Put your hand up if Snow Machine will be your first time in Japan?
We thought there might be a few of you, so we decided to make all of your mum’s happy and provide you with a detailed guide on how to survive 5 days of partying, shredding, and enjoying all of the après at your first Snow Machine in Japan.
Tips To make your life easier
Book In Advance
If there’s one thing we really want to get across throughout the course of this blog, it’s book early. Coming to a music festival in Niseko or Hakuba during peak winter season is NOT the same as booking a hotel in rural Victoria after scoring Rainbow Serpent tickets.
On average, Niseko receives about 2 million tourists per winter season – PER WINTER. So as you can imagine, well and truly before the Snow Machine lineup was even teased, bookings were already starting flying out the door for rentals, accommodation and lift passes. So if you want to guarantee a spot to sleep, or skis to ride on, make sure you book early. Plus, by booking early, you’ll also find that flights, accommodation, ski lessons and ski rentals will all be offered at a significantly discounted rate.
Data Sim
Want to access Google maps, online banking, Tinder and your festival E-Ticket while you’re in Japan? Get an E-Sim. That way, you’ll be able to access mobile data and enjoy your phone as you normally would back home (minus the text and call functions). You can also purchase your E-Sim before entering Japan, meaning you can switch on your phone and start posting as soon as you touch down in Tokyo!
Travel Insurance
Bruh, get travel insurance. You won’t regret having it, but will 100% regret not having it.
Baggage Delivery Services
Ever travelled to Japan and found that you’re the only one on the train karting your luggage around? What about those Japanese workers hustling parcels around while dressed in outfits eerily similar to the one Raygun donned at the recent Paris Olympics? You’ve just stumbled across one of Japan’s best kept secrets – courier delivery services. Courier delivery services such as Yamato (Black Cat) will take your bags off you at the airport and deliver them straight to your accommodation, saving you all the legwork (literally).
Suica Card
A Suica card is a portable travel card that can be reloaded straight from your Apple wallet. Trust us, having this bad-boy loaded up and ready to go can be the difference between making the right train and being stuck at the platform while your mates are en route to the slopes.
JR Pass
The JR railway pass is similar to the Suica card, but its benefits are much more up to debate. Up until October 2023, it was BY FAR the cheapest option for anyone looking to explore Japan and venture to Hakuba on the Shinkansen. Since then, the price of the pass has increased by nearly 70%, meaning it’s not as great a deal as it once was. Even still, if your itinerary includes a couple of Shinkansen trips, it’s still worth looking into. Although, it really depends on your itinerary as to if it’s the best value for you.
Wise
As a result of the tech boom of the 80’s and 90’s, there is a commonly held misconception that Japan is ahead of the curve when it comes to all things tech. In actuality, it couldn’t be further from the truth, with the country only recently introducing card readers at supermarkets and popular shops. Although while there is now increased access to ATM’s and card facilities in-store, Japan is still a very cash-oriented society. But the times you do use card, you’ll want to use WISE – unless you want super high conversion fees.
Strong Zero’s
Don’t drink too many, you may shit yourself.
Essential Items To Pack
Passport
Yes, you will need your passport to travel internationally from Australia to Japan. If you don’t have a valid passport, make sure you start the process of getting one early, as it can often take a couple of weeks to arrive.
Warm Clothes
You’re going to the snow, make sure you pack more than just party shirts and bikinis for the ‘Polar Bare’ race – you’ll want warm and comfortable clothes for when you’re walking around the village and exploring the ski resorts. If you don’t have appropriate outerwear for skiing and snowboarding, you can hire jackets and packets from Rhythm!
Lift Pass
Don’t visit Niseko or Hakuba and not ski – trust us, you’ll never live it down with your friends back home. Although, here’s the kicker….lift passes aren’t cheap. In fact, they’ll be up there with one of the most expensive items you’ll need throughout your trip. The good news however, is that passes are significantly cheaper in Japan compared to the rest of the world. There’s also multiple different options to suit all styles of riders and budgetary restrictions.
For more info on which lift pass will best suit your needs, check out our guide to buying passes here.
Pro Tip: If you’ve purchased an Epic Pass throughout the Australian season make sure you pack it as you will receive 5 consecutive days riding at all resorts within the Hakuba Valley. For those visiting Niseko, you will receive five consecutive days at Rusutsu, one of the area’s best kept secrets located half an hour from the Niseko United resorts.
An Emergency Stash
Trust us, we know how easy it is to get carried away partying and wake up in the morning to find you’ve spent all your yen’s in a chu-hai induced haze of bad ideas. It happens. Buttttt you don’t want to be that person calling mum on the last day begging her to transfer you more money. Make sure you keep an emergency stash for everything you might need to get home: food, tickets and any additional unexpected costs that may pop up.
Types of Accommodation
Whether you’re going to be hitting the slopes in Hakuba or Niseko this Snow Machine, you’ll have the option to choose from a variety of accommodations.
Here are the top things to look out for when choosing accommodation:
- Proximity to Ski Lifts and Festival Grounds: Look for accommodations close to ski lifts for convenient access to both the slopes and stages.
- On-Site Amenities: Consider facilities like onsens, restaurants, and ski storage. Larger hotels have many on-site facilities for people who prefer not to venture too far from the comfort of their lodging.
- Transportation Access: Check for shuttle services or proximity to public transportation.
- Room Configuration: Ensure the accommodation suits your group size and needs. Larger groups may benefit from renting a chalet.
- Budget Considerations: Balance cost with desired amenities and location. Note that your money will go further during shoulder seasons.
Tip: Most of the traditional styled Ryokan’s also feature their own on-site onsen.
Transportation
Before you choose whether you want to party it up in Niseko or Hakuba this Snow Machine season, have a look at a map. There’s a big difference between the two resorts – one of which is the travel time.
As part of the Nagano prefecture, Hakuba is only about 4-5 hours from Tokyo station by bus and 2 hours via the Shinkansen (bullet train). Niseko on the other hand, is located about 2 hours from New Chitose Airport on the Northern Island of Hokkaido. So if you choose to cut loose in Niseko, you will require an additional flight transfer from Tokyo. Although, the good news is that domestic flights between Tokyo and Hokkaido are super affordable and quite frequent.
The most common route to Hakuba involves flying into Tokyo and then transferring to Hakuba. From the airport, you have several options.
Airport Shuttle Buses
There are two airport shuttle providers– Nagano Snow Shuttle and Alpico Bus Lines. Both offer direct shuttles from Tokyo Narita Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport to Hakuba.
Bullet Train from Tokyo
As opposed to the five hour journey of the Airport Transfer shuttles, the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo is one of the quickest ways to get to Hakuba. As there is no direct line to Hakuba, the best route to catch is the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Nagano and then a highway bus from Nagano to Hakuba.
Highway Bus
Highway buses are a great way to get from central Tokyo to Hakuba. The Shinjuku Expressway bus terminal has a variety of bus companies that provide services to Hakuba throughout the day. Depending on traffic, the trip can take up to 5 hours.
Local Train
For the more frugal traveller, there is the option of local trains. The Azusa Limited Express is the only direct train to Hakuba and departs from Shinjuku station.
The most common route to Niseko involves flying into New Chitose Airport, located near Sapporo. From the airport, you have several options:
Private Transfers
Enjoy private transport from Chitose Airport directly to your accommodation in Niseko when booking a custom TRIP with Rhythm Rides.
By Train
A scenic and reliable option is to take a train from New Chitose Airport to Kutchan Station, the nearest station to Niseko. The journey offers picturesque views of Hokkaido’s landscape.
By Bus
Regular bus services are available from New Chitose Airport directly to Niseko. This is a convenient and cost-effective way to reach the resort, with several companies offering services during the ski season.
Car Rental
For those who prefer a bit more flexibility, renting a car at the airport is a viable option. This allows for a leisurely drive through Hokkaido’s stunning scenery and the convenience of exploring the area at your own pace. Caution should be exercised while driving due to snowy conditions.
LOOKING FOR A SKI LESSONS?
First time skiing or snowboarding? Take lessons. Nothing will ruin a week of partying like injurying yourself because you learn the wrong techniques
Handy Things To Know
The area that you book your accommodation will make a HUGE difference
Whether you decide to visit Niseko or Hakuba, the area in which you book your accommodation will make a big difference on your experience.
Within Hakuba there are 10 different ski resorts, and multiple suburbs situated in between, while Niseko offers up 4 interconnected ski resorts and many surrounding suburbs. Make sure you research the proximity of the accommodation you are looking into. Will you need a rental car? Is it easily accessible by local shuttles and buses?
Pro Tip: Snow Machine Hakuba is situated across all of the valley’s ski resorts, with the main arena being held in Happo-One. No location has been announced for Snow Machine Niseko, but a little birdy told us that it might be heading towards Niseko Village for its first year….
Terrain Varies
As you may have assumed, there are very big differences between the terrain offered up at Niseko compared to Hakuba. While Niseko offers soft powder, wide open runs and mellow runs perfect for beginners, Hakuba provides riders with slightly more varied, and much steeper terrain. Make sure you look into what each mountain offers before deciding which will be best for you! For first timers, we recommend Niseko!
It’s JAPAN
While Snow Machine offers an incredible opportunity to come over, explore new areas and get a first-hand glimpse into both Japan life and the snow community, it is important to remember that you are still in Japan. Drugs are veeeeeeerrrrryyyyyyy illegal, people are courteous in public, tattoos are taboo, police can hold you for 28 days without pressing charges – it is Japan. Respect the culture, laws and traditions – have fun but keep it legal and safe.
Essential Acts to See
Let’s not forget what Snow Machine is – a five day celebration of music, arts, culture – and of course, pow. So we know that for all the skiing and partying you have planned over the course of the week, the acts are still the biggest priority.
Here’s our picks for the 3 MUST-SEE Acts over the course of the week:
Chase and Status
If there’s one thing quiet countryside snow villages in Japan need more of, it’s UK drum ‘n bass.
From homegrown garage setups to mainstage’s across the world, Chase and Status have well and truly cemented themselves atop of the modern day Jungle/DNB scene for a reason. Having been the talk of the European summer festival circuit just gone, we can’t wait to see what the duo have in store for their first appearance at Japan’s ski resorts.
Monochrome
If you hadn’t noticed, Snow Machine’s last few lineups have taken a really hard turn from showcasing Triple J darlings to underground techno outfits – and truthfully, we’re about it. Having worked alongside the likes of Steve Lawler, Sasha, and Tiesto, Monochrome have paved the way for the EDM scene and will be making their long-awaited Snow Machine debut in 2025.
SBTRKT
A true enigma, SBTRKT first made their mark in the mid-2000’s due to their unique blend of lofi melodies, off-kilter percussion and very meticulous guest feature selections. Now 15 years down the track, we don’t know what SBTRKT has in store for us, but we do know it’s guaranteed to be a mind-blowing set that’ll be spoken about around town for years to come.
Coming to Snow Machine and still need to book in your rentals? Pre-book now to save the hassle come March!
