Planning a trip to Japan in Feb with a couple of friends and we plan to do about 5 days boarding between our tourist time in Tokyo & Kyoto.

I've managed to narrow the choice down to these two based on location and that we'll be relying on Public Transport (yay for Shinkansen!).

So now I need your outspoken opinions on what area we should head to...
Things to consider:
- We're reasonably experienced; Black runs are fun for us, and Double Black can be fun if there's good snow (home mountain is Mt.Hotham, Australia)
- We like a mix of terrain; trees, steeps, rolling hills, off piste, etc.
- Somewhere with a nightlife
- I speak & read a passable amount of Japanese so there won't be any big language issues
- Onsens...must have onsens!

Thanks guys!

Both would be good. If you are going for 5 days, the resorts in Hakuba might give you more choice. Are you driving?

I'd pass on the Tokyo and Kyoto sightseeing personally, and do Hakuba, Nozawa, and Niigata (Charmant resort, winter seascapes, and seafood) in a hire car...

Yes I am in fact agreeing with Ocean. Screw Tokyo and Kyoto. Just get to the slopes.

In my personal opinion - Seen one temple. Seen them all.
As for Tokyo what are you going to get that other international cities don't have?

No we're not driving. Which is why I picked Hakuba and Nozawa as they've accessible from public transport. I'm leaning towards Hakuba for sheer number of runs at the moment.

I only plan to spend a couple of days in Kyoto and Tokyo....seeing temples & friends - both of which I like seeing :-)
I spent a week in HongKong a couple years ago, with no real plans and had an absolute blast - there's more to city's than skyscapers you know :-D

Thanks for the tip, I'll read up on Niigata. But I seem to remember one of my Japanese teachers saying the best sushi is up in Hokkaido...

You are asking a hard question. First you cant take the shink to either of those resorts. You must head to Nagano city and then take a a train or bus from there.

Hakuba great skiing, Great little town, Even better views but harder to find the pow stashes if you dont know where to look.

Nozawa Great town, good people, free onsens but hot as the fire from hell sometimes, Big mountain lots of runs, Easier to find the pow stashes if you dont know where you are going.

Both are 1 hour away from Nagano city. Ps why not do both. 2 hours away by car.

Yes go to both!
It is difficult choice to make.

sorry, digging up an old thread... but my question is essentailly the same - i have friends living in nozawa, so im leaning towards the idea of staying with them next january, but i want to ride some hakuba mtns as well - so my question: are day trips from nozawa to hakuba a viable option? how long by car/bus/train?

cheers

lpl.

Nozawa > Hakuba is about 2.5 hours by car, right?

That sounds about right, the Nagano city part can get really busy though.

hmm, i just had a look at this site to work it out via train...it takes 6 hours!!

http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/

any idea how long by bus?

& how tricky would it be to drive if you dont read japanese?

You do not need Japanese - it is straight to Nagano City, then basically one road up to Hakuba. All you need is just some cheesy snacks to keep you and your passengers in a good mood on the trip.

lpl I gotta get to your request ill do that tonite.

Train is no good, no direct from Nagano to Hakuba thats why it is so long as you're going right round rather than direct.

Ive taken the train from Osaka to Hakuba via Matsumoto(?) I think. Took about 5-6 hours and much nicer than the overnight bus.

So, from Kyoto you can get a train to Hakuba no problem.

cheers all, thanks for the info.

its sounding like day trips from nozawa to hakuba would be a pain - i think we'll just split the holiday between the 2 places.

thanks fats - dont go to too much trouble - still trying to get the holiday ok'ed with work & lock down the frequent flyer flight - once thats done, then i'l know i'm definately coming

Have SHINSHU Bus from Nozawa Onsen to Nagano.
Phone: 0269-62-4131
http://w2.avis.ne.jp/~iiyama1/exnazawa2.htm
Have NAGANO Bus from Nagano to Hakuba.
Phone: 0261-72-3155(7:00-19:00)
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/nagano_hakuba/index.html
e.g.
Nozawa Onsen 09:30 - 10:50 Nagano(East) (1,300 yen)
Nagano(East) 11:05 - 12:10 Hakuba (1,500 yen)

I didn't realise it would be so long on the train. Mad.

They should buldoze through the mountain and get a train hooked up.

Interesting info for our trip planning, thanks. For us though it'll be a few days at one place, then moving on to the next. Hoping to hook up with some SJ fans to catch some lifts, er, be friends with them.