klex 0 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 We are heading to japan in late january for two weeks, and there seems to be a flood of information on many, many amazing ski spots. In fact, there are so many options and so much information that it is overwhelming! Thought I'd create a thread to help clarify/simplify things for me. we have been boarding for a few years and can say we are strong intermediate boarders (can do advanced slopes with difficulty but will conquer them soon!!!) However - we have only boarded Australia/NZ (packed snow/ice/slush), and once in pow when we went heliboarding. Helib was a struggle for the first run when we were getting used to all the pow, however we absolutely loved it and after this we just had had had to get more pow. Therefore, Japan. After some research, we have decided on one of two options: 1. Honshu - Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko Kogen; or 2. Hokkaido - Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro Which of the two options would be better for the last two weeks of January? We would like a little nightlife as well - a few restourants/bar to relax after boarding. I really want to minimise chances of really bad days where you can't see/ride/fog/gale winds etc. I know weather is unpredictable however, are we more likely to get better days in honshu area at this time of year? I would hate to book accom, and travel all the way north to be hit with days of harsh weather and unridable conditions. Conversely, also hate to get there and snow is icy/slushy. Both have scenarios have happened to us previously in NZ and it was the biggest disappointment !! Also, there seems to be a lot of accomodation right at the foot of the chairlifts, is it a better option to stay at these places or should we stay in the main city and then bus it in each morning? at home we always stay in the towns about 30mins-1hr drive from the slopes because there's not much available on the mountain. Would be fantastic to be able to wake up and walk to the lifts. Should accomodation be booked now? We usually just like to show up and come and go as we please, but will this work in Japanese ski resorts? I'm sure this would be fine for Tokyo and major Japanese cities, but I am not too sure about the ski resorts? Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice, hopefully I don't sound too clueless Can't wait for January !!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 The 2 options you've chosen are both fantastic.....the Honshu option isn't really viable as day trips from one base area (you CAN do it, but it would take a bit of time esp if u don't have a car), but the Hokkaido option is doable from one base ie Niseko. There really isn't anything at Rusutsu and AFAIK Kiroro except the resort hotels, so day trips from Niseko is perfect. Village is great for after dark shenanigans. That said, both Hakuba and Nozawa are good at night time too, Hakuba has many bars and restaurants to choose from and Nozawa is a year round village which will tick off the "Japanese feel" if that's ur thing. Myoko has less stuff going on at night but there are a couple of low key options.....so if you were going to base yourself in each village area for a few days while you ride then you'd get a great variance of places to visit....but you really need a car IMO to make travel between H, Noz and Myoko viable. That time of year SHOULD be rocking with snow everywhere. It all depends on what u want out of ur trip. Link to post Share on other sites
gvm3373 4 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I would absolutley book my accomodation in advance, contact the local tourist office of the area where you wish to stay, they will offer you any help you need and handle your accomodation booking. Also you are probably not aware that Febuary 9 is a holiday weekend in Japan and accomodation is extremely difficult to find in some popular areas. So book now!!! Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 4, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 4, 2013 The accommodations listed on our site would be very happy to hear from you, you can contact them directly: http://www.snowjapan.com/japan-places-to-stay Please do mention SnowJapan if you do contact any of those. Thanks and good luck with it all. Link to post Share on other sites
Nisoko 6 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Don't be rushed into anything by people telling you 'Book now'. Especially if they use capitals and multiple exclamation marks. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Just some personal experience, I have had absolutely no problem getting accommodation (for friends) in late January in Hakuba and Myoko. Weekends are more difficult than weekdays of course but there's lots and lots of places wanting your business. Same here in this part of Niigata (Yuzawa/Minamiuonuma). Link to post Share on other sites
gvm3373 4 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I would like to see what would happen to these guys if they turned up in myoko,nozowa, or hakuba on febuary 8 with no accomodation booked. I stand by my previous post. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 We are heading to japan in late january for two weeks February 8th isn't in late January. Not on my calendar anyway. February 8th does happen to be perhaps one of the top three weekends of the season and so yes that particular date is a difficult one in many places (not just Nozawa, Hakuba, Niseko Book Now!!!). Would be worrying if it wasn't. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Anyway.... BOOK NOW!!! Please Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I'd time it to avoid the 8th weekend anyway.... me too busy don't like. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 6, 2013 Just deleted a post. No self promotions please on these Forums. Thanks. For people new to the Forums, or in need of a bit of a refresher http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php?/topic/20521-snowjapanforums-guidelines-the-basics/ Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I had some coffee at that place. It was expensive, not hot and not particularly good. I sure wouldn't recommend it. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Hmm.....didn't see the deleted post but I had some good coffee in the wadano area at gakuto lodge. I wasn't staying there but we stopped in during a snowstorm on the way home and was mighty nice. I'm sure you can get nice coffee in a number of places in Hakuba Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Just deleted a post.No self promotions please on these Forums. Thanks. For people new to the Forums, or in need of a bit of a refresher http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php?/topic/20521-snowjapanforums-guidelines-the-basics/ Just out of interest, do you see more of this in the run up to and during a season? Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 6, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 6, 2013 Oh yes, absolutely. It's an annual sign that the winter is approaching. A few regulars come out of the woodwork.... some new people come on and have a go.... I kind of prefer the blatant ones in a way, they are much easier to deal with. The more cunningly planned "what, me?!?!" types are altogether more difficult! Link to post Share on other sites
John-San 2 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 A Scott commenting on expense !!! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 A 'Scott'? Me? I'm not from Scotland. I would love to go there, though, looks beautiful. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 A Scott commenting on expense !!! Link to post Share on other sites
John-San 2 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) Deleted. Edited October 7, 2013 by SJ-David Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted October 7, 2013 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted October 7, 2013 Take this back on topic, and within our Guidelines, or go somewhere else. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I really want to minimise chances of really bad days where you can't see/ride/fog/gale winds etc. I know weather is unpredictable however, are we more likely to get better days in honshu area at this time of year? The answer to that is... yes. Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaidough 4 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Perhaps slightly more chance of a 'rain event' on Honshu, but hopefully not. Link to post Share on other sites
klex 0 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Share Posted October 11, 2013 based on some of your suggestions and additional research I will book some accommodation before we leave in hakuba (4 -5nights) and nozawa (3 nights). we will work out the rest of our accomodation on arrival. we will probably just catch the train between tokyo-hakuba-nozawa, i think these mountains are meant to be accessible using public transport hokkaido region we will leave for next time when we can come in late feb or early march another year. thanks for your help! Link to post Share on other sites
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