HERE IS WHAT WE BRING TO JAPAN
ESSENTIALS
Passport
ATM card/credit card (some way to extract/spend money)
Pow skis/snowboard*
Ski boots/snowboard boots*
Correct size ski poles with powder baskets*
Ski/snowboard bag that fits your equipment. (Wheels are convenient)
Goggles
Helmet/hat
Warm gloves
Functioning ski pants
Functioning ski jacket
Mid-layer such as micro-puff jacket (something to throw on for the extra cold days)
Socks you prefer to ski/ride in
A warm base layer (Ex: long johns and a fleece that are both NOT cotton)
At least one set of 'street clothes' (pants, t-shirt, and shoes to wear while not choking on powder)
BACKCOUNTRY ESSENTIALS
Backcountry knowledge**
Avalanche beacon
Avalanche probe
Avalanche shovel
Proper backpack for the above items
Touring skis/bindings with fitted skins*
Touring poles
Splitboard (with fitted skins) or snowshoes*
Map, guide, or knowledge of the area
EXTRA BUT USEFUL
Spare lenses for goggles
spare gloves
sunglasses
More than one pair of ski/snowboard socks
More than one pair of any kind of socks
More than one pair of underwear
A few shirts/ pairs of pants
Face-mask/gator
Bathing suit (the onsen is customarily nude), but the wave pool at Rusutsu is not.
snow boots for trudging through snow around town
phone/internet device
Camera (with selfie-stick just to fit in)
Head lamp
International driver's License/Permit
Power adapter (depending on where you are from). Same outlet as North America and sometimes with the 3rd grounding pin.
IF YOU STILL HAVE ROOM
Boot dryer
Japan guide book/phrase book
LEAVE BEHIND
Skis/snowboard #3
Your dusty and snow-starved home ski area
your own coffee, vending machines serve hot coffee cans everywhere.
Water filter
Pad-locks (Japan has no theft)
Malaria pills
Go-Pro chest mount - this will never be a good POV
Your Hansi Hinterseer après CD
ACQUIRED TRICKS & TIPS
Carry ski boots with you on the plane. If your bags are lost it is best to have your own boots because rentals are never as good
If you need to buy a ski bag for this trip, look for one with wheels. You might be dragging your stuff through sprawling subway stations
Seven-Eleven convenience stores in Japan seem to have the only ATMs that regularly accept foreign cards. If the ATMs aren't working, try a Seven-Eleven
For international travel to many countries, a 4-digit PIN number is required to get money form an ATM. Be on the safe side and change your PIN to a 4-digit number before you leave
Tell your bank you will be traveling. Where to and for how long. This way they are less likely to assume your transaction in Japan is fraud and automatically cancel your card.
Inside temperatures in Japan are often uncomfortably warm, while it can be very cold outside. Do not dress to ski based on how warm you are in your room. Be ready to sweat it out until you get outside.
Even in the dry Japanese powder, when you ski/ride deep snow for long enough, you get wet and soggy. This is where extra glove, socks, and goggles/lenses come in handy.
Japan is known for efficiency. So, it is no surprise that you can ship your gear between most resorts for very cheap. Especially if you are traveling between Honshu and Hokkaido, look for shipping/delivery companies in hotel lobbies. The most popular company has a black cat on a yellow background and will deliver your oversize bags anywhere in Japan for under $30. The other common option is Japan Post and usually there will be a desk representing each company side-by-side.
*Can rent on arrival
**Even Japan suffers from gravity and avalanches can still occur on your vacation
More a visual learner? Jake shows you what to wear and how to waddle through a subway with our typical luggage.