A Month in Japan

Anyone been to Japan before? Tempted by the stories of epic nightly snowfall, a buddy and I are planning on hitting the east sometime early next year.
Hopefully to travel around a bit and check out a few different areas; can anyone recommend a good time of year to go, and some good locations?
Also if anybody has a tip for cheap accommodation out there, I'm made of ears...

japan is sick dude. jan - mar the best time to go. there's a thread will all the info here.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=87691

Stay at Fattwins lodge in Hakuba and you won't be disappointed...

Search JONG! (Oh boy, that felt good!):FIREdevil

Seriously, plenty of good info available; just enter Japan in the search box.