ski location near tokyo

[allison]

i am planing to have a ski trip during xmas, any locations are near tokyo can recommend? i want it not too far away from tokyo , because don't to waste too much time on traveling , as will be going to stay behind in tokyo after ski. i normally will go to hokkadio.

[jimmy]

GALA Yuzawa, there is a direct bullet train service from Tokyo within 70 mins. I guess it is the most conveinent location from Tokyo as well as resort condition. However, need to consider the weather. Normally, the best period is starting from JAN onward. You may check the weather forecast, resort report in December. ;)

[allison]

thanks jimmy, i just worry there aren't enough snow in dec. if i don't consider about the travelling time. where will u recommend ? been to rustusu for a few times:D

[jimmy]

According to your criteria, Karuizawa is matched too. It is also not far away by JR from Tokyo on another direction. There are some outlet stores nearby the resort. I never been there yet, but heard from someone that it's family resort but the size is not large. :(

I still suggest GALA Yuzawa, there are 2 other ski resorts linking up together i.e. Ishiuchi Maruyama and Yuzawa Kogen. Its good enough to spend few days there. Furthermore, you can visit Naeba resort which is around 40 mins by bus from Echigo Yuzawa town. I was there for spring skiing in April this year, Kagura, Tashiro and Mitsumata areas are good.

If you have a chance to drive, Malnuma resort in Gunma is also good hence it has the best powder snow in mainland JP. It takes around 2 hrs by car and the place is not crowded bcz it is not easy to access by public transport.

Just share our plan in JAN09, we will stay one week in Hakuba Happo at Nagano, then move to Ishiuchi Yuzwa town for another week. During the stay in Echigo Yuzawa town, we will spend half in Kagura areas and half in GALA and Ishiuchi Maruyama accordingly.

Just a tip, if you plan to stay in Echigo Yuzawa, just book your accommodation for bed and breakfast only, not necessary to include dinner. There are lot of restaurants in town, you can try different things instead. :D

[allison]

jimmy,

thanks lots!!!! didn't expect u will give me so many details. really does help me to decide!!!:D

[slmama]

Hi Jimmy,

I am planning to go to Hakuba this Christmas. Should I book my accommodation with breakfast and dinner. I read from the website that there are quite a number of restaurants around but mostly western. Are there many good Japanese restaurants too? Where did you stay last time?

[jimmy]

Hi Jimmy,

I am planning to go to Hakuba this Christmas. Should I book my accommodation with breakfast and dinner. I read from the website that there are quite a number of restaurants around but mostly western. Are there many good Japanese restaurants too? Where did you stay last time?

Hi Slmama,

Hahahha! :D I guess you might overlook my previous post, I am just familiar with Echigo Yuzawa areas. For Hakuba, it will be my first time too in JAN09. We will book the standard bed + 2 meals package in Hakuba Happo. May someone been there can assist.

Cheers. :)

[slmama]

Hi Jimmy,

Ooups....sorry for overlooking! Thanks for replying anyway. I think I will book the two meals plan too.

[LoveToSki]

Hi Jimmy,

Ooups....sorry for overlooking! Thanks for replying anyway. I think I will book the two meals plan too.

Hi slmama,

It is true that in Hakuba you can find more restaurant choices. I personal think it makes sense to go out and try them.

I have a suggestion. You can book for dinner meals for the first 2/3 nights. Once you are there, know the place and try the hotel meal, you can then decide what to do for the rest of the trip. If you decide to stay in the hotel for dinner, it is usually ok to tell the hotel you change your mind (give them advance notice of course). Just don't do the other way round though (i.e. cancel dinner appointment).

[slmama]

Hi slmama,

It is true that in Hakuba you can find more restaurant choices. I personal think it makes sense to go out and try them.

I have a suggestion. You can book for dinner meals for the first 2/3 nights. Once you are there, know the place and try the hotel meal, you can then decide what to do for the rest of the trip. If you decide to stay in the hotel for dinner, it is usually ok to tell the hotel you change your mind (give them advance notice of course). Just don't do the other way round though (i.e. cancel dinner appointment).

Hi Jimmy,

Thank you so much for your suggestion! Actually, I have thought of that too, but having t two young kids with us, it might be too troublesome to go out and look for places to eat at winter nights.

[五味子]

plan to go to GALA Yuzawa with 2 children during CNY (prob 5 days), want to stay in 民宿, any idea how to book those? any suggestions?