Japan Stoke Thread 2023

17224 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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JDA

Discussion Starter · #141 · 4 mo ago

I've never pre booked it, just arrived and bought a ticket for the next available train. We usually go from Ueno too.

Reactions: 1

Myoko

· #142 · 4 mo ago

Going tomorrow, tell me you are not going from Gold coast? Train terminal 2 to UNO then Shinkansen to Nagano, stay the night, I'm then heading to Shiga by bus, you would take train to Myoko get picked up. Or stay night in Tokyo and do both train trips next day. btw. speaking to someone in Myoko yesterday, they reckon its really quiet, and they would know

Myoko

· #143 · 4 mo ago

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

yes

Doraibu

· #144 · 4 mo ago

NT.Thunder said:
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.

I don’t bother with pre booking. Holiday mood you might not wake up in time. Worse if you’re with a friend who suggest just “one glass” of beer the night before.

Easy to buy on the day if you’re not pressed for time. If the next one is full get the other one.

Doraibu

· #145 · 4 mo ago

It’s hard to find a local mountain here that gives an honest report. I see a lot of history video and photos promoting the slopes. I even tried searching in Japanese. Maybe I overlooked it, probably not

Probably 360niseko and https://instagram.com/madarao.ski?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= these guys give a daily honest update.
If there’s no fresh snow, that insta will say no fresh snow. what’s in madarao will probably be the same for the rest of nearby mountains I guess

Doraibu

· #146 · 4 mo ago

@Myoko
There are a few shiga slopes, doesn’t seem as bad as what you were saying 40cm for shiga slopes but no fresh snow recently. Not sure how reliable is this

志賀高原・北志賀スキー場積雪天気情報 ‐ SURF&SNOW

The English version is pretty brief in comparison. Just copy paste google translate

tenki.jp

志賀高原焼額山のスキー場・天気積雪情報 - tenki.jp

志賀高原焼額山の天気・積雪・雪質情報を毎日更新！積雪情報は過去1か月分掲載！降雪量・雪質からゲレンデ状況がわかります。天気予報専門サイトだからどこよりも詳しくスキー場の天気をお届けします。

tenki.jp

Seems like they’re expecting a big dump on Tuesday and Wednesday

Reactions: 1

Myoko

· #147 · 4 mo ago

Bloody hell, it's a bit of a drama getting through so many hoops now at Narita. Landed 6.30pm, got to Trains at Terminal 2 at 7.45....worth printing (or taking a screen shot) of the blue, yellow. things with the bar code and take a screen shot of the bit with your name where is says registration complete. Took Skyline to Uno and were lucky to get the 9.10pm to Nagano. Some lads had a bus booked to Hakuba from the airport which was cancelled due to heavy snow, not sure what they are going to do. Might be the same for me getting to Shiga tomorrow by bus, least Japan has finally got some snow!

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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Doraibu

· #149 · 4 mo ago

Hard to say. Even strong wind can cause delays to bus and trains, like tonight in the city. It’s really windy! you’ll just have to play it by ear. The JR ticket staffs will be able to advise you, or maybe the English speaking staffs at information centre in the airport can do a quick check for you. Those guys are always keen to finally use their English skills lol

Reactions: 1

Myoko

· #150 · 4 mo ago

NT.Thunder said:
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.

Mate Ive literally just arrived in Nagano 10min ago via Shinkansen, so yes, atm anyway

Reactions: 2

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

Reactions: 3

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.

Reactions: 2

Myoko

· #153 · 4 mo ago

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

Reactions: 2

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

Doraibu

· #155 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

2

70cm dump?!? Hopefully the chair lifts are operational! Stoked for you guys! maybe I’ll buy a last minute tix to Nagano lol

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how is hakuba looking like if anyone is there ?

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Myoko

· #156 · 4 mo ago

NT.Thunder said:
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

Get a cab or Wait for a van to collect someone else from your train and do a deal with the driver.

Reactions: 1

Doraibu

· #157 · 4 mo ago

NT.Thunder said:
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

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

Reactions: 1

Myoko

· #158 · 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

Yes very unusual

JDA

Discussion Starter · #159 · 4 mo ago

Happy shredding guys, I want daily updates and photos, share the stoke!!!

Reactions: 1

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 🙏

Reactions: 3

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