Snowboarding Japan
 

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?

hey i room with japanese guys so i may be able to answer some of your questions. i don't know about the country side or where the mountains are but from what my japanese friends tell me, it's hard to move around japan if you don't speak the language. they told me that most people will ignore you if you speak english. not saying everyone will but most will. so i suggest going with someone who knows japanese or if you really don't care than go with a buddy so you guys can get lost together and create a crazy adventure over there. lol. as for places to board, i'll ask my friends where all the places are at.

Niseko's next on my hit list. It's becoming a very popular spot, specially for us Aussies. Its relatively cheap and ur pretty much guaranteed deep powder. They say Niseko gets round 10-12m every season, i guess thats why they call it the powder capitol of the world. I think Habuka is another popular spot.

Ive heard u can get round these spots even if u dont speak the language as there is alot of tourists that comes thru each yr.

I'll be watching this thread as id like to hear from others who've experienced these slopes first hand.

I am keen for more info on Japan, because it's the cheapest option for real powder snow from Australia. My next snow trip will be to Japan because I over the Austrlian snow conditions.

My little brother is stationed out there. So of course he had to ride the sloaps he told me it was the most wonderful thing he has done out there.. I can't remember where he went though I will have to ask

Bump......

Yeah i will also be keeping a EYE on this thread.

My mates goes every january, says the powder is freakn sick but the terrain is a bit too mellow

ive been to Nagano and Shiga Kogen and the snow is simply unbeatable, the après ski not so much so. there was really nothing to do bar hit the slopes but with the snow theres not much else you want to be doing, just be prepared for some nights hunting for restraunts/bars that are actually alive.
i don't speak a word of japanese and it was fine, all the people were friendly and pretty much everyone spoke english even though there wasn't many tourists

all im all you will experience the best boarding of your life and thats what we're paying for isn't it?

Anyone know wot the nightlife(bars & restaurants) is like over in Niseko? Is it similar to Nagano mentioned above?