Japan Jongified

**toast2266** · 12-16-2008, 11:38 AM

Awesome, thanks for the tips.

I'll check out poachninja for more info...

**StuntCok** · 03-10-2009, 07:17 AM

In order to revive some interest in Japan, where we have had our worst season or record, and to revive this thread I thought I would cross post this mini TR from Poachninja.com

In order to break our summer streak, Ville and Wildstyle burned a set of skis in order to appease the obviously pissed off Ullr. While I personally think that amateur porn, as is posted in TGR's Padded Room, would have worked even better, Ullr rewarded their sacrifice nonetheless.

Hearing of the new snow, Boardingfool and I quickly cancelled our plans and headed into town. Arriving at midnight we were greeted actual snow accumulated at resort level and still falling.

The next morning we hit Happo in-bounds from for a couple of laps and then got out the camera. The quality of the pictures is somewhat hurt by the fact that the Poach Ninja was behind the camera due to him nursing a broken shoulder.

But it did allow Big Ville to slut it up in front of the camera

The new snow got Boardingfool stoked and stoked soon turned to cocky with this "grab and point" air

The next day Ville and I found some schweet pow turns on the north side of Norikura, allowing Ville one more taste of J-Pow before his return Finland.

As I post this TR we are yet again getting hit by a surprise mid week storm. Here's hoping for a sequel...

**BadSki** · 03-10-2009, 01:16 PM

good work, Stuntcok. it's a small world - i just sold you smthg... for your record i switched mode

good luck in ak again

**neck beard** · 03-11-2009, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by StuntCok

As I post this TR we are yet again getting hit by a surprise mid week storm. Here's hoping for a sequel...

Delivered.

We hit one of the Happo backbowls and a chute that I like up the ridge from the Big Triangle. Laying boot to knee trenches in good pow at the top of Gara Gara for the first few hundred vert, breaking over the waist at times. Yelling a lot, some even went in my mouth. Not epic, but good relative to recent weeks. Vis wasn't great but not a hassle as it's a pretty straight forward descent.

Rain on Friday.

**spindrift** · 05-31-2009, 03:44 PM

Looking for info on skiing relatively near Yurihonjo and Akita City. I did the usual search thing & while there's a tiny bit of info out there - it does not amount to much. At least from the perspective of an English-only speaking Japan JONG.

Obviously there's some info on Zao and Appi Kogen. At least in the general vicinity, if not the prefecture... And some on Tazawa-ko. But Akita prefecture, and the Yurihonjo/Akita City area specifically, seems mostly a blank spot on the map. This despite a long list of ski areas of varying sizes and types listed as being in the general area.

Any beta to offer? Or appropriately rude pointers to anything I may have jongily missed in my searching?

FWIW, I don't mind small or retro areas - as long as there's good snow and good fun to be had.

**neck beard** · 05-31-2009, 07:28 PM

It tends to be off most peoples radar, mainly because other locations are better known and that makes it easier for the gaijin.

Make sure you get info from someone that has actually lived and skied there - and make sure they are real skiers. Foreign English teachers who spend a few weekends at resort abound in Japan and they see things a lot differently to the typical TGR member. You could search snowjapan.com - but the gaper ratio is VERY high. Take all info with a grain of salt. You could search poachninja.com - but info is scarce there - more of a small insiders club mostly for Hakuba regulars. Ask there, someone should know something or someone that does.

Research Hachimantai Forest in Iwate Prefecture, directly east of Akita. I hear that there are others like it in the wider region up there.

**StuntCok** · 05-31-2009, 10:10 PM

While poachninja.com is a bit clubby, one of the members (samurai, I think) is a patroller in Zao so may know the area a bit better than most.

**StuntCok** · 11-29-2009, 09:56 PM

Happo touring has started. I was going to copy over the TR but was having technical trouble with the linkies on my archaic work PC (whose default browser is Netscape).

http://www.poachninja.com/forums/sno...t-turns-nov-22

**fumbduck** · 01-05-2010, 04:54 AM

if anybody's lookin' for some Japan stoke, there's been quality TRs over on PN lately

**grubbers** · 12-06-2010, 04:44 PM

so what does la niña mean for japan? does it mean anything? did a search and couldn't find any info on it. debating heading out there for spring break the second week of march if i can find some reasonably priced flights.

**snapt** · 12-06-2010, 04:47 PM

^^^wondering the same, will be in Hakuba around new years.

**StuntCok** · 12-06-2010, 11:54 PM

It is supposed to be good for Japan and was a record season during the last one but we are off to a slowish start this year so far. Fingers crossed but there looks like a big dump over the next few days/week...

**Loon** · 12-07-2010, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by snapt

^^^wondering the same, will be in Hakuba around new years.

Its normally on around New Years, bring the fattys

**snapt** · 12-10-2010, 11:39 PM

Thanks Loon. Anyone know what ANA and JLA charge for an oversized ski bag? 190 Dakine Fall line double to be exact. Their limit is 158 and although I'm slight I'm not quite a hobbit.

**Mike Pow** · 12-11-2010, 01:27 AM

Niseko Resort Area still closed, but Kiroro is supposed to be delivering pow.

**satori** · 12-11-2010, 10:31 PM

Mike, are you up there now? I was hoping to go and chill with Ian but not knowing when exactly I can get up there kept me from Hokkers this year. Hitting Hakuba instead. Hope you have a great winter!

**Mike Pow** · 12-12-2010, 03:43 AM

Not yet. Visa taken longer than expected. Should be there by year's end. Perfect timing for the pow fest

Have a great winter. If I'm down your way I'll PM you

**the token fat guy** · 03-01-2011, 03:01 PM

Much thanks to the folks on this and other TGR threads for providing info that helped with a great Hokkaido trip. That place really is everything it is said to be.

Sounkyo:

Tokachidake:

Niseko:

**BFD** · 10-06-2013, 09:57 PM

was doing some searching and found this thread. Looks like last post was some shots of me. So I will bump it with some more questions.
Am going back this Jan. Planning to add Hakuba. Was wondering about lodging. Looking for some recommendations. Interested in mostly touring so would like lodging that would involve least travel to the trail head.
Did google search and came up with Hakuba Powder Lodging. Looks like it will work. Anyone been?
also last trip we stayed at places like the Goshiki Onsen and Onsen at Daisetsuzan national park. Anything like that near the goods in hakuba?

**neck beard** · 10-06-2013, 10:58 PM

BFD, to answer your last question: no, not in Hakuba, unless you come after mid-March.

Trail heads: Exit Goryu and Happo ski areas for ridge touring and mostly steep to the valley floor type of stuff. Goryu is not foot accessible from Hakuba town. Tsugaike ski area TH for more terrain options, rolling ground and long distance tours into all sorts of variety. Tsugaike is not in Hakuba town at all. Other seldom-discussed and little known non-lift accessed trailheads are not in town at all. Though one is. Check a recent 'self guided in Japan' thread.

There are numerous good spots to stay. HPL is one and offers the greatest chance of being around other serious skiers from all around the world.

**BFD** · 12-22-2013, 01:15 AM

not being a jong I will not start a new thread. Lot's of info here. was wondering about lodging in Niseko. Planning to spend two days there hoping to ski Yotei. Last time stayed at Black Diamond Lodge. Found this web site with onsens listed.http://onsen.u-p.co.jp/get.php?actio...&submit_o2.y=7
was wondering if anyone could recomend something. would like to stay under $75 a night per person. further searching looks like $75 a night may be a dream.