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JAPAN: NEW PAPERLESS ENTRY SYSTEM
FYI to anyone entering Japan by air this winter that there are new arrival procedures at HND, NRT and CTS.
By using an app one can fill in customs, immigration and quarantine documents online before travelling to Japan. This article lays out the basics: Japan now has a paperless entry system for overseas arrivals
There are three components included in the single app:
1. Quarantine (fast track)
2. Immigration examination (foreign immigration record)
3. Customs declaration (personal effects/unaccompanied goods declaration)
The new online immigration system is called Visit Japan Web. Scroll down the page for the QR code which will enable one to download the app to a smartphone/device. The QR code looks like, or is this:
Attachment 439613
PRO TIP: TAKE SCREENSHOTS OF ALL QR CODES (3) GENERATED BY THE VISIT JAPAN WEB SYSTEM
If you are up for heavy reading a 99-page document to assist you is the Visit Japan Web Instruction Manual
The latest notice (Updated November 14, 2022) to all passengers entering Japan issued by JAL is HERE
Those of you who have entered before may have used the MySOS app. The quarantine fast track component of the Visit Japan Web system replaces MySOS for entering Japan. MySOS may still be useful for emergencies, for notifications if you have been exposed to COVID-19, and for tracking your whereabouts in Japan. The following is a guide to MySOS: How to complete Japan MySOS registration
MySOS Downloads:
MySOS in the Apple Store (iOS)
MySOS on Google Play (Android)
A visual step-by-step guide for international arrivals procedures (includes pathway for Quarantine, Immigration Control, Baggage Claim, Animal/Plant Quarantine, Customs Inspection, Arrival Lobby) for HND is HERE
Lastly, here is a brief video describing how to enter Japan:
https://youtu.be/P0L7x1XMg_A
JAPAN: LUGGAGE COURIER SERVICES
One of the most valuable advices for my first snowboard trip to Japan was to employ a luggage courier service. In this post I will hope to explain the how to's & where at's.
Should you doubt wise counsel read this: A Case for Collection: Luggage Delivery Services
There are several firms that provide door-to-door luggage courier service but I prefer Yamato Transport, so this post will focus exclusively on "Black Cat" as it is known colloquially. Additionally, only the Yamato Transport facilities at the three major airports of entry for skiers/snowboarders (listed below) are given. If you arrive by sea do your own research. :D
Chitose (CTS)
Haneda (HND)
Narita (NRT)
Space (apartments, parking, luggage racks) is an issue everywhere in Japan, which is why luggage couriers are ubiquitous and widely employed, even for short travels. The reason you want to do it is because there is no space for your shit on airport transfer buses, the monorail, the trains, etc. Furthermore, while international flight allow two free bags, domestic flights allow only one free bag. In addition, the cost charged by an airline for an extra bag will always exceed the cost of using a luggage courier. So do it, especially if your extra bag is oversized (like a ski/snowboard bag).
Before you arrive at a luggage courier counter you will want to have written on a piece of paper the complete address and phone number of your luggage destination. It can be written in English. If you are feeling extry kind print the hiragana and kanji version of it also.
Here is a handy "How-To" guide to the service provided by Yamato Transport: Same-Day Luggage Delivery
Locations:
Chitose Airport (International Terminal): Delivery Service Counter
Chitose Airport (Domestic): Delivery Service Counter
Haneda Airport Terminal 2 (International): Delivery Service Counter
Haneda Airport Terminal 2 (Domestic): Delivery Service Counter
Narita Airport Terminal 1: Delivery Service Counter
Narita Airport Terminal 2: Delivery Service Counter
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JAPAN: FERRY FROM HONSHU TO HOKKAIDO
Day 2: Woke up at the Park Inn Elm (¥6300) in Goshogowara.
As per plan all of my non-cash payments are going on a credit card to take full advantage of the weak yen, so that room only set me back $42.55. Got a haircut from my regular joe at the local branch of nationwide franchise Cut-A for ¥2000 ($15.28), which is about ¥1000 less than a typical barbershop.
Feeling fresh I rolled over to where my gear has been stored since July, loaded up the truck and drove to Aomori City to catch a ferry to Hakodate, Hokkaido. Left that guy a 2012 Atomic Sir Floatalot snowboard as a gift for helping me out. He's gonna be stoked when he finds it in his garage. Not so stoked with the 8 tires I left there as well. His wife is already reaming him a new one for that and I'm for sure earning stink-eye from her from now on. :frown: Japanese never forget.
Japan-Guide provides a list of all the domestic ferries operating in Japan: Domestic Ferries
There are three main companies operating ferries between Tohoku and Hokkaido:
Shin-Nihonkai
Silver Ferry
Tsugaru Kaikyo
Silver runs between Hachinohe and Tomakomai. From the Indy Pass Japan resorts of Iwate (Geto Kogen, Okunakayama Kogen, Shimokura) one would want to go with Silver from Hachinohe. From Tazawako a better choice would be Shin-Nihonkai at the port in Akita. From Aomori Spring the Tsugaru Kaikyo from Aomori City is most sensible.
Some of this depends upon your destination in Hokkaido. Landing at Tomakomai puts you much closer to Central Hokkaido, but the voyage is longer and costlier. Also that city is unremarkable whereas Hakodate is fantastic and unique. So, despite the long drive from Hakodate to Kamikawa that is what I opted to do. Plus this gives me the option to dip into Iwanai or Kokusai on the way.
Bring your vehicle registration to the ticket counter so it's class/price can be determined. In addition, you must provide the plate number. Take a photo of the vehicle and plate to show the ticket agent, it will speed up the process.
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The Blue Luminous:
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Total length: 472'
Gross tonnage: 8800t
Passenger capacity: 583
Vehicle capacity: 71 trucks or 230 vehicles
Speed: 20 knot
[EDIT] I forgot to mention that the passage from Aomori City to Hakodate was ¥18000 for my vehicle (Kei truck [smallest vehicle type, least expensive fare]), one passenger (the driver [me]), going one-way, and this was converted to USD$143.39 on the credit card.
JAPAN: DRIVE FROM HAKODATE TO CHITOSE
Day 3: Woke up in the Hotel All In Stay (¥3407) at Hakodate.
Drove 275 kilometers through a few squalls and one blizzard over the course of 4 hours. Paid ¥5200 in tolls for an average of ¥19 per kilometer.
Stopped by Tomakomai to check out the surf spots but a ragged swell was blown out by prevailing west winds. Not much to look at today but have heard that coast holds nuggets.
Full tank at Shell rang up ¥4400 but the truck is getting roughly 45 MPG, so the tolls are more of a bite than the fuel.
Listened to GarciaLive V.03 Legion of Mary today, courtesy of a TGR maggot. Thanks for that, TR!
JAPAN: CONVENIENCE STORES (KONBINI)
At first I was ashamed to be a denizen of the convenience store because my notion of it was formed in the USA where it is a low concept with awful products. Nothing could be further from the truth in Japan, and the competitive challenge of COVID-19 has actually raised the bar on quality and kept prices down. With over 50,000 convenience stores in Japan you inevitably will notice one on your first mission out.
No doubt you will have heard tales about vending machines and convenience stores in Japan, so I will not try to rehash material that is easily found on the internet but what follows is a list of links to get you going. If you are working with a short time frame and chasing snow these stores are your best ally to keep you moving. Combined with the universally high bar in Japan for quality product and customer service you really can't go wrong patronizing the konbini. My only reservation is the amount of trash I generate compared to shopping solely at a market. And clerks will not allow me to use my own coffee mug (for health code reasons).
Contrary to general perceptions Japan is not expensive. Especially regarding food costs. And, this was a surprise: prices for basic items (protein bar, beverage, bento box) are the same at the supermarket, the convenience store, and at the ski resort (Niseko and Rusutsu excepted). Unlike at a ski resort in the USA, where you get spit-roasted jailhouse style, you will pay the same price for a Snickers bar at the lodge or the megamarket.
The three main convenince store chains and their service guides (ATM's, bathrooms, copiers, locations, products, etc.):
7-11
7-11: Service Guide
Family Mart
Family Mart: Service Guide
Lawson
Lawson: Service Guide
In Hokkaido there is also the Seico Mart which cooks fresh, hot food on site.
One of the better guides online: Ultimate Foodie Guide to Japanese Convenience Stores and Konbinis
Phrases you will hear: Japanese for the convenience store
An entertaining YT channel: Konbini Confessions
And an example:
https://youtu.be/xWtjWeLUblM
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JAPAN: DRIVE FROM CHITOSE TO ASAHIKAWA
Day 4: Woke up in the Chitose Airport Hotel (¥5120) at Chitose.
Despite the name the hotel is 5 km from CTS. I was on ground so this mild deceit did not grind my beans. However I must give praise where it is due - someone in marketing sure was thinking about SEO. If you are traveling by train using the Hokkaido Railway Company the location is excellent, only two blocks from Chitose Station.
Rocinante, safely nested at Chitose:
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I expected a pretty relaxed day as I was only 185km from my final destination at Kamikawa. I should have looked at the forecast.
You ain't goin':
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Due to whiteout blizzard the national highway was shut down at Mikasa, so all traffic was diverted on to Route 12. Stop and go through towns followed by stretches of farmlands rendered featureless by milkshake conditions. What followed was a mildly terrifying, high-speed human centipede for the next four hours. You know the deal: that white-knuckle chase so you don't lose sight of the taillights ahead of you. Unfortunately for me in my kei truck I was behind an Audi Quattro. Good times. I only put 'er sideways once. The upside was that with the highway closed I saved ¥2200 in tolls, hahaha.
I finally gave up at Asahikawa, only 35km short of Kamikawa but it was now dark and I had enough. The remaining distance might have taken two more hours.
