franshesca 0 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Hi folks Right now we are still planning on a trip over to Japan but wondering what to do re: luggage.... whether to take everything or rent out some skis when we are there. I know I want to take my boots but taking skis doesn't seem like something I want to do, esp. as we are spending some time in Tokyo to. And also if we rent hopefully we can try out some new modern gear. Well, newer than my current skis. Sound like a good plan or not? Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 theres a salomon shop at escal plaza in goryu that rents out this years gear if i remember right. Its a bit pricey mind. Which is of course really the big issue here. Since once you arrive in japan, you wont ever have to carry your stuff further than your hotel to the slopes. Heres what id say: Kuroneko. (spelled incorrectly of course because im a clutz). Make sure to consider this in yoru plans. They will deliver your gear for a very reasonable $20/bag anywhere in japan within a day or two. So if you arrive at the airport, just head to yoru nearest kuroneko place (ask at info desk) and you can mail ALL of your stuff to your accommodation at the slopes. You wont even have to carry your main luggage As for tokyo, depending of course on the length of stay as well as whether its before or after you hit the slopes, you can just ask your accommodation to look after it before you get there, or send it on after you leave. Most places in japan are very accommodating so as long as youre good customers they wont mind. So heres your issues realistically: 1. Rentals CAN be pricey. If you have your own gear, its definitely cost effective. Better gear is obvioulsy going to come at a premium cost and not that many places have decent gear to be honest. Dunno about skis, but as far as snowboards go, mainly its only really massive fat decks from 10 years ago with big plastic protectors at the tip and tail. 2. Getting from your house to the airport and back might be a massive pain in the heiny for you. 3. You might be in fear of the language barrier. Just get your accommodation to write you a little message in kanji saying something like "please could you send these bags to this address* [x address]. I will arrive on..." Then print it out and hand it to the clerk. Hope that at least gives you another option outside of just lugging your stuff everywhere Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 hmm....depends on where yo are going and admittedly I don't know about ski hire, but I've found in most places, the rental snowboards are old cruddy ones. You can bring your own gear and just courier them to your hotel from the airport, you can them enjoy equipment free days in Tokyo and travel to resort and have your gear waiting for you when you get to the resort. Check with your hotel that you are doing this so they know to expect the gear. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I know some of the places around here let you rent for a day and change gear as much as you want. Interesting to check out new stuff I suppose. Though not cheap really. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 hmm....depends on where yo are going and admittedly I don't know about ski hire, but I've found in most places, the rental snowboards are old cruddy ones. You can bring your own gear and just courier them to your hotel from the airport, you can them enjoy equipment free days in Tokyo and travel to resort and have your gear waiting for you when you get to the resort. Check with your hotel that you are doing this so they know to expect the gear. Some of the places at skijo are quite flashy and have new gear every season. For a price of course. Funny when you see them renting out gear that looks like it's from the 70's though. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 1000 yen a day! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Personally, I have always taken my own gear to Japan. First trip I was a first timer and hired, it was "okay" but not brilliant gear. Very stiff board. I learnt a lot quicker on a flexi board. But I am talking snowboards not ski's, so bear that in mind too. It is pretty easy to takyubin your kit direct to resort if you are hanging around Tokyo for a few days. Traveling (even on the train) with your gear is not that hard. If my 11 yr old can manage a snowboard bag and back pack, anyone can. Way I see it...look at your gear. Do you LOVE riding your ski's? Are they appropriate for where you are going and the time frame? If you have skinny on piste jobs, you might want to hire some powder ski's... Make your descision based on that rather than the difficulty of managing with kit. Kit is pretty easy - the on snow expereince is what matters. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 hmm....depends on where yo are going and admittedly I don't know about ski hire, but I've found in most places, the rental snowboards are old cruddy ones. You can bring your own gear and just courier them to your hotel from the airport, you can them enjoy equipment free days in Tokyo and travel to resort and have your gear waiting for you when you get to the resort. Check with your hotel that you are doing this so they know to expect the gear. Some of the places at skijo are quite flashy and have new gear every season. For a price of course. Funny when you see them renting out gear that looks like it's from the 70's though. yeah, I've always had my own stuff but some of the crap my mates have hired over the years!! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Ski stuff depends on the resorts you got to, and whether you go to a ski rental place that is affiliated with the resort a la gala yuzawa, a chain store, such as the ones around hakuba or some indie shop. Have found the affiliated stores tend to have the same model but in bulk, while the indies tend to have a greater variety, but also more beat up, stock. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Don't botherr taking your skis. Just take your boots. It's too mucn trouble lugging it around. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 no its not! courier service is awesome....u don't need to carry anything you don'T want to Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Don't botherr taking your skis. Just take your boots. It's too mucn trouble lugging it around. might be in other places but easy peasy in Japan.If my kids can carry their own snowboard bags from the age of 8 then I am sure an adult won't find it too hard. Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 I would never have anything but my own gear, that's just because of how I am. If you fly in from the US it is free to bring gear. Food for thought. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 And remember the magic work takyubin. << express delivery services. Brilliant and totally reliable in Japan. Link to post Share on other sites
franshesca 0 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Thanks for all the feedback folks, appreciate it. So much to think about. Anyone know how the exchange rates will move in the next 1-2 months? Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 you´re kidding or it´s all greek to me Euro´s going down down down... Link to post Share on other sites
Pillar of the community 0 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Definitely taking ours. From what I can tell it's easy to lug around (or get it lugged for you) over there. Link to post Share on other sites
Kileki 0 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The Airport Limosine Bus website has this statemnet in it. Each baggage cannot be exceeding 50cm x 60cm x 120cm. A snowboard bag doesn't have much girth. it is just longer than the 120 cm. Does anyone know if they will reject snowboard bags because of its length? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 just courier your snowboard bag from Narita airport direct to your hotel.....saves faffing about. I did this last week coming home from Hakuba, 1280¥ for 1 bag from Nagano to kanagawa, it was delivered the next morning. Kuroneko Yamato is the name of the service, look for the black cat symbol. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The Airport Limosine Bus website has this statemnet in it. Each baggage cannot be exceeding 50cm x 60cm x 120cm. A snowboard bag doesn't have much girth. it is just longer than the 120 cm. Does anyone know if they will reject snowboard bags because of its length? Don't worry about it. They take skis, 90% of which would be longer than your snowboard Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I never had a problem with our board bag on the Airport limosine last year, shouldn't be a problem. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 take your own stuff. Renting is way too expensive now. Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Don't botherr taking your skis. Just take your boots. It's too mucn trouble lugging it around. take your own stuff. Renting is way too expensive now. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 yep. Yen way too expensive now. Need to donkey lug again. Link to post Share on other sites
Kileki 0 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Thanks everyone for your quick & helpful response. Aside from the expense issue, my problem was with the stance width being fixed. The only adjustment allowed was the binding angles. The stance on the 159 was way to wide for my liking. I enjoyed my trip to Naeba even if I couldn't get up to the top of the mountain because of the weather. My next trip will be with my own equipment. There is a problem getting rooms in mid February but I just found out that they are hosting the Ski World Cup. still looking. Link to post Share on other sites
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