I just came back from Hokkaido - not affected by earthquake, but quite a fair few flight delays/cancellations yesterday and today due to weather and accident.

The snow was beautiful though, and I’m sure it’ll be even better in the coming days due to the recent snow dumps.
I’m guessing conditions will remain good towards end-Jan.

Mine was purely a skiing trip so I transferred by bus from airport to Niseko and back.

Winter 2025 meaning January 2025 onwards?

Bookings should already have opened, and I'm guessing some of the more popular options would've sold out by now.

I was checking Marriott Hakuba previously for January and not much choices (rooms/dates) remaining.

Feb should be better than Jan, although still considered high season.

Which ski area are you looking at?

I normally try to lock in my ski trip plans 6-9 months ahead of time.

Don’t quote me - this will be my first time skiing in Tokyo as well
I chose Hakuba this time around cos I heard it was tourist friendly - easier to get around, convenient food options and engrish ok 👌🏻
Will probably venture to other areas if this trip goes well.

I like JAL’s overnight flight, as you reach Tokyo early and have the whole day ahead of you - no problem trying to align with connecting domestic flights or buses to other areas if needed.

I believe AAX is the only one with direct KUL-CTS flights, but it doesn't run everyday - I think 4 or 5 flights per week or something.

SQ is starting direct SIN-CTS flights this winter, but not sure if it'll run outside of winter or not.

Otherwise can transit TYO with either JAL or ANA.

I don’t think there are any ex-PEN flights to either CTS or TYO.

You’ll probably have to transit at BKK, KUL or SIN.

Good luck have fun and tell us all about it after

My first time snowboarding was literally a huge pain in the back.

If you got budget, SQ has direct SIN-CTS flights during ski season.

AA has direct KUL-CTS flights too, but not daily service.

Otherwise, you can fly in to TYO or KIX and do a domestic flight to CTS.

1 - I didn’t digital anything. Just rocked up and filled the paper forms while on the plane and handed it over at immigration.

2 - again I didn’t digital anything. There was a self-scan facility when exiting the country, but it seemed to be opt-in rather than mandatory. I did it, but not sure what would’ve happened if I didn’t.

3 - in Tokyo, I only used cash for kids’ train tickets and coin-operated laundries. Everywhere else I used suica and credit card.

4 - not sure, I set up digital suica on my iPhone from scratch.

Economy bags also can be hot tagged to make the connection.

Last time I did a short economy connection at SIN, they had ground staff holding a placard with my name on it upon arrival and they buggied me to the departure gate.

This post has been edited by Chinoz: Jan 30 2025, 12:37 PM

For Japan, yes even on one PNR, you can't check through your luggage to your final destination.
Upon landing in your first port of entry in Japan, you'll need to pick up your checked luggage and go through security clearance there.
Once done, you then check in your bags again and continue on to your next destination.
Exiting Japan is fine though - can check through.

I wouldn't recommend 1 hour transit time, but it really depends on how quickly you can clear customs upon arrival.
The domestic leg, you can rock up to the gate fairly close to your departure time and still make it.
I wouldn't recommend anything less than 90 minutes transit time though.

At the same time, if you're travelling on one ticket, I imagine they should be able to put you on the next flight to CTS since there should be multiple flights per day.

Really? I don't usually do domestic connections, but I'd imagine if I'm doing something like SYD-KUL-PEN, I should be able to check in my bags at SYD all the way through to PEN, and not have to retrieve it at KUL.

I have digital suica on my iPhone, and regularly topped it up with my Apple Pay-linked CC while I was in Japan with no issues.
I’m assuming ICOCA would be the same.