Japan 23/24 Season

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Originally Posted by bennymac

Perfect thanks. Unfortunately I think we’ve aged out of going hard on the nightlife scene - at least at the front end of the trip prior to 7 days of touring - so will visit the active areas of nightlife but sleep elsewhere.

My trip mates have not been to Japan before so I think they will be stoked to take the bullet train to the interior (which I know will mean some other further form of transit to get us to Hakuba). That AnA does look pristine but probably not in everyone’s price range. But this gives me an idea of where to look so thanks again!

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Based on the Over 30 thread I think most people have aged out of going hard in Tokyo before a week of skiing. If you like that area then the APA is a cheaper brand of hotel in Tokyo and there's one almost across the street from the AnA. It'll be smaller but if your gear isn't present it should be okay to sleep at. That one was renovated just in time for the 2020 Olympics that never happened, it stayed shuttered through the whole games in 2021 and just reopened last year. I've never been inside but it looks nice from the sidewalk.

Agreed on the uniqueness of the shinkansen to Nagano but there is a bus option from downtown, maybe Shinjuku station, that goes straight to Happo. I think the time is roughly the same since it's almost as long to get from Nagano station to Hakuba station as it does from Tokyo to Nagano. I've never actually taken either route though so this is all secondhand knowledge.

Are you doing guided tours in Hakuba or running the tours yourselves?

Thanks for the ongoing advice! We have a full travel day on our way to Hakuba so maybe we bullet train there for the experience and then look at a more direct option on our way back out - we’ll be looking to go from Hakuba back to Narita as smoothly as possible on our departure day (and will be lugging our skis on that leg).

We are going fully guided with a reputable and experienced operation we’ve used for the past 12 years - so feel like once we get to the skiing we’ll be in good hands - they run Hakuba touring trips every season.

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Originally Posted by mcski

I await confirmation but as I recall no one ever referred to Soba or Udon as ramen.

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That's because it's not ramen.

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Originally Posted by fleaches

Recent podcast on Ramen history, if anyone's interested https://gastropod.com/wed-like-to-te...rise-to-glory/

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

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Thank ya!

I was making a Yakuza joke today and it reminded me about one thing that surprised me about Japan and Japan newbies may not know about is the aversion tattoos - apparently because of the association with the yakuza.
We were there in 2017 and warned that you may not be able to access all onsens if one were tattoo’d. maybe things are loosening.

Also wear good socks always when in Japan because you will take off your shoes more frequently than here- ie going out to dinner when you enter the restaurant

No knives. Good socks. These are the tips you don’t get from guidebooks!

I enjoy ramen but cant say I have ever taken a picture of the menu. Lots of good food in Japan.
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If you can swing it spend some money. I dont know where you are getting snapper turtle with blowfish milt in the states. We stayed in Ginza to be close to the fish market. Had our sushi for breakfast there. That has changed since we were there although I think the restaurants are still there.
we stayed here
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/roy...s=1&#hotelTmpl
it seems expensive but I think it was somewhat mid range. They could of filmed Lost in Translation here.
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it was snowing in Tokyo so bus to Hakuba was cancelled. We had to walk over and catch the shinkansen. It was easy, dont remember any problems connecting to Hakuba.
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looks like lots of good advice being given by people who know more than me. But no matter what you eat or where you stay it will be good.
have fun

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Originally Posted by muted reborn

That's because it's not ramen.



Thank ya!

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That’s what I’m sayin!

Ramen was a nothin burger when I lived there lol

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Originally Posted by bennymac

No knives. Good socks. These are the tips you don’t get from guidebooks!

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Slip on shoes are key. Leave the laces at home! They get really annoying fast and avoid if at all possible

Reg tats are no big deal. Yakuza tats are a whole nother level and it’s obvious what is and isn’t a yak tat. Onsens won’t care about your butterfly tramp stamp:D

We’d see the yak tats at the local sento bathhouse). Amazing artwork on those guys. And strategically inserted pearls too [emoji15]

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Originally Posted by mcski

Slip on shoes are key. Leave the laces at home! They get really annoying fast and avoid if at all possible

Reg tats are no big deal. Yakuza tats are a whole nother level and it’s obvious what is and isn’t a yak tat. Onsens won’t care about your butterfly tramp stamp:D

We’d see the yak tats at the local sento bathhouse). Amazing artwork on those guys. And strategically inserted pearls too [emoji15]

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Reg tats are no big deal (palm-sized shoulders here)....until they are because either a/another customer complains at the counter on the way out and someone comes to turf you out (been there) or b/a staff person clearing up etc spots you and turfs you out (also been there). You are generally right but do be aware it's not a done deal. Staff don't want to have to decide between what is and isn't ok so prefer a blanket no to everyone, but they also would rather not deal with the hassle of trying to deal with you and me if possible, so it's a balancing act we're not part of. Once they do say no though, no means no.

sauce: here 30yrs and counting

Hmm my partner has a pretty big dragon tattoo on her side from her hip to her ribs and we're going to the Tohoku region for skiing (and I sens)... Hope it doesn't cause any issues.

Ramen != soba or udon, so maybe that's the confusion?

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Originally Posted by eSock

Hmm my partner has a pretty big dragon tattoo on her side from her hip to her ribs and we're going to the Tohoku region for skiing (and I sens)... Hope it doesn't cause any issues.

Ramen != soba or udon, so maybe that's the confusion?

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If you're thinking of going to onsens it either won't or it might be. Play dumb, hope for the best, be prepared for the worst.

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Originally Posted by m2711c

thanks for this. i was not aware. i always have a folding utility knife in my pocket. glad i didn’t get caught with it while i was there.

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PSA:
SERIOUSLY. DO NOT CARRY ANY KIND OF BLADE WHILE YOU'RE HERE (if you bought a gift etc and it's still wrapped etc then you're basically ok).
You can 'yes but officer it's just a camping knife I always carry it/I forgot' all you want but if they fancy they can hold you for up to 23 days without charge. If you find yourself in any kind of situation do NOT touch or push a cop, esp if they surround you during any 'discussion'. They don't care about any 'don't lay hands on me'.
Also remember you are required to carry your passport as a visitor.

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Originally Posted by babybear

I was making a Yakuza joke today and it reminded me about one thing that surprised me about Japan and Japan newbies may not know about is the aversion tattoos - apparently because of the association with the yakuza.
We were there in 2017 and warned that you may not be able to access all onsens if one were tattoo’d. maybe things are loosening.

Also wear good socks always when in Japan because you will take off your shoes more frequently than here- ie going out to dinner when you enter the restaurant

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Yeah I heard that a lot before going there in Jan 2019 and then noticed a bunch of people in onsens with tattoos. If the artwork isn't similar to any of the traditional yakuza themes then it's fine (I guess?) - or at least that was my takeaway. I'm tattoo free so not an issue personally.

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Originally Posted by eSock

Ramen != soba or udon, so maybe that's the confusion?

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Three very different noodles.

Apparently Ramen has exploded in popularity since I lived there and it was a not common option and far behind the Soba and Udon shops in popularity. Hence my wtf about why I’m seeing so many references to Ramen now. Back then it was cheap chinese, not a good noodle. That is all.

They love their alcohol in Japan, but do not tolerate drinking and driving... Don't know if this has changed, but on my first trip there I was informed that if the driver has over a 0% BAC level, and if a vehicle is pulled over, driver cannot refuse a BAC (or breathalyzer?) test, if any BAC above 0% is found, the driver is arrested, everyone in the vehicle is arrested (for letting that person drive....), and the vehicle is impounded..... So if you rent a car, no drinking and driving... This aint the USA....

Ramen-- it's fucking famous and delicious. Locals have their favorite spots and make a Sunday afternoon of it. Somebody is way out of his element here.

Tattoos. I still get asked to leave onsens. And I've got stupid biker/tribal tats. Wear a surfing shirt. Done. It's quite common at onsens and indoor pools. Nobody is going to confuse you for Yakuza but some elders do think tattoos are dirty so they complain. Also, don't be scared of Yakuza. That's just an out-dated term that now translates to dodgy businessman.

Spend money for high-end restaurants when you're in Tokyo, or anywhere for that matter. Expensive restaurants in JP are mind-blowing. And so are the old ones. I have two friends who are heirs to hotel and sweet shops that go back 17 or 12 generations, respectively. Both of them try really hard to maintain original recipes. Old is legit here. "Your recipes are older than my home country." So when a local recommends some old place, go. And because of that-- ask. Ask your hotel where the old, famous, legendary family restaurant is. That doesn't mean it's expensive. It might just be soba. But it'll be dope.

Anyone passing through rural Yamagata in Tohoku can hit me up via PM. I'll make a reservation somewhere for you depending on what food you want.

In regards to police-- they will make you famous for all the wrong reasons. It's why this country is so peaceful.

And don't look monkeys in the eye in the wild. The chill ones in the onsens being gawked at by foreigners are fine. But the pack in the wild, just move on by. And if you're in a forest with no tracks- shut up, stop talking. If you're quiet enough you'll likely scare up a rabbit or a kamoshika (a goat-like deer, a serrow). And because they'll be scared, they'll run downhill, where you're going. So if you're lucky, you'll get to ski with a rabbit. That's fun shit.

And wax your fucking skis. Nothing worse than someone on their expensive-ass trip to JP while not understanding that 4-5% water-content snow is staticky and squeaky slow. Yeah, it's blower. It's a windstorm of static-filled needles that want to grab on to your every being. Dry bases might as well be covered in mohair.

Also try balance a coin on the shelf by the window in the shinkansen while you're traveling 125mph. That's always a fun, shocking representation of cool technology.

Tokyo & ski resort towns are both a wicked contrast between modern and old. Don't overlook the old.

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Originally Posted by gaijin

Ramen-- it's fucking famous and delicious. Locals have their favorite spots and make a Sunday afternoon of it. Somebody is way out of his element here.

Tattoos. I still get asked to leave onsens. And I've got stupid biker/tribal tats. Wear a surfing shirt. Done. It's quite common at onsens and indoor pools. Nobody is going to confuse you for Yakuza but some elders do think tattoos are dirty so they complain. Also, don't be scared of Yakuza. That's just an out-dated term that now translates to dodgy businessman.

Spend money for high-end restaurants when you're in Tokyo, or anywhere for that matter. Expensive restaurants in JP are mind-blowing. And so are the old ones. I have two friends who are heirs to hotel and sweet shops that go back 17 or 12 generations, respectively. Both of them try really hard to maintain original recipes. Old is legit here. "Your recipes are older than my home country." So when a local recommends some old place, go. And because of that-- ask. Ask your hotel where the old, famous, legendary family restaurant is. That doesn't mean it's expensive. It might just be soba. But it'll be dope.

Anyone passing through rural Yamagata in Tohoku can hit me up via PM. I'll make a reservation somewhere for you depending on what food you want.

In regards to police-- they will make you famous for all the wrong reasons. It's why this country is so peaceful.

And don't look monkeys in the eye in the wild. The chill ones in the onsens being gawked at by foreigners are fine. But the pack in the wild, just move on by. And if you're in a forest with no tracks- shut up, stop talking. If you're quiet enough you'll likely scare up a rabbit or a kamoshika (a goat-like deer, a serrow). And because they'll be scared, they'll run downhill, where you're going. So if you're lucky, you'll get to ski with a rabbit. That's fun shit.

And wax your fucking skis. Nothing worse than someone on their expensive-ass trip to JP while not understanding that 4-5% water-content snow is staticky and squeaky slow. Yeah, it's blower. It's a windstorm of static-filled needles that want to grab on to your every being. Dry bases might as well be covered in mohair.

Also try balance a coin on the shelf by the window in the shinkansen while you're traveling 125mph. That's always a fun, shocking representation of cool technology.

Tokyo & ski resort towns are both a wicked contrast between modern and old. Don't overlook the old.

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This guy Japans.

Oh, and if you're a smoker, legal or otherwise, dig out, vacuum out and wash that shit out from every pocket and forgotten hidy hole you have/had. Dogs find you while you're waiting at the carousel etc, and you're toast. If you're solo you'll disappear and people will only finally find you when they either call the embassy or the police decide to put you on a plane ~23 days later.

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Originally Posted by gaijin

Wear a surfing shirt. Done. It's quite common at onsens and indoor pools.

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Agreed with everything but I'm curious about this. I'm far from an onsen expert but I've been to a fair bit and I've never seen someone wearing a rashguard / surf shirt. Or any shirt. Do you wear some boardshorts or go Winnie the Pooh style with a shirt and no pants? I've always been under the impression that gender segregated onsens are full nude, this info is new to me.

They are full nude. But tatted-up dudes wear rash guards. Everybody knows what they're covering up. Feels awkward, to say the least. You can also just put a bandage over your tat if small enough.

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Originally Posted by gaijin

They are full nude. But tatted-up dudes wear rash guards. Everybody knows what they're covering up. Feels awkward, to say the least. You can also just put a bandage over your tat if small enough.

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Yep to all this. With my shoulder tats I've also draped the small white towel across the back of my neck and covered the tats before too.
Remember one time getting into a full milky-white-with-minerals outdoor bath....old guy already in there chilling and soaking. Old guy stands up out of the water a few mins later revealing a FULL body suit of ink haha.

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Originally Posted by chairman pow

This guy Japans.

Oh, and if you're a smoker, legal or otherwise, dig out, vacuum out and wash that shit out from every pocket and forgotten hidy hole you have/had. Dogs find you while you're waiting at the carousel etc, and you're toast. If you're solo you'll disappear and people will only finally find you when they either call the embassy or the police decide to put you on a plane ~23 days later.

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What about gummy edibles? Heading there in April so am curious what others are feeling comfortable with.

Bro, are you not paying attention? If you can find some way of getting your edibles into the country that no one else has thought of, then good for you. Otherwise, if you were visiting me, and you showed up with that in your luggage, I'd likely kill you. Because me being in your presence makes me an accessory. And that luggage is family-destroying felony shit over here.

Just go ski some pow, grab a beer, hit an onsen, and fuck your wife. It's not that hard to have a good time.

And if you truly wanna indulge in the dirt, go underground. Hit the pubs, ask locals. They have it. No reason to transport it.

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Originally Posted by Yonder_River

What about gummy edibles? Heading there in April so am curious what others are feeling comfortable with.

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It's not really getting through is it....it is seriously fkn illegal here and you're wondering about carrying it through the most scrutinised points between there and here? No oopsie, special treatment because you're foreign/tourist/American etc etc. Not fair/I didn't understand/it was only a bit/it's OK where I'm from ...so what? Next thing you'll be whining to the embassy, your family will be go-fund-me-ing for legal fees and flights and you'll be crying in a cell, maybe deported out after a week if you're lucky and def banned for 5-10 yrs. And what others are feeling comfortable with? Yeah those other 9 people were fine....then you're the 10th that wasn't. Not sure I can make it much clearer....

Yeah don’t fuck around with international travel and edibles, pens, etc. It’s not worth the risk. Saying this as someone who flies US domestic while carrying all the time.


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Enough about how to end up in a foreign prison due to questionable decision making...
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The new snow forecast for the next 10 days, red is good. Many resorts in Nagano and Niigata should be opening up this week. It won't be good yet but should help form a nice base and push the sasa down.

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