Just a small chance business will take me to Japan early new Year. Will be travelling with my family (all good skiers) and hope to be able to add five or six days at the end. From what i have seen Hakuba or Naeba look like best bets as we will be in Tokyo. The main UK travel agents all seem to go to Hokkaido, any recomendations and tips to improve the visit for a once in a life time visit????
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Hakuba is definitely the go - great snow, great terrain, very rarely any crowds, great restaurants and easily accessible from Tokyo (less than 3 hours by bullet train to Nagano and connecting bus).
Here's another post of mine with some info on Hakuba hotels:
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Two hotels in Hakuba definitely worth checking out are the Hakuba Luna Hotel (www.hakubalunahotel.com) and the Sports Hotel Terry (www.hakubaterry.com)
Both are in the Wadano Forest area of Hakuba Happo-One. Hakuba Luna has a better location (really close to the Sakka Quad chair) but Sports Hotel Terry is also very good
As these hotels are in the Wadano Forest area, they're very close to the snow, but you'll have to catch a village shuttle bus or a taxi a few kilometres if you want to get to Echoland (the main nightlife area)
The disadvantage of staying in Echoland is that you have to catch a shuttle to and from the snow each day
If the restaurant / bar area is more your style then check out either the White Horse Arctic hotel (www.whitehorse-hakuba.com) or Hakuba Hifumi hotel (http://www.hakubahifumi.jp)
There are definitely more luxurious hotels than these 4 (e.g the Tokyo Hotel), but all 4 are very comfortable and great value for money
Hakuba is awesome. You'll love it!
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?
We had fun at Hakuba 3 years back - unfortunately it was a bit warm but with good snow (which is common) it would be a fine place. Naeba is one I would liek to try too - good friend of mine loves it there.
And Niseko is where the pow is, terrain less interesting than Hakuba, but man it snows there. I made a little video of of our 2 Japan trips. It's not great but will give you an idea.
I can also vouch for Hakuba - I had a week there in january before last & really enjoyed it. The links with tokyo were quick & easy, pretty well everything about the skiing was cheaper than, or at least competetive with, the prices I pay around europe & we had inches, sometimes many, of fresh snow every day !!
Hi Sparkzer,
Your're going on the dream hol for me.Can you let me know what kind of cost you are looking at as 3 mates are looking to do exactly the same to the same lodge at around the same time but with maybe 1-2 days in Tokyo on the way out.I've mailed the BD but have not got any prices from them for accomodation,ski guiding etc.
Cheers,
briand6868
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hey Briand
So far it has cost us around £1000pp - that includes 10 days at the BDL b and b and Flights from Edinburgh - Tokyo - Saporro return, bdl are going to collect us at the airport I think.
We are staying in Tokyo for 2 nights when we get there so will need to find somewhere to stay but its not that expensive if you don't want high end hotels etc.
So lift passes and spending money and evening meals etc - I'm budgeting about £2000 all in, but could do it a whole lot cheaper I reckon.
As you say, its the trip of a lifetime so I wanna enjoy it!
We had to mail the bdl a few times but have finally sorted the accom out - we have 1 x triple and 2 x twins.
The flights are £690 return and the BDL works out at £300 give or take with the exchange rate.
Hope this lot helps, get it booked and come get the freshies with us lot!!
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