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 #1 How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 17:35 |
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Hi all,
With the new season approaching fast I hope everyone is excited as I am. This season I'm thinking of going to Japan to snowboard, Niseko. Just wondering what would be the best way to organise this? Book a package holiday? Book flights, hotel, passes separately? Inghams and other main internet agents don't seem to have Japan as a destination.
Any help would be grateful.
Thanks. |
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| #2 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 17:39 |
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| In reply to post #1
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I had a chat with a girl at the Ski & Snowboard Show at the weekend, think they were called 'Ski Japan'. I've got a flyer at home, would have to check.
It was just over a grand something for one package they offered, which looked very plush. But she said that if you were looking for something a bit cheaper, more of what someone on less of a budget was looking for, they could certainly put something together for you. |
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| #3 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 18:28 |
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| In reply to post #1
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I think the consensus on this forum is to DIY Japan..... I'm keen to hear how it goes as we're looking to head that way in 2011  |
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"If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction..... you may be living in Canada!" |
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| Posts: 1105 |
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UK - Scotland |
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| #4 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 19:30 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 27/10/2009 @ 21:02) |
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Just depends on:
1) your budget
2) your level of adventure
3) your organisational skills.
Generally you'll get a cheaper deal if you DIY - but it's not for those who are worried about language barriers etc. If you want conveniece, with all the organisation done for you - go for a package.
I think it's pretty easy to do a DIY - or a semi-DIY Japan trip - ie mabye arrange part of your stay with a company - but do some things yourself.
Like anywhere else - it's just a matter of booking accomodaiton and transport really. |
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| #5 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 19:32 |
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| In reply to post #4
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So it seems DIY is the way to go. Not scared of DIY, done a few DIY trips before.
Fly to Osaka or Niseko you think? |
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| Posts: 1105 |
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UK - Scotland |
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| #6 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 21:04 |
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| In reply to post #5
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Depends on where you want to ride - Hokkaido or Honshu?
I don't think you can fly direct to Niseko - so your entry points would probably be Osaka, Tokyo or Nagoya. |
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| #7 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 27/10/2009 @ 22:00 |
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| In reply to post #6
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Hokkaido! |
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| #8 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 03:14 |
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| In reply to post #1
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As mentioned previously here most enjoy the DIY method. Niseko as a heap of companies offering ski packages. Ski Japan, Hokkaido Tracks, Powder Holidays, Powder Tours, Gendai etc so dont discount them, they're better than their European counterparts.
There's a big aussie presence over there and if the AUD keeps going the way it is the place is going to be packed this year compared to last. Niseko will eventually end up like Bali and Whistler i'd suggest. If it is busy it'd be worth checking out Rusutsu for a day or two.
Anyway i digress, flights. There's no direct flights to Sapporo(New Chitose Airport) from UK/Europe that i am aware of so you'll most likely fly into Narita then transfer to Haneda for a internal flight up to Sapporo. Alternatively i think Cathay Pacific offer flights direct from Hong Kong.
Accommodation, what are you looking for lodge, hotel or apartment. I'd suggest an apartment but if your looking for a hotel J-First is pretty nice and has its own onsen. From what i know a lot of properties are managed by Hokkaido tracks so it maybe worth visiting their website for a list of apartments. Whatever you choose make sure your in the upper village above the Seico Mart.
The all mountain lift pass can be organised at a lift office or buy your package company.
Some websites to check out:
http://www.snowjapan.com/ - Japan snow website.
http://www.powderlife.com/ - Local snow mag.
http://www.goneboarding.co.uk/Review/Grand-Hirafu/ProductID/5944/ShowProduct.aspx - my review
P.S For something different check out the cat ski operation at Niseko Weiss. |
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| #9 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 10:57 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 28/10/2009 @ 10:58) |
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Hey guys,
For anyone keen to head to Japan this winter, go for it! It's definitely a mountain and cultural experience like no other.
We've been based in Hakuba (on Honshu, Japan's main island in the Northern Alps) for a number of years now and it is epic - 13 resorts and 137 lifts lining the length of the valley. What makes Hakuba different? Big alpine mountains and steep terrain. And with so many resorts, there is something for everyone. Just like the European Alps but with a lot of powder, 13m a season usually. Hokkaido is getting a lot of attention, but if you want more bluebird sunny days, just as much powder, real mountains, steep terrain and fewer Australians, consider heading to Honshu. Hakuba is only 3 hours from Tokyo too, which means you don't need to take a second flight anywhere.
Check out this awesome video of Hakuba: http://vimeo.com/4620924
We specialise in longstay 4, 8 and 12 week season trips, including everything from season passes and accommodation in an awesome lodge 5mins from the slopes to cultural trips to see the Japanese Snow Monkeys and our exclusive Japanese Language Course, designed to help you get the most out of your season. Our fun course covers all the basics of conversational Japanese to help you get around and make new friends!
We can also organise accommodation, transfers, lift passes for shorter stay trips to Hakuba and Myoko.
You can find trail map info here: http://snowseasonjapan.com/hakuba/mountain.php
Check out our latest Blog post, featuring an interview with Pete Weir, a 2008/09 Snow Season Japan seasonaire: http://snowseasonjapan.com/blog/
We're a 100% rider owned and operated UK-based company with 10 years experience living in Hakuba, so we can make sure your season in Japan runs smooth with the help of all our local knowledge and Japanese language skills.
Check out our website, for more details: http://snowseasonjapan.com/
We're starting to get fully booked for January, so if you'd like to book contact us now! info@snowseasonjapan.com
We're also on Facebook, so for all our updates, become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/snowseasonjapan
Looking forward to an awesome season!
Sarah & Andy  |
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Snow Season Japan www.snowseasonjapan.com
Join us in Hakuba for endless powder, incredible culture and a winter season with a difference - we offer longstay winter season holidays and Japanese language courses in the Japanese Alps.
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/snowseasonjapan and Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/snowseasonjapan |
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| #10 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 13:57 |
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| In reply to post #9
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We went to Niseko last season with Inghams, wanted to do it as a package because of the language barrier and the like but there were no reps there, it's all done by a third party specialist in Japan so could easily have booked it all DIY. We paid £1600pp for a week in Niseko 4* half board and 4 nights in Kyoto on the way back, but this year's prices have skyrocketed because of the exchange rate so would definitely DIY it if we went back.
You need to get a connecting flight to Sapporo Chitose airport from either Tokyo or Kansai (unless JAL or BA have started flying direct), there's a bus transfer company that can take you to Niseko from there. |
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| #11 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 15:04 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Def. go! By far the best holiday
GB06 went to Japan and we did it DIY, mostly because at the time there were no comanies doing package deals there, or at least not doing what we wanted to.
We flew from London to Tokyo Narita airport via Copenhagen, it was by far the best flight I have done. We flew with SAS and it really was good. It also only cost £500 return. At the time and as I understand, this is still the case, you cannot fly straight to Hokkaido so we stayed a week in Hakuba before flying up to Hokkaido and then back down again. I won't bore you with the details of our trek from Toyko Narita airport to Hakuba and then to Matsumoto, as you have already said you just want to go to Hokkaido.
We did this leg of the journey as follows:-
We flew from Matsumoto Airport (in Nagano) to Sapporo Chitose Airport (Hokkaido).
From here we got a bus to Niseko - we had already paid for that as part of our accomodation payment. (£360 for a week half board in a wicked, if not slightly scary lodge run by Transilvanians)
The flight was about 1.5 hours, the bus, I think, about 2 hours.
After our week in Niseko we got the bus back to Sapporo Chitose then flew to Tokyo Haneda Airport. Most internal flights use this airport rather than the Narita. We then stayed in Tokyo overnight and experienced the nightlife before flying out of Tokyo Narita airport the next day.
I think that if you want the proper experience of everything Japan has to offer and get into the culture then do it DIY. Half the fun was trying to work out how to ask for stuff and making your way round the various transport systems rather than having an English speaking guide to tell you which bus to step on. I did learn a bit of Japanese before I went and it really helped. The Japanese are also very impressed if you can attempt to speak to them in their own language.
Don't assume they will speak English, our experience was that even those that do know English are generally shy of speaking in it but with a few stock phrases and enthuasism you should be fine 
Am very jealous! Hope you have a great time |
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| #12 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 15:42 |
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| In reply to post #10
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Everyone seems to mention flying upto the North..... what about taking the train up from Tokyo?? |
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"If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction..... you may be living in Canada!" |
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| #13 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 16:04 |
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| In reply to post #12
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If I had unlimited time it sounds like a good option, for the person travelling with limited holiday time, the flight is certainly more attractive. From quick research the train takes 10-11 hours and cosst 22,500 yen whereas flights take 90 min and can be as cheap as 16,000 yen. I guess night train is cheaper though |
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| #14 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 28/10/2009 @ 19:10 |
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| In reply to post #13
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Agreed in that the train is only an option if you have time.......
However I like trains as you get to see a little of the route and meet more of the people on the way and take in a bit more of the culture..... Planes just get you there.... If you know what I mean?  |
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"If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction..... you may be living in Canada!" |
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| #16 Re: How to hit Japan? Posted 30/10/2009 @ 11:46 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 30/10/2009 @ 11:46) |
| In reply to post #14
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I too would love to go back and do the train options, it seems you need to change 2 or three times on the way, it would be great to get off and explore for a day and then get back on - oh to have unlimited holiday and finances!  |
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