In March of this year, I had the chance to join a group of my travel buddies on a snowboarding trip to Japan. The opportunity was too good to pass, so I quickly jumped on the laptop, booked my flights to Tokyo and spent the rest of the 2 months getting pumped for the best snow ever.
The plan was to do some Snowboarding in Japans famous northern mountains, and also some touristy stuff around the southern part of the country.
We started our trip by meeting in Narita Airport, Tokyo, which is pretty awesome in itself. The reunion was epic. Meeting up with a bunch of people I had not seen in ages, and all flying from different locations around the world, AMAZING!! (Myself, Morgan, Wade, Jesse, Kalie and Andrea).The feeling of seeing friends that you have not seen in such a long time is pretty incredible. There is always so much to catch up on and I love hearing about what everyone has been up to.
We headed for some luxury (like luxury hard wood flooring) airport seats to settle down for the night, cost cutting at its finest. Up bright and early, we headed for our flight up to Sapporo in the North of Japan, the excitement for snow was oozing out of everyone. We were all like like little kids, bursting at the seams waiting for that single glimmer of the white stuff. And we were not disappointed, as it greeted us on the runway as we landed.
Even better, the snow came with a free Elisha as a surprise! The last of the group to be reunited was our buddy Elisha, who was supposed to be welcoming us in Niseko, but decided to surprise us at Sapporo airport instead. The group felt complete, as we shuffled on through the airport dragging our belongings behind us.
When nature calls, usually its just an average experience doing your business, but Japan knows how to treat your bum in style. Ill speak for at least 3 of the group when I say, the Washlets (it washes your bum after you've done your business.....well more like a power wash) are one of the best inventions ever made, and a definite highlight of the holiday. After we had our fun in the loo, we headed to catch the bus, the final leg of the journey, along to Niseko.
WE ARRIVED!! Niseko welcomed us with open arms into its snowy, quaint little town, with its huge mountains staring down at us. After a little stroll with one of the staff members, we arrived at our cool little lodge tucked away off one of the main streets. For anyone who is visiting Niseko, Ace Niseko Lodge is the place to stay. Comfortable, clean, authentic, amazing location and the most helpful staff.
So we dumped our gear in what was the most epic of rooms, quickly got changed into our snowboarding gear and headed for our passes. It was extremely cheap compared to what you get at resorts in Canada, NZ and Europe, and the mountain was out of this world. So much depth, so many different areas to explore and the snow.....OH MY GOD !! After breaking the snow legs in for about 4 hours on the first day, we headed back to the lodge for a warm shower and some food in town, at one of the many traditional restaurants. Oh and how could I forget? Some ping pong back at the lodge. Of course there was ping pong. So much ping pong.
The rest of the days on the mountain were filled with so many laughs, great memories with everyone and powder that only exists in dreams. We all pushed ourselves to our limits, and I can definitely say for myself that it was great to ride with a bunch of people that encourage your riding and help you progress. Its what riding with your buddies is all about. We obviously stopped a couple times to test out how deep the snow actually was.....and I can hear you all thinking, 'how did they do that?'. Well jumping off a tree and in to the snow, duh !!
When in Japan, Onsens have to be done. Our second night in Niseko and we jumped at the chance of going along with the Lodge to an indoor/outdoor Onsen. Onsens are basically like a big naked bath gathering. You don't wash yourself, you sit in what can only be described as a 1000 degree water, with your mates and with a drink in hand.....NAKED. Its all kinds of awesome. You occasionally need a little cool down by running into some snow, although you might lose your manhood for a few minutes. You do feel the cleanest you have ever felt in your life afterwards, and probably never feel that clean ever again.
After 5 days of brilliance, two birthday celebrations and cuddling with two of the cutest huskey puppies in the world; we headed down to a small town called Zao for one more day of the white stuff. Not without its sad moments as we had to bid fair well to Elisha as she was heading back to Australia.
Luckily we got to experience our first stage of Japan Rail, and jumped on and off trains for a whole day to get down to Yamagata station. We went from a single carriage, rickety old train to a Shinkansen train that was the luxury of the tracks, but every single part of the journey was beautiful. Finally catching a coach up to the best little town called Zao. We could not have asked for a more authentic Japanese experience. Even upon arrival by bus, you felt the warmth of the town. The tiny little houses, accompanied by the traditional tiny cars all spreading across the mountain range. We were dropped into a town where very little English was spoken, so navigating was a little more difficult now, but gladly we were met by the Hostel owner just outside the Bus Station. He grabbed a couple of bags from the girls, and marched us up to the Hostel. We were met with fresh slippers to change in to, because shoes indoors is a massive no no, and then kindly shown our beds for the night. The picture below explains the awesomeness of the whole situation. No. Words. Needed.
Just saying a quick thanks for our awesome beds. Seriously, rocks in your pillow actually helps.....
Another early rise the morning after to a breakfast of champions cooked by the lovely staff. It was fuel for the last day of riding, which I knew everyone wanted to jump in to with full force. Zao Resort did not disappoint. I think we all agreed that the snow was a little on the icy side, and a bit slushy, but when there is a group of you on the mountain, a bad day can never be had. We caught quite a good few runs, accompanied by a couple hikes out of some awkward areas. But unlike any other mountain I have been on, the mountain was so quiet.....in a good way. We had space to roam ourselves and to just go a bit wild.
SNOW GHOSTS !! Never seen them before in my life, and man were there hundreds. Snow covered every last morsel of greenery or rocky mountain side. Snow as far as the eye could see. Again like Niseko, the views from the peaks were out of this world. It was a great way to say goodbye to Japans mountains.
Tokyo was the next stop. The bustling city that still seems pretty peaceful. From running around Hachiko Square to watching the Robot Show underground in Japan. Tokyo sure showed us a brilliant time. The Robot Show was my favourite though. Seriously, if you want to be confused, excited and entertained all at once....go see it. If I remember, a panda rides a cow into battle against robots, and then a monkey swings into help, accompanied by a shark and a massive snake. Yes, it gets weird.
I think the most special thing about Tokyo, was that the newest member of our team was born. SUGAR the danbo robot. After finally retrieving him from a grab machine, he became the newest addition to nearly all of our photos. And continues to come along on all major adventures.
It was nearing the end of what was an epic holiday, but I still had a couple days left to soak up as much as possible. We headed west from Tokyo to Osaka, to the almighty Universal Studios.
It was so much fun. We went on rollercoasters, had street food, visited Harry Potter World and I shit my pants on the Jaws ride (not literally, although that would be a funny story to tell). Doing it as a group was heaps of fun. Always had company for the rides and we just generally got up to loads of mischief throughout the day. A long day at that, and by night time we were all ready for a snooze, so I think we all took a leaf out of Jesse's book and had a bit of a nap on the way to the hostel.
Have you ever stayed in an old Cinema ? We did. Khaosan Kyoto Theater was where we first experienced Japans infamous pod beds. An old theater made into a modern Hostel incorporated some cool features into its tight structure, but they did it very well. Pod beds are basic but extremely cool. Just an array of square curtains, and behind each one, a single mattress for your pleasure. Its not what your thinking, its just for sleeping. I think. I hope. But they give you plug sockets and a light. What else do you need. It is a must do if you visit the country, and I can safely say that my experience in a pod bed was pretty damn cosy. Check it out.
LAST DAY. For me anyway. We set off to catch some breakfast in one of the many unique cafe's in Kyoto, although I think we ended up settling for a chain business. Oops. I remember it being tasty though, if that helps. Afterwards we headed to western Kyoto where we all hired E.T bikes and set off for adventures around Arashiyama. First stop was the bamboo forrest which is a forrest full of pine trees......................bad joke ? Anyway, the forrest was spectacular. Bamboo towered above, bending over every so slightly as it rose above, creating a slight archway feeling as we cycled along. Of course we stopped for photographs.
Last, but definitely not least. Iwatayama Monkey Park. An underestimated hike up a mountain (I was puffing away by the time we got to the top) seen us faced with cute wild monkeys. Cute little red monkeys that would also rip your tiny little face off if you looked them in the eyes. Do you know how hard it is not to look a monkey in the eye, especially when you are surrounded by...MONKEYS. The experience was extremely cool though, and really satisfying seeing them roaming around in the wild. Although Wade did piss one off by taking its picture and we were inside the feed house quicker than you could say 'Monkey'. My life flashed, seriously, monkey teeth are a lot bigger than I thought they were. Inside we were able to feed them all sorts of treats. Feeding the baby monkeys was so heart warming, even more so when there little fingers grabbed yours. Over all a great experience, slightly frightening, but really cool.
And there we had it, It was time to say goodbye. After a small little cycle back to the train station and one last rendition of Maroon 5's - "Sugar", which was the theme tune of the entire trip. I felt myself getting pretty emotional. In only ten short days, I had become extremely close to everyone on the trip and I genuinely did not want to leave. I would have happily travelled with them for months more. But unfortunately thats hardest part of travelling.
So we hugged it out, I high-fived Andrea about 100 times and did the sad walk back to the train station on my own.........where I discovered that Morgan had led us on the trains the whole entire trip and now I didn't have a single clue what I was doing. YAY !! Numerous failed attempts at speaking my own version of Japanese, befriending a few Japanese strangers and the occasional squeaky bum time in train connections later. I made it to Tokyo Airport to catch my flight back to the UK. SUGAR the robot in tact as well.
If you are thinking of a great Snow Holiday or just a holiday where you can immerse yourself in some of the nicest culture, Japan is for you. Worth the distance and its extremely affordable.
I will be back. Thanks everyone again for an amazing trip, it was b-e-a-utiful.