I'm looking at going to Japan in February for snow boarding. Looking to head to Shiga Kogen.
Just wondering if anybody else has been as it's difficult to find info on accommodation prices.
Most pages are in Japanese or don't include prices.
Please help me
Thanks
Not sure where that place is but we went to Hakuba a couple of years ago for snow boarding and it was fantastic. The snow was about four meters deep. The mountains were bloody big. The food was great. Onsen were very relaxing.
The prices were reasonable but back then a dollar was buying ninety nine yen.
I think there are some Aussie websites dealing with Japanese snowsports.
Niseko is the most western freindly mountain to go to. We're heading over in late Janurary for the second time, very excited about it. Fresh Powder every day, always very dry and amazing runs/back country stuff.
Hokkaido (Niseko and others) is a good one - but lose 2 days travel (1 day each way) due to connecting flight / transfers - so a 10 day trip becomes 8 days of skiing - barring weather shut downs.
if you are on a shorter trip look at options on the mainland out of Tokyo - plane arrives early am - the bullet train / bus transfer and you are riding that afternoon.
The easiest area to get to is the Nagano zone - which accesses Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and a very special place i like alot -called Nozawa Onsen.
Shiga is big but mostly caters to skiers -lots of "fairways" but does have 1 nice zone with a nifty little park. You cant ride all of shiga as it doesnt link up (you need bus transfers to get from zone to zone - which eats up time) - atmosphere is nice but a bit modern. Board in board out possible
Nozawa is my fave - awesome character town and nearly ski in ski out (3 min walk to access the snow) - Nozawa has some nice off piste stuff in the trees when the snow is fluffy.
Cant comment on Hakuba but i have heard good things
The northern island does get a bit more snow - however the options out of Tokyo compensate with a bit more elevation.
Jan / feb are the best months - i have been there late march and its still been fun
Japan is a great place - enjoy the culture. Try and spend a day or 2 on tokyo. I reckon 2 weeks is a good minimum to aim for on you first trip.
Hi Beersy,
I haven't personally been to Shiga Kogen but I found the snow japan site really helpful when I was planning my trips to Japan.
Take a look here - http://www.snowjapan.com/e/spotlight/shiga-kogen.html
&
www.snowjapan.com/e/hotel/nagano-shiga-kogen-accommodation.php
Also the snow japan forums are really friendly and helpful with this kind of stuff.
I've been snowboarding in Japan twice in Feb 08 & 09 but both to Hakuba, if you decide that you are going to head to Hak instead, let me know and I can help you with some more information.
Also, I'd suggest getting a flexible 4 day JR east rail pass. If you are staying in Tokyo the night you arrive it makes travel heaps easier. We used it from the airport to Tokyo, then out to Hakuba and from Hakuba back to the Tokyo. The last day we used from Hakuaba to Matsumoto for a day trip to the castle.
www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/
Japan is heaps of fun, more powder than you've every seen.
Have an awesome time.
Yes I know, strange first post. However I've been reading these forums for a little while now (decided that as I'm not going OS this summer to snowboard, I might take up kiteboarding like I've saying to myself for years) and after reading this thread decided to join.
Hey if you go visit ExtremeKites there are quite a few travelling snowkiters that inhabit the place.
Also international kiters go there also
Thanks for all the info guys, We decided to go to Mammoth in California instead. Cheaper flights and free accom.
