blueyonder 0 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Hi all.Will have three weeks in Feb. 2013 to ski at Zao,Yuzawa,Nozawa and either Myoko,Shiga Kogen or Myoko Kogen. Would love to get to them all but don't want to be on the move all the time,especially as we want to throw in some "off the skis" activities and experiences.Any suggestions in that department? We will have a JR rail pass so any ideas on out of the way destinations,scenic rail trips, historic towns etc would be much appreciated..cheers..Dave Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Hi I'd go to the Snow Monkeys when you go to Shiga Kogen. If you like monkeys and taking photos of them especially. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Isn't there a Niigata snow festival somewhere in February? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 The Tokamachi one, he's February this year. http://www.snowjapan...-february-2012/ Definitely better if you have a car, I would say.... Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Hi Dave, Welcome, I am sure you will get plenty of good suggestions here. I see you are getting a JR rail pass. You may have done this already but I suggest you look into a JREast pass as well. You may find it is more economical and flexible than the JR Pass for your trip Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Yes Tokamachi Snow Festival is interesting, even if I do say so myself. And yeah, a car is helpful as lots of the exhibits are spread over quite a distance. Link to post Share on other sites
Kansaiash 6 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I would recommend visiting an onsen. Its a great way to relax after a day on the slopes. Also being in a hot bath surrounded by snow is a pretty worthwhile experience. Link to post Share on other sites
blueyonder 0 Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Thanks for the suggestions.Could hire a car for the odd day.. in Yamagata it would be good for the snow festival etc. My post should have read "either Hakuba,Shiga Kogen or Myoko Kogen.Just checked the JR East site snowjunky..it appears the only options are 10 straight days or 4 days flexible.Wish the passes had more options.Also the East pass doesn't seem to cover inland from Toyama.Spotted some nice towns in Shirokawago and also Takayama. Thought we could send the ski gear back to Tokyo after our last Nagano resort and have a few days exploring that area and then to Tokyo via Nagoya.If we spotted some local ski areas with perfect snow and blue skies,we could always rent some gear. Looking like we may have to add another week and pay the penalty for changing our return date..Cheers..Dave Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Yamagata Snow Festival?, blueyonder? I want to get to Shirakawago. And Takayama as well. Oh so many places. Link to post Share on other sites
blueyonder 0 Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Ah yes muikabochi..you are right about my geographical inadequacies! I had Tokamachi near Yamagata.My head is full of unfamiliar names of towns,prefectures,etc.That is half the fun though and I refuse to use a travel agent. I don't want to be over-organised or over-researched but need to have the bones in place. We can then stitch on activities found on this forum, from other travellers and the locals. I am even reluctant to book accomodation apart from our first stop(Zao). Would I be wrong in thinking there will always be a bed available at a reasonable price at short notice? Do the main towns have tourist agencies we can call ahead to for bookings?..Cheers..Dave Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I would think that getting accommodation at short notice won't be a problem especially if you are flexible as to what kind of accommodation you want Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I went to Shirakawago and Takayama, last winter, both very nice, especially when covered in snow! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 It looks very photogenic snowdude - is it? I am wary that lots of the pics you see of it are taken from places that the general public don't get to... do you think I'd like it there Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 25, 2012 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 25, 2012 Hi blueyonder Just to explain, please don't just load the links up http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php?/topic/20521-snowjapanforums-guidelines-the-basics/ Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
blueyonder 0 Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 OOps..thanks for the heads-up David..cheers.. Dave Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 It looks very photogenic snowdude - is it? I am wary that lots of the pics you see of it are taken from places that the general public don't get to... do you think I'd like it there It's such a beautiful spot Muika. We used to go every year until recently for a little escape and time-warpy feel. If you like soba they have some of the freshest tasting noodles out there. Great beef as well! Blueyonder, I don't know of any specific events but if you can find a fireworks display I would highly recommend going. Love fireworks here, especially over snow covered fields or mountains. Link to post Share on other sites
blueyonder 0 Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Thanks for the suggestion Black Mountain.Wonder what the laws in Japan are regarding fireworks..nothing better than setting off your own!. Looks like 2 rail passes will cost us close to A$1400 for 3 weeks.Considering we will go to Zao,Yuzawa,Nozawa,the Nagano area and maybe Takayama area, I wonder if it would be practical to rent a 4x4 car? I know there will be serious amounts of snow but is it a drama with road closures,high rate of accidents etc? Remember seeing a Land Cruiser in Niseko doing 360 degree spins down a hill toward our bus..hit a bank before us luckily.Would be nice to have the freedom of our own transport and to avoid lugging skis about,and being tied to timetables.Is navigating with a gps straightforward in Japan??.Cheers..Dave Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Actually, blue yonder, the laws here about fireworks are I think very easy. You can buy them almost anywhere! But yeah I love fireworks too. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Thanks Black Mountain, I will certainly keep it on my list. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 There are no laws with fireworks over here......old guys, middle aged women and toddlers are able to hold and fire their very own gunpowder incendiary device! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I wonder are there many accidents here with fireworks? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 you don't really hear of many.....but I'm sure there are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgMTmXcMS1E Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Thanks for the suggestion Black Mountain.Wonder what the laws in Japan are regarding fireworks..nothing better than setting off your own!. Looks like 2 rail passes will cost us close to A$1400 for 3 weeks.Considering we will go to Zao,Yuzawa,Nozawa,the Nagano area and maybe Takayama area, I wonder if it would be practical to rent a 4x4 car? I know there will be serious amounts of snow but is it a drama with road closures,high rate of accidents etc? Remember seeing a Land Cruiser in Niseko doing 360 degree spins down a hill toward our bus..hit a bank before us luckily.Would be nice to have the freedom of our own transport and to avoid lugging skis about,and being tied to timetables.Is navigating with a gps straightforward in Japan??.Cheers..Dave blueyonder, I would recommend hiring a Subaru wagon with AWD, just make sure it has snow tyres. Better than a softroader, but cheaper than a 4WD. Most Nav systems have the ability to navigate by phone number, so as long as you know the number of the resort you are heading to you should have no problems. I can't give any advice/info on accidents, I don't drive in the snow enough to have seen any. I'm sure those on here who live in snowier places can comment with more accurate ideas than I can. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 There are no laws with fireworks over here......old guys, middle aged women and toddlers are able to hold and fire their very own gunpowder incendiary device! Don't forget the drunker the better! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Of course!! I just thought that was a given....,,what's the fun in fireworks if ur not hammered?! Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts