Japan 23/24 Season

[CascadeCrudSkier]

How come it's so busy? Besides amazing powder.....every year isn't like that busy is it?

I think the other X factor this year is China. While the Chinese tourists typically aren't skiing the same terrain as you, they are often still competing for the same lodging. Last year they still couldn't travel, this year they can. The economy isn't firing but the sheer size of the tourist industry there means that it could help contribute to pressure on the existing lodging / rental cars / restaurants this season. Plus as mentioned above a lot of Aussies didn't travel last year because of the late opening in Japan; that's typically the biggest segment of the foreign travelers over here in the winter.

[boltonoutlaw]

I think the other X factor this year is China. While the Chinese tourists typically aren't skiing the same terrain as you, they are often still competing for the same lodging. Last year they still couldn't travel, this year they can. The economy isn't firing but the sheer size of the tourist industry there means that it could help contribute to pressure on the existing lodging / rental cars / restaurants this season. Plus as mentioned above a lot of Aussies didn't travel last year because of the late opening in Japan; that's typically the biggest segment of the foreign travelers over here in the winter.

Excellent point. I found this to be especially true at ______ in SE Hokkaido. Entire families dressed H2T in fresh Gore-Tex and maybe two of them actually skiing (the greens).

[babybear]

So in past threads, Nippon Rent a Car appears to be the consensus for car rental. For those of you who have gone this route which vehicle class or car did you go with? Two people and I am looking for the smallest class of vehicle I can still get 190 cm skis in. There is a huge price difference between a full on mini van (Nissan Serena, W-A class) and something in the mid size class (Toyota Corolla Fielder, S-W class). I tried reaching out directly but didn’t really get an answer.


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we rented a subaru impreza. barely fit the long skis but we were glad to have the awd as we did a few days between Niseko, Kiroro, Furano and Asahidake areas.
And unlike other rental car experiences- they actually had winter tires on this rental, which was nice.
Think of driving around Hokkaido as driving between ski areas in VT/NH- similar size and driving terrain but with a huge Utah winter style snowfall. Could be totally fine to dicey AF to shut down.

[CascadeCrudSkier]

Skiing in Japan is getting a $1.4 billion upgrade close to Tokyo

It's hard to imagine that a location with such a short snow season and a spring/summer season filled with rain could compete as a global mountain destination with Aspen and St. Moritz but some investment in the area would be nice.

I like skiing Myoko and Madarao but still feel that the terrain is just a little lacking; the side and backcountry are great but there are no resorts that don't have at least 1-2 major flaws that prevent them from being great inbounds as well. None of them are very large and the infrastructure tying them together is poor.

[gaijin]

That’s not an investment for skiers on TRG. It’s for tourism in general. Most ski resorts target south East Asian non-snow countries for snow and onsen tourism.


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[eSock]

Headed to Japan in January with the Japan Ski Tours indy pass package. Flights and tour all booked, the stoke is rising.

[boltonoutlaw]

Just had an issue come up in discussion with a friend who wants to ship gear to Japan, so if anyone else ever is considering it here is a helpful link: https://www.yamatoamerica.com/cs/en/...onal-ta-q-bin/ as an alternative to DHL, et. al.

[Fishskisurf]

Send a TR eSock or report back here. Have my eye on that

[Ver iz ze money LePowski?]

Long shot, but does anybody have room for 2 on a guided Hokkaido tour, January 13-20? PM me if so. Thanks!


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[boltonoutlaw]

Long shot, but does anybody have room for 2 on a guided Hokkaido tour, January 13-20? PM me if so. Thanks!


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Stealth Backcountry had two spots open that week

[Ver iz ze money LePowski?]

Stealth Backcountry had two spots open that week

Appreciate it. That is more than we are looking to spend however.


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[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Ok so the wheels are turning. My 40th birthday is on 1/20/24. Seriously thinking of finally doing this. 10ish day trip.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Say traveling with two couples. 4 people total. How would you lodge. One idea I have heard is base from hotels in Sapporo and then semi storm chase around the island staying at B+Bs? This may prove difficult as last minute lodging sounds like it will be challenging this season compared to years past?

vs. Book a place somewhat centrally located and plan on a big of driving to various hills. I do want to hit Niseko at least a couple days as I have Ikon Base.

The guys will have touring gear. The wives/girlfriends have pow skiing experience but will not be touring and the trip isn't 100% ski focused for them anyway.

[boltonoutlaw]

Say traveling with two couples. 4 people total. How would you lodge. One idea I have heard is base from hotels in Sapporo and then semi storm chase around the island staying at B+Bs? This may prove difficult as last minute lodging sounds like it will be challenging this season compared to years past?

vs. Book a place somewhat centrally located and plan on a big of driving to various hills. I do want to hit Niseko at least a couple days as I have Ikon Base.

The guys will have touring gear. The wives/girlfriends have pow skiing experience but will not be touring and the trip isn't 100% ski focused for them anyway.

Stay in Otaru
Drive to Kiroro, Kokusai, Niseko, Tiene

Edit: is what I would do

[m2711c]

consider using an rv for at least part of the trip if not the whole time. i had a good rental experience with Japan C.R.C.'s gaijin package, but any of these will probably be fine.




https://japan-crc.com/en/?page_id=510



https://bicup.jp/en

https://japanrv-rental.com

https://www.arigatocampervan.com

https://www.nisekocarrental.com/hokk...per-van-rental

[boltonoutlaw]

As mentioned above, shipping luggage to your destination is recommended. I find it helpful to write down all the required information for the waybill before my flight so that I can simply hand it over to the desk agent to save time, hassle, and miscommunication. Here is the link to the waybill requirements: https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc...tions/invoice/

The shipping desk at Haneda Terminal 3 is easy to find on Level 2. Look for the sign:

[Tobsen]

Am just in the process of booking as well. Will be there from the 2nd to 11th of February.

Got an offer from Rising Sun Guides for 5 days in Niseko and 2 days in Sapporo with 4 guided ski days (Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Teine) and possibly 1 day cat skiing.

I am a little afraid of the crowds in Niseko, but as my buddies are a little lazy they want to have the whole thing organized. What do you guys think about that?

As for touring gear. They recommended to bring it, which would be a bit of a pain to travel with two pairs of boots/skis but I guess they are probably right about that?!

To a good season in Japan!

[CascadeCrudSkier]

A friend is visiting from the US and intent on skiing Hokkaido, after 5 seasons here it's time to finally push northward and explore that area during the winter. Looking at late February for about 8-9 ski days to hopefully still be in the midst of winter and avoid the crowds of January and Chinese New Year.

Thinking of renting a car and doing about 4 days based in Furano to hit Furano if it's dumping, heading over to Asahidake if it's not.

Then moving west to do 4-5 days in Niseko; flexing to Rusutsu if the crowds are too much.

Anything I'm missing here that we should be incorporating? For context my ideal Japan ski day is a blizzard in the birch forests in Hakuba; hoping to find something similar in Furano, Rusutsu, or Niseko. If there are some smaller resorts that fit the bill better then I'm interested in recommendations.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Ok we're getting the wheels turning.

- Are the crowds that much less in Feb than Jan?

- Hoji with Dynafit a good one ski quiver?

[boltonoutlaw]

Arrived yesterday to HND to begin W24. Friends at Kamikawa are already skiing, and not that stupid ice and grass stuff they do in New England but quality snow. Hoping to get mine soon.

Stayed last night at First Cabin Haneda Terminal 1. Recommended for solo travelers with next day connections.

Still marvelling at prices here. The 4-piece set at Yoshinori in Terminal 3, with a cold draft beer, came to $6.85 - the price of one beer at any US airport.

[muted reborn]

A friend is visiting from the US and intent on skiing Hokkaido, after 5 seasons here it's time to finally push northward and explore that area during the winter. Looking at late February for about 8-9 ski days to hopefully still be in the midst of winter and avoid the crowds of January and Chinese New Year.

Thinking of renting a car and doing about 4 days based in Furano to hit Furano if it's dumping, heading over to Asahidake if it's not.

Then moving west to do 4-5 days in Niseko; flexing to Rusutsu if the crowds are too much.

Anything I'm missing here that we should be incorporating? For context my ideal Japan ski day is a blizzard in the birch forests in Hakuba; hoping to find something similar in Furano, Rusutsu, or Niseko. If there are some smaller resorts that fit the bill better then I'm interested in recommendations.

Huh, I'll in the very start of planning a similar trip for early February. I'll be googling your locations above and listening in on any replies you get. And I will definitely ask where the best noodles and onsens are in those towns.

[CascadeCrudSkier]

And I will definitely ask where the best noodles and onsens are in those towns.

Just ask your hotel when you arrive for recommendations for food and onsens; many hotels have a small discount at a local onsen if they don't have one on the premise. Also ask if it's busy and you'll need a reservation for restaurants; they can streamline that process for you. If you're feeling lazy don't knock the restaurant at the onsen, it's often quite good.

[BFD]

Stay in ryokan. No need to look for onsen or meals. You will eat better than the local noodle place. Only reason to go to Asahidake is to ski the peak. Lift served terrain is underwhelming.

[wkndwarrior]

Have trip booked from Jan 20-28 (also celebrating my 40th this year, only way my wife would let me leave the two kids with her for a week and a half). We have an Airbnb in Kutchan booked (private onsen in the backyard!) and we have a van we'll use to shuttle around. Mostly touring with some lift-serviced sidecountry.

Very, very pumped.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Have trip booked from Jan 20-28 (also celebrating my 40th this year, only way my wife would let me leave the two kids with her for a week and a half). We have an Airbnb in Kutchan booked (private onsen in the backyard!) and we have a van we'll use to shuttle around. Mostly touring with some lift-serviced sidecountry.

Very, very pumped.

Sick! Deets on that Airbnb? Wonder if its available other dates.