Japan 2014/15
| Poll: You goin????? Total Votes: 36 |
|
|---|---|
| Count me in!!!!! | 22  |
| Nah, I’m over the place!!!!! | 1 |
| I’d love to but I’ve already sold one kidney!!!!! | 4 |
| I’m goin elsewhere!!!!! | 9 |
We’re definitely low cost, but great location! We are always at lodge koropokkuru - which isn’t 5 star by any means!! 
but it’s got a lovely Japanese family running it with a beautiful black lab, reminds me of my hound dog… They are lovely, and it’s in a great spot. But don’t stay there if you’re precious! 
We are always at lodge koropokkuru - which isn’t 5 star by any means!! But don’t stay there if you’re precious!
I don’t think that place will ever be the same after the 3 day onslaught of our group this year. 87 people, most from NYC, a couple of crazy Aussies, Canadian’s and a Russian. It certainly was a fun couple of days.
It was a bit of a shock to the system for some of the New Yorkers going from the hotel at Rusutsu to koropokkuru that’s for sure!
We are always at lodge koropokkuru - which isn’t 5 star by any means!! But don’t stay there if you’re precious!
I don’t think that place will ever be the same after the 3 day onslaught of our group this year. 87 people, most from NYC, a couple of crazy Aussies, Canadian’s and a Russian. It certainly was a fun couple of days.
It was a bit of a shock to the system for some of the New Yorkers going from the hotel at Rusutsu to koropokkuru that’s for sure!
Hahaha, it definitely aint the ritz! But don’t think I’ll ever go anywhere else… (even though I’d love a new apartment!!) borf’s been going there for 10 years and he’s sentimental.
Ok we’ve been getting some quotes and the prices are approaching more reasonable values. It looks like Qantas and JAL fly via Narita while Cathay goes via HK. I’ve seen comments that the HK route is the least hassle.
More questions:
- is the bus the best option from Sapporo to Niseko for 2 people?
- has anyone stayed at “Woody Note” Pension in Hirafu? Would the lack of a drying room be an issue?
- most of the carriers seem to have fairly limited baggage allowances, especially in terms of luggage size. How do you guys get around this when taking snowboards? Would it be better to just hire a board there?
Been MIA for a bit, but this is cool news that ya off on a Hokkaidopow Mission, mate!!!!!
Re Accomo, stay in Hirafu if ya wanna eat out and be close to the action!!!!! Izumikyo 1 (1 Only) is also a great location!!!!!
You’ll miss the “Boganess” if ya stay away from the western style bars/restaurants, and that’s pretty easily done!!!!! Go into Kutchan a few times!!!!! (Easily accessible via bus/taxi and cheap as) * if ya have an apartment go to Co-Op in Kutchan (next to the Train Station) as it has heaps of self food heaven available!!!!!!
Rusutsu can be easily organised as a day trip from up near the Welcome Centre, along with Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival) in Sapporo as well!!!!!
Do try and book restaurants via email well ahead of time as places get booked out fast!!!!!
Do be careful of baggage as it all depends on Airline!!!!! JAL did a deal with me (through Agent) as I needed to take luggage over 203 combined measurements ( Qantas didn’t have this), cause we went with JAL cause they fly into Haneda > Chitose, and do it during daylight hours!!!!! We stayed at the airport o’night so we had no “jet lag feel” after an o’night Qantarse stint does!!!!!
Bus it up to Nis, but book it for both legs as it has limited spots and you could find yaself missin out on a seat!!!!!!
Any other quiz’s just holla!!!!! 
So I did my homework and proposed the idea of going to Nis with the guys I travel with. It was over their budget so we kinda settled on going to Hakuba or Shiga Kogen instead, with the assumption that that’ll be cheaper than having to get a domestic flight to Sapporo. I’m kinda miffed but I hope the total for that trip (which includes a bullet train ride) would amount to the same as the Nis trip.
If we still dont get to Nis, then I’ll have to go at it alone. I’ve done my homework and I’ll be damned if it goes to waste dammit!
and do it during daylight hours!!!!! We stayed at the airport o’night so we had no “jet lag feel” after an o’night Qantarse stint does!!!!!
You and I will never agree on this! Love my overnight Qantas flight!
Question, when you over night in Sapporo do you have to go back to the airport for the bus or do you train it?
Bus it up to Nis, but book it for both legs as it has limited spots and you could find yaself missin out on a seat!!!!!!
Really? Have you ever known someone to not get a seat? My friends who go several times a season never book (so i don’t either) except for the return leg. We just walk up to the counter and hand over the cash for the return ticket and get on the next bus.
and do it during daylight hours!!!!! We stayed at the airport o’night so we had no “jet lag feel” after an o’night Qantarse stint does!!!!!
You and I will never agree on this! Love my overnight Qantas flight!
Question, when you over night in Sapporo do you have to go back to the airport for the bus or do you train it?
Bus it up to Nis, but book it for both legs as it has limited spots and you could find yaself missin out on a seat!!!!!!
Really? Have you ever known someone to not get a seat? My friends who go several times a season never book (so i don’t either) except for the return leg. We just walk up to the counter and hand over the cash for the return ticket and get on the next bus.
Stay at the Airport!!!!! Cheap accomo with a pretty decent breaky, entrance is right at the exit of the baggage pickup, and bus is 50 meters away in the mornin!!!!! *Rooms are small though, but no big deal!!!!!
Day flight with o’night stay also allows for plenty of time to drop off ya gear once ya get to Niseko, with a chance of an early checkin, and loads of time to go and get supplies from Kutchan!!!!!
Last time we rode up with Whiteliner, it was booked solid and even said so on the signs at the counter when we picked up our tickets!!!!! I just think that if ya know full well what day ya headin up, ya may as well book the bus cause ya gonna have to get a ticket anyways regardless????? Pretty sure it doesn’t cost anymore as well!!!!!
what happens if you get an earlier flight or there are delays (both have happened to me)?
Pretty sure they’ll either put ya on an earlier bus if they have a spot, or they’ll work somethin out if ya flights delayed?????
Most companies will look after someone that books before they accommodate a blow in!!!!!
I swear I heard/read of someone who had to buy a new ticket cause they “missed’ their bus!
If you book a package through a travel agent, they will pre-book transfers!!!!!
Second last question in the White Liner FAQ!!!!!
Cool
I use Hokkaido Resort Liner
Okay - Talk to me about Myoko….
I think it is on the short list!
Since we had to post pone this years one.. next year it is!!
(stupid ganglion cyst on my wrist, and bakers cyst - as a result from cartilage damage in my knee from my ski injury- which causes the swelling and excess fluid build up/lots of discomfort and pain). :sad: but the wrist is improving, just need to have an ultrasound for the knee then they can determine how to fix that one!, but at this stage, its looking like physio!
Ice EVERYTHING, All the time.. And then when you think it’s better, ICE SOME MORE!!!