Japan 23/24 Season

[chairman pow]

Enough about how to end up in a foreign prison due to questionable decision making...
Attachment 477244

The new snow forecast for the next 10 days, red is good. Many resorts in Nagano and Niigata should be opening up this week. It won't be good yet but should help form a nice base and push the sasa down.

Attachment 477229

Yes yes! Hopefully get something worth breaking out the new sticks!

[Yonder_River]

Bro, are you not paying attention? If you can find some way of getting your edibles into the country that no one else has thought of, then good for you. Otherwise, if you were visiting me, and you showed up with that in your luggage, I'd likely kill you. Because me being in your presence makes me an accessory. And that luggage is family-destroying felony shit over here.

Just go ski some pow, grab a beer, hit an onsen, and fuck your wife. It's not that hard to have a good time.

And if you truly wanna indulge in the dirt, go underground. Hit the pubs, ask locals. They have it. No reason to transport it.

Brah, I just read the last comment about smokeables which I get, so wanted to posit a question about edibles that don't have an odor.

Got it, Japan is like if Nancy Reagan and Singapore had a baby.

[bennymac]

When I went to Tokyo 12 years ago we went and checked out the fish market early in the morning. Since then the location has changed into the new place - but as I understand it the old market still exists and operates to some degree.

My trip mates have never been to Tokyo before so I was considering going to one of these on our day touring the city - any advice on which one to go to?

We get into the city the night before so I’m pessimistic we could rally out of bed early enough to watch the tuna auction at the new location - so I’m leaning towards going at a more humane hour to the old location for a look around and a sushi breakfast. Any advice is appreciated!

[muted reborn]

When I went to Tokyo 12 years ago we went and checked out the fish market early in the morning. Since then the location has changed into the new place - but as I understand it the old market still exists and operates to some degree.

My trip mates have never been to Tokyo before so I was considering going to one of these on our day touring the city - any advice on which one to go to?

We get into the city the night before so I’m pessimistic we could rally out of bed early enough to watch the tuna auction at the new location - so I’m leaning towards going at a more humane hour to the old location for a look around and a sushi breakfast. Any advice is appreciated!

I went to the new market at 5:30am on the day I flew out. You get to stare down at the tuna auction from a couple stories up through a large window. I really loved watching it all go down even though i knew it kinda sucked to have such a detached sterile experience, ha. Better than sleeping in of course. If there is a paid guided option to be on the floor for the option absolutely do that instead.

The new open market where you could visit stalls in the new place was OK. I didn't know the old market still exists.

[up an down]

NHK has a English language website with links to many of their programs.. Plenty of good (at least for a near noob about Japan like me) info about many topics and sports and tourist activities for those interested in visiting Japan.

[boltonoutlaw]

Schwag is ¥4000 a gram (overheard) and not worth the risk getting involved
A few mokes I met last year did carry in edibles but as said above woe to those who fail
I see tats on Japanese citizens all the time at nearly every onsen I have been to
Coed onsen are known as konyoku and you have to make a special effort to find one, they are rare. Many require women to wear a towel even in the water. Guidelines HERE
Sukayu Onsen is a konyoku that skiers are most likely to encounter if they ride at Hakkoda as it a few klicks down the road. Coed and single-sex baths

[bennymac]

I seem to remember the onsen we went to in Hakuba was co-Ed and people wore swimsuits - but my memory is fuzzy. Did I imagine that? Going on a couples trip - unclear if the ladies are down with the “when in Rome” program

[CascadeCrudSkier]

The post above is the first I've seen that had anything favorable about to say about going to the new fish market. I haven't been but the overall opinion is generally that it's sterile, boring, and nothing like the old one.

Tsukiji is the neighborhood of the old one, the market is gone but everything else remains. Obviously great seafood there but there's also tons of tourist shops and food stalls. It's a worthy alternative to Asakusa if you don't want to venture that far north, though I'd still rank Asakusa above Tsukiji for a one day destination. It's larger and temple is more interesting than the site where the market used to be. If you want to get up early to see something before sunrise go walk or run around the Imperial Palace. It's a 5k loop, less scenic in winter but still a cool experience.

There are various types of onsens, areas catering to foreigners are generally more tattoo friendly and some resorts are more like pools and coed with swimsuits. Overall neither of those are the norm for most of the country. The hotel I'm at in Kyoto this week is adamant about the no tattoo rule. The advice earlier about hope for the best but prepare for the worst is good, though if it's important to you then verify before making reservations.

[boltonoutlaw]

Slow start to this winter season. Listened to a vlog today and learned the following:
Average opening day over last 40 years at Sapporo Kokusai is 22 November. Grooming staff waits until trails have 100cms of coverage before they begin packing down snow and sassa grass aka bamboo. Current total (27 November) sits at 50cms. Need some wet yuki ASAP

EDIT: Furano reported OPEN

[miserywhip]

Opinions wanted: going to Rusutsu January 1 - 10. Plan is 50/50 lifts/touring depending on snow.

Just picked up some Mindbender 116Cs for a one ski quiver. Planning to mount with G3 Zeds and Fischer Transalp Pros.

Only other option is to mount the Zeds in inserts and also drill for alpine bindings and bring alpine boots and the Transalps.

Word is the snow tends to be soft even if we don't hit the storms well, which makes me think the Transalps will be fine. However, I never ski bc gear inbounds and love me some heavy boots and bindings for chop/bumps/etc.

Should I bother with inserts or stick with the convenience of traveling with one pair of boots?

ETA: 6', 155 pounds, but I like to ski fast.

[Brian in SLC]

Should I bother with inserts or stick with the convenience of traveling with one pair of boots?

I'd rather have two pair of skis and one pair of boots... Which is what I'm planning....a lighter slightly shorter set of
Volkl V-Werks Katanas (ATK bindings) and a pair of DPS fatties (with alpine bindings). Both fit for the boots I'm bringing (Scarpa Maestrales).

19 Jan - 6 Feb. Let it snow!

[CascadeCrudSkier]

Slow start to this winter season. Listened to a vlog today and learned the following:
Average opening day over last 40 years at Sapporo Kokusai is 22 November. Grooming staff waits until trails have 100cms of coverage before they begin packing down snow and sassa grass aka bamboo. Current total (27 November) sits at 50cms. Need some wet yuki ASAP

EDIT: Furano reported OPEN

Strange that Hokkaido seems to be getting less precipitation recently than the Honshu areas. I don't remember such early snowfalls down here, which is also odd because it's been so warm in Tokyo and the rest of the eastern regions. Yet it's snowing down to the valley floors throughout Nagano and Niigata.

Nozawa Onsen opened today, Tsugaike opens tomorrow in Hakuba, and Shiga Kogen had a resort open last week. Many more will be opening this weekend. Lots of wet snow forecast in the next 10 days, which may not be typical Japow but is fantastic to bury the obstacles and get a nice base going.

[Mike Pow]

Opinions wanted: going to Rusutsu January 1 - 10. Plan is 50/50 lifts/touring depending on snow.

Just picked up some Mindbender 116Cs for a one ski quiver. Planning to mount with G3 Zeds and Fischer Transalp Pros.

Only other option is to mount the Zeds in inserts and also drill for alpine bindings and bring alpine boots and the Transalps.

Word is the snow tends to be soft even if we don't hit the storms well, which makes me think the Transalps will be fine. However, I never ski bc gear inbounds and love me some heavy boots and bindings for chop/bumps/etc.

Should I bother with inserts or stick with the convenience of traveling with one pair of boots?

ETA: 6', 155 pounds, but I like to ski fast.

If you hit bumps you'll be very unlucky

Crud (tracked pow) on Hokkaido is still light unless there's a rare rain event.

I ski exclusively in Dynafit touring boots and Dynafit bindings on Movement Zoo (177cm; 115-84-106)

I'm 6'2" and 210lbs

Your quiver of one will be just fine

[Mike Pow]

Strange that Hokkaido seems to be getting less precipitation recently than the Honshu areas. I don't remember such early snowfalls down here, which is also odd because it's been so warm in Tokyo and the rest of the eastern regions. Yet it's snowing down to the valley floors throughout Nagano and Niigata.

Nozawa Onsen opened today, Tsugaike opens tomorrow in Hakuba, and Shiga Kogen had a resort open last week. Many more will be opening this weekend. Lots of wet snow forecast in the next 10 days, which may not be typical Japow but is fantastic to bury the obstacles and get a nice base going.

Farmers always say start early, finish early; start late, finish late

Last season there was little to no precipitation from 01 March

This is going to be a late one

[eSock]

Maybe I should be asking this in the Japan thread. But seems like everyone’s “Japan ski” is a protest, GT, etc. is Japan really that pure powder all the time? Are you doing cat trips/heli trips?


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It may be overkill, but I'm ok with that for the biggest ski trip of my life thus far! Also it just sounds like a silly fun ski.

[PeachesNCream]

Japow! and Japan traveling
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...apan-traveling


Shameless cross-post. Probably should have just posted here to start with. Put 2 links cause Tapatalk sucks and probably won’t work. Hopefully one of the links work


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[CascadeCrudSkier]

Japow! and Japan traveling
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...apan-traveling


Shameless cross-post. Probably should have just posted here to start with. Put 2 links cause Tapatalk sucks and probably won’t work. Hopefully one of the links work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not sure if you're intending on the questions posed there to be answered here or in the other thread but...

I'll echo that doing a 3 day ski trip while visiting during Jan/Feb isn't a very good use of your time. If you're coming to see Kyoto and Tokyo then plan for spring or autumn. This time of year is my favorite. The middle of winter isn't ideal to tour the cities as it's cold, windy, and most of the gardens / shrines aren't really very attractive. Then again, everything is relative so if that's the plan you're committed to then it's better than not coming to Japan.

For the skiing portion, get your lodging portion sorted quickly as prices are high and availability is low. I'd recommend Nozawa Onsen if you can get a room there over Hakuba, it's a far better experience w/ a SO or group who isn't there to focus on skiing. Ask the hotel for dining recommendations upon arrival. If you've already committed to Hakuba then restaurant recs are: sushi/soba: kikyo-ya, ramen: tottsuan, pizza: blizzard in Happo, lunch if skiing Cortina or Norikura: konisu cafe

For Kyoto I really enjoyed an izakaya near Kyoto station called kurakura, it's worth swinging through if you're there for dinner. Don't miss senbon torii on Mount Inari or Kiyomizu temple. This was kiyomizu on Monday, not pictured are the crowds of people for the autumn leaves.

[bennymac]

For BlackCat ski transport (Narita to Hakuba) just wondering about ski bag size. From what I can see on the website the max total dimension of a bag is 200cm





How strict are they likely to be on this? I’m guessing I’m gonna have to put my 189cm Lotus120 skis into a soft zip up bag pretty much all by themselves (with poles) in order to keep that total dimension under 200. I just don’t want anyone on my trip showing up with fancy wheeled ski bags and then getting denied shipment.

[stalefish3169]

If you're going to Kyoto and into ramen, the 10th floor of Kyoto Station should not be missed!

https://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/english/

[54-46]

For BlackCat ski transport (Narita to Hakuba) just wondering about ski bag size. From what I can see on the website the max total dimension of a bag is 200cm





How strict are they likely to be on this? I’m guessing I’m gonna have to put my 189cm Lotus120 skis into a soft zip up bag pretty much all by themselves (with poles) in order to keep that total dimension under 200. I just don’t want anyone on my trip showing up with fancy wheeled ski bags and then getting denied shipment.

One anecdote: In 2020 I shipped two sets of skis and poles (185 Noctas and 160 Daemon Birdies) and some clothes in a Dakine Fall Line Roller (less than 50lbs) using Black Cat from Narita to Niseko. 3 days later, stuff was in our room when we arrived.


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[bennymac]

One anecdote: In 2020 I shipped two sets of skis and poles (185 Noctas and 160 Daemon Birdies) and some clothes in a Dakine Fall Line Roller (less than 50lbs) using Black Cat from Narita to Niseko. 3 days later, stuff was in our room when we arrived.


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Awesome thank you. Heard another anecdote from a friend who last year used a big roller with two pairs in it and didn’t face issues either.

[chairman pow]

Awesome thank you. Heard another anecdote from a friend who last year used a big roller with two pairs in it and didn’t face issues either.

Probably be OK as long as it's not RIDONCULOUSLY over (international don't-be-a-dick rules apply)

Worst case, if someone's bag is over and they say no: A/no means no here, so deal. B/they sell heavy-duty plastic bags for skis at most locations so splitting a pair out and sending as 2 packages is an option in a pinch.

FYI Black Cat (aka Kuro Neko / co. name is actually Yamato) and the other couriers here are frkn LEGENDS that def help things run as reliably and painlessly as they do.

[beer30]

Any snow piling up on Hokkaido?

[bennymac]

Probably be OK as long as it's not RIDONCULOUSLY over (international don't-be-a-dick rules apply)

Worst case, if someone's bag is over and they say no: A/no means no here, so deal. B/they sell heavy-duty plastic bags for skis at most locations so splitting a pair out and sending as 2 packages is an option in a pinch.

FYI Black Cat (aka Kuro Neko / co. name is actually Yamato) and the other couriers here are frkn LEGENDS that def help things run as reliably and painlessly as they do.

Sounds good thanks

[54-46]

Any snow piling up on Hokkaido?

Data point






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