I'm no sifu, but lemme take a crack at this while my memory is still fresh.

If you just wanna ski, Sapporo Kokusai or Kiroro would do just fine... With Kokusai being priority if you just want cheap skiing, and Kiroro if you're bringing family and want other activities to be prepared for them. And if you want ski lessons with English speaking staff, supposedly Kiroro is better. Kokusai is less tourist oriented, so while it might be cheaper, you will need a basic grasp of Japanese.

On the plus side, Kokusai is just a bus ride away from Jozankei Onsen town for a dip or a stay - with the fully natural onsen waters of Hoheikyo Onsen nearby Jozankei being of particular interest - as it's pure, unprocessed and milky rich.

Take the dedicated bus up from Sapporo station if you wanna go up to Kokusai. IINM, there's a dedicated bus connection from the Otaru side as well, but I haven't checked or tried. As for Kiroro, you'll have to Google... but IINM it's accessible from Otaru as well.

Finally, there's also Teine... A bit more touristy but easier to access. The buses up start from a JR station in between Otaru and Sapporo (I forgot the station name). Prices wise I'm not so sure, but it should be okay. The powder is better in Kokusai and Kiroro however, or so the Interwebs says.

Check out my previous post (in the spoiler) for some pics of Kokusai and Jozankei.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3280981/+1700#

For details... Google. Cid will get mad at me if I spoonfeed more than I already did.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Dec 10 2014, 04:56 PM

Hi all,

I'm planning for backpack to Japan next year in early Feb. Tokyo-Osaka. worth it or not for me to take the JR pass ? Im not sure what will cover if we take JR pass. hmmm confused

Hi Eiraku,

Thanks a lot for the info. i never come across this Kokusai area, i think it fits me well for my visit. initially i plan separate trip to onsen (2 nights) and ski (day trip/ 1 night). Just google the price and it looks acceptable. Since this Kokusai area is accessible via Jozankei onsen. I may cancel the hassle to travel to Toyako Onsen/ Noboribetsu onsen. Thinking of these 2 places as toyako has great view while Noboribetsu i can visit to the muzeum at Shiraoi. Of cos, to maximize the usage of the JR Hokkaido pass too. haha.

One more question, is it really compulsory to rent the winter jacket/ ski wear set?

IMHO, it depends on how you want to travel. if taking only 7 days pass, you will have a very rush trip.

If 14 days pass may be still acceptable if only travel between osaka and Tokyo. But bear in mind the price for 14 days is not cheap.

You really have to plan carefully on your trip to fully maximized the pass.

Yep, there are even buses in the morning from Jozankei to Kokusai and returning busses to Jozankei (or Sapporo) at 3PM above. Not sure about the Otaru busses.

As for the ski wear set, nope, it's not compulsory; at least not in Kokusai. It's recommended that you own some sort of goretex or otherwise water proof outerwear though, otherwise just rent the pants, boots and skis. Unless your jacket is thin lar.

I went around playing snow with just my cargo pants lol, I rented gloves and snow boots only. My pants did get only slightly wet, but I did not ski. If I did it would probably have been better if I rented the ski pants too.

thermaltake5:

Actually, you only really take the Rail Pass to cut down Shinkansen or other long distance express costs (ie. Super Hakuto/Hakucho up in Hokkaido or the train from Nagoya up to Hida-Takayama). The fact that it makes other JR train travel free is just a convenient bonus, because it won't really be cost effective if you DON'T use it for Shinkansen or long-haul trips.

Plus, in Tokyo and Osaka, in-city travel is better served by non-JR lines (most of the time anyway), which are NOT covered under the JR Pass. Nor does it cover Kyoto buses (which out-cover most of the other mass transport lines there) either.

So ask yourself the question: How many Shinkan and long distance JR train trips will you be taking? How many in-city JR trips? Will it pay off the Pass cost?

Download the "Japan Trains" app for Android or use Hyperdia and you'l be able to calculate train fare costs easily to help you answer that question.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Dec 10 2014, 07:58 PM

Tokyo to Osaka one way or returns 2 way?
If one way only then no need.
2 way then buy the pass. Save money plus at Tokyo used on Yamanote Line and Chuo Line

Have u booking yrs air ticket already?, if u arrival in Tokyo and go back fr Osaka, then no point getting the JR pass, since u only utilise one way. If you arrival and depart on same city, u may consider JR pass, since u will fullly utilise it.

I give you the key word. The rest you have to do the homework.

Niseko Annupuri. Hokkaido no1 Ski Choice for novice ski learner area

Any specific reason niseko annupuri over hirafu?

Wah... Annapuri slopes and facilities look nice (as does the ski lessons menu), at least on the website. Plus it's Niseko, so international support should be a whole lot better and you get the option of jumping over to Hirafu or Niseko Village slopes if you get bored (especially if you get the all mountain pass).

Koku is slightly cheaper on the rental side though IINM, averaging ¥2k for each rental piece (gloves alone were like ¥500?), as are the lift prices. It doesn't have as many slopes or facilities though, it's a very barebones ski resort for skiing (or boarding) and nothing more - and it's relatively tourist unfriendly (unless you know a smattering of Japanese).

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Dec 10 2014, 09:33 PM

Thanks all for good feedback. Arrived Tokyo, then travel down to Osaka, one trip only so i think don't need the Jr pass. Mind share what Pass is cost effective based on your experience ? it will be good for me to do my homework then. btw, i also want to try shinkansen

*doublepost*

This post has been edited by thermaltake5: Dec 11 2014, 10:54 AM

For Osaka, check out the Osaka Amazing Pass

Going Osaka on coming Sunday... Not sure if I can still able to see koyo in Osaka & Kyoto.. Does anyone know?

Hey guys im going to Japan tomorrow. Will be travelling around Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto and Tokyo for 10 days. May i ask what kind of a 'must' get thing or souvenirs should i get when im there?

Try kiyomizu temple. Still can see 3 days ago...

All pics were taken on the 1st week of Dec 2014.
This is my Kanto trip from Tokyo -> Minakami -> Ikaho -> Yokohama -> Nikko



This post has been edited by JooSeng: Dec 11 2014, 11:13 PM

^which onsen is that? pic 2 and 3

Nice Takaragawa Onsen