backpacking2015 0 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Hi everyone, just after a bit of advice. A few of us are coming out to Japan December 30th- January 18th, and are planning on boarding at Hakuba, then road-tripping up to Niseko. What are the road conditions like to drive along the east coast? We are trying to work out wether it is better to go via train, or attempt to drive it. The train lines don't look like they stop at some of the smaller villages that we wanted to see. Also, any recommendations for activities? We are an active bunch, and want to get out of the cities. I really wanted to do the Hokkaido hike, but i assume it's going to be snowed under to do this time of year? Cheers, Thanks in advance! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 What is "the Hokkaido hike"? What small villages are u looking to visit? You can train it all over pretty easily, it'd take ages if you are not gonna use the Shinkansen tho. Driving a car would give u much more flexibility. As long as you have snow tyres then u should be ok for the snowy area...4WD for good measure. Again, I'm not really sure I understand what you mean by driving the "east coast". The area south of the alps gets little to no snow so roads will be fine up to about Ibaraki I'd guess, then from there up you start to drive into the snow zone Link to post Share on other sites
Karnidge 2 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Whatever it is..... but i assume it's going to be snowed under to do this time of year Link to post Share on other sites
backpacking2015 0 Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Hi, thanks for your reply! Hokkaido hike was just what google was returning as a search? it was just a 7 day walk in the national park. It starts in Akan-ko and finishes in Shikotsu-ko. Some of the towns we were thinking of looking at were Sanjo and Shibata? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
gozaimaas 61 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Do not drive from hakuba to niseko. You will spend days on the road. Driving in japan in winter goes from slow to very slow. 3 weeks is nothing, I would recommend staying at 2 resorts near each other. Niseko-kiroro Hakuba-myoko etc Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Some of the towns we were thinking of looking at were Sanjo and Shibata? Very interested to know why you would choose Sanjo and Shibata, any particular reason? I know Sanjo quite well (and sanjo is from Sanjo!). Only been to Shibata a few short times. Link to post Share on other sites
backpacking2015 0 Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 i really want to see Sanjo because apparently there are some really nice walks and ruins outside the city? (according to google- of course). muikabochi- have you heard of these? and shiabata had a castle, temples? that sort of thing? What do you think? Thanks gozaimaas- we've decided to train it around instead. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sanjo will be under a thick blanket of snow.....if it's the one in Niigata Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Actually no, Sanjo doesn't get that much snow... it's just to the south of Niigata city. As for what you mentioned I don't know. Link to post Share on other sites
gozaimaas 61 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Bring snow shoes and survival gear for these mid winter "walks" Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Actually no, Sanjo doesn't get that much snow... it's just to the south of Niigata city. As for what you mentioned I don't know. Oh really! Shows how much I know Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Hi there I live in Sanjo. While I love the place of course, can't quite think why it would be singled out. Famous for cutlery! Yahiko temple is not too far away, which is very nice. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) Some of the towns we were thinking of looking at were Sanjo and Shibata? Very interested to know why you would choose Sanjo and Shibata, any particular reason? He wants to go because its kurashi no shina, hai-teku no machi! (I had another photo that's disappeared, but that's a sign by the highway) Edited May 9, 2014 by Mr Wiggles Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I always want to get myself to Minakami, because apparently they have no nuclear weapons! That sounds good to me, and they would surely not be a target in the case of an attack. Link to post Share on other sites
backpacking2015 0 Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 wow- shows how much google lies! thanks for the inside advice! is there anywhere really worth seeing?? (perhaps a place not famous for cutlery? whilst i love cutlery- it's not high up on my to-do-list.).. plus... he is actually a she Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 What are you looking to see? Traditional Japan? From Tokyo, Kamakura is a nice town to walk around, some nice temples etc and a large statue of Buddha. Easy to get to by train, about 40 mins by local line from Tokyo station. BUT there are probably nicer more postcard looking places.....Nikko for example. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Looking to see some snow. Link to post Share on other sites
backpacking2015 0 Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 yeah after traditional japan, but a bit more off track? We're a very active bunch, so looking for more opportunities to see off-the-track sort of things? I'm not sure how much there will be with all the snow, so i suppose anything other than big cities? - . Kamakura sounds nice, will add it to the list. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
Error404 0 Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Nikko in Tochigi Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 That's a fab sign. Hey folks I live in a high tech town. City, actually. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 How about Nikko in Tochigi. You could go and visit the three monkeys temple, that is very nice. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 ....called Toshogu Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Yes but three monkeys temple is the nickname that everyone gives it because of the three monkeys. Link to post Share on other sites
onsen tamago 0 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 When you say 'everyone', you actually mean everyone? I don't call it three monkeys temple and neither do my friends. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Can't say I have ever heard it being called three monkeys temple either. Link to post Share on other sites
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