Narita express costs 1500 yen if you buy it with discount and you don't need to be change train since it stops at shibuya. Youncan just use your 10k yen note at the midori no madoguchu (ticket booth) and it's perfectly normal to use big notes here in Japan...

This post has been edited by Zepx: Jan 27 2015, 07:52 AM

There's no snow, just really strong winds...

It is a fact that you can never go to any popular festivals in Japan without ignoring the crowd.

If you intend to eat at popular restaurants, then obviously you won't have any seats. Most of the customers do prior arrangement (booking) with the restaurants before dining there.

From my experience going on the first day of 雪祭り early this year, the crowd is still ok (by Japan's standard), not as bad as one would exaggerate.