Please reach us at snokinawa@hotmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We know how to economically experience the winter resorts of Japan. We have a Japanese native on each tour to ensure a smooth experience. We limit group size to 2-4 guests for personalized tours.
Each evening we will select a restaurant for the group. We will also occasionally arrange other activities (Karaoke, Sake distillery, etc.) . Of course, each guest may opt out if they so choose.
Should the weather not cooperate (road and/or resort closures) we do our best to find other activities to enjoy.
No. We deliver our guests to lift-served ski resorts with general resort orientation. We do not lead nor endorse off-piste skiing/riding for liability reasons.
Two components to our tour costs are the Tour Fee and Lodging.
The tour fee includes transportation and escort service which is paid direct to Snokinawa. Also included is Washington State sales tax.
The lodging fee is paid by the guest at time of hotel check-in. Therefore, guests pay less money upfront, have no cancellation fee concerns, no US sales tax, and flexibility should they prefer higher or lower cost lodging. Snokinawa makes the reservations without any mark-up whatsoever.
Yes. Rescue service, travel disruptions, and bad weather can all wreak havoc on your trip. Insurance relieves the burden. Proof of travel insurance is required to join our tours.
A company to consider; World Nomads
Japan's ideal snow period is mid January to mid February. Of course weather/snow is always variable, but we do our best to target the historically best time to ski/board.
We primarily target basic business hotels. In Japan these are clean, small rooms by western standards, have simple amenities, normally with an onsen (basically a hot shallow pool), and include good breakfast buffets. We stay in cities to enjoy many dining options and other activities like Sake distilleries, Karaoke, etc. without high resort prices.
Our trips are ideal for first time visitors to Japan, or those that have previously only skied westernized resorts such as Niseko and Rusutsu. Outside of those resorts, having a Japanese native we can much easier culturally navigate Japan.
To understand our travel style and in general get to know us, we encourage all interested guests to have a video chat with Brian and Yumi. Just send an email and we will sort out a date and time.
Yes! If sightseeing is desired, ideally it should be prior to the tour. Ski/board gear can be shipped from Japan airports (& many other locations) to the first ski hotel of the tour so you do not have to lug it around your sightseeing itinerary. We can provide information on shipping as well as recommended pre-trip destinations.
Like most ski resorts, in Japan there are slopes for all abilities. However, Japan is well known for powder so some untracked snow ability is ideal. Tree skiing is where the best snow is found. That being said...in Japan Brian is always seeking out fresh tracks, while Yumi is content on the groomed slopes.
Food:
Dinner ~ ¥ 2,000 per meal
Lunch ~ ¥ 1,000 per meal
Breakfast is included in room rate (except Sapporo)
Lift Passes average out to ~ ¥6,500. Use of Ikon, Epic, and/or Indy passes will reduce the lift pass overall cost.
A non-hotel Onsen visit is typically under ¥ 1,000.
Karaoke is about ¥ 1,200/hour for private room and unlimited drinks.
See this on-going list.
Snokinawa originated as Brian's Facebook Group consisting of "Snow Lovers" of Okinawa, or Snokinawa. He led groups of co-workers/friends on several trips to snowy Hokkaido and Honshu while living in sub-tropical Okinawa, Japan for six years. It is pronounced "Snow-key-now-ahh."
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