Agreed with what was mentioned above, a car is essential to get around to the diff resorts outside of the Niseko ones ie. Rusutsu (my all-time fave resort), a must in Hokkaido imo. Kiroro was pretty good as well, and the relatively nearby town of Otaru was nice to visit after, esp the canal. Niseko Moiwa was small, but was still fun to ride esp knowing the Korua crew filmed there in their previous film. And is where we met the "Orange Man", also.
We stayed along Lake Toya and was ~45 min drive to Rusutsu, views were beautiful otw to and from the resort along the lake. And def hit up the Seicomarts, great hot food for relatively cheap $$. Most of our meals came from that convenience store lol. Miss their chicken karage, some of the best I've had.
Japan
Re: Japan
if I was younger, I'd do this…
Free Lift Passes, Anyone? Japan’s Ski Mecca Is Desperate for Workers.
Japan reopened its borders just in time for the winter season. The Niseko area is straining to meet the pent-up demand.
The labor shortages have been a boon for workers, who are showered with perks. Markus Timander, 31, who obtained a working holiday visa from Sweden and traveled to Japan in the fall, snagged nine job offers within three days of posting his availability in a handful of Facebook groups aimed at Niseko workers.
He is now working as a driver for a new boutique hotel near the Hirafu ski resort. In addition to the use of a car during off hours, he has free accommodations — with his own bedroom — and a season ski pass.
New York/Vermont
Re: Japan
Damn, it was that bad out there huh?
Thanks for the tid bits ya'll. Have folks been to Iwanai for regular lift riding?
We have 12 total days. Considered checking out Furano for 2 days to start the trip, but seems like there's plenty to explore around Niseko based everyone's rec: Moiwa, Kiroro, Rusutsu, and of course United. Wife's goal for the trip is to get plenty of practice/lessons riding powder so I'm all for it!
Will have a few days where she's taking lessons so I'd be down to link up if ya'll are @sunokeru @ilboarder12.
Re: Japan
it's still niseko = BEST TIMES! there's an obvious shortage of staff due to not being prepared for the tourist onslaught for the 22/23 season, really no ones fault. they'll be better equipped next season.
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coleslawed
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Re: Japan
is this a widespread thing related to everything opening up to tourists again there, or just one poorly run access spot?
Re: Japan
Cultural differences.coleslawed wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 7:40 am is this a widespread thing related to everything opening up to tourists again there, or just one poorly run access spot?
(Which also touch legal differences.)
The expectation of being actively policed (rules, laws, enforcement) for one's own safety is a very Western mentality.
It just does not exist here.
It's not that they don't care—the Japanese are humanists—it's that they respect individual freedom in a different way.
"Do what you want, we will not stop you. If you fuck up, we'll help if we can, but the responsibility (shame, guilt, cost) for taking the risk is on you."
Also, because it plays into this: the highest principle in Japanese society is "never create an awkward moment." No one will ever tell you not do something (because that would be awkward). You are expected to know what you are getting yourself into the and your risk of "creating an awkward moment." If you proceed, they accept that you will bear full responsibility.
For most westerners, the burden of responsibility has been abstracted away into the state and other constructs, so this is unimaginable.
Is Japan different? Yes.
Is it "wrong"? Who are we to judge?
I have stories. I can tell them from a Western perspective, with utter disbelief of the actions/inactions of "authorities" (wrong word here as there is no such legal construct). I can also tell the same stories from the Japanese perspective, with utter disbelief of the actions/inactions of the foreigners involved.
(The difference in the above is the western expectation of "someone with authority will save me from myself"… odd thing for a culture that values freedom…)
Heh, I am repeating myself. Hope my point came across.
