Off to Japan to visit my son there and get some skiing. San Diego to Nartia direct is a long flight! We arrived in the afternoon with easy customs and baggage. Quick walk to the train. Long ticket line to the Skyliner to Ueno station. We went to the wrong platform - it was hard dragging the ski bags back up the stairs! The Skyliner was prompt and easy with reserved seats and only one stop to Ueno. Not too pricey but I don't think it's on the railpass.
Ueno was a bit confusing. You had to go all the way to the street, cross the street and walk a long walk through the JR east station. Long line to buy tickets for the Shinkansen bullet train to Navajo. We waited an extra train for a reserved seat (not sure it was extra price). This train was a bit more expensive and stopped several times but still quite easy. Met everyone there. Staying at the Metropolitan hotel in the station - so easy and we were exhausted. Jetlagged so I'm typing in the morning darkness.
Bummer that there is zero snow in Nagano. My other son is over as well and met us after catching a couple days in Niseko. Not much there either. Hopefully the unusual dry weather will break and score us some Japow. Not sure if we will ski today or visit snow monkeys...
Eric
Ueno was a bit confusing. You had to go all the way to the street, cross the street and walk a long walk through the JR east station. Long line to buy tickets for the Shinkansen bullet train to Navajo. We waited an extra train for a reserved seat (not sure it was extra price). This train was a bit more expensive and stopped several times but still quite easy. Met everyone there. Staying at the Metropolitan hotel in the station - so easy and we were exhausted. Jetlagged so I'm typing in the morning darkness.
Bummer that there is zero snow in Nagano. My other son is over as well and met us after catching a couple days in Niseko. Not much there either. Hopefully the unusual dry weather will break and score us some Japow. Not sure if we will ski today or visit snow monkeys...
Eric