The whole bogan thing is a bit of a smokescreen imo. I think what some here are disappointed about, is simply an increase in obnoxious drunken and loud boorish behaviour over the past couple of years.
Like most here we would love to ride in uncrowded conditions with local Japaneses who stick to the piste. Its not just Aussies its the whole Euro/ American contingent and unless things go back to expensive travel options high AUD/USD/EURO to JPY it will continue. I remember going to Bali years ago and it was an expensive once off yearly trip due to the cost and you surfed by yourself now cheap travel is an option for everyone as such it is more crowded. Respect your fellow travelers, locals try not to be a tool and enjoy. The hardcore among us hike/split board and get the goods but the majority ride in resorts so we have to cop it and it is awesome. Peace everyone wish I was whinging everyday about tools in Japan as opposed to the dickheads we put up with in everyday life.
Been to Nozawa now a couple of times, what a great little village. Having travelled Japan, not for just for skiing, a few times now, I think that people need to read up / research some basic Japanese customs / etiquette before coming here. Leaving chopsticks sticking up in your rice bowl, forgetting something in your room and wearing your snowboard boots instead of slippers provided, because you are too lazy to take them off, are big no no's. I also find it embarrassing the way some people talk to the locals with questions, ordering etc, like they are dumb, where the Japanese are more bilingual than most of us. It can be embarrassing at times. A couple of comments that I have found funny by locals, not just at Nozawa, but other smaller resorts are that in winter this place is like a little Sydney and that Niseko and Hakuba, are like foreign cities.
from the aussie facebook page Responsible and self sufficient exploring for all powder enthusiasts involves; knowing where your going with maps and route finding, never going alone and having the equipment and knowledge neccesarry for avoiding avalanches and facilitating self rescue. This has been something completely absent from a number of skiers and boarders this season blindly chasing powder and ski patrol have made several unnecessary rescues.
One who attacks the whitestuff with no thought or care. Much like the crew of guys i overheard on the ropeway the other day " cant believe noone has skied that top bowl, lets go session that big cornice above it"
Hey have read some previous comments about not being able to get into restaurants in Nozawa especially on the weekends we took a 5 minute walk down the hill last night to near the Karasawa lifts & found a nice place called Berg Hutte Miyamori not busy at all able to walk straight in, good food, not expensive & nice people serving us might be worth a try if you can't get in anywhere in the village & no I have no affiliation with the place
That top and far end of town is much less busy than round the hub..... rotus root is also a great recommendation.
wouldn't call it a ghost town yet still lots of westerners here compared to last year when I was here
I would never complain about the amount of people in Nozawa or anywhere else here in Japan. It's only the bell ends who have started showing up lately that are ruining it. Saturdays obviously the busiest day of the week and usually my favourite with all the Japanese from around the country coming over, its the only day up the mountain where I really feel like I am in Japan. Waiting in a lift line here is only bad when surrounded by people talking about their hangovers or trying to describe how good melbourne is. I like to drink, I also like my country. I don't need to tell everyone about it. I am a dick. Over here I at least try not to be. The fact that the fire festival has become embarrassing to attend says a lot, even though it is obviously not always that bad (two guys near me stood facing away from the fire festival talking full volume about "amazing sydney" to some unfortunate bystanders for 30 minutes straight). Believe me, the locals are making enough money, hence, denying many reservations when they are not really full. The amount of cancellations and no-shows from foreigners who make reservations are a waste of time and result in loss of money for many owners. I'm no longer in Nozawa but that was my feeling of this season.
That attitude is the reason these places are changing for the worse. They dont need bogans, nobody needs bogans. Nozawa has been running for 70 years without them. The small resorts are the ones in trouble, the ones the bogans would never go to because their mates from Woolongong didn't tell them, and the zillion other people about how good it is.
I went to Niseko for the first time expecting Aussie bogan central. All I found was Whistler/Blackcomb, but with more Japanese restaurants and towies. I think the Aussie bogan factor is not longer a factor. Yes I had some loud Aussies guys in my Japanese lodge for a few nights, but they were soon replaced by loud Japanese guys a few days later.
IMO drinking is embedded into Australian culture. Many drink too much (for many different reasons). Many talk it up (best trip ever etc), but really are just there for a punters holiday of 1or 2 weeks. Every night on the piss (extension of behaviour back home), celebrating the days riding which was spent getting over the night before. On the other side of the coin are people who are very passionate about their pursuits (ski/snowboard/surfing etc.) so train for, study and then search for the perfect line. Their soul focus of each trip is the pursuit and getting the upmost out of it. This would include making an effort to understand ones surroundings, it's language/culture and looking for what is new and enjoyable. At the end of the day, one must wake up each morning, look at one self in the mirror and ask "really living your dreams grasshopper, have you been respectful to others in your pursuits grasshopper"? If you have answered yes to that then go straight for a 6 pack to celebrate, Oi Oi Oi.
you got that right!! One of the things that MOST surprised me about drinking culture in Australia was having a beer soon after having completed breakfast!
Well, breakfast would probably be at 11.55am (waking up late because of the night before), so after 5 minutes of breakfast it's past midday which is then an acceptable hour to commence drinking again. Oi Oi Oi
By the way, not for me dawooduck. I love a good breakfast (early), no hang overs and first lifts. I am older now and a lot wiser.
pffftttt ... any decent young ski bum can bar dance into the wee hours and still make first lifts kids have all gone soft
Was a bit surprised at 9am in the car park one morningi. Elderly Japanese man driving car gets out of car and has a beer whilst putting on his boots.
True that but the equivalent of 70 year old liver in a 40 year old body will catch up with you eventually. The Japanese love their beer too. Just have to see the jugs flowing at lunchtime at resort restaurants to know that.
This older one, still has heaps of fun. Just feels that to ski day after day (full days) and really keep up with his mac pace late teen kids that he must give up the bar dancing for earlier nights. It's just evolution. Not complaining as early starts keep me very happy and our "very mature" kids still say they had the best time. So all cool with me. Still like dancing just not at 3am.
Oh well I guess that counts me and my mates out! Whats the skiing like there?I suppose I could get them under control.
