TR: Japan W23 - Hokkaido

Had a study of the rocket stove

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https://instagram.com/yukiumi_house is in central Kamikawa town. They ride some fun terrain around here

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Great thread. Thanks for sharing. Will enjoy following this winter.

After 5 road sleeps I finally wake up at my home for the next 10 weeks.

Overnight snow, 1-2"

Attachment 441101


Current conditions

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Tomorrow's forecast for Furano

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Big objectives today. Six minute walk north to Nakayama to hike above the short ropetow, practice transitioning, do a gear check and a snow profile for south aspect. So many towns in Vermont used to have a municipal ski hill on this scale for physical education and recreation.

Attachment 441099

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

After 5 road sleeps I finally wake up at my home for the next 10 weeks.

Overnight snow, 1-2"

Attachment 441101


Current conditions

Attachment 441097


Tomorrow's forecast for Furano

Attachment 441098


Big objectives today. Six minute walk north to Nakayama to hike above the short ropetow, practice transitioning, do a gear check and a snow profile for south aspect. So many towns in Vermont used to have a municipal ski hill on this scale for physical education and recreation.

Attachment 441099

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Driving around central Hokkaido, I was reminded of Vermont so many times. If I squinted, I might have thought I was there - except for the volcanos rising in the distance and the frequently much deeper low elevation snowpack.

Just like Vermont

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Originally Posted by Dromond

Driving around central Hokkaido, I was reminded of Vermont so many times. If I squinted, I might have thought I was there - except for the volcanos rising in the distance and the frequently much deeper low elevation snowpack.

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Absolutely.
Especially focusing on the foreground on the drive from Asahikawa through Biei to Furano. Dairy farms, rolling fields, winding roads.

Quick snow profile in the driveway. 1-2" overnight. Extremely dry:

Attachment 441288


First things first:

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Pippu:

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I love this thread so much. I haven't been active much on TGR forums in like 10 years, but this is why it's phenomenal. I remember sitting in the back office of the coffee shop I worked at in college 20+ year ago, using the magenta iMac that got internet, and reading TRs from Japan and zeroing in on it as the pinnacle of powder skiing (I still think Japan, mid-Jan thru mid-Feb) is the closest thing there is to a sure thing in booking a powder trip. I still say this despite getting more or less skunked last trip (Feb 2020). If you're gonna get skunked on a ski trip, there's no better place to be than Japan.

I digress. Great to see the stoke still flying freely. I think I'll check in a bit more. And shoutout to Powder for being the OG host of the maggots. I was an intern in the building when the great upheaval and migration happened. I know the guy who was an admin that caused the revolt. He was a dick. I'm willing to bet that single move by one dickhead was the make or break moment for Powder as a content producer still existing and giving TGR the website visits they needed to become the media powerhouse they are today.

boltonoutlaw—get it, my guy. Also, Tough Gummies are the pinnacle of konbini candy, IMO. Family Mart has them. 7-11 does not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

Absolutely.
Especially focusing on the foreground on the drive from Asahikawa through Biei to Furano. Dairy farms, rolling fields, winding roads.

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That exact location is what I was thinking of! Such a beautiful area especially with the milky white winter light through the frequent flurries.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bossass

I love this thread so much. I haven't been active much on TGR forums in like 10 years, but this is why it's phenomenal. I remember sitting in the back office of the coffee shop I worked at in college 20+ year ago, using the magenta iMac that got internet, and reading TRs from Japan and zeroing in on it as the pinnacle of powder skiing (I still think Japan, mid-Jan thru mid-Feb) is the closest thing there is to a sure thing in booking a powder trip. I still say this despite getting more or less skunked last trip (Feb 2020). If you're gonna get skunked on a ski trip, there's no better place to be than Japan.

I digress. Great to see the stoke still flying freely. I think I'll check in a bit more. And shoutout to Powder for being the OG host of the maggots. I was an intern in the building when the great upheaval and migration happened. I know the guy who was an admin that caused the revolt. He was a dick. I'm willing to bet that single move by one dickhead was the make or break moment for Powder as a content producer still existing and giving TGR the website visits they needed to become the media powerhouse they are today.

boltonoutlaw—get it, my guy. Also, Tough Gummies are the pinnacle of konbini candy, IMO. Family Mart has them. 7-11 does not.

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Who was posting the Japan TRs 20+ years ago? I remember reading TRs from paedde in 2008. Those must have been the good old days when even the hot spots were uncrowded inbounds. I went in 2014 which was hardly early, but still feel lucky to have done it then.

On my second day snowboarding this winter I got a little too loose and took a trip to destination fucked. Did some harm to the MCL and spent the next day riding the couch. Not sure how long that will be an issue.

I had been needing to hit the local onsen anyway, now there was a therapeutic reason to go as well as cleaning the bag of bones.

Two public bath onsens are in the vicinity but each is roughly 20km from the house, one east and one west. The onsen to the west is very close to Pippu Ski Resort so that will be my regular stop. I stank so opted to go east, in order not to make a poor first impression at my local.

That meant going to Kurodake no Yu, and that would bring me to the village of Sounkyo Onsen where you find the Kurodake Ropeway and all of which lie within the Daisetsuzan National Park. More about Sounkyo

[EDIT] I later discovered a sento three blocks from my house. Walking distance. Super stoked! Learn more about the difference between onsen and sento at Japanistry, a short excerpt of which is below:

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While the onsen exist for the pleasure of relaxation and the health benefits of bathing in nutrient-rich water, the sento are local establishments which serve the far more practical need of daily hygiene. Indeed, the two kanji which make up the word sento (銭湯) mean “coin” and “hot water”. In other words, you are simply buying hot water heated from the water supply just like you would if you ran a bath at home

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Sing along to DF:

https://youtu.be/-k82GJHiMFs

Onsen always identified by this signage:

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Kurodake no Yu:

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Manners:

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Efficacy (please leave your hemorrhoids at home):

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Inspirational death lines behind the Hotel Soun:

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Love Sounkyo and Kurodake

Although I did snap a ski at Kurodake and had to ski the gondola line on one ski

Beyond fucked when I got down

Thank you fellas. I will try to make it interesting

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Originally Posted by up an down

anzen unten shi te kudasai

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Arigato!

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Originally Posted by mc_roon

I will live vicariously through this running TR as long as you keep on posting it!

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Heyyy brother, mcr would huck it

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Originally Posted by LeeLau

Subscribed

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Thank you

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Originally Posted by Creeker

Nice Bolton. I’ve yet to ski in Japan but it is on the list. My Japan experiences are limited to Tokyo, Kyoto and some random Port towns. Easily one of my favorite countries in the world!

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Japan is apex living

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Originally Posted by huckbucket

Family Mart egg sandwiches FTMFW!

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7-11 pizza buns have been my recent go-to, and salmon onigiri

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bossass

I love this thread so much. I haven't been active much on TGR forums in like 10 years, but this is why it's phenomenal. I remember sitting in the back office of the coffee shop I worked at in college 20+ year ago, using the magenta iMac that got internet, and reading TRs from Japan and zeroing in on it as the pinnacle of powder skiing (I still think Japan, mid-Jan thru mid-Feb) is the closest thing there is to a sure thing in booking a powder trip. I still say this despite getting more or less skunked last trip (Feb 2020). If you're gonna get skunked on a ski trip, there's no better place to be than Japan...

boltonoutlaw—get it, my guy. Also, Tough Gummies are the pinnacle of konbini candy, IMO. Family Mart has them. 7-11 does not.

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Will look for Tough Gummies. Glad to see you back here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dromond

That exact location is what I was thinking of! Such a beautiful area especially with the milky white winter light through the frequent flurries.

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Synchronicity

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike Pow

Love Sounkyo and Kurodake
Although I did snap a ski at Kurodake and had to ski the gondola line on one ski
Beyond fucked when I got down

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That ropeline is full of holes/pockets; sounds like a dreamy day

Kamikawa constantly reminds me of Crested Butte around 1990. Add a train station and a highway exit. Estimated population 4000.

Like many towns in Japan Kamikawa is graying rapidly. The town's population is half of what it was 20 years ago but 5 new businesses have opened doors in the past 2 years.

Looking east towards Daisetsuzan National Park

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Looking south from the north edge of town, near Nakayama rope tow

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Yukiumi House

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Renovated antique warehouse

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The owner of 36noshiki whose credo is "four seasons at the foot of the mountain"

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Skatenuts

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Izakaya seating

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Bartles

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Happy Spoony

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Following. This really makes me want to get back to Japan. Just realized it's now been four years exactly this week since I was last there. Covid timelines are a blur, man.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bossass

I love this thread so much. I haven't been active much on TGR forums in like 10 years, but this is why it's phenomenal. I remember sitting in the back office of the coffee shop I worked at in college 20+ year ago, using the magenta iMac that got internet, and reading TRs from Japan and zeroing in on it as the pinnacle of powder skiing (I still think Japan, mid-Jan thru mid-Feb) is the closest thing there is to a sure thing in booking a powder trip. I still say this despite getting more or less skunked last trip (Feb 2020). If you're gonna get skunked on a ski trip, there's no better place to be than Japan.

I digress. Great to see the stoke still flying freely. I think I'll check in a bit more. And shoutout to Powder for being the OG host of the maggots. I was an intern in the building when the great upheaval and migration happened. I know the guy who was an admin that caused the revolt. He was a dick. I'm willing to bet that single move by one dickhead was the make or break moment for Powder as a content producer still existing and giving TGR the website visits they needed to become the media powerhouse they are today.

boltonoutlaw—get it, my guy. Also, Tough Gummies are the pinnacle of konbini candy, IMO. Family Mart has them. 7-11 does not.

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7-11 has stepped up its game:

Attachment 442482

Still on injured reserve but feeling confident about a comeback ASAP.

Meanwhile, as tribute to Ullr and to celebrate the return of colder temps I'm looking at clips from last April:

https://youtu.be/x08oBCKqsEU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VziKcBrOf18


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRyw_qlGlQ8

Unpublished footy from W22

Sapporo Kokusai. My funnest in-bounds/sidecountry terrain combo (Hokkaido) terrain of W22.


https://youtu.be/z7hJu75A6rw


https://youtu.be/FGig0D_2GXQ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

7-11 has stepped up its game:

Attachment 442482

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FKNA!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

Sapporo Kokusai. My funnest in-bounds/sidecountry terrain combo (Hokkaido) terrain of W22.

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I loved the Kokusai gondola bump to get to the sidecountry skinner a few days ago.

Also seems that Jerry, Joni Mitchell, and Ringo were there at some point if the mascots are to be believed!

Attachment 444053

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Way to get after it!

Finally getting regular. MCL damage is healed enough to ride daily and Hokkaido snow machine is back on in full effect. Pippu is a small hill but there is fun to be had in the trees and side country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooGafV7uUkU