opened today!
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opened today!
Where are you seeing that?
They opened on a weekend?
Japan isn't open but did announce that they are considering opening, which is how this works. Unless there is a public backlash I would guess tourists will be allowed back in 4-6 weeks.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Co...urism-official
We're still not there but there is light at the end of the tunnel
Strong rumors / 'plans' from the Japanese Government that visa-free independent travel to be announced at the start of October.
Implementation that month or the start of November.
The visa process and getting EHRC has been a logistical nightmare. And expensive to boot.
It looks like it could be on.
That would be great. Our tour operator is giving until the end of October for a final decision. We don't have anything else booked as it sounded for a while like if we wanted to go they'd have to book flights and other hotel nights for us, but if all those restrictions are dropped in a few weeks/month we'll be heading out for sure. Fingers crossed!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Pow
I hope they do so sooner then later. The people responsible for me trip are contemplating canceling already… two years in a row shut out and if doesn’t happen soon then I don’t see them going ahead with it in the future either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Pow
@ boltonoutlaw:
looks like you are there not as a tourist? working/living/vanning?
do tell?
i'd rather come for a season. not doing the ultra expensive vacation tourist thing. thx!
There should be an announcement from the Prime Minister next week that will announce Japan is reopening to individual tourists with no restrictions beginning next month. Ski trips should be back this winter with no restrictions.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Co...tourist-travel
It'll be nice to see family and friends able to visit but it'll be hard not to miss the past 2 seasons of tourist free lift lines and skiing fresh tracks all day long. It's been rough for the tourism industry but it's been unreal for residents. I haven't made a hotel reservation further out than 24 hours the past 2 years because you haven't needed to bother.
Last winter was the best winter in decades, it started snowing in mid-December and didn't stop until the first week of March down in Honshu. No warm spells and meters of fresh snow. Hopefully this season brings more of the same.
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I second all of the above. After the March snowfalls I went to Hokkaido where fresh dry snow continued into April. The gondolas at two ski zones were just becoming regularly accessible. First week of April with good pow on the runout:Quote:
Originally Posted by CascadeCrudSkier
https://youtu.be/UJxBTAP77wg
Yeah— last winter was brutal on Honshu. So much shoveling.
It was also the first winter that all three of my kids could take care of themselves. Which meant skiing sidestash pow turns with the kids. Best times of my life.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
Hope all this is true, would love to get back there. Practically video game powder tree skiing.
Attachment 426835
Traded 90 days of time for 90 days of lodgings, meals, and a W20 pass. After that I was hired and that put me in for W21 & W22.Quote:
Originally Posted by byates1
Mini TR from W20: Wake up check the conditions from room (view is telephoto lens from hotel). First, lap inbounds freshies and mini-golf the sidecountry with get-backs. Then venture above lift access to backcountry above or in the trees.
Final two photos courtesy of https://www.towpro-lifts.com/ last photo is local guide Kenji Nodaka.
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Crushing it
NoiceQuote:
Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw
Where's that?
Does it really matter whether you ski 150m vertical and traverse out 20min in January or April?Quote:
Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw
02 April 2022, Asahidake
https://youtu.be/VziKcBrOf18
Beautiful 150m [emoji3]Quote:
Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw
Almost as steep as mammoth too.
This is the land of the soul rider. Do not harsh ze vibeQuote:
Originally Posted by subtle plague
easy explanation
https://apnews.com/article/united-na...23ed74553f442d
Japan to loosen travel restrictions imposed during pandemic
By MATT SEDENSKY
6 minutes ago
Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida puts his mask on during a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
1 of 2
Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida puts his mask on during a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
NEW YORK (AP) — Japan’s strict border restrictions will be loosened next month, the prime minister announced Thursday, allowing tourists to easily enter for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
In a news conference at the foot of Central Park in New York, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said independent tourists would again be welcomed as of Oct. 11, not just those traveling with authorized groups.
A cap on the number of tourists who are granted entry — which has been gradually increased this year — will be nixed altogether. And visa requirements that were imposed in response to the pandemic will also be rescinded.
Japan’s tough COVID-19 restrictions have sent the number of visitors plummeting and its tourism industry reeling. Though foreign tourists were welcomed back in June after a pause of more than two years, the reopening has been confusing to many seeking to visit.
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A previous announcement billed as an easing of the group tour rule turned out, for many tourists, to be anything but — introducing a convoluted process requiring obtaining clearance via a Japanese travel agent, often with hefty fees or commissions attached.
Now, the country appears to be returning to normal, in time for some to book travel for Japan’s fall foliage. Kishida said a campaign aimed at bolstering the tourism industry would be rolled out offering discounts.
Until now, Japan persisted in pandemic travel rules that many other countries have long since dropped. Some tourists have shifted vacations to countries including South Korea and Thailand, which have had looser rules of late.
Kishida spoke on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. In other remarks, he called for reform of the U.N. Security Council and dismissed any skepticism about Japan’s increased military spending, saying it remained a “peace-loving nation.”
He also said Japan would “boldly take necessary steps” to combat excessive fluctuation of the yen, which has dropped to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in more than two decades.
been there when the exchange rate was in the 80's and in the 120's at today's rates you can have a very affordable high quality trip. I will say everyplace I have stayed has been great regardless of price.
Thanks for this update!Quote:
Originally Posted by BFD
Start looking & booking
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ci1zo..._web_copy_link
Place I used to work at has sold all its hotel rooms for January since this recent border news was announced
That's greatQuote:
Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw
And validates the relaxation of rules
Every citizen in Japan just got a message on their phone advising them to seek shelter
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ssile-l8tcy12e
Not everyone, only the northern prefectures. Nothing down in Tokyo. Missiles can't reach most of Honshu. :rolleyes:
Hatsu Yuki / First Snow on Hokkaido
About normal for the Central Hokkaido mountains of Asahidake and Kurodake in the Daisetsuzan Range
Early for Mt Yotei in the Niseko Resort Area
Very early for An'nupuri home to the Niseko United Resorts
Will be gone and back a couple of times yet but great early signs
Difference in a couple of days
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjTptXzs0Yk/
Just got confirmation today, I’ll be over for two and a half weeks this year again!
My pals in Kadena got the messageQuote:
Originally Posted by CascadeCrudSkier
I've got information, man. New shit has come to light:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEudCg7Y66w
Im going to show up w my camo cut offs, maga hat, open carry, fuck Biden shirt w 6 dwi's..
Should be good to go yeah?
yeahQuote:
Originally Posted by byates1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...flage_clothing
The stoke machine cranking up right on schedule
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi_B2Uasu3A
If I wanted to go to Japan from the USA for a month in February... Is there any kind of work stay thing at a ski area? I don't need to get paid, just subsidize the trip somehow....
Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk
So I have 3 weeks free in Feb and have always dreamed of Japow here in New England. I have sat here for a few hours trying to research a trip and I just can't wrap my head around it all. After dropping a metric shit ton of dollars on a plane ticket (like 1500) I will need to keep it cheap. I would like to just stay in one place, maybe 2, the whole time. I prefer to get to know a place better rather than jump around. I also would love to not have a car and drive.
I sprung for an Ikon and I can go to Lotte Arai which gets a mind-boggling 826" of annual snow and is only like 4 hours from tokyo. Even after 7 ikon days the lift tickets are only like $30 with the exchange rate. Says 80% of terrain is off-piste. Is that place good or is it super crowded being that close to a giant city?
The other ikon place is niseko which is up north and seems bigger but also the 'vail' of japan??
I am just looking for some help narrowing my search. Traveling solo. I can't just stay at hotels and eat out for 3 weeks.
Finally, 2 years ago at Silverton I skied with some guys who usually did a big Japan trip every year but with Covid switched to Silverton. That trip sounded rad with a bunch of dudes in a house and every day they piled into a van and a Japanese guide brought them to what he thought was the best place that day. Any chance anyone here is a part of that crew and do you have room for one more. The guy I knew was a farmer from Oregon or Washington and he grew herbal remedies.
Cheapest option would be to base yourself in somewhere like Otaru, Asahikawa or Sapporo on Hokkaido
Low cost apartment rent for 3 weeks
Shop in supermarkets and convenience stores
Take public transport to the mountains
I skied Arai way back in the early 2000's when I lived there....a ton of snow but it can be wet. If it were me I would look to base out of the Hakuba area. I think just a little south of Arai is Myoko Kogen, I think they get a ton of snow, slightly more inland so drier. Arai is right on the coast - I think you can easily see the Ocean there - hence wet. When it is good - a super fun place.
It seems like going with a tour operator might work out well for you. The tours these guys have based off the Indy pass are ridiculously cheap.
https://www.japanskitours.com/
https://p25.zdusercontent.com/attach...I60I9VU-2nCVeQ
of course, you still have to add airfare to get there too whatever package you pick from these guys.