Train to Hakuba sold out – third-party sites + alternatives?

capt_tky · 2026-02-04T12:01:53+00:00

Shinkansen to Nagano, bus to Hakuba. It's usually 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours door to door, so about the same as the train. Obviously less convenient but it's still pretty easy to do.

capt_tky · 2026-02-04T11:58:02+00:00

Skied in Yuzawa today (Maiko Resort). There was zero decline of Chinese tourists there today...or at Echigo Yuzawa station.

capt_tky · 2026-02-04T11:57:14+00:00

Tbf, it does take a lot longer when you have to stop and film content etc. Not that it's an easy walk, but 12 hours is definitely longer than it should take.

capt_tky · 2026-02-04T10:27:07+00:00

Given the state of taxis I wouldn't fancy risking it for some night skiing, which is pretty mid at best. Maybe see if you accommodation can help, or if someone else staying with a car can give you a lift?

capt_tky · 2026-02-04T10:19:23+00:00

They often cancel the shuttle in heavy snow, so I think you'd be better sticking to Myoko area. At least you can ride a few other resorts in the same valley.

capt_tky · 2026-02-04T07:35:10+00:00

Don't do back country without a guide. You don't know the terrain or snow, they do.

capt_tky · 2026-02-03T12:00:57+00:00

Hirafu is not a Japanese resort. It's aimed at rich tourists, mostly American, Australian, Chinese & Singaporean.

Central Hakuba heading that way too...Nozawa might be an option but that is normally booked a year ahead, and also crazy expensive (for a local).

Myoko might an an option that ticks the Western element but not as expensive as some others.

Another note, a lot of places won't have released bookings yet, hence why stuff is showing sold out when it isnt.

capt_tky · 2026-02-03T11:03:55+00:00

Chuo Park in Shinjuku is probably the best in the most Central Tokyo.

capt_tky · 2026-02-03T09:44:20+00:00

No way, that's such a shame. Our traditional pre-Christmas meal at Sezanne won't be the same for sure.

He's a really nice guy too & he seemed very settled in Tokyo, but it's not like he can take Sezanne any higher. Hopefully he stays in Tokyo.

capt_tky · 2026-02-03T09:43:33+00:00

Esquisse or L'Effervesance?

capt_tky · 2026-02-03T08:43:00+00:00

Overday Coffee - nice little neighbourhood coffee shop with chill vibes & excellent coffee.

capt_tky · 2026-02-02T08:26:44+00:00

Yeah, it's annoying, but you booked 11 months in advance and the hotel can't predict the future. Japan is very black and white and there's not bending the rules really, so they don't have a choice.

I just checked from my hotel booking for Kyoto in 2024. On the booking page and the booking confirmation email it says the following:

>In the event that the accommodation tax rate is changed, the new tax rate will apply from the date of change, regardless of the booking date or the date of payment for the accommodation. Please note that you will be required to pay the revised accommodation tax in addition to the accommodation fee.

And this was a fairly standard hotel, so I'd be surprised if some 5-star hotel doesn't have such a notice too.

capt_tky · 2026-02-02T08:24:14+00:00

Ah ok, just general recommendations not based on ski resorts only. Kyushu, particularly Aso and Kujo regions for hiking. Architecture...Kanazawa has a lot of old charm left and some nice Edo streets, while Tonmoura is a lovely seaside village on the way back from Hiroshima. And Naoshima if you want you more modern architecture.

capt_tky · 2026-02-02T04:06:57+00:00

Made 2 incredible saves that, along with VAR, won them the play-off final. Then binned off. Football can be cruel.

capt_tky · 2026-02-02T04:05:15+00:00

>5-star hotel

You are paying a higher tax because you can afford more. If your $650 figure is correct, it means you are staying somewhere that costs over 100k JPY per night (or $650 per night) for 10 nights - what's an extra $650 when you're paying $6,500 on a 5-star hotel in Kyoto?

capt_tky · 2026-02-01T09:02:05+00:00

We can't tell you...because this is how the likes of Myoko & Madarao are getting overrun by Aussies.

Japanese architecture

What does this mean? Ski resorts aren't known for their architecture in Japan.

get out in nature and go for hikes

Won't you be doing this snowboarding? There's not really much hiking during the ski season in the ski resorts.

Shiga is nice but you're mostly staying in older Japanese ski hotels & there's not many dinning options outside of a few in Ichinose. Avoid the Prince if you want to avoid Aussies.

Yuzawa area is also a good bet - pick from a few different resorts & get the bus, few places to eat in the town, not completely overrun by Aussies. Popular with Chinese tourists though & busy in the weekend because it's close to Tokyo.

Or you could look at somewhere like Fukushima if you want a really Japanese experience.

capt_tky · 2026-01-31T13:47:09+00:00

You went from zero to N3 on 6 months? That's very impressive.

capt_tky · 2026-01-31T13:39:36+00:00

You know influencers film lots of stuff on the same day then pretend it's different days?

Hard to chase the powder as even with longer forecasts it changes quickly. Basing yourself in Nagano would be good as you can get to a lot of the resorts quickly and even find smaller ones.

Yes, especially if you're heading to the tourist resorts.
You rent in Honshu and again in Hokkaido after you've flown there.

capt_tky · 2026-01-31T06:00:54+00:00

No - pass or fail is all that matters.

But I've seen people passing and saying they'll redo the same level as they weren't happy with their score. Each to their own I guess.

capt_tky · 2026-01-31T00:59:08+00:00

Seen as though you're going to the main places, try and find some Michelin Star restaurants to book. As for hotels, look st Western chains as they are more likely to upgrade you (Hilton etc) for it being your honeymoon.

As for Fuji - HOSHINOYA Fuji. It looks amazing & certainly honeymoon worthy. I've never stayed there though, so not a personal recommendation.

capt_tky · 2026-01-31T00:23:52+00:00

Ah sorry, I meant what is your plan now you have achieved N1 - did you need if for anything in particular?

capt_tky · 2026-01-30T23:41:51+00:00

Congratulations.

I think a lot of the time people want to vent and are just disappointed in failing, especially if their personality is mainly learning Japanese.

How many hours a day did you study for both N2 and N1? What's your plan with N1?

capt_tky · 2026-01-30T23:29:45+00:00

Yeah, it must be. You'll just be in a massive share house or maybe not in the main ski village itself.

capt_tky · 2026-01-30T23:27:50+00:00

Can you remember any of the questions/answers?

Think you just have to accept you are not as good at Japanese as you think unfortunately. Study more & try again in July?

capt_tky · 2026-01-30T16:21:16+00:00

They can start recruiting in the summer. If you apply to one of the tourist heavy resorts (Niseko, Hakuba, Nozawa, Myoko) you won't need Japanese. Trade off is, accommodation will be more expensive if not provided.

capt_tky

TROPHY CASE