Travel: Japan - General

[Dnls_mum]

bebebub:

Dnls_mum:

I went Nagano, but did not go skiing at Nagano, but stayed at ryokan Kokuya at Shibu Onsen and went to see the snow monkeys. The snow there is really dry and powdery.

My friend went 2 weeks after me, and went skiing at Nagano. She said the conditions were excellent. She stayed at Shibu Onsen too and they drove to the ski slopes daily. I understand there are many ski resorts in Nagano and the largest is Shiga Kogen. You may just want to google it.

Thanks. I'll check out the ryokan u mentioned.

I'm not planning to go to the ski slopes. Is there anywhere near the ryokan U mentioned where the kids can hv a little snow fight n maybe build a little Olaf? Thanks

When we were there, the walk to the monkey park was covered in thick snow. Just before the park entrance, there is a little space by the river which I suppose they can play without bothering anyone, but the monkeys are nearby, so I'm not sure if the snow are that clean. If you plan to go other places, like Shirakawago, the village was covered in snow and we built our Olaf there. Another Olaf possibility is take Shin Hotaka Ropeway to the mountain top. There is a little park there. Excellent powder snow too, if you go there.

[vivienpg]

Will like to seek your advice.


I like to go to Fuji q highland just for Thomas with my two children, aged 4 and 6 and hubby. After that, to take buses to gotemba premium outlet followed by Hakone at gora station. Is this doable in 1 day?

Or shall I go Hakone first and gotemba premium outlet and next day then go to Fuji q higland followed by trip back to shinjuku?

Or shall I go to fuji q highland to and fro shinjuku and next day from shinjuku to Hakone?

Been very stressed as I can’t make up my mind about which route is the best.

[dimitri_can]

Hakone itself can take up to 1 whole day...


This happened on a Thurs fyi.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/673/AqJLY2.jpg\">
Suggest u do

Shinjuku->Hakone->Shinjuku

Then next day

Shinjuku->Fuji-Q Highland->Gotemba at night (if time allows)

See here.
http://goo.gl/bJDxUr

[dimitri_can]

Queuing took me 3.5hours to reach from Hakone Yumoto to Odakudani. and i left Shinjuku at 9am. if u really wanna go, take cab from Yumoto up...


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/537/CwhoLc.jpg\">

[vivienpg]

Omg, on a Thursday and the queue is already so long…thanks for sharing!


Think will split int two days then…

[EatNonStop]

When is the best time to grab airticket to Japan (Tokyo/Hokkaido) for Dec trip? Typically when is ANA/JAL (Think SQ is still in the higher end) holding promotion? What price range is considered a good vs reasonable vs high take? Checked from wesite price around $800+ to $900+ (To Chitose).

[EatNonStop]

I am thinking of the following itinerary


Day 1 - Travel from Singapore to Chitose -> Sapporo City
Day 2 to Day 3 - base in Sapporo City, day trip to Otaru, Lake Toya
Day 4 to Day 6 Dohan bus from Sapporo City to Niseko Hifura
Day 7 - checkout hotel, proceed to airport flight to Haneda or Narita (depends on air ticket)…check in Tokyo accomodation
Day 8 - Day trip to Disneyland
Day 9 - Explore Tokyo, Shinkyuku etc
Day 10 - Checkout hotel for flight back to Singapore

Does it make sense on the above?? If I have 2 more days, what can I try in Hokkaido?

[bebebub]

Dnls_mum:

When we were there, the walk to the monkey park was covered in thick snow. Just before the park entrance, there is a little space by the river which I suppose they can play without bothering anyone, but the monkeys are nearby, so I'm not sure if the snow are that clean. If you plan to go other places, like Shirakawago, the village was covered in snow and we built our Olaf there. Another Olaf possibility is take Shin Hotaka Ropeway to the mountain top. There is a little park there. Excellent powder snow too, if you go there.

Thanks. I read up the places u mentioned. Now toying with the idea of Shirakawago, which seems more challenging to get to, or Shiga Kogen. The historic village looks so pretty in the snow. There's a 3 years-old in our travelling party. So need to plan carefully.

Any comments on Karuizawa Snow Park? The younger kids might enjoy a day of sledging and building Olafs

[MyPillow]

EatNonStop:

I am thinking of the following itinerary


Day 1 - Travel from Singapore to Chitose -> Sapporo City
Day 2 to Day 3 - base in Sapporo City, day trip to Otaru, Lake Toya
Day 4 to Day 6 Dohan bus from Sapporo City to Niseko Hifura
Day 7 - checkout hotel, proceed to airport flight to Haneda or Narita (depends on air ticket)...check in Tokyo accomodation
Day 8 - Day trip to Disneyland
Day 9 - Explore Tokyo, Shinkyuku etc
Day 10 - Checkout hotel for flight back to Singapore

Does it make sense on the above?? If I have 2 more days, what can I try in Hokkaido?

Visit Ishiya Choc Factory, Beer Museum, Sapporo Christmas Market etc you will love the quiet and slow city in Sapporo compare to busy Tokyo.

Sing to Sapporo - is about 11 to 12 hrs - including all air and land transfer. First day u can't do much . very tiring
Day 2, 3 -Otaru ok for day trip.easy to go. But how are you going Toya within a day?
I think is it quite far away fr Sapporo -Dist is far and sun set very early in in winter. About 4pm.

The rest should be ok and at reasonable pace

[Dnls_mum]

bebebub:

Dnls_mum:

When we were there, the walk to the monkey park was covered in thick snow. Just before the park entrance, there is a little space by the river which I suppose they can play without bothering anyone, but the monkeys are nearby, so I'm not sure if the snow are that clean. If you plan to go other places, like Shirakawago, the village was covered in snow and we built our Olaf there. Another Olaf possibility is take Shin Hotaka Ropeway to the mountain top. There is a little park there. Excellent powder snow too, if you go there.

Thanks. I read up the places u mentioned. Now toying with the idea of Shirakawago, which seems more challenging to get to, or Shiga Kogen. The historic village looks so pretty in the snow. There's a 3 years-old in our travelling party. So need to plan carefully.

Any comments on Karuizawa Snow Park? The younger kids might enjoy a day of sledging and building Olafs

Shirakawago and Shiga Kogen are very different. One is a UNESCO world heritage site and the other a large ski resort. So it really depends on what you want. You can check out my Shirawakago photo on page 92 of this thread. My kids build their Olaf at Shirakawago because there was so much snow in the whole place.

I'm sorry, can't comment on Kairuzawa Snow Park as have not been there. Frankly, if you go anywhere that snows in Japan during the snowing season, they probably can build an Olaf at any of the parks or playgrounds. Where we went, there was just so much snow everywhere.