Japan Perspectives - thoughts from a first-time visitor
It’s been a bit more than a week since I returned from my Japan trip. Here are some thoughts from a first-time visitor of the country—things that might be useful if you’re thinking about heading to Japan in winter.
General Costs: I haven’t tracked this over the years, but right now the yen is strong, which makes traveling more affordable for Europeans. Japan isn’t a budget destination, but it’s also not as expensive as I expected. There are definitely budget options if you look for them.
Where to Go: I can only say what we did: flew into Osaka (direct flight from Shenyang) and took the train into the Nagano mountains. Worked out great.
Public Transportation: Google Maps is super reliable for figuring out train connections and travel times. Buying train tickets online is annoying. You have to click through endless menus. In the end, I just went to the station and bought my ticket there. Worked perfectly. As for getting around in ski areas, there are plenty of shuttles and other transport options, no need to stress.
Hotels & Accommodation: Hotels often look worse on Booking.com than they actually are. If you’re on a budget, don’t expect brand-new places, but everything is clean and functional. Shared bathrooms on the floor are common in Japan—not ideal, but totally fine.
Food: I don’t think I’ve ever been to a country where eating vegetarian was such a challenge. At some point, I just stopped asking what kind of broth the ramen had. Sometimes there’s a vegan option, but usually not, especially if you’re like me and just want to grab something quickly. That said, if you’re flexible, the food is amazing.
Skiing: Absolutely top-notch. Mountains aren’t as high as in the Alps, and lifts aren’t super modern, but that also means lift tickets are only 30 to 45 euros. No need to bring your own skis—you can rent everything, even high-quality gear and clothing from big brands.
Ski Touring: Still not sure if Japan in February is really the best choice for ski touring. Maybe I just got unlucky with the visibility, but March might be better. Also, I didn’t expect ski touring to be way less popular here than in the Alps.
Weather: I’ve mentioned it a lot. Just bring a face mask and a Gore-Tex jacket. It can snow like crazy, and it gets uncomfortably cold, especially on old, slow lifts.
Cities & Sightseeing: No idea. Skipped that part. Just wanted to spend as much time in nature as possible.
Convenience Stores: They are as good as the internet says. Believe the hype. 7-Eleven, Watsons—whatever, they’re all amazing and have everything you need.
