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draxxmenvone 
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Post subject: Japan!
 Posted: Dec 28, 2011 - 08:32 AM
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First post: Oct 07, 2006
Total posts: 50
Location: Glasgow
Status: Offline
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Hi folks.
I'm lucky enough to be going to Japan on my honeymoon and we're planning on spending a week snowboarding. We reckon we'll probably go to Niseko but we're having difficulty choosing accommodation. We're looking for something fairly low budget but with some privacy. Ideally we'd like a unisex Onsen nearby. Can anyone help?
Thanks. Max. |
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TubbyBeaver
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 28, 2011 - 09:41 AM
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First post: Oct 23, 2008
Total posts: 188
Location: Japan
Status: Offline
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What time of year are you coming over and what's your budget per night? Owashi Lodge is a 3 min walk to the lifts in Hirafu, is also near to all the after dark places you'd want to find and is about 5000 yen per person per night for a double bunk room. This is totally private no one else can access the room.
Unisex onsen.........you'll be lucky I reckon. There are some dotted around but they still mean that people are naked (although women can wear towels into the bath) Onsen are generally segregated between the sexes. Some hotels have private onsens which you can rent for an hour but these are often just indoor baths that lack the atmosphere of an outdoor rotenburo........I was in one yesterday, quality. Made from rough hewn stone, surrounded by snow and covered with a wooden canopy that still allowed you to be snowed upon.....it doesn't get much better. to get the proper onsen experience, I reckon you should just live without each other for an hour and go in with everyone else. This wasn't in Niseko mind you and perhaps woddy2Shoes can give you local info for up there. |
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woody2shooz
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 28, 2011 - 09:52 AM
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First post: Oct 08, 2006
Total posts: 335
Location: Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Status: Offline
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| The only mixed onsen I know of is Niseko Grand Hotel, closer to Moiwa and Annupuri. Annupuri is a beautiful place to honeymoon, much more so than Hirafu. What kind of budget are you looking at? When are you coming over? Just the 2 of you? |
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draxxmenvone
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 29, 2011 - 09:03 AM
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First post: Oct 07, 2006
Total posts: 50
Location: Glasgow
Status: Offline
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Thanks for your help so far folks. We're on a medium budget I'd say but wouldn't be against staying in a hostel. Looks like we'll be having separate Onsens but that'll be ok. What would really help us are links or contact numbers for accommodation people have stayed in with a description of what it's like. We'd love a traditional Japanese style inn but would be equally happy with a western style.
Many thanks.
Max |
_________________
...from the makers of Coco Pops Straws.
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TubbyBeaver
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 29, 2011 - 01:55 PM
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First post: Oct 23, 2008
Total posts: 188
Location: Japan
Status: Offline
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1 thing to think about is that if you get a japanese style inn (a Ryokan or a Pension) you are likely to be sleeping on futons, which are nothing like the versions that you can get at home. They are basically thick mats that lie directly on the floor and your pillow may well be filled with plastic pegs!  I actually find them pretty comfortable but they aren't everyones cup of tea and the novelty may well wear off very quickly!!
I stayed in the Ginrei-so Lodge, its a Japanese pension style and me and my mate were the only foreigners. It was comfortable enough, clean, warm and very close to the Ace Pair lifts. The rooms are basic, but thats the Japanese spartan style. It was 7000 yen per night including breakfast and dinner. not really my idea of a Honeymoon place but the position was excellent for both access to the hill and to bars and restaurants. There is a decent onsen at the neighbouring Prince Hotel.....the rotenburo overlooks the bottom of the Ace family slope. |
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moo
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 29, 2011 - 01:57 PM
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First post: Nov 24, 2004
Total posts: 326
Location: No longer Whistler
Status: Offline
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We stayed at Shizenkan Lodge last year. They have 2 buildings next door to each other, one is more B&B style (nicer) and the other is backpackers lodge style (still ok). It's about 10 - 15 mins walk to the main Hirafu gondola / town or there is a bus stop right outside. We had a room with private bathroom which was fine, would stay there again.
They were pretty helpful sorting stuff like lift tickets and the bus from CTS airport although TBH it's not that hard to sort out yourself.
http://www.niseko-backpacker.com/ |
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draxxmenvone
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 29, 2011 - 03:46 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2006
Total posts: 50
Location: Glasgow
Status: Offline
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We're currently looking at the Annupuri Oasis lodge which seems pretty basic and secluded. Don't know if anyone knows of it. I think it's Australian run. They seem good value and can hook us up with board/ski hire, passes and transfers. What is there to do at Annupuri at night? Bars/restaurants? Any night skiing? Transport to Hirafu at night? Any Onsens? Like the sound of Annupuri being a bit quieter if we can get to Hirafu and back at night. Taxis? Busses?
Thanks so much for your help folks. I appreciate it.
Max. |
_________________
...from the makers of Coco Pops Straws.
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TubbyBeaver
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Post subject: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 30, 2011 - 09:06 AM
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First post: Oct 23, 2008
Total posts: 188
Location: Japan
Status: Offline
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| very little to do at night, all the main apres spots are in Hirafu. Its not like Hirafu is Ibiza in the snow. Japan Apres is chilled at best and usually non-existent at worst......Niseko is one of only a handful of resorts that has anything resembling Apres life. There are plenty bars and restaurants to explore but its quiet enough to not feel you are on an 18-30's snow tour |
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woody2shooz
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Post subject: Re: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 31, 2011 - 04:31 AM
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First post: Oct 08, 2006
Total posts: 335
Location: Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Status: Offline
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moo wrote:
We stayed at Shizenkan Lodge last year.
http://www.niseko-backpacker.com/
good shout moo!
Shjizenkan lodge would be a great honeymoon place. Its location is easily walkable for all the bars and restaurants of Hirafu village yet kind of secluded and peaceful. There are also some really good eateries on the same road. Get the bride a cake from Graubunden and your marital bed will be warm as toast!
http://graubunden.jp/wp/
we stayed at Shizenkan Lodge twice, once ensuite once not, and tbh I'd rather go not.
Wherever you end up make sure to get an all mountain pass. Remember, it's all one mountain with 4 quite different faces. Annupuri does have night skiing and the shuttle bus runs until lights out. |
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woody2shooz
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 31, 2011 - 04:41 AM
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First post: Oct 08, 2006
Total posts: 335
Location: Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Status: Offline
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oh, and Onsen. Annupuri is better placed than Hirafu for onsen but they often have courtesy buses of their own. The Hilton has a stunning bath with Yotei views and a koi pool next to the bath but is a bit touristy/ gimicky. The Japanese favourite is Kando-no-mori and they definitely have a mini-bus service. Another popular one close to Annupuri is Yugokorotei www.niseko-annupurionsen.com
Infact, there are over 100 onsen in striking distance of the mountain. |
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moo
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 31, 2011 - 08:50 AM
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First post: Nov 24, 2004
Total posts: 326
Location: No longer Whistler
Status: Offline
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Those cakes at Graubunden are immense! We loved it there.
Wish we had gone to Niseko for this New Year, looks like an amazing December compared to last year  |
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draxxmenvone
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Japan!
Posted: Dec 31, 2011 - 10:03 AM
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First post: Oct 07, 2006
Total posts: 50
Location: Glasgow
Status: Offline
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Brilliant. Thanks for all the help folks. We finally booked yesterday. Annupuri Oasis Lodge. We got all mountain passes and we're gonna get those cakes. Now we need to plan the rest of the Honeymoon. Not snowboard related but we need a traditional Japanese style ryokan in Kanazawa for two nights, and good value inns or ryokans in downtown or station area Kyoto and somewhere nice in Tokyo. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks folks.
Max. |
_________________
...from the makers of Coco Pops Straws.
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