Obon week also quite bad.

Tokyo - Nagano Shinkansen was standing room only, but they still sold me the tickets la.

Including or excluding airfare? To which city / cities?

Transportation is a major part of costs, after accomodation.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: Feb 10 2014, 04:27 PM

Keep an eye out for Yayoi-ken.

Unlimited rice and tea refill when you order set. My favorite is the Saba (mackerel), big piece for 590 yen.

http://www.yayoiken.com/menu/index.html

Places like Nakau are also reasonable.

http://www.nakau.co.jp/menu/cgi-bin/check.cgi?area=udon

Planning this trip over Hari Raya


Nagoya > Shirakawa-go > Kamikochi > Takayama > Nozawa Onsen > Tsumago / Magome > Nagoya

Very nice and historical, scenic circle.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 8 2014, 10:11 AM

We're picking up a car in Nagoya. I prefer to drive than wait for trains/buses haha.

Also because train/bus service to Hakuba is quite troublesome, and we have business there.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 8 2014, 10:23 AM

Why not rent a car? Nagoya to Shirakawa-go is only 2 hours 15 mins by car. You can rent a small car for around 5000 yen a day from Nissan Rentalcar @ Tocoo.

Yes, just bring your Msian driving license to JPJ and they'll issue you a 1 year international for RM180?

Driving around Japan is quite relaxing once you get out of the cities, roads are empty and the traffic moves fast.

If you dont have time to go Shirakawa-go, then you can consider Tsumago and Magome. Only 1.5 hours away from Nagoya by train / bus.

Why not stay in KIX Nikko hotel? It's not that expensive, can get double room from USD100+

Usually the guards will chase you away, except for certain designated areas.

If budget is an issue, you can consider staying at the 24 hour lounge/internet cafe.

http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/service/re...ounge_multi.pdf

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 21 2014, 09:48 AM

Budget per person per night?? I'm quite familiar with Hakuba, go there every year.

Which airport are you flying into? Chubu or Haneda/Narita?

For single traveller, quite a lot of options. Cheap dorm room starts from 3,500 yen, sharing with 3 other people. Shared toilet. If you want something nicer, can stay in nice B&B / lodge for around 8,000-10,000. Top end ski-in ski-out is 18,000 per night.

If you're bringing your own gear, then you can consider shipping it to your hotel from the airport, unless you're going straight to Hakuba.

If you're a boarder, then you can also consider staying in Goryu/47 instead of Happo-One, its more boarder friendly.

Hakuba is popular with gaijins so plenty of English signage, and almost everyone will speak English. You won't have problems getting around.

However, it is a very spread out town, so location is key. Make sure your accomodation is either:
a.) Close to the town and slopes
b.) Close to shuttle bus stop
c.) Provides transport to and fro to the slopes.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 21 2014, 03:12 PM

You can carry your luggage along, but full gear + luggage might be a bit of handful on trains. Depends on how fit you are haha.

Actually, since you're staying there for 9-10 days, you can also consider staying at 2 different places. 4 days each in Happo-One and another 4 days in Goryu/47 will let you experience more terrain.

If you can afford it, Pension Funny Inn is my personal pick for a Japanese B&B. The owners are awesome and the breakfast is amazing. Downside is the location is a bit neither here nor there. (It's near Echoland). The dinner is also worth paying for.
http://www.funnyinn.com/English/

Asuka is a good location for cheap rooms in Happo: http://www.asukalodgehakuba.com/en/ski-lodge-rates
Very good location near the gondola

Goryu/47 I have no experience, always stayed in Happo.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 21 2014, 03:29 PM

Food in Hakuba is generally of a very high standard, and not really that expensive.

Kikyo-ya for example serves really good sushi, and their Chirashi Don starts at 1500yen, with lots of sashimi. Definitely cheaper than anything in Malaysia, and far better quality.



This is only for dinner anyway. Usually for lunch you'll be eating on the slopes, like Snow Plaza Sakka

http://www.snownavi.jp/geresyoku/snowplazasakka/

1000 yen for Pork Katsu Curry, perfect after a whole morning of skiing.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 21 2014, 03:49 PM

You can google for the lift pass prices.

If you stay 4-5 days in each major resort then you wont need to use the bus much. Anyway the shuttle bus is free.

Arkopia's skiable area is tiny! Don't see why anyone would go there over Hakuba for skiing.

Takayama is a nice side trip from Hakuba, I agree, but not for skiing.

This post has been edited by lowyatter: May 22 2014, 01:25 PM

That's what Hyperdia is for. Find out exactly which train you need and what time it is leaving. Doesn't work if you don't synchronize your watch to JR time though.