Flying Business Class from Japan to Australia

[artemis]

I'm shifting plans a little and will now be flying into and out of Tokyo (Going to ski Hakuba instead), so a JASA is looking a very good option.



The flight lands at 7:25am and the next flight to brisbane is 9:05am. Do you think I'd make this or would it be safer to book the 10:05?

My instinct says if Qantas will let me book the 9:05 I should do so. I suspect they'll bump me to a later flight if I miss the connection, though I might end up missing the 10:05 as well if it's full. What do the regular flyers think?

I've just gotten back from skiing Hakuba this week. No issues coming off the JAL 772 flight which lands at the same time and getting on the 9.05a flight to Brisbane. Same-same for the QF flight in Jan. Also note that you earn 0.7 ppm on JAL I class! So QF def the way to go IMHO. Plus SC count towards bonii etc.

I did the BNE-SYD-NRT thing on QF in January and have to say I much preferred the QF experience compared to the JAL experience. JAL just faffed around on the night flight returning home, whereas QF was nice and easy to get a meal and get to sleep. And the cabin wasn't as hot, so quality of sleep is better (plus PJs, plus mattress, plus amenities kit). All-in-all, I really thought QF was a much better experience - much to my surprise!

Just a tip on getting to and from Hakuba - it's easy to to the NEX/Shinkansen/Hakuba bus, but as we found out - it costs about the same to get a taxi from NRT to Hakuba (~JPY12,000). I like the trains, but it's another option. I also had plenty of time to leave Hakuba at 8.30a and arrive in Tokyo for some shopping before heading to airport.

And awesome skiing! Tsugaike Kogen is my pick! Have fun! Actually, maybe I should come with you!

 

[Ausbt]

And awesome skiing! Tsugaike Kogen is my pick! Have fun! Actually, maybe I should come with you!

What's the off-piste like (if any) at Tsugaike? Also any tips/recommendations on accommodation? I'll be solo up there and looking for a dorm or lodge, my requirements are not much more than skiing all day and an hour in the onsen every night.

 

[artemis]

What's the off-piste like (if any) at Tsugaike? Also any tips/recommendations on accommodation? I'll be solo up there and looking for a dorm or lodge, my requirements are much more than skiing all day and an hour in the onsen every night.

We stayed in a lovely lodge in Goryu. But I think the main excitement happens in Happo. I'd prob stay in Happo for the apres scene next time. Having said that, it's easy enough to get around and there are some great izakayas in Goryu.

As for off-piste - I'm not a very advanced skier, but my friend did a bit of off-piste stuff at Tsugaike and Iwatake and loved it. I'll ask her for more detailed recommendations.

 

[blu]

Off topic (& offpiste)
"Expert riders and powderhounds may get a little frustrated with the ban on tree skiing and off-piste skiing at most of the Hakuba ski resorts (Cortina being an exception). The ski patrollers don’t turn a blind eye to going off-piste and it’s heavily policed including the use of video surveillance."
Hakuba Japan | Hakuba Ski Resort Reviews Packages

 

[artemis]

Off topic (& offpiste)
"Expert riders and powderhounds may get a little frustrated with the ban on tree skiing and off-piste skiing at most of the Hakuba ski resorts (Cortina being an exception). The ski patrollers don’t turn a blind eye to going off-piste and it’s heavily policed including the use of video surveillance."
Hakuba Japan | Hakuba Ski Resort Reviews Packages

I spoke to my friend and this didn't seem to be the case. Certainly her photos attest to it as well!

Having said that, we were there at the end of season. And Japan is quite fond of an orderly system, so perhaps they are more assertive at policing it during higher peak times...

There's certainly enough powder about for it not to be a problem. And plenty of space for backcountry skiing too!

(gosh I want to go back!)

 

[blu]

OT
There's different 'levels of enforcement' between the resorts which makes it confusing. Hakuba47 would be the strictest & Tsugaike less so.