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Thread: 22/23 Japan scene?
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07-23-2022, 01:33 AM #51Mike Pow
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07-23-2022, 01:34 AM #52Mike Pow
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08-24-2022, 09:26 AM #53
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08-24-2022, 11:11 AM #54
we have a deposit down on a week of guiding for january and have been in touch with the company recently about our options (push to 2024, money back, or go). Prior to the update yesterday/today our company was going to be an approved tour operator and we could go skiing, but we had to fly in and out on the days our tour started/ended. However, with the new update this is the latest I've received:
*tour operator* will be able to apply for an ERFS certificate for all our clients to be able to obtain a visa to enter Japan.
Organised tours, private packages and independent individual itineraries will now meet the new visa requirements as long as they are booked through a licenced Japanese travel agent like *tour operator*.
As part of every tour or package, the *tour operator* Guests Services team will need to provide on ground COVID support.
If you are fully vaccinated you will not require a PCR test to enter Japan.
We're still trying to figure out if we want to go this January or not. One of the main selling points was time alone in Japan to explore the cities, pop into random izakayas, etc. Waiting on confirmation from the operator whether that would be allowed before and/or after our tour or not..sounds like yes, as long as we have them book our hotels for us?
Folks in Japan - are indoor things where they were pre-pandemic in the cities? bars, dining in restaurants, museums, etc? Would hate to go and be excited to explore all the little alleys of restaurants only to have them all be closed.
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08-26-2022, 07:47 AM #55
For those of us on the inside there is very little difference between pre and post pandemic. Everything for the most part is open and people are out and about. Some businesses didn't make it and have closed but that's world wide; plenty of new restaurants and bars have recently opened. The only difference between Tokyo and N. America/Europe is that everyone wears masks indoors and most people are still wearing them outdoors as well. That won't change anytime soon.
My understanding is that the tour operators have to agree to keep tabs on you during your stay in the country. When it first went into effect this summer people were complaining they couldn't even go into a 7-11 without someone acting as a chaperone. I have no idea if this has changed but I'd be very hesitant to pay a lot of money for what you're describing and expect to be given "time alone in Japan..." Set your expectations just above ski touring in N. Korea.
Most of the tourist operators are saying that this will be short lived and tourists will be welcome back by the winter. There is nothing backing this up at this time; it could happen or it may not. There's really no way to know. If your focus is just to ski then a tour group wouldn't be a bad idea but if you want any of the culture or freedom to explore then pushing to 2024 is a much safer option.God created skis and surfboards to keep the truly gifted from ruling the world.
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08-27-2022, 09:30 PM #56
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08-28-2022, 03:38 AM #57Mike Pow
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The biggest unknown at the moment is which 'tour operators' will be sanctioned by the Japanese Government to offer holidays and organise visas for foreign tourists.
There are a number of businesses who are registered as 'tour operators' who are saying they can do everything for you without any official word or authorisation from the Government.
Caveat emptor / buyer beware
The only definite announcement is the relaxation of pre-arrival covid testing for triple vaccinated travelers from some countries from 07 September 2022
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...do-2022-08-24/
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08-28-2022, 03:47 AM #58Mike Pow
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It was fucking awful
02 January - 23 February 2022
https://www.instagram.com/p/B66dxHzFBcT/
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B8qW09LFEyu/
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Tc75jlRhf/
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08-28-2022, 09:31 AM #59
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08-28-2022, 02:02 PM #60
Any changes to the COVID stuff coming up?
"I'm looking pretty good, don't you think?" - the other says "watching you ski is like watching a retarded monkey rollerblade on a gravel road"
www.majesticheliski.com
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08-28-2022, 03:09 PM #61
19/20 sucked
Heh, amazing trip, skiing was phenomenal, culturally an amazing place to visit!
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08-28-2022, 10:04 PM #62
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08-28-2022, 10:08 PM #63
I remember that week of Jan 6th - 12th or so. We were touring up the south side of Yotei and it got super warm, with tree bombs dropping left and right. birds were chirping and it felt like April. We fled north to the interior and found curiously cold and well preserved snow. We had to hunt a bit more but still skied pow just about every day.
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08-29-2022, 09:25 AM #64
What I've noticed over the past 15 or so years is an increasing frequency of once-rare warm fronts coming through the Niseko/Rusutsu region in January & February. That deterioration of the snow hurts conditions more than a few hundred less cm of snowfall during those months. Still, it ain't bad.
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08-29-2022, 12:02 PM #65
My worst season in Japan was better than all but a few in the USA
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08-29-2022, 05:03 PM #66
I have never had a good season in Japan. Because I've only ever been in the Tokyo airport going somewhere else in Asia. Next time, I am going to escape that airport and go skiing...in Japan
"We don't beat the reaper by living longer, we beat the reaper by living well and living fully." - Randy Pausch
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08-29-2022, 07:46 PM #67
Seconded! Went Feb 2020…
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08-29-2022, 09:31 PM #68
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08-30-2022, 12:29 AM #69Mike Pow
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08-30-2022, 06:34 AM #70
We’re forging ahead for this coming January 17-28… got bumped last year understandably. Just sent additional passport information to our tour company for them to start the process on their end with the Japanese Govt for our entry. You cannot apply for a Visa until 14 weeks prior to your desired entry into the country… that puts us at Mid-October. A lot can happen by Mid-October, or Mid-January. The bummer is that if conditions are all-time, I was going to stay an extra week on my own and try to dirtbag and hook up with some Mags in country. Not sure that will be possible
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08-30-2022, 07:06 AM #71
I appreciate everyone being positive. But I did not see new snow in 2020. It was horrible.
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08-30-2022, 10:06 AM #72
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08-30-2022, 11:23 AM #73
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08-30-2022, 09:44 PM #74
Low tide Japan = King tide Vermont
I have to agree...
that W20 in Japan...
was a complete...
waste of time
Thanks to Will for the photos
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08-31-2022, 03:08 AM #75Mike Pow
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