As the title states, has anyone been to Japan? which locations are the best? Also do you need to be speaking fluent Japanese if your there? I've heard the powder there is amazing but has anyone here experienced Japan first hand?
I spend more than 7 days there, I see a lot of people say they would only want a day there and then back to niseko. Those people baffle me but each to their own. There is more off piste terrain than you can discover in 7 days at rusutsu, those who get bored simply arent finding the goodness in my opinion.
In saying that you probably should just stay at niseko ;-)
Ps a few of the boys on this forum are organising an informal meetup for the first week of feb at rusutsu if you are interested.
Sounds good ETM, I am aways exploring trying to find fresh powder! I have to cordinate my travel dates with another mate and both our jobs, last time we were there for the last week of Jan. So it may work out, I'll let you know if it does.
Just moved to our house in Niseko for the next 2 months or so. Initially wanted to come sooner, but early season reports were poor - and then it started to dump! Definitely missed a few great weeks, but am hoping that it was a harbinger of things to come for the rest of the season.
One thing: It has been COLD the last few days!
Going to Niseko for second time in February. Its wonderful, fresh soft snow continously (so much that sometimes you don't quite know which way is up) and great food. The terrain is not as steep or long as Europe (my past experience has been les Trois Vallees, Grindlewald/Muerren, Kaprun) but the off-piste makes it very different and special. Going back to soak in the onsen after a day, fabulous dinner, night skiing...... its a great experience. And its a bit like being in Australia......
Ha ha ha
I meant its like being in Australia as you are surrounded by Aussies (as one who has been living outside Aus for years, when I arrived, all I could hear around me were...other Australians)
Just read this thread and am getting serious about jumping on a plane early February to Japan.
Curious how you all approached finding housing? Where did you guys stay and how did you find housing? And what's a decent price? I have no idea what "cheap" means for housing near the resorts and am curious what you guys shelled out for room/board. I don't need to be in the cheapest place, but don't want to be in the 4 seasons either!
I used Deep Powder Tours, I just do a full package.
Flights + Bus tranfers and Accomidation.
They have heaps off accomidation too choose from budget backpackers through to 5 star, so its up to you to choose what you need and what your budget is.
Its very well run, heaps off info is supplied, they meet you when you land, put you on a bus. When you arrieve in the town someone meets you and shows you around the town and drops you off at your accomidation. If you have any issues they are your point off contact for the whole trip.
This was our first Japan trip and had zero needs or issues.
Then its the same deal when leaving, they pick you up and organize everything.
Me and my mate found it quite a relaxing way to travel.
Having been to Hakuba/Myoko/Nozawa over the past couple of years and with another trip in September planned (not for snow this time) I am well and truly in love with Japan.
Here's an edit I made of my recent Myoko/Nozawa trip in January.
Hakkoda was the nest snowboarding of my life. Hands down. It was simply awesome. But it's noy for everyone - If you don't like doing backcountry or aren't comfortable in close quarters with trees (seriously, some of the tracks that you have to follow are a foot wide and you're winding super close to trees near the bottom), or are opposed to doing some hiking with snowshoes - Hakkoda is not for you.
Also went to niseko - resorts were nice but the mountain itself is quite small. Best runs I had were off the back side, and again, all of the above applies again. The resort had some good pow, but not unlike pow you can get at American resorts. The backside is really where it turned awesome.
So did you like Hakkoda better than Niseko? *edit* sorry, you already answered that question.
It's kinda funny I've spent two seasons in Hakkoda and have no urge to go back once I move back to the states.
However, I actually found Hakkoda in the spring to be more fun than prime time pow season.
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