Travel to Sapporo - AFF Opinions

[Durin's Bane]

Hi guys,

I did a search and found no queries on this so I thought I'd ask...

My wife and I had booked to travel to Sapporo (via Tokyo in transit) in January 2012 as part of our RTW holiday.

I wanted a second opinion on the nuclear situation in Japan, and whether or not you guys would risk travelling to Sapporo in nine months time with a six month old. The popular media and DFAT are generally saying reconsider all travel to Japan, albeit in the immediate future.

As my wife's ticket is a redeemed RTW points J class, if we wanted to change we needed to do so ASAP in order to lock in J class seats on alternate flights.

Thanks,
DB.

 

[Balwyn3103]

To be honest, guessing what the radiation levels will be in Sapporo in Jan 2012 is difficult. What you might do is go to one of the English language websites and see what the levels are now. When I was in the Tokyo area last week, the English-langiage newspapers published maps daily with the radiaton levels in each of the areas. Ask your physician a hypothetical "If we were travelling today aith a 6 month old, with those levels, what would you adivse." At least it will be a bench mark. But given the half-life of radiaton and the containment efforts, we can only hope the levels in 8 months time will be less, not more.

I do work on a US air base near Tokyo and at this point we are only evacuating pregnant women as a precaution, not babies.

 

[Hvr]

Have you considered using the OneWorld visit Japan to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo? This will free up two legs on your RTW fare and it only costs 10,000 Yen per sector. On departure upgrades are available for 1,000 Yen and earn full J SCs.

There are a few flights from NRT-CTS every day so you can transit through if you want.

As for visiting Sapporo I reckon there would be more worries about radiation in Tokyo.

 

[p20]

Hi

You'll find daily radiation readings (and graphs showing trend since March) on the below site. They are updated daily.


www.mext.go.jp/english/radioactivity_level/detail/1303986.htm

Hope it helps

 

[samh004]

Hi

You'll find daily radiation readings (and graphs showing trend since March) on the below site. They are updated daily.

MEXT : Reading of environmental radioactivity level by prefecture, Time series data?Graph??English version?

Hope it helps

And the direct link:

http://mextrad.blob.core.windows.net/page/01_Hokkaido_en.html (Sapporo)

 

[V1213]

And the direct link:

http://mextrad.blob.core.windows.net/page/01_Hokkaido_en.html (Sapporo)

Those readings are quite low indeed.

I'm still planning my 2012 Japan ski trip - at this stage the severe impacts don't appear to be too widespread. It seems that the loss of general infrastructure is the biggest barrier to travel at the moment. Hopefully infrastructure will generally be at a good workable level by the end of the year and it will help the Japanese economy to spend some tourist dollars over there anyway.

I like this article for the perspective it puts on the events to date: Cancer deaths in Japan will be from alcohol and ciggies | Article | The Punch

 

[Balwyn3103]

The infrastructure that affects travellers is slowly being restored. The bullet train as far as Hachinohe or Aomori is scheduled to reusme service by the end of this month

 

[Durin's Bane]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have changed our flights, so we are seeing another destination in Europe.

Good thing is, with this change I have structured one leg so we get to experience the A380 in J from LHR to SIN, which we've not yet experienced.

 

[medhead]

Ok. First sorry for not noticing this sooner.

Second it is absolutely $#%€ing stupid to even be talking about radiation levels now for January 2012. Especially as the australian government advisories have changed. Also since sapporo is further away than Tokyo. Can I just say again this is STUPID. I can only think that you've been drawn in by the BS that anti nuke type spew.

At least Europe will be just as good. But of course if Sapporo is affect by radiation from fukashima in 8 months then Europe will be just as bad.

 

[ausi ski bum]

Its a shame you changed your plans skiing in Hokkaido is brilliant, I an still planning my 6th trip there for 2011/12, I am heading to Shiga Kogen myself via Osaka not Narita (mainly because I will visit Koyto and Osaka this trip as well.

Now for the important news

To maximise your skiing dollar and points when flying to Japan, use Jetstar Star Class to Osaka or Narita then J Class on JAL to CTS, gives you Business class points and SC all the way for about the same cost as Qantas Economy

 

[drron]

Ok. First sorry for not noticing this sooner.

Second it is absolutely $#%€ing stupid to even be talking about radiation levels now for January 2012. Especially as the australian government advisories have changed. Also since sapporo is further away than Tokyo. Can I just say again this is STUPID. I can only think that you've been drawn in by the BS that anti nuke type spew.

At least Europe will be just as good. But of course if Sapporo is affect by radiation from fukashima in 8 months then Europe will be just as bad.

Now here's something we are in complete agreement.
This reactor was close to the epicenter of a 9.0 earthquake,got hit by a 10 metre tsunami and then had several 7+ aftershocks and still has not gone into meltdown.If the backup generators had been built above tsunami level and so not knocked out, cooling could have been acheived much earlier and so little risk of radiation leakage.Compare this to the pollution of coal fired power stations and the thousands of deaths from coal mining.

 

[medhead]

Now here's something we are in complete agreement.
This reactor was close to the epicenter of a 9.0 earthquake,got hit by a 10 metre tsunami and then had several 7+ aftershocks and still has not gone into meltdown.If the backup generators had been built above tsunami level and so not knocked out, cooling could have been acheived much earlier and so little risk of radiation leakage.Compare this to the pollution of coal fired power stations and the thousands of deaths from coal mining.

Indeed, don't worry about the 100s of kg of uranium that your average coal power plant spews out every year. Not to mention the other cough.

BTW we might agree on a lot of things. Just I'm not going to let on when I'm trying to make a point.

 

[Durin's Bane]

To maximise your skiing dollar and points when flying to Japan, use Jetstar Star Class to Osaka or Narita then J Class on JAL to CTS, gives you Business class points and SC all the way for about the same cost as Qantas Economy

Thanks for the tip mate - noted for the future.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Its a shame you changed your plans skiing in Hokkaido is brilliant, I an still planning my 6th trip there for 2011/12, I am heading to Shiga Kogen myself via Osaka not Narita (mainly because I will visit Koyto and Osaka this trip as well.

Now for the important news

To maximise your skiing dollar and points when flying to Japan, use Jetstar Star Class to Osaka or Narita then J Class on JAL to CTS, gives you Business class points and SC all the way for about the same cost as Qantas Economy

My son & daughter-in-law to be want to go snowboarding in Japan for their honeymoon in Dec/Jan; would Sopporo be the best option for a first timer in Japan? What alternatives could you suggest:?:

(Apologies if this is a little OT.)

JV

 

[Durin's Bane]

Ok. First sorry for not noticing this sooner.

Second it is absolutely $#%€ing stupid to even be talking about radiation levels now for January 2012. Especially as the australian government advisories have changed. Also since sapporo is further away than Tokyo. Can I just say again this is STUPID. I can only think that you've been drawn in by the BS that anti nuke type spew.

At least Europe will be just as good. But of course if Sapporo is affect by radiation from fukashima in 8 months then Europe will be just as bad.

Surely our decision is no more stupid than agreeing with the socialists and greens that a mining tax and carbon tax are great for the country?

We were debating whether or not to change it, and received mixed messages from different sources. Our hotel in Sapporo and contacts of my sister in-law (who was an expat throughout Japan for seven years) stated it would be fine, however the advice we received from medical professionals here was mixed. In the end we decided to change it. I'm no 'anti-nuclear' campaigner at all and am not on any bandwagon, however am not one who knows the science involved, so have relied on our judgement on information received. We won't take any risk with our 6 month old.

No worries from our end anyway, we will go to Sapporo end of 2012. Plus we get to travel on the A380 in J.

 

[medhead]

Surely our decision is no more stupid than agreeing with the socialists and greens that a mining tax and carbon tax are great for the country?

We were debating whether or not to change it, and received mixed messages from different sources. Our hotel in Sapporo and contacts of my sister in-law (who was an expat throughout Japan for seven years) stated it would be fine, however the advice we received from medical professionals here was mixed. In the end we decided to change it. I'm no 'anti-nuclear' campaigner at all and am not on any bandwagon, however am not one who knows the science involved, so have relied on our judgement on information received. We won't take any risk with our 6 month old.

No worries from our end anyway, we will go to Sapporo end of 2012. Plus we get to travel on the A380 in J.

Firstly I didn't question your decision. I questioned raising the topic in first place

Second I didn't say you were anti nuke. I said you must have been sucked in by anti nuke information.

Finally, whoever gave you mixed information was wrong, especially a doctor :?: IME very few doctors know anything about radiation exposure and effects. With the current situation unless there is a catastrophic change with the reactor you and your baby will get zero radiation exposure from the reactors in Sapporo. In fact, your baby would get (more) radiation exposure flying to Japan (and more again flying to Europe). As I alluded to, a catastrophic change will be spreading radioactive material all over the northern hemisphere.

So IMO anyone who raised any doubts on this point either doesn't know or they have an agenda.

Once again I'm not questioning you decision. (just the reason for making the decision) I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter where you go.

 

[Fifa]

My son & daughter-in-law to be want to go snowboarding in Japan for their honeymoon in Dec/Jan; would Sopporo be the best option for a first timer in Japan? What alternatives could you suggest:?:

(Apologies if this is a little OT.)

JV

We skied in Japan for the third time in Feb this year. Spent 8 fantastic days at Furano (the Furano Prince Hotel and New Furano Prince Hotel offer a free bus once per day from Sapporo city) and also went to Tomamu for 3 days which we really enjoyed.

I like ski in, ski out which our hotels offered. If staying in Sapporo you need to catch a bus from the city to the ski resorts each day which is a bit of a hassle.

BTW - I booked all our accommodation on-line using Japanese websites (translated). Everything went without a hitch and our hotels were really cheap when compared to Aussie resorts and Niseko.

Cant wait til our next trip in 2013.

 

[V1213]

We skied in Japan for the third time in Feb this year. Spent 8 fantastic days at Furano (the Furano Prince Hotel and New Furano Prince Hotel offer a free bus once per day from Sapporo city) and also went to Tomamu for 3 days which we really enjoyed.

Did a few days this past January at the Furano New Prince as well. Really enjoyed the area and even had some non-skiers visit for a few days, who were suitably entertained with the surrounding attractions, which included a lavendar farm, winery and art gallery. If anyone goes there, the wine, which is available at the New Prince as well, is well wortha try.

 

[ausi ski bum]

My son & daughter-in-law to be want to go snowboarding in Japan for their honeymoon in Dec/Jan; would Sopporo be the best option for a first timer in Japan? What alternatives could you suggest:?:

(Apologies if this is a little OT.)

JV

An easy introduction to Japan skiing is Niseko but personally I am over that (to many aussies ha ha) I like Rusutsu, Tomamu and Furano as well in Hokkaido but don't discount Sahoro (not saporro) resort. Biggest hint for Hokkaido skiing, hire a car and go to a few locations and some of the other great tourist atractions.

In the mainland Shiga Kogen takes some beating and you can see the snow monkeys as well. Shiga is an easy train ride into Tokyo from the airport then Shink ride to the city of Nagano then bus to the mountain, easily done the day you arrive.

Have a look at the ski.com.au and snowjapan.com forums for heaps of advice on Japan Skiing

 

[Jacques Vert]

An easy introduction to Japan skiing is Niseko but personally I am over that (to many aussies ha ha) I like Rusutsu, Tomamu and Furano as well in Hokkaido but don't discount Sahoro (not saporro) resort. Biggest hint for Hokkaido skiing, hire a car and go to a few locations and some of the other great tourist atractions.

In the mainland Shiga Kogen takes some beating and you can see the snow monkeys as well. Shiga is an easy train ride into Tokyo from the airport then Shink ride to the city of Nagano then bus to the mountain, easily done the day you arrive.

Have a look at the ski.com.au and snowjapan.com forums for heaps of advice on Japan Skiing

Thanks to fifa, V1213 and ausi ski bum for your thoughts; I have passed them onto my son and he also sends his thanks.

I will let you guys know what they decide; who knows, I may even be able to talk them into joining and doing a TR!

Also thanks to Hvr for the tip on the Visit Japan pass (I had forgotten about that one).

JV