🇯🇵 #2 Japan Series: How to Get Around, Sort your Gear, and Figure Out Resorts |
After our deep dive into Japow’s legendary powder in the last newsletter, let’s talk about how to make your dream Hokkaido ski trip a reality! ⛷
From navigating Japan’s ultra-efficient trains to finding the coziest ryokan, sorting your gear, and nabbing those lift passes, I’ve got you covered 😎.
This newsletter will help you make the most of your adventure. Let’s gear up and hit the slopes of Hokkaido—Japanese style! 👇🎌
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🛤 Getting Around:
🚄 Japan's rail system is efficient and easy to navigate. Use the Japan Rail Pass for unlimited travel on JR trains, or the Hokkaido Rail Pass (exclusive use for foreigners) for regional access. Book passes in advance for better rates 😉.
⛩ From Tokyo, take the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Hakodate and transfer to a train or bus to your ski destination. Flying into New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) is faster; you can reach Niseko or Rusutsu by shuttle bus.
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🎿 Ski Gear Transport:
Use takkyubin (luggage delivery services) like Yamato Transport to send your gear directly to your hotel or resort. It's affordable (around ¥2,000–¥3,000- about €12-17💸) and saves hassle on trains.
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🏠 Accommodation:
⛩ Stay at a ryokan 旅館 (traditional inns) for an authentic experience, complete with tatami mats and onsen 温泉 (hot springs). For convenience, hotels near ski resorts are great options.
👘 If you're on a budget, check out hostels or guesthouses- they start around ¥3,500 (€20) per night. Otherwise mid-range hotels/ryokan typically cost ¥10,000–¥15,000 (€60-90).
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⛷How to Find the Perfect Powder Days
👀 Keep an eye on weather patterns using apps like SnowJapan, Windy, or YR.no.
🌊 Watch for “JPCZ” (Japan Sea Polar Air Mass Convergence Zone), when cold Siberian winds pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan, delivering legendary powder dumps.
❄️ Ideal snowfall occurs after prolonged cold fronts. Check daily temperatures and wind directions!
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🤔 What to Expect at Resorts
⛷ Hokkaido resorts like Niseko ニセコ (remember the Niseko Rules from our last newsletter?😉) , Rusutsu 留寿都, and Sapporo 札幌 are freeride-friendly, with extensive off-piste areas and backcountry access.
🚠 Lifts are modern but can be crowded during peak times (weekends and holidays). Day lift passes cost:
- Niseko: ¥6,000–¥8,000 ≈ €36 - €48
- Rusutsu: ¥5,000–¥6,000 ≈ €30 - €36
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💼 Gear, Equipment and Rental
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🎌 What to Bring for Hokkaido Conditions
- Split boards or Powder skis with a wide waist (>100mm) for float ⛷.
- Fully waterproof and windproof outerwear—think GORE-TEX 💦.
- Layering: Merino wool or synthetic base layers, mid-layers for warmth, and down jackets for frigid days 🧣.
- Accessories: Thick gloves, balaclava, goggles with low-light lenses, and avalanche safety gear for backcountry ⛏.
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🎌 But if you want to rent..
🎿 Many resorts offer rentals. Prices typically range:
- Powder skis: ¥5,000–¥8,000/day ≈ €30- €48
- Full ski touring setups: ¥8,000–¥12,000/day ≈ €48 - €72
👉 Good Sports and Rhythm Japan are excellent rental shops with high-quality gear. Both offer online reservations and multi-day discounts 🤑.
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⛷ If you'd love to start planning your next adventure, we are here for you, just text Giulia on WhatsApp and she'll help you out 🥰👇
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Our Ambassadors Team Is Growing 🙋🚀💥
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As we gear up for winter (can't wait!❄️), we’ve been busy expanding our international team of Ambassadors—and we’re thrilled to welcome nearly 30 adventurous friends to the Mapo Tapo family! 🥳
We’re handpicking some seriously cool people to travel the world with us, and some of them are already preparing to head out! A couple of them are gearing up for Japan—you’ll want to check out their profiles below for all the details and exclusive discount codes to join their trips. 🎿
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⛷ Who's Joining Us This Winter In JAPOW 🎌
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Our first double ambassador trip!! 🎉 Claudia and Sabine will be skiing on Japan's dry powder in Jan 20-27 📆 and there's only 10 spots left!
🇪🇸 Originally from Spain, Claudia is the "it" girl of board sports - skiing, snowboarding, surfing she's a lover of them all! Her energy and passion for adventure are contagious—you’ll love shredding the slopes with her! ⛷🏄♀️🏂
🇨🇭A true mountain girl at heart, Sabine lives and breathes the Swiss alpine lifestyle. Based in Switzerland, she knows her way around powder, and this isn’t her first time conquering Japan’s legendary snow. She'll have epic stories and insider tips to share! 👀
Don’t miss this chance to ski with two incredible ambassadors and explore the magic of Japow together! ❄️ Secure your spot now before they’re gone!
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🗣️ "I'm a nature lover, there is nothing that makes me happier. I was born in Barcelona, Spain, and since I'm a baby my dream has been to travel for freeriding in search of the best snow. With 23 years old, I have been all over Europe snowboarding , and going to Japan is a very important trip for me because it will be the first time I am going to touch snow on another continent and with a completely different culture. I am very lucky to share this trip with Sabine, she has already been in Japan and therefore will be able to accompany us to the best places. As I mentioned at the beginning, I love nature, but even more so being able to share experiences in it with people who have the same love for the mountains. This is going to be an unforgettable trip, I will remember it all my life."
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🗣️ "I’m an outdoor enthusiast who feels most at home in nature. Whether hiking, trail running, or skiing, you’ll always find me outside. Originally from Southern Germany, my love for the mountains led me to settle in a small alpine village in central Switzerland. I enjoy both the small and big moments in the mountains—from quiet sunrises to the thrill of freeriding and the pure freedom of skiing deep powder. It’s where I find my true happiness. Sharing this passion with others and inspiring them to experience the magic of the mountains is my biggest dream—every adventure is just a step away.
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📸 Pics from the community |
Discover Mapo Tapo through our travelers' eyes! In each newsletter, we'll be featuring a selection of our favorite snapshots taken during our trips worldwide.👇 Here's a sneek peak of our last trip to Japan:
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@ Mapo Tapo S.r.l. at Viale Piceno 6, 20129, Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
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