JAPANESE

ALPS

(日本アルプス)

 

- 7+ Day Honshu Roadtrip - 

Starting at $1,950 per person

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OVERVIEW

Honshu is the main island of Japan and boasts the Japanese Alps which span much of the western side of the island. Home to 3,000m+ peaks, this range lays claim to the steep and deep lines of Japan. Lift accessed backcountry and quick access from Tokyo add to the draw of this region.

INCLUDED

  • 7+ day van/RV/car rental 

  • Printed itinerary booklet

  • Digital beta package

    • GPS backcountry maps​

    • Annotated resort maps

    • Onsen map

    • Parking map

    • Ski resort map

  • Unlimited LTE Mobile Wi-Fi

  • Carbon offset credits

  • Travel booking

  • In-Country customer assistance

NOT INCLUDED

  • Airfare costs

  • Gasoline costs 

  • Food and drink costs ($15-50/day)

  • Lift tickets ($20-70/day)

  • Ski/snowboard/avalanche Gear

ADD-ONS

  • Private film/photo session

  • Video edit package

  • One-way vehicle shuttle

  • Cat-skiing

THE DETAILS

The options on Honshu are endless and only limited by how far you want to drive. Hakuba Valley is certainly the most popular destination with 10 resorts spanning the valley. Hakuba is known for big, daunting lines and has played host to the Freeride World Tour and the Nagano Olympics. Beyond Hakuba there are endless alternatives including Myoko, Shiga Kogen, Yuzawa, Nozawa Onsen, and many more.

 

On Honshu you will find a much more traditional Japanese ski town feel. Old, narrow streets lined with Izakayas will often open up to a chairlift. Honshu gets about the same amount of snow as Hokkaido, just in bigger dumps less frequently. Honshu is best visited in January and February. Spring can come early in March and dump rain all the way to the summit.

BASIC ITINERARY

Day 1  

Arrive in Tokyo and collect van/RV/car.

Day 2-6

Pow, onsen, kanpai, repeat.

Day 7 

Return rental and depart.

FAQ

How do your prices compare?

Shop around at other packages and you'll find 7-day trips ranging from $2900 unguided to $3200+ for a guided trip. The dirty secret about the "guided" packages is that they often only guide you within and around the boundary of the resort. You're paying a guide to show you the in-bounds stashes that we have laid out for you on a map. Check out this handy comparison chart we made on our homepage.



When is the best time to go?

Typically January and February are the snowiest months in Japan. Late December and March are also great times to visit and get great, albeit more sporadic, storms. In Hakuba, March can bring some rains whereas in Hokkaido it will be snowing. Hokkaido is known for modertate, consistent snowfall that goes on for days rather than big dumps. Honshu, the main island, is known for snowfall of up to 3 feet overnight but on a less consistent basis.



Does my trip have to be 7-days?

No! You can choose any amount of time for your trip. 7-days is given as a baseline to give an idea of pricing. Trip cost will fluctuate based on time, so please contact us for a more accurate quote. We can do trips of any duration and have done trips up to 30 days long!



Is it cold sleeping in a camper van or RV?

Nope! All of the RV rental options will have parking heaters. These are heaters specifically designed to heat the car at night while the engine is off. They run off fuel from the vehicle. Don't worry, they're completely safe and will keep you toasty!



Is it safe to sleep in a car at night?

Absolutely. Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The most popular places to sleep are road-side rest stops called Michi-no-eki or a convenience store parking lot. Both options are well lit at night and open 24/7 with bathroom facilities.



How will I shower and keep clean?

Onsens. Onsens are mineral hot spring spas deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Every town, no matter how small, is guaranteed to have at least one. For roughly $5-10, you can access an onsen to shower, bathe, and relax. There is nothing better than an onsen after a long day of riding powder.



What is driving like in Japan?

Pretty simple. Although Japanese drive on the left side of the road, this is much less of a problem than people think. Trust us, you'll be a pro in an hour. All of the rental vehicles come with high-quality snow tires, and Hokkaido maintains their roads very well with regular plowing. Almost all road signs on Hokkaido have English, and Google Maps runs perfectly on the included mobile Wi-Fi network. Speed limits are slow, so just sit back, take it easy, and enjoy the drive.



What if I want to do a roadtrip but don't want to sleep in an RV?

No problem. We will make sure you have a great rental car to fit all of your gear, and we will personally book lodging in locations we know and trust. Your itinerary will be a bit less flexible, but it's a minor trade off for a cozy room each night if that is your cup of tea.



How much can I expect to pay for the not included items?

Check out this handy comparison chart we made on our homepage. The comparison chart gives conservative cost estimates for each not included item. Here are some responses from people last year about budgeting gas, food, alcohol, and onsen costs:

  • "Minus rental of the camper plan to spend about $50 USD per day per person to cover fuel, food, drinks, onsens, and other expenses."
  • "120-150 dollars a day for most of the trip"
  • "1200 for the month"
  • "2-2.5K not including the RV cost for an 8-day Hokkaido trip plus sightseeing in Tokyo for a party of 2"



BOOKING INQUIRY

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