Tickets booked today for Jan 18 direct flights through Qantas. Third time for me. This place has got me hooked. Bring on the Pow.
nice one TJ. wow, there are a few of us going there it seems! what did u pay for your plane ticket? they seem pricey at the moment (i did mine on points, but need to buy one for the mother-outlaw, who's coming along as a babysitter) & have you got any tips re. accom/transfers/best resort/etc? im going for the first time (after 3 niseko & 1 hakkouda trips) in early feb 2006.
Low Pressure Lover I got my tickets as well. My buddy tried to get his tickets as well but the planes were booked out already on the dates he wanted. eg feb early.
Plane tickets we got on points as well 72000 points each return Iwas pretty happy with that. Babysitter is priceless for those powder days so pay whatever. Make sure she brings plenty of books and mags because there wont be a lot to keep her occupied. My favourite mountain is happono. It has a bit of everything. Accomadation isn't booked yet but I have stayed at Momonoki which is really nice and has a great onsen. Also stayed at Snowbeds which is a good backpackers to stay at. Transfers is train to Nagano and bus to Hakuba.
also 3rd time riding Japan also 1st time Hakuba! 4th-14th of Feb staying @ Snowbeds CAN'T WAIT! We should all meet up one day (and night!)
Steve G sounds good! you will have a few days on us so your knowledge will be good. Ill shout you a drink for info
My wife use to travel a lot for work and I use my visa card for business to clock them up. Mitch at snowbeds will give you plenty of advice on some awesome terrain. If you get the chance try and go out with him. We are there from the 18th Jan to the 2nd Feb. We wanted to go to the sumo championships in Tokyo so booked our times around that.
thanks TJ luckily a mate told me about qantas putting their points up , back in May - so we scored 2 + baby on points @ 50,000 points per return trip! i have the mother-outlaw on a $1800 ticket (not paid for yet), but same flights as us i was hoping there may be something cheaper out there, but as Tinkus said - sounds like all the flights are full already! 2006 is going to be a VERY big year for aussies skiing japan by the looks of it! & yes, it will be invaluable having a babysitter - gran will have a great time playing with her grand-daughter, knitting, reading, etc. we arrive at hakuba from nozawa, but i was thinking we'd get the bus from hakuba to shinjuku - it means 1 less transfer & is cheaper (although it takes longer) - or do you advise we catch the shinkansen? we have a few accom options we are still looking at - mostly interested in cabins or pensions. indeed steve g, we should all meet up! lets try & lock something in closer to the date! (its so far in the future... wish it was tomorrow!)
I've never done the bus so not really up on that one. The transfers have linked up nicely both times I,ve been and haven't waited more than 20 minutes for trains or buses. The shink is pretty comfy and you can book seats at the station when you get there. They also have food and drinks trolleys.
We are also skiing Hakuba. Week 1 - Niseko, week 2 Kyoto (sightseeing), week 3 Hakuba. I'd appreciate advice on the following from you experienced Hakubites: 1. For domestic flights (Kyoto - Hakuba) which is the closest airport, Matsumoto or Nagano? 2. Is the transfer between Kyoto / Hakuba better by train or plane? 3. Do any of you know the Hotel De laile or Villa Hakuba? Reviews would be appreciated.
It's only 400km Kyoto - Hakuba. Catch the train.... takes 5-6 hours. Use Hyperdia: http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ plug in Kyoto - Hakuba, uncheck "airline". If you use an airline it wil cost 3x as much, and take more than twice as long!!!!!
Check out this site for travel arrangements around Japan. jorudan.co.jp Put in where you're starting and where you're going and it gives the full itinery, times connections, prices... Can't vouch for the accuracy but it looks impressive.
Thanks Gamera We might have to catch up for a beer when I'm over there and work on my pronounciation.
looks like a great site on the surface triple loop, but i just put in all my transfers & it doesnt include shinkansen, & it seems to always include more train-swapping than is necessary? weird. pity too - if it worked, it'd rock!
jorudan.co.jp is ok, but also try "hyperdia". It gives you multiple options. http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/
Its a pity your not going to be there this year, I'm sure you are going to miss being blinded by my rooster tails and being buried by my sluff. Anyway it wouldn't suprise me if I ended up seeing you there as MickeyC seems pretty keen. I could give you a few pointers on the crouching tiger tecnique. Going anywhere this summer Janus
The killer in figuring out how to get there is price. The shink is a lot more epxensive than the bus, but it is an experience. I'm going bus there and shink back to Tokyo. If you're travelling around a bit, buy a rail pass. It covers all trains and allows you to get just about anywhere in japan. www.jreast.co.jp i think.
or why not buy the JR east 4 day flexible pass. once you figure in most costs its just simpler and in most cases will save you money.
4 day flexible pass here >> http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/prices.html costs 20,000 yen = $250 approx. thanks fatty, that might help some of my mates who are doing a bit of travelling, but not enough to justify a 14 day JR pass.
bump only 18 days to go! (+ another week before i get to hakuba) I arrive 11/2, depart 18/2 lets set a date for a "moosher mash-up" at some bar (probably at "Tracks" which is at Hakuba Backpackers - http://www.hakubabackpackers.com/englishtop.htm)
There is storage areas at each end of the carriage and also above head storage racks that you may be able to use if its not to busy. I'll be dropping into snowbeds so we'll catch up there and have a beer. What day do you get in.
TJ let us know if you have any dramas with your boardbag with flights an stuff? .. How many boards are you taking? .. 17 days
Ill be in Tokyo on the 10th two days before I get to Hakuba, and Im thinking of sending ski bags straight up, save lugging them around. Any tips! Cost? from Narita.
Low Pressure Lover where you going before Hakuba? if its not personel. Lets lock in the "moosher mash-up" date and place.
I got my 4 day flexible pass last week, In sydney cost $240.00 Huge saving if your using it for other travel as well as there and back.
we r in nozawa 4-11/2, & hakuba 11-18/2 the guy from Tracks bar said their special party nights are feb 18th, 35th & 18th of march. he also said they are making a webpage for Tracks bar. Janus arrives on the 14th, so how about we have the moosher mash-up on the eveing of the 14th or the 15th?
email from Tracks bar/Hakuba alps backpackers (with correct dates on it) We are making homepage for Tracks bar now I will tell you when we make it Also The party schdule is 18th and Feb and 25th feb and 18th March at the moument. But we are open every nights and quite busy at weekend. Thank you for your help Sakiko
Pulled up my train ticket from Narita - Nagano via shink. it cost 11,000 yen each to catch Narita express to Tokyo, then shink from Tokyo to Nagano. Thats aboutt $150. Needless to say, we took the Matsumoto Super Azuza on the way back to Shinjuku and this cost us about $50.
15th would be good as our 3rd guy will arrive that day. Also as its early in the trip for most of us it would be a good opportunity to share places to ski and local knowledge. Go the 15th arty: arty:
you bet - hot & cold running HAB's for everyone! ok, lets make it around 7pm (? or later?) Wednesday the 15th of Feb, at Tracks Bar, Hakuba Alps Backpakers. www.hakubabackpackers.com
