Brett's Itinerary for Japan January 2016

Brett's Plan for 2016

My initial plan for 2016 is to visit 3 different Ski areas, Nozawa Onsen, Zao Onsen, Niseko

Flight to Japan

I like to use skyscanner to hunt for flights as the

http://www.skyscanner.com.au/transport/flights/syd/nrt/160112/airfares-from-sydney-kingsford-smith-to-tokyo-narita-in-january-2016.html?adults=1&children=0&infants=0&cabinclass=economy&rtn=0&preferdirects=false&outboundaltsenabled=false&inboundaltsenabled=false

I chose Jetstar JQ952 06:15a/syd-> 18:45/NRT Japan approx A$700  (so arrives in Japan 6:45pm on the 12th Jan)

Japan Rail Pass

If you intend to do ALL your travel by train whilst in Japan it may be cost effective to look at getting a Japan Rail Pass, but make sure you crunch the numbers

Japan Rail Pass  

or this if you only need JR east (5 day - au$255)

Travel Options Narita to Nozawa Onsen

By bus -  nagano snow shuttle   20:30-01:15 on 12th of Jan    (10300yen pp)

By Chuo Taxi - approx 12900 yen

By Rail - Several Options, but the one which aligns best with my flights was the 19:31 train from Narita arriving TOGARINOZAWA-ONSEN train station approx 23:44 for 9940 yen

Accommodation Nozawa Onsen - 5 nights 12th till 16th (checkout 17th) (4 days on snow)

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We are booked at Toemu Resort close to the post office

Travel Options Nozawa Onsen to Zao Onsen on 17th Jan

By Rail - Several Options, but the one which minimises travel time best seems like 09:47 departure from TOGARINOZAWA-ONSEN train station and arrive Yamagata train station 14:42 then :-

Bus for 40 mins Yamagata to Zao Onsen (1000 yen, hourly bus service)

Accommodation Zao Onsen - 4 nights 17th till 20th (checkout 21st) (3 days on snow)

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We are staying at :

Transport Zao Onsen to Niseko 21st

By Rail - (8:36 AM–5:58 PM (9 h 22 min)) approx 19250 yen

Flying - Sendai Airport (which is only 88km from Zao Onsen) to Chitose Airport (near Sapporo), bus to niseko  
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/transportation/discount/air.html 

1. Bus Zao Onsen to Sendai Airport - From Sendai Airport there are 2-3 shuttle services per day to Zao in the afternoon. Reservations are required (022-323-4737 Japanese only). A more complicated way to get there is to catch a train from Sendai Airport to Sendai and then to Yamagata. 
2. Fly Sendai to Airport Chitose (near Sapporo)
3. Bus Chitose Airport (near Sapporo) to Niseko - cheapest - door to door

Accommodation Niseko area - 7 nights 21-27th (checkout on 28th) (6 days on snow)

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We are booked in at Pension & Restaurant Bistare Kana, near Annupri

Transport Niseko to Chitose Airport (near Sapporo)

Bus Niseko to Chitose Airport (near sapporo) -  cheapest - door to door

Return Flight to Australia

T5) Jetstar JQ106->2 stop to syd (13:25 depart Sapporo) arrive Syd 11:05 29th Jan approx A$650

Phone Sim for Japan

The following options were all considered - obviously these prices and providers will vary each year :