10-day Indy Pass Logistics
Planning an international ski trip can be overwhelming; luckily, you have connections! This page is dedicated to where to meet, what flights to book, what to bring, and details about transportation and money on the Tohoku Storm Chaser.
Where to meet the group
There are three spots where you can choose to meet the group on day 1 of your trip.
These are the 3 pickup options for starting your trip
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Option #1: Meet the group at Shin Aomori Bullet Train Station @ 2:15pm
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Shin Aomori Station is a major train station located on a bullet train line which has direct access to Tokyo Station.
Shin Aomori Station can be reached with a 3 hour high-speed train ride from Tokyo, reaching speeds of 360km/h (200mph) in the process! After arriving at Shin Aomori station, exit the only ticket gates and meet your host in the waiting room directly in front of the exit. See adjacent pictures for a map of Shin Aomori train station, as well as what the exit looks like. Trying to figure out what trains to take? Use this route planner here. |
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You can also opt to meet the group at Aomori Airport (AOJ). This option is great for international travelers able to make their domestic connection at Tokyo's Haneda (HND) airport and fly all the way to your final destination. Aomori also services flights to and from Sapporo (CTS) airport as well as international flights from Seoul, Korea and Taipei, Taiwan. This airport is tiny so finding your Host will be no problem. Just come out of the domestic baggage claim and meet your host in the Domestic Arrival Lobby (pictured to the right). |
Meet in the Domestic Arrival Lobby on the 1FL
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Option #3: Meet the group at the Rock Wood Hotel & Spa @ 4:30 pm
If you're already skiing or in the area, you can meet up with the group at the Rock Wood Hotel & Spa at 4:30pm.
Booking International Flights
You will need to book your international flights to/from Japan. You need to arrive in time to be at the meeting point at Shin Aomori airport by 2:15pm or Aomori Airport by 3:00pm on day-one of your trip. As of June, 2022, Japan Airlines services a flight departing Haneda airport at 13:15 and arriving at Aomori airport at 14:30.
If you're planning on arriving on the day your trip starts, note that NRT airport is 2 hours from Tokyo Station and a little over 1 hour from HND airport. If you can't make it to Shin Aomori Station or Aomori airport in time, you'll need to arrive the previous day and spend a night in Tokyo.
If you're planning on arriving on the day your trip starts, note that NRT airport is 2 hours from Tokyo Station and a little over 1 hour from HND airport. If you can't make it to Shin Aomori Station or Aomori airport in time, you'll need to arrive the previous day and spend a night in Tokyo.
Getting Back
This trip ends at a different location from where it starts. Drop off will be at the Kitakami bullet train station.
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Following your last day of skiing, drop off will be provided at Kitakami train station at 4 pm. If you intend to go back to Tokyo at the end of the tour, you can expect to be arriving in Tokyo Station by 7pm.
If you're planning on staying in Tokyo for a few days, note that you can mail your ski bag straight to NRT airport for about ¥2,000 (approx US$18)--that way you won't have to lug it around while you sight-see or travel around other regions. Trying to figure out what trains to take? Use this route planner here. |
We're experts at running ski trips in Japan. Here are some recommendations that will make your life significantly easier!
Pro Tip #1: Mail your ski bags
TLDR: This tip is useful if you're spending a day or two in Tokyo before or after your trip. Otherwise, don't worry about this pro tip.
If you're planning on starting or ending the trip using the bullet train (which is the most common option), it will save a lot of hassle if you can mail your ski bags. This will save you from lugging them around the public transportation network. If you're planning on arriving in Japan at least 36 hours before your trip meet up time, you can save a lot of hassle by mailing your ski bags directly from your arrival airport to the hotel we'll be staying at. It costs only ¥2,000 (approx US$17) and will allow you to travel around easily through one of the worlds best public transportation networks.
For example:
Arrive in Tokyo two days before your trip and mail your bag to our starting point at the Rock Wood Hotel & Spa. Your baggage should arrive at the hotel before 9pm the next day. Before mailing your bag, be sure to confirm with them that it will be delivered by the night of your tour start date. In Japan, if they promise a delivery time, it'll be there when they say.
For more information on mailing bags, checkout this great article about how it's done here.
If you're planning on starting or ending the trip using the bullet train (which is the most common option), it will save a lot of hassle if you can mail your ski bags. This will save you from lugging them around the public transportation network. If you're planning on arriving in Japan at least 36 hours before your trip meet up time, you can save a lot of hassle by mailing your ski bags directly from your arrival airport to the hotel we'll be staying at. It costs only ¥2,000 (approx US$17) and will allow you to travel around easily through one of the worlds best public transportation networks.
For example:
Arrive in Tokyo two days before your trip and mail your bag to our starting point at the Rock Wood Hotel & Spa. Your baggage should arrive at the hotel before 9pm the next day. Before mailing your bag, be sure to confirm with them that it will be delivered by the night of your tour start date. In Japan, if they promise a delivery time, it'll be there when they say.
For more information on mailing bags, checkout this great article about how it's done here.
Pro Tip #2: Save money and get the JR East Tohoku Rail Pass
TLDR: If you're planning on taking the Bullet Train to access the start and end points of this trip trip, you'll save ¥13,000 (approx US$110) by using this rail pass.
If you're planning on taking the train to the beginning and end points of this trip, and are interested in saving money this is a great option for you. You'll save ¥13,000 (approx US$110) by buying a JR East Rail Pass for the Tohoku area. You can buy this train pass on arrival at NRT or HND airports, as well as major hubs like Tokyo Station. This pass gives you 5 unlimited days of riding anywhere on the JR East Rail Network, which is perfect for where this trip operates. As a bonus, you'll still have 3 unlimited days left at the end of the trip to use as you want! You can see full details on the pass here.
If you're planning on taking the train to the beginning and end points of this trip, and are interested in saving money this is a great option for you. You'll save ¥13,000 (approx US$110) by buying a JR East Rail Pass for the Tohoku area. You can buy this train pass on arrival at NRT or HND airports, as well as major hubs like Tokyo Station. This pass gives you 5 unlimited days of riding anywhere on the JR East Rail Network, which is perfect for where this trip operates. As a bonus, you'll still have 3 unlimited days left at the end of the trip to use as you want! You can see full details on the pass here.
Pro Tip #3: Arrive 1-2 days before your trip departure date
If possible, we always recommend that guests arrive 1-2 days in advance of their trip departure. This is so that 1) you can experience all Tokyo has to offer, 2) it will give you time to mail your bags so you don't have to lug them around, and 3) it will give you time to get over your jet lag.
It's a luxurious option, but allowing for that extra time always seems to be appreciated.
It's a luxurious option, but allowing for that extra time always seems to be appreciated.
What you can expect to spend on this trip
This trip includes breakfast and dinner each day but it doesn't cover your lunch, drinks or snacks. So how much should you bring and how should you bring it?
The amount of money you spend in Japan largely depends on your preferences. Do you want to eat sushi every day? Are you going for the most expensive sake? Will you be buying lots of souvenirs?
Below is a cost estimate based on how much is spent daily on each item. Prices are in JPY. Over the 10-day trip, you can expect to spend ¥27,500 on the low end or ¥54,000 on the high end. Keep in mind that results will vary depending on your personal spending.
The amount of money you spend in Japan largely depends on your preferences. Do you want to eat sushi every day? Are you going for the most expensive sake? Will you be buying lots of souvenirs?
Below is a cost estimate based on how much is spent daily on each item. Prices are in JPY. Over the 10-day trip, you can expect to spend ¥27,500 on the low end or ¥54,000 on the high end. Keep in mind that results will vary depending on your personal spending.
Its estimated that guests will spend between $200 and $400 per person on this trip
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How to spend in JPY
The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen which is denoted by "JPY" or as "¥".
Credit Cards
First, you should know that Japan doesn't really like credit cards. While they are getting to be more accepted, you should only count on your credit card for 20% of your transactions in this remote region. The rest of the time you'll be dependent on cash.
Getting Cash in Japan
As a tourist, there are two main ways of getting cash in Japan: 1) bring your home currency with you and exchange it at the currency exchange window, or 2) use ATM's within Japan to withdraw your funds.
Currency exchange window
You can exchange your home currency into JPY after arriving in Japan. This is a very simple option as there is no bank to get in the way and decline your currency conversion. The simplicity has a price though because the exchange window doesn't give you the most advantageous rate.
Withdraw funds from ATM's
You should be able to withdraw funds from any Seven Eleven ATM in Japan. The conversion rate is great but sometimes banks have issues with Japanese ATM's which can cause them to block your transactions. Be sure to check with your bank before coming to see if they have a ATM withdrawal fee or currency conversion fee. If they do, it may be cheaper to just convert cash at a currency exchange window.
The best idea
is to show up in Japan with a few hundred dollars of your own currency, convert it in to JPY, then use ATM's after that. Be sure to call your bank and let them know you'll be making withdrawals from Japanese ATM's so they don't block your account!
