanese University I think, going on about this. Radiation found in spinach, milk and water, here here and here. Ended up with "the levels detected would have no effect on humans at all." Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Presumably, "some" is more than "none". And then if it increases again, then it is "more". I find some peoples thoughts on this quite interesting. I don't think there's many people right now who would actually CHOOSE to visit Japan rather than some other place to ski. If they were pondering where to go. Whether it's 'rational' or not. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Tell you what, tomorrow I'll do a survey at work. And post the results here. Lets see what people think. Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 tour operators should be slashing their prices right now to *make* people think about coming, irrational fears or not. Brits have a history of holidaying in war zones if the price is right. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Such as? Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 OK I talked with 20 people at work today. Ranging from investment bankers to secretaries Asked them if they would want to go Japan right now or in the near future. Even to a part of Japan that isn't directly affected: Yes - 1 No, you must be absolutely **** kidding* - 17 Not sure, but whatever I think somewhere else is a better choice right now - 2 * Reasons: - not mad keen on the idea of earthquakes; - concern about the nuclear situation and what happens from now; - 'it just don't feel right'. So there you go. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Oh yes these were all people who have expressed an interest before now when I spoke to them about our trips. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Originally Posted By: MintyNZ People are saying here in NZ that the nuclear power plant explosion is the worst industrial disaster ever (Remember that NZers are hugely against nuclear power for the most part) which seems a little quick to jump to conclusions. That's a disgraceful thing to say. Bhopal.... Its not even Japan's worst industrial disaster. I guess that would be Minamata or one of the mining accidents. Link to post Share on other sites
jared 0 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Well I must be part of the group that 5% of all London Bankers and Secretaries are part of. I would go to Hokkaido to ski. Distance, price, uncrowdedness, snow quality, familiarity and friends already there would make it more attractive that other destinations. Have to go this week or next though or chances of new snow are getting a bit slim. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 The snow is great at the moment. More forecast all week, and more importantly cold temps. Not unusual to have powder days throughout April, just the sun bakes the freshly fallen quite quickly on southern facing aspects and down low. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 It's currently puking down in Niseko Capt!!! Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Although we have not been affected directly much by shaking and a fair way from Fukushima, quite a few people who were working here have left Hakuba. Don't know if they are all out of fright or simply that they are not needed anymore. Extremely quiet. Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Originally Posted By: Captain Stag Have to go this week or next though or chances of new snow are getting a bit slim. We just had a dump last night through till about 10am here in Nozawa. I'm off to hit it now. Considering how few people were on the hill this bank holiday Monday, I'll be outraged if I bump into more than 2 punters today. This season just keeps getting better and better! Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Originally Posted By: Captain Stag I would go to Hokkaido to ski..... familiarity and friends already there Yes, there you go, here is a very interesting point. You know the place. You have friends there. You have links to Japan. The people I asked do not have any of those. That's a very important difference, I would guess. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Originally Posted By: BagOfCrisps Originally Posted By: Captain Stag I would go to Hokkaido to ski..... familiarity and friends already there Yes, there you go, here is a very interesting point. You know the place. You have friends there. You have links to Japan. The people I asked do not have any of those. That's a very important difference, I would guess. It is. And understanding the distance and locations of places too. I had some women asking me questions today about how badly effected the 'place we go' is, and how far away it is from the radiation etc etc. They don't really have the concept. We already have a frame of reference and friends still in Japan to give us the good oil rather than the media beat up. Link to post Share on other sites
ju87 0 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I note that Niseko Village will be closing from 5 April onwards. Does anyone know what impact this will have on Grand Hirafu and Annapuri ? Is there anyone in Niseko at the moment ? Are restaurants still open or are things shutting down early this year ? Link to post Share on other sites
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