Japan Stoke Thread 2023

17330 Views 373 Replies 30 Participants Last post by JDA, 2 mo ago

JDA

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

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.

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NT.Thunder

· #118 · 4 mo ago

I was reading a FB post this morning saying there was a storm around Tuesday next week that may disrupt transport networks with snow expected in Tokyo. I'm due to arrive 6am Wednesday next week and jump on the sow shuttle from Haneda to Nagano to Myoko, should I be worried? Are the transport networks pretty good? Nothing like a good dump but still need to get there.

NT.Thunder

· #120 · 4 mo ago

Doraibu said:
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No real snow this week in myoko. Loads of ice bricks on a black run in akakura kanko. You can see some greens here and there.
Multiple black ice patch in other resorts too.
My boards to Japan always look pristine because of deep snow. First time getting a gash in japan.
Doesn’t look too deep. Bought a wax bar and waxed it at the lodge.
will probably ptex it when I get home

expected some snow overnight but turns out to be nothing much. warm blue bird again today

Hope you guy have a better trip next week

ill be off to zao

That sucks, not what you'd expect this time of year or hope for. Fingers crossed we get some more cover over the next 7 days. Anyway, a bad day in Japan is better than a good day at work so I'll take whatever gets dished up whether it's powder or Asahi

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NT.Thunder

· #123 · 4 mo ago

Arrive 6am - never need an excuse for a new board

NT.Thunder

· #127 · 4 mo ago

Doraibu said:
If you have the luxury of two board quiver, definitely bring a rock board. plenty of twin jibs / park today in madarao. it’s 10c looking at the chair lift thermometer.
Hopefully it’ll be dumping on Tuesday as forecasted.
lots of cancellation in accommodation this week in myoko. I wonder if I should have just kept my cool, and book a room last minute wherever it’s dumping instead.

It would’ve been better to just recover this week and do something sedentary or admin backlog work lol

That's the game though isn't it. If you've got the luxury of picking and choosing day by day you're winning, some of us just throw a dart at times that align with life in general and pray to Ullr

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NT.Thunder

· #134 · 4 mo ago

Akakura - arriving Tokyo Wednesday AM, first day boarding Thursday - now just need to cross fingers and toes that we can get in on the bus.

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NT.Thunder

· #137 · 4 mo ago

JDA said:
Kicking myself right now, I usually always fly in on the 22nd but my mates pushed this trip back to the 3rd. Sadly I'll be watching this storm from a distance thinking what could have been

Enjoy @NT.Thunder it's going to be epic!

Cheers man, been watching the season closely and looks like they could do with a good dump around Myoko.

Had a co-worker of my wife that just returned from Hakuba and they've been several times and he reckoned it was pretty good.

I'm travelling solo which will be a benefit Wednesday to make things easier in terms of last minute changes if getting over to Nagano becomes an issue. I'm booked bus but will just head over to the train if the bus gets delayed. Not sure what other options there are I'd the train stops. How's the hitchhiking scene? 😂😂

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NT.Thunder

· #140 · 4 mo ago

JDA said:
@NT.Thunder I always thought the best thing about getting to Myoko is you can take the train all the way, why are you taking the bus?

The trains can handle the snow, this photo of Myoko train station was taken in 2018, oh boy that was a good trip!

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I book all my trips through Mountain Watch and the last few have always been bus connections but yr right, I should've look at the Shinkansen, the mate I'm meeting at Myoko is going a day early and going by train.

You never know, I might just end up on it anyway. I was pretty comfortable on the JR network but haven't done much at all with the high speed.

Is the Shinkansen easy to arrange on the day if I need to?

I was looking at getting to Ueno and jumping on from there either via mono rail and/or JR but I'd need to ticket on the day if the bus doesn't go.

NT.Thunder

· #148 · 4 mo ago

Yeah I'm waiting for my connection from Singapore and just saw my Nagano Snow Shuttle isn't leaving until 7pm tomorrow, was supposed to be 7am. I'm thinking about jumping on the Shinkansen to Nagano, does anyone know if that'll be running? I just don't want to get caught chasing my tail tomorrow.

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NT.Thunder

· #151 · 4 mo ago

Just getting on the Shinkansen at Ueno and making my way to Nagano. Hopefully the Nagano to Myoko line is open

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NT.Thunder

· #152 · 4 mo ago

What an adventure, now in Joetsu Myoko to get back into Myoko Kogen as the rail was shut the other way. So much snow around, still not there.

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NT.Thunder

· #154 · 4 mo ago

Myoko said:
Yes, the Myoko leg is the one to worry about, hope you get there soon. Looks like we will get to Shiga very soon

What's the best way for me to get to Akakura from Myoko Kogen? I can't seem to reach my accomm for a pickup

NT.Thunder

· #160 · 4 mo ago

Doraibu said:
Shit… Bus or taxi then. it’s a bit odd for accommodation not being able to help out. It’s a bit out of character… wouldn’t book there again unless they have a good reason

Just got hold of them, they're going to head down for a pickup 🙏

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NT.Thunder

· #161 · 4 mo ago

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BoooYaaaaa

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NT.Thunder

· #167 · 4 mo ago

JDA said:
@NT.Thunder we need a photo of the tourist info sign just near the post office to truly gauge the amount of snow

We're not there yet, maybe another photo at the end of the week

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NT.Thunder

· #169 · 4 mo ago

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Nice morning here at Akakura Kanko. Were the first few in line so made our way up to the top for some fresh lines through the trees. Foot or two of powder, maybe more in some places so awesome fun. On the Surfari this morning and it's just a great board.

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NT.Thunder

· #170 · 4 mo ago

Took a tree to the left 🫏 cheek and my god that hurt. Day 1 and I grimace in pain everytime I sit on my butt! 🤣

NT.Thunder

· #173 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

Yep, we did a few of them. We hit Hotel #5 right up top first up and did a few tree runs which were awesome first thing, mainly to the East though. There were a few areas that were roped off and signs regarding avalanches so not all of the areas we could access.

There was a really good run further down closer to hotel 4 run we spent some time at until afternoon where we went across to Onsen had a feed and then after lunch sussed out a few good runs way out to the west that were pretty much untracked. There was only about 6 of us riding those trees for a couple of hours and we pulled stumps around 3pm.

I've just switch the bindings onto the Dada and had an Onsen, I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of sharing a hot tub with 4 other naked old men!!! Anyway, we're just debating whether we hit sugi tomorrow although the best day will be Saturday I think after Friday's next dump, only worried about crowds being a Saturday. Think I'd rather a few people with good conditions over less people in ordinary conditions.

Now to suss a beer 🍻

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NT.Thunder

· #178 · 4 mo ago

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Sugi today, the top runs are sick. Bit loose on those big open faces but great fun. So much powder everywhere here, no crowds. The long runs I'm feeling.

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NT.Thunder

· #180 · 4 mo ago

Sky Snow Tree Cloud Slope

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NT.Thunder

· #181 · 4 mo ago

Snow Tree Slope Freezing Recreation

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