[JDA]

If you didn't know, all restrictions to enter Japan have now been lifted.

Who is going?
Where are you going?
Have you been before and where?
What board/bindings are you taking?

I can't believe I'm actually going, if you asked me 4 weeks ago we were holding off until 2024 but now myself and 3 other mates have already booked our flights and accommodation for the first week of Feb 2023.

This will be my 7th time to Japan, I've been to around 30 different ski resorts already in areas such as Hakuba, Myoko, Fukushima (Bandai), Yamagata (Zao Onsen) and several resorts up on Hokkaido.

This trip I have 2 first timers coming with me and the only way I could convince them was to keep the trip reasonably short and inexpensive. So we have 7 days on snow in Hakuba Valley and we will be getting 5 consecutive days of lift tickets for free with our Epic pass. We are staying right next to the gondola at the base of Tsugaike Kogan ski resort.

I am taking my Salomon Dancehaul 152 with Now Drive bindings and my Korua Dart 156 with Ride A-10 bindings. Both boards should be good in powder with the Dancehaul having a softer more freestyle focus and the Dart will be great for carving.

 

[JDA]

@JDA what's Myoko or Nazawa Onsen like compared to Hakuba? Is worth venturing up that way?

I haven't been to Nozawa but did Myoko in 2018 and again in 2020.

2020 was a bad year for snow, we did score a couple of epic powder days still but compared to 2018 where 2.6m of snow fell over the 9 days we were in Myoko I will remember that trip forever! This was the tourist information sign as you enter town to give you an idea.

Myoko the town is a lot smaller than Hakuba but it gets more snow and more consistently too. You can access 2 resorts just by walking from the town center. Buses will take you to another 2 resorts close by or a longer bus will also take you to another 3 resorts further out. Then if you had a car there are another 2 you could also visit but there are no buses for these, so plenty of options for resorts to visit each day.

If we weren't trying to do 2023 on the cheap I probably would have gone back to Myoko but we have free lift tickets in Hakuba and we are planning a bigger trip for 2024 where I hope to visit some new parts of Japan I haven't been to yet.

So yes Myoko is well worth a visit!

 

[JDA]

I've been to Rusutsu, Niseko and Furano. I like Furano as it's close to a reasonable sized township so you can walk down and get groceries. Has a 101 person ropeway. You can do day trips to Kamui and Tomamu as well. Rusutsu is really good but it's a little by itself. You can get bus trip from Niseko. Had some awesome powder days at Rusutsu. Great runs as well.

Are you going back to Japan next year?

 

[JDA]

Around January 22nd is my preferred time to go for maximum powder days but 3 of us have kids and it's easier to go once they are back in school.

If you go too late the base might be good but most of the snow has already fallen.

 

[JDA]

My mate just picked up a K2 Special Effects 148 for the trip, seems like it was designed specifically for Japan so it should be good on those deep powder days. Other mate has a Korua Dart 160 like me but I have the 156, I'd like to try his 160 but he has much bigger feet.

Non powder day boards they have are Salomon Assassin and Endeavor Scout, both good options I think.

4th guy is on skiis, he is very good though.

 

[JDA]

Anyone been to Madarao?

Yes 2018 and 2020 as my post above about Myoko. I consider it part of Myoko and we went there many times when staying in Myoko but I did also spend a couple of nights in Madarao itself on my 2020 trip.

Great place, gets lots of snow and has some really good trees where the spacing is wider than normal for Japan.

 

[JDA]

Any list of areas to hit? I have both the Epic/Ikon/Loveland pass (Powder Alliance partner, Kiroro). I'd be open to anything off this list if it's worth it. Generally looking for areas with enjoyable riding + others (onsen, beer, monkeys that steel your wallet while at the onsen, etc...). Sushi. And more sushi. Followed by a trip to Kyoto + Tokyo even.

Maybe. I tend to change my mind a lot. Just want a guaranteed nice time for what I pay for; I'm not strapped for cash but not willing to unload on single trip when there's Europe and cheese/wine/beer!

It seems by reading here, the best times to go are either:
1. mid-feb+
2. mid-jan+ (or even early Jan+)?

If you are chasing powder specifically then mid Jan to mid Feb is peak storm season. The most popular destinations are Niseko and Hakuba. I would personally avoid Niseko as it sounds like you want a more authentic Japanese experience, Hakuba is a good option with some westernised areas but still some taste of Japan especially if you venture away from the bigger resorts in the valley.

Being from Australia I don't know much about which specific resorts those passes give you access too but if you drop a link or some names of resorts I can give some feedback.

 

[JDA]

This package below has me interested late January. Nozawa, Myoko and Madarao - looks like a little less crowds than Hakuba and more affordable than Niseko. Probably like to extend to 10 days.

OZSNOW

Madarao is a pretty small area, you could stay almost anywhere in the village and be close enough to the ski resort and restaurants. We stayed at a place called First Tracks which is a little further down the road than the place in your link, I just booked it through booking .com

I think the Myoko area is easier to get to than Hakuba because you can take a train from Nagano instead of relying on the bus service. You said you have already been to Hakuba so Myoko is a great option for you on this trip.

The reviews for Ozsnow don't look too promising, I would just book some accommodation yourself and make your own way there.

 

[JDA]

Niseko United (7 days, IKON)
Lotte Arai (7 days, IKON)
Rusutsu (5 consecutive days Epic).
Kiroro ski resort (3 days)

Hakuba Valley (various resorts (5 consecutive days Epic)

• Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
• Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field
• Jiigatake Snow Resort
• Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort
• Hakuba Happo-One Snow Resort
• Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort
• Kashimayari Snow Resort
• Hakuba Sanosaka Snow Resort

Is Niseko that overrated? You're right I want good riding and perhaps authenticity as well. I can speak some Japanese (quit 4th year classes and was preparing to take JLPT 2-kyu at one point); probably would be talking like a toddler now if I tried (language won't be an issue, just want a good experience).

Thank you.

^ Myoko and Madarao are also in my selection since you mentioned it.
Maybe lodging logistics for 1-2 months. Time to look.

I don't speak Japanese at all and I have never really needed to, so don't worry about that.

Niseko, Rusutsu and Kiroro are all on the north island of Hokkaido, I've been to all of them, in fact they are pretty close to each other, maybe 1 hour by bus apart. Niseko is a good mountain with plenty of terrain and high snowfall but it doesn't really feel like you're in Japan, I could imagine 15 - 20 years ago it was an amazing place.
Rusutsu is one of my favourite resorts, probably had the best powder day of my life there. Other than the resort though there is absolutely nothing there, same with Kiroro actually.
Kiroro is a bit flat, worth a day trip or two but wouldn't want to be there too long.

Lotte Arai is back down on the main island of Honshu, same with the Hakuba Valley. Lotte Arai is a really good resort in terms of snow and terrain but other than that its just a big luxury hotel. We did day trips there from Myoko but I wouldn't want to stay there more than a week at most.

I think if you split your time between Hakuba Valley and Myoko you would get to ride a lot of different resorts and get a good cultural experience.

 

[JDA]

Stop pls

upon reflection - i can tap out.

but... bah - i am throbbing on a couple of local japanese decks this seasoon - and this "float to the tourists" design - dont need that in my life, it's not a requ9irement nor any sort of pressure.

i have had a renewed relationship wiht japanese snowboarding - so, giving it another go.

my list is below.

------2023 JAPANESE BOARDS TO CHECK OUT------
--- November Artiste 158W (freestyle, 5x sidecut radii)
--- Yonex Thrust 161 (carving)
--- Fanatic T-Deck 157 (ground tricks)
--- Head Draw Lyt 162 (pow, carving)

If you do head over to Japan there is a T.J Brand store in Hakuba, Moss Snowstick in Myoko and a Gentemstick in Niseko. It's always nice to fondle the boards but the prices have stopped me buying so far, I usually leave my card in the hotel just as a precaution

 

[JDA]

I'm looking now to book solo, too pricey atm from Darwin and the kids are likely to be going mid-year with school so really can't justify all of us going. Thinking maybe of going with a progression tour with Moyoko Mint Tours. Small tour, only 6, having been riding with my daughter only these last few years whilst she progresses I could really benefit from some off-piste guidance on technique, also saves me a bitof time sussing out where to go and how to get there so I can just concentrate on riding solid runs for 5 days.

If anyone knows of anything similar let me know.

https://minttours.com/japan-2/myoko-progression-tour/

Sounds good and the reviews look good too. It's a bit more expensive than what I paid with Powder Recon since its in USD and the exchange rate sucks right now but PR don't really offer any coaching, just guiding with their tour so fair enough I guess.

 

[JDA]

I think Niseko is worth doing at least once to see if you like it or not. When we were there for a week we ended up taking the bus to Rusutsu twice and Kiroro once and it was super easy to do that.

@Myoko the Bandai region is worth checking out if you are looking for something different, resorts like Nekoma, Alts Bandai and Inawashiro.

 

[JDA]

Well I’m finally booked. Long process being away with work but I’ve decided to do 6 days boarding from 25th January at Myoko and staying in a place only a few minutes walk to the Akakura Onsen lifts.

Looking at the pass it gets me access to

• Akakura Kanko and Akakura Onsen combined
• Myoko Suginohara
• Myoko Ikenotaira
• Seki Onsen (including lunch voucher)
• Lotte Arai
• Madarao Kogen and Madarao Tangram combined
• Shiga Kogen

Amplids Dada and Surfari will be packed - sad to not take the whole family but the girls are doing a trip to the musical Hamilton interstate next year and also heading to Japan for school so I’m going solo.

All you need now is for it to snow while you are there! you're in a great spot for when the snow does come. If it dumps I'd be heading to Suginohara or Madarao/Tangram. Ikenotaira is great 2 - 3 days after a dump, once the snow has settled a bit.

 

[JDA]

Plans solidified, my schedule is wide open. Plane tickets look reasonable, I'm likely going to book last minute unless that is a bad idea with lodging.

Any recommended must-do lodging in/around Hakuba Valley? I am basically hitting every resort I can with my Loveland/Ikon/epic pass + more with day tickets.

Most of the good places will be booked by now but I'm sure you will be able to find something if you book later. Echoland is probably the busiest area in the Hakuba Valley with lots of restaurants and bars if that's what you are looking for. The valley is reasonably spread out but if you are staying close to any of the 10 resorts you can always jump on the bus and head to a different resort each day.

 

[JDA]

Pre-rego'd with the Visit Japan site as well. Seemed straight forward, albeit too many questions IMO. Funnily enough it simply didn't like scanning my kids' passport images for some reason 🤷‍♂️

By the way, does anyone know if leashes are mandatory for snowboarders at Japanese resorts? I was browsing the Rusutsu site before (Trail Map - Rusutsu Resort Hokkaido Japan) and it seems like they are?

Leashes are not required.

 

[JDA]

ShitStar just cancelled my return flight through Cairns, fair dinkum Jetstar are f#@king useless.

Been booked back through Bali now the following day, so maybe another 1/2 days skiing so can't complain. Would like to see some more snow around Myoko, been a little ordinary with the Westerly winds favouring Hakuba but still another 4 weeks until I leave.

@JDA - looking like a good seaon for Hakuba - nailed it!

It will come mate, it's still December, don't panic

 

[JDA]

is it possible to do a day trip from niseko to rusutsu?
I have booked a hostel for niseko in february but there doesnt seem to be any hostel availability in rusutsu for same time.

Last time I was there they had daily buses to Rusutsu and Kiroro, we did both multiple times.

 

[JDA]

@NT.Thunder we fly out on the 3rd of Feb, the excitement is certainly building!

That's great news about your trip, it's always best to have someone with you when you are heading into the trees, plus you need to share that stoke!

I don't really trust the long range forecasts but this one goes a fair way out

Myoko Akakura / Shinakakura 7-Day Snow Forecast

Myoko Akakura / Shinakakura 7-Day Snow Forecast from Thursday 16th March 2023. Predicted snowfall, skiing conditions and weather over the next week for the Japanese Ski Resort of Myoko Akakura / Shinakakura.

au.j2ski.com

This one is a pretty cool model, what you want is that dark blue and purple.

GFS Model

GFS model forecast of 850mb Temp Anomaly for East Asia

www.tropicaltidbits.com

 

[JDA]

Had a bit of a board tune, wax and setup session on the weekend with one of my mates who is coming on the trip. He is taking 2 brand new boards, K2 Special Effects and Endeavor Scout, first time to Japan for him.

Got my Dart and Dancehaul all ready to go too.

 

[JDA]

I have never taken wax but most of my trips are usually 2 weeks on snow and I take 3 boards freshly waxed before I leave home.