advise for our ski holiday 2014

[@tokyo 14]

My advice is to book direct and talk to the people.

 

The places to stay section on the site here offers lots of options

 

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/index.html

[ippy 66]

Id also do that, but then i never do tours. Possibly because im far too cheap to throw a lump sum out. Do they work out cheaper in the end? Possibly if you mention where youre going, where youre coming from, how many and how long youre staying for (and whatever else they throw in), without mentioning the company of course... we can only tell you if youre being ripped off

[Chriselle 158]

Just a thought, do the thermal springs smell like rotten egg gas as in NZ?

 

Depends on the onsen... but generally, no, they don't. There is a very mild odor but nothing offensive.

[muikabochi 208]

The one that I always remember smelling a lot if the one driving up Kusatsu Kogen up to the volcano on the winding road. There are signs telling you that you must not stop the car. Very smelly.

 

[Chriselle 158]

Yes, I went up there (I think it was Kusatsu)..... bloody well make ya puke..

[KlingKlang 1]

The one on the way to Kumanoyu/Yokoteyama in Shiga Kogen area is pretty smelly too.

[manfredk 2]

Id also do that, but then i never do tours. Possibly because im far too cheap to throw a lump sum out. Do they work out cheaper in the end? Possibly if you mention where youre going, where youre coming from, how many and how long youre staying for (and whatever else they throw in), without mentioning the company of course... we can only tell you if youre being ripped off

Thanks , , so far quoted A1500pp 10 days total inc 5days in hakuba, 3 in nozowa, and a night in tokyo on the way there and back. We are coming from gold coast aust, which has a direct flight to tokyo(airfares not inc). 4 day ski pass in Hak, and 3 in nozawa. A rail pass.

seems good value to me, but have asked for 4 star acc, instead of 3 , so will see what the next quote will be. I dont think Im being ripped off atthis stage.. but australian skiing is very exspensive.

Manny

[gifugill 0]

My friend had a pretty bad experience with Liquid and would never use them again.

 

I would ask for quotes from individual places and compare. Agents are simply an added charge and not necessary.

[Tubby Beaver 209]

Id also do that, but then i never do tours. Possibly because im far too cheap to throw a lump sum out. Do they work out cheaper in the end? Possibly if you mention where youre going, where youre coming from, how many and how long youre staying for (and whatever else they throw in), without mentioning the company of course... we can only tell you if youre being ripped off

Thanks , , so far quoted A1500pp 10 days total inc 5days in hakuba, 3 in nozowa, and a night in tokyo on the way there and back. We are coming from gold coast aust, which has a direct flight to tokyo(airfares not inc). 4 day ski pass in Hak, and 3 in nozawa. A rail pass.

seems good value to me, but have asked for 4 star acc, instead of 3 , so will see what the next quote will be. I dont think Im being ripped off atthis stage.. but australian skiing is very exspensive.

Manny

 

It depends on what ur reference point is and wot standard of comfort u want. I'd also do a tally for how much each section would be individually and see how it compares. A bit more research needed but could leave you quids in (or dollars-in as the case may be)

[ippy 66]

5 day hakuba pass is 20,000 yen (or thereabouts - just assuming youre picking up the three plus 2 day all resort pass - why not? It means you get to explore a bit).

3 Day Nozawa pass is 12,000yen.

 

Direct bus from airport to hakuba (aka. the hakubus) is 10,000yen pp (8000 for kids) each way (20,000).

Alternatively Train is a bit more of a pain, Narit to Tokyo, then shink to Nagano, then BUS to hakuba - train = 8000yen, bus =1500. This allows you to spend that day either side at Tokyo if you like.

 

So with transport and lift passes and on teh same schedule, youre looking at about 52000 yen. Lets say 55 though to give you a buffer.

 

All that leaves is accommodation. Two nights in Tokyo can be scored at any chain hotel. Theres plenty. You can find your own price on one of the MILLIONS of "hotel, tokyo" searches.

 

And then at the resort you can just look in here for accommodation. Pick the types of places that appeal to you, have a look at their availability and prices. You can work out the difference pretty easily and decide for yourself if you can be bothered with organizing it yourself.

[manfredk 2]

5 day hakuba pass is 20,000 yen (or thereabouts - just assuming youre picking up the three plus 2 day all resort pass - why not? It means you get to explore a bit).

3 Day Nozawa pass is 12,000yen.

 

Direct bus from airport to hakuba (aka. the hakubus) is 10,000yen pp (8000 for kids) each way (20,000).

Alternatively Train is a bit more of a pain, Narit to Tokyo, then shink to Nagano, then BUS to hakuba - train = 8000yen, bus =1500. This allows you to spend that day either side at Tokyo if you like.

 

So with transport and lift passes and on teh same schedule, youre looking at about 52000 yen. Lets say 55 though to give you a buffer.

 

All that leaves is accommodation. Two nights in Tokyo can be scored at any chain hotel. Theres plenty. You can find your own price on one of the MILLIONS of "hotel, tokyo" searches.

 

And then at the resort you can just look in here for accommodation. Pick the types of places that appeal to you, have a look at their availability and prices. You can work out the difference pretty easily and decide for yourself if you can be bothered with organizing it yourself.

thanks , iam going to have a look at doing it myself. Never been to japan so just seeing if it was easier. You have been a great help. I have also enjoyed your other posts..cheers

[ippy 66]

PS. Current exchange rate puts AU$1500 at about 143,000JPN yen just as an FYI.

[manfredk 2]

another question, is buying ski boots in japan worth while? Im staying in Tokyo for at least one day before heading to hakaba.

[onehunga 26]

Depends on your boot size, anything over 27 and the range will be limited.

[Tubby Beaver 209]

If you want to have a look around the snow shops, head for Ochanomizu/Jimbocho area

[panhead_pete 27]

If I only had one day in Tokyo I wouldnt be wasting it shopping for boots.

[seemore 66]

I reckon $1500 is ok it depends on how much time you have to research stuff if you can earn that in a week just pay it or else you will spend a week ginning around to save a few hunderd.

 

I use Travelplan so may be worth checking them out

[Tubby Beaver 209]

obviously we are coming from different angles.....I'd love to earn 150k in a week....sadly I do not

[ippy 66]

hater!

[Alexander L 80]

I reckon $1500 is ok it depends on how much time you have to research stuff if you can earn that in a week just pay it or else you will spend a week ginning around to save a few hunderd.

 

I use Travelplan so may be worth checking them out

I don’t understand the yardstick here. Why $1500? Researching and booking for yourself is far more rewarding than letting a “specialist” do it for you at a premium you know has been thrown in but have little idea of the scale.

 

It’s not really the monetary factor but more the knowledge and satisfaction of being able to plan and materialize your own itinerary at a price you deem good value.

 

I ALWAYS do my own bookings and I enjoy it more that way. But that’s just me.

[kokodoko 67]

I went into a travel agent about 3 years ago because my credit card would not work online for some weird reason.

bought a ticket from unzud to oz.

It cost me more.

[Alexander L 80]

them agents

[Alexander L 80]

Where TF is unzud?

[kokodoko 67]

Nyew Zuland.

[seemore 66]

I reckon $1500 is ok it depends on how much time you have to research stuff if you can earn that in a week just pay it or else you will spend a week ginning around to save a few hunderd.

 

I use Travelplan so may be worth checking them out

I don’t understand the yardstick here. Why $1500? Researching and booking for yourself is far more rewarding than letting a “specialist” do it for you at a premium you know has been thrown in but have little idea of the scale.

 

It’s not really the monetary factor but more the knowledge and satisfaction of being able to plan and materialize your own itinerary at a price you deem good value.

 

I ALWAYS do my own bookings and I enjoy it more that way. But that’s just me.

I am a big tight arse and do waste heaps of time online checking out prices I enjoy it, it is part of the process.

But sometimes an agent can buy a package from wholesaler put margin on it and you pay the same price or less, obviously you have to some research but Travelplan are normally a few hundred cheaper than other agents so they can have my business if they save me money and time.