Japan 23/24 Season

[muted reborn]

only reason to go to Asahidake is to ski the peak. Kurodake has 4200ft of vert. Skin track starts next to the shrine by base of gondola. stay here
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Hokkaido.html
Play bingo with the Chinese tourists. Ski the line behind the 7 11 in Sounkyo. Ice festival is worth checking out.

Ha, OK. Your place wasn't available so I booked the Sounkyo Kankou Hotel this Sat-Monday. Might get a foot of snow while I'm there - thanks for the rec!

Day 5 was spectacular.


Started the day with a private onsen bath at a hotel boltonoutlaw recommended in an older japan thread. Thank you Bolton!


We got to the parking lot and had no idea where to ski, but we decided to 'Let's go have a look!"


Not gonna ski this, but I wish we coulda. Time to go volcano skipping.


Fuma-rolling


We went high for the rare sunny views. Down low in the trees was better skiing.


Across from the trailhead is a fucking amazing onsen. I had the place to myself for about 15 minutes so I took a forbidden pic.


I'm a big fan of the access roads around here.


Black garlic ramen for an early 5pm dinner. Burning a lot of calories so time to go to 7-11 and get dinner #2 right now.

[bobinch]

Thanks! I didn’t realize there was a decent system hitting Nagano. Hakuba/Myoko/Lotte are the only zones I’ve been to over there and I definitely want to score some more happo/47 sidecountry. I’ll start looking for accommodation STAT

Check out Tenjin Lodge at Tanigawadake. Better terrain than Myoko and arguably Hakuba, and a lot less people. Tanigawadake @ 2000m has a North face which is only for the brave

[bobinch]

only reason to go to Asahidake is to ski the peak. Kurodake has 4200ft of vert. Skin track starts next to the shrine by base of gondola. stay here
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re..._Hokkaido.html
Play bingo with the Chinese tourists. Ski the line behind the 7 11 in Sounkyo. Ice festival is worth checking out.

Interested in this experience ⬆️

We had the best snow in Asahidake of the whole trip. Insanely light in the forest despite the winds up top, and dryer than Niseko/Kiroro which had warmed up for a few days.

And in addition to the peak, a fabulous steep forest pitch with a short tour out which could be lapped several times on the lookers left.

DidnÂ’t go to Kurodake. Same light snow but more vert / options?

[bennymac]

Well, the forecast models completely shifted since I wrote that this morning. 4 hours later the 2+ feet had dropped to 6 inches, now it's basically down to nothing. I think you're better off heading north.

It's been such a frustrating season for Honshu, though there's been a couple of exceptional days mixed amongst the dry spells and rain. I'm glad last night's system overdelivered, enjoy the BC lines @bennymac.

Thanks! And thanks to everyone else posting - so much generosity here with all the great advice provided.

[boltonoutlaw]

Ha, OK. Your place wasn't available so I booked the Sounkyo Kankou Hotel this Sat-Monday. Might get a foot of snow while I'm there - thanks for the rec!

Day 5 was spectacular.


Started the day with a private onsen bath at a hotel boltonoutlaw recommended in an older japan thread. Thank you Bolton!


We got to the parking lot and had no idea where to ski, but we decided to 'Let's go have a look!"


Not gonna ski this, but I wish we coulda. Time to go volcano skipping.


Fuma-rolling


We went high for the rare sunny views. Down low in the trees was better skiing.


Across from the trailhead is a fucking amazing onsen. I had the place to myself for about 15 minutes so I took a forbidden pic.


I'm a big fan of the access roads around here.


Black garlic ramen for an early 5pm dinner. Burning a lot of calories so time to go to 7-11 and get dinner #2 right now.

La Vista...niiice treat and sweet day at Tokachidake

[tgapp]

Hakuba backcountry/sidecountry has been great the past two days. Snowed a bunch yesterday and a bit more today. Soft deep snow everywhere.

Damn, somehow I missed that both you AND muted were ripping around, FKNA.

Moar food pics pls

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[muted reborn]

Moar food pics pls

Don't have much to share but when in Hokkaido - CRABS. And not the small kind from the Red Light District, the big hairy ones from the ocean.







Sea urchin, Salmon Roe, and hairy crab. With lots of rice underneath to trick tourists like me.



BBQ STINGRAY FIN - RICH AND TASTY. (whoops, caps lock was on)



I came way too late to (the original )ramen alley (not the dumb one in the train station) to get a seat at a reasonable time.



I saw the line at Ebisoba Ichigen wasn't too long and moving quick so I got in line. I soon found out there was also a line inside much longer than the one outside. Oh well, I had hours before check in time at the hotel so why not.



This place is one of the top Miso ramen places in Sapporo (or so I've read, wtf do I know) and it really was delicious. I ordered Miso Shrimp, thick noodles, and 'rich flavor'. I'm not a big miso fan but I could be if all miso tasted similar to this. Best meal of the trip.



I've been slowly eating my way through convenience store offerings so when I saw this hot soupy plate of options at one of them I decided I need some more time to work my way up to it. I don't even know WTF that stuff is. And I haven't seen anything like it since.



I've moved up from egg salad sandwiches (but haven't quit them) to these deep fried curry filled snacks. And the chicken cutlet sandwiches are probably my favorite (not the teriyaki ones)

[alect47]

Looks awesome! I love those egg salad convenience store sandwiches.

I'm curious, do the majority of people still wear masks there? And did you feel like it was looked down upon if you weren't wearing one?

[gaijin]

I've been slowly eating my way through convenience store offerings so when I saw this hot soupy plate of options at one of them I decided I need some more time to work my way up to it. I don't even know WTF that stuff is. And I haven't seen anything like it since.

Some of those I don’t recognize as they can be fairly regional. The eggs and daikon are obvious but those tubular things are likely a processed seafood and tofu mix. The bags are likely a doughy tofu with some kind of meat/fish/veggie combo inside.

All in all, I have a fairly western palette and I’ve never been disappointed with any kind of oden. Always warm, comforting, mild, and not over-filling yet high in protein.

I’d say give it a go. At the worst, the soft texture might catch you off guard. Honestly, some daikon and fish meatballs are amazing as a snack after a cold day. That and a tuna/Mayo rice ball and I’m in heaven.

[gaijin]

Regarding masks— people have been wearing them since the OG Covid of 2004. To a lesser extent than recently but many locals find them comfortable. I find it kind of odd, frankly. And no, it’s not frowned upon to not wear them. I don’t think people even notice either way it’s so normalized.

Unless you visit a clinic for some reason. Strict mask mandates there. Otherwise, no.


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[gaijin]

This thread inspired me to make my own—






I’ll let you guess what everything is. But those small shrimp/cod balls were the star of the show.

The chicken melted off the bone.

All in all, I’d call Oden the stew of Japan. Simmers forever, melts, and everything kinda becomes one. And the broth is usually quite fishy, in a delicious kinda way.

I’m working my head for a way to incorporate fish balls into a paste for tacos to layer with refried beans and rice accompanied by something else crispy.

Fusion notes. It’s how my wife and I cook.

Snow in Tohoku tonight. I'm injured with a mild, temporarily immobilizing, infected cyst on my shoulder blade. Can't really move, but can drive the kids to the resort. And I can cook. So there's that. Any food requests? It's a long weekend for me. Monday the kids will be aiming for a record amount of laps on the double. 50 laps is their last record. I doubt they'll break it, but it's a fun tradition. This year, I'll hang out in the base and cook something.

[muted reborn]

Bolton, if you have Gerard Martinez phone or email lemme know, thank you. I DM'd him on IG but that shit never shows up unless you both follow each other. Currently in Kurodake and would love to ski some big lines if he thinks it's safe, of course. It's looking like it may clear up to see up high....small chance but it's a chance.







If anyone has advice on going to the hut and skiing the mellow shoulder off Mount Keigetzu which ends up north of town, lemme know. Or anything same but different, like a ridge just south of town after going up Kurodake...or wherever.

7-11 chute looks too thin BFD, it's a lean year.

[muted reborn]

Never mind about Gerard, the window is closed. Just gonna tree ski. Heading home soon.

[bennymac]

Hakuba backcountry yesterday was a mix of incredible views and perfect pitches of boot top to knee deep untouched powder. Faces are sun torched and legs are feeling it after 2,000m of vert. Leaving for home today very satisfied.

[gaijin]

Nailed it. Might have been peak season this year. Although I hope for more of the same for late March. I might miss Hakuba this year.


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[bennymac]

Yeah 7 days of Hakuba has filled us up. Feel very lucky the stars aligned for us.

[muted reborn]

This thread inspired me to make my own—




I’ll let you guess what everything is. But those small shrimp/cod balls were the star of the show.

The chicken melted off the bone.

All in all, I’d call Oden the stew of Japan. Simmers forever, melts, and everything kinda becomes one. And the broth is usually quite fishy, in a delicious kinda way.

I’m working my head for a way to incorporate fish balls into a paste for tacos to layer with refried beans and rice accompanied by something else crispy.

Fusion notes. It’s how my wife and I cook.

Snow in Tohoku tonight. I'm injured with a mild, temporarily immobilizing, infected cyst on my shoulder blade. Can't really move, but can drive the kids to the resort. And I can cook. So there's that. Any food requests? It's a long weekend for me. Monday the kids will be aiming for a record amount of laps on the double. 50 laps is their last record. I doubt they'll break it, but it's a fun tradition. This year, I'll hang out in the base and cook something.

I totally missed this post - nice work! Honestly I'll be wasting my time trying to guess what most of that is. And 50 laps is hilarious, good for them.

Thanks everyone for the great advice - BFD, boltonoutlow, CascadeCrud, and more. Trip was memorable.

bennymac, good to see ya were having fun too. But iss this thread done til next year as all the questioning newbs are back home? I hope not and that you locals post a bunch here in the next few months.

[bennymac]

Yes big thanks to the mags who provided beta and advice on how to make the trip go better - it was much appreciated!

Yeah I’m subscribed to this thread now just to ski vicariously through the ongoing posted stoke.

[CascadeCrudSkier]

Nailed it. Might have been peak season this year. Although I hope for more of the same for late March. I might miss Hakuba this year.


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Let me know if you decide to come down, my schedule is filling fast for March and April but I'd like to get out and knock off a couple more peaks in the area. I did shiroumadake at the end of April last year but I have a feeling that this season will be done before then.

@bennymac, looks like you guys ended up timing your trip well. Where did you guys end up touring? Above Tsugaike and Happo or did you venture further out? I spent Thursday-Saturday ripping groomers w/ my 9 year old at Cortina and Norikura so we missed the freshies but she's more of a fan of spring snow than pow so it worked out perfectly for us.

[half-fast]

Rusutsu today

[beer30]

I’ve got a 2 day Rusutsu pass I’m willing to give to someone. I’ll email ya the QR code and you scan it at the resort.

[Pinned]

Just got back from a very fun week in Japan - it would have been quite different without this thread, so thank you to everyone who has posted their experiences and recommendations.

Originally we had planned to go to Niseko, but skipped it entirely for more local options. We stayed in Sapporo, I rented a Subaru Levorg STI (unintentionally, but it was pretty sweet), and we went to Kiroro, Kokusai, and Teine. Worked out great - we got a lot of fun skiing in and had tons of dining options every night. Plus there was plenty to do on a down day - I even managed to pick up a new Gyuto to bring home.

Like everyone said, parking was easy at the resorts and we never waited in line (Kokusai gondola on Friday was the longest line - 3 minutes). All 3 mountains were super easy - bought tickets online, printed at a kiosk, skiing within minutes of parking. Oh, and ski hill cafeterias in Japan are not only affordable but also good quality - we could learn a thing or two in the US.

Kiroro was...not steep. But the trees were fun and the snow was fast.
Teine had some steeps and some moguls - and at only 45 minutes from Sapporo it was unreal how chill it was even mid-week.
Kokusai had the best terrain overall - we skied nearly untracked tree lines all day long and it's reasonably steep near the gondola.

Will definitely go back - would love to spend more time and do some guided touring too.

[gaijin]

Let me know if you decide to come down, my schedule is filling fast for March and April but I'd like to get out and knock off a couple more peaks in the area. I did shiroumadake at the end of April last year but I have a feeling that this season will be done before then.

Cheers.
But yeah, I fear this season might get destroyed by the rain if the March storms don't come in as snow.
This winter feels like it never came and Spring feels about 6 weeks early. It was 14c in town today. Bro.

The kids are happy with their sunny groomers. So that's fun. This might be a safe Fuji season come Spring. Something to think about.

[bennymac]

Let me know if you decide to come down, my schedule is filling fast for March and April but I'd like to get out and knock off a couple more peaks in the area. I did shiroumadake at the end of April last year but I have a feeling that this season will be done before then.

@bennymac, looks like you guys ended up timing your trip well. Where did you guys end up touring? Above Tsugaike and Happo or did you venture further out? I spent Thursday-Saturday ripping groomers w/ my 9 year old at Cortina and Norikura so we missed the freshies but she's more of a fan of spring snow than pow so it worked out perfectly for us.

We toured above Happo for 2 days, above Tsugaike for 2 days, above Norikura for 2 days (up as high as the weather station), and one day on the ridge between Happo and Iwatake.

The deepest day we had was day 2 off the double chair of Norikura. It sucked becaused we skinned up under that chair thinking it wasn’t going to open - then it did and the hordes descended on top of us. But our first two runs were all time in knee deep snow on a perfectly angled pitches of wide spaced trees.

The most enjoyable day was our last one on the ridge between Happo and Iwatake. A pleasing long skin up through beautiful trees and then amazing views and wide open slopes of boot-top to knee deep turns. And no one else around.

[wendigo]

we had a great 2 weeks bouncing around hokkaido, onsen every day, excellent food, and great skiing









favorite chips














who did it better?
japan


or cuba


hit a couple of onsens in the wild




the tokachidake good time crossing


the skiing there was fun, but the crowding was a bit of a shit show with large groups making skin tracks in the middle of runs, etc., and parking was a complete mess












hmmm which fluffy mirror moon should i get?