 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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HOLD YOUR HORSES
All the companies stating they're Japanese registered 'travel agents' who can organise everything for you are living in hope not fact.
The Japanese Government has
NOT outlined the specific conditions of entry for independent, non-guided tourists
NOT specified which Japanese registered 'travel agents' will be authorised to act on behalf of said independent, non-guided tourists
If you are going to book something in hope, please check the T&C
Caveat emptor
Buyer Beware
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Indeed some UK companies recently been promoting their Japanese ski courses as back for 2023!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The Japanese government has released guidelines for "unguided" tours which start today, and a long Q&A document (in Japanese)
It seems a bit unclear, lots of people are debating the specifics online!
But general consensus seems to be that your flights and hotels need to be booked by a Japanese agency, who then issue an ERFS certificate which allows you to apply for a visa (London embassy are now taking applications by post with a 2-week estimated turnaround time, but you still have to pick up your passport and pay the fee in person when it's been issued). Some debate over whether all your fights and hotels need to be booked by the agency or not.
For me it's not acceptable for my potential winter trip because I already have my flight booked (for Jan-Feb), and I would much rather have the flexibility of not having all my accommodation pre-booked and be able to use Airbnb. Usually in Japan I only book a few days ahead because I like to move around and not make detailed plans in advance etc. So, I will wait and hope for further relaxation of the rules before the end of the year. I'm hoping at the very least, we will be able to travel independently and normally this winter without all the pre-booking through an agency BS, even if a visa is still required.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yep, they're not making it easy
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Love it Hyst!! 
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Bloody hell, learned hiragana and katakana but without kanji it is like a car on 3 wheels and no engine … need a longer lockdown to improve on kanji 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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No direct flights to Sapporo though with RU airspace closed. Flinging optionS reduced substantially atm
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Strong rumors / 'plans' from the Japanese Government that visa-free independent travel to be announced at the start of October.
Implementation that month or the start of November.
The visa process and getting EHRC has been a logistical nightmare. And expensive to boot.
It looks like it could be on.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Just booked a couple weeks for February.
Had to go cheap on the digs because I didn’t think Japan would happen and therefore blew loads of money on helicopters this week
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Poster: A snowHead
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Should be all sorted by then
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| wiigman wrote: |
| @mooney058, have done the Tohoku/Sendai tours and most of the spots you mention not that long ago (2019). If you are still looking/gathering data, I have a load of info but not the time to put it all down as in busy season for me until late Aug. Mike Pow will vouch for me being half sensible... hopefully! |
If you have a minute or two would be interested in your insights on Tohoku/Sendai.
Flights might looking at flight options, more complicated than in previous years
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@mooney058, have sent you a DM.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Nice to read that it looks like there may be a bit of movement for entry to Japan soon, hopefully in place by early or mid Dec so I can squeeze in a few weeks before Christmas ... extending to Christmas & New Year is eye wateringly expensive 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Any recommendations for guided bc day tours around myoko? Going with my other half who maybe isn’t as keen as me on that, so hoping to find some kind of group thing to avoid paying 1:1 for a guide.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| hang11 wrote: |
| Any recommendations for guided bc day tours around myoko? Going with my other half who maybe isn’t as keen as me on that, so hoping to find some kind of group thing to avoid paying 1:1 for a guide. |
One possible is Powder Recon; super when I used them for an Odyssey tour, and Myoko based. They have a good website, but I'd be inclined to email or FB them, as they seem to be holding back on announcing what they are doing this year, due to the border/via situation.
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| wiigman wrote: |
| hang11 wrote: |
| Any recommendations for guided bc day tours around myoko? Going with my other half who maybe isn’t as keen as me on that, so hoping to find some kind of group thing to avoid paying 1:1 for a guide. |
One possible is Powder Recon; super when I used them for an Odyssey tour, and Myoko based. They have a good website, but I'd be inclined to email or FB them, as they seem to be holding back on announcing what they are doing this year, due to the border/via situation. |
Awesome thanks
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hatsu Yuki / First Snow on Hokkaido
About normal for the Central Hokkaido mountains of Asahidake and Kurodake in the Daisetsuzan Range
Early for Mt Yotei in the Niseko Resort Area
Very early for An'nupuri home to the Niseko United Resorts
Will be gone and back a couple of times yet but great early signs
Difference in a couple of days
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjTptXzs0Yk/
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Flights are still an issue.
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
| Flights are still an issue. |
Price?
Route?
Availability?
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You know it makes sense.
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The first two really, as at this morning:
Prices are up by around £3/400 per person, and
There isn't yet a route to Hokkaido that doesn't have at least 2 stops and nothing with a total travel time under 20 hours.
I'm presuming it will improve though
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
The first two really, as at this morning:
Prices are up by around £3/400 per person, and
There isn't yet a route to Hokkaido that doesn't have at least 2 stops and nothing with a total travel time under 20 hours.
I'm presuming it will improve though |
Yep that's been my experience
Dates?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Would you consider skiing outside Japan so you can visit other countries like South Korea and enjoy the stay apart from skiing? Since hosting the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Korea has stepped up its game the country has been put on the map as one of the leading ski destinations in Asia. There are a lot of ski resorts in Korea though it's way far from the USA, Europe, and Japan's quality snow. Though you can visit a lot of ski resorts near Seoul, you might as well visit the city and other Korean tourist destinations to make it worthwhile.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| WAnnanderer wrote: |
| Would you consider skiing outside Japan so you can visit other countries like South Korea and enjoy the stay apart from skiing? Since hosting the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Korea has stepped up its game the country has been put on the map as one of the leading ski destinations in Asia. There are a lot of ski resorts in Korea though it's way far from the USA, Europe, and Japan's quality snow. Though you can visit a lot of ski resorts near Seoul, you might as well visit the city and other Korean tourist destinations https://gowithguide.com/korea to make it worthwhile. |
Not really
More than enough places on Hokkaido alone without the need to ski inferior snow in S Korea
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Fair enough.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I love Korea but there's not much point going there for a ski trip when Japan is about the same expense/distance to get there. I'm sure I read that South Korean resorts get sub 1m annual snowfall vs. Japan's 10m+. Off piste in South Korea must be virtually impossible.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@WAnnanderer, do they serve tin based meat products?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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for a week accommodation - is it generally easier to do Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun.
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@Gored, Don' think that is good for Japan - you take out 2 week-ends! 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Hyst wrote: |
| @Gored, Don' think that is good for Japan - you take out 2 week-ends! |
trying to plan how many days I need.
So far I have worked out, Fly Sat but arrive Sunday. Sun-Thur Tokyo (3 full days), Thur-Sun Kyoto (2 full days), Sun-Sun Niseko (6 ski days), Sun-Tues Sapporo (1 full day), Tue-Wed Tokyo (airport hotel!) & fly home on the Wednesday.
Or cut a day out of tokyo & shift everything down a day & fly home on the Tuesday.
Anyway, all sorted. Booked Sun-Sun at Chatrium in Hirafu for next year. Now the shuffle starts to get nearer the better areas.
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FAQ
No return envelope with Japanese stamps and no fixed amount of money to send!
