What is the cost of a JPC branded bespoke adventure tour?

A day tour for up to 4 people costs about 130,000 yen. Please give us a call for a proper quote though. Prices are based on activities and places you want to visit. Road trip tours are charged based on our usual day rate plus average guide travel expenses.

How do I get to Hokkaido?

-New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the nearest airport access to what is possibly the snowiest place in the world.

From many origins, you will be connecting through one of two Tokyo airports.

If your travel itinerary specifies a change of airport in Tokyo (for example, between Haneda HND and Narita NRT), you’ll want to allow plenty of extra time for the layover to go through customs, catch the mostly-easy-to-access airport limousine to the other airport, check in and do security, etc. Just a pro tip- we suggest at least 4 hours for this transition.

Try to book your ticket all the way through to CTS airport to avoid any luggage fees for your gear. If you do small local fights within Japan, it’s easy to ship your gear on the reliable Black Cat delivery service. Just let us know if you need help.

Trips between Hokkaido and other parts of Japan are cheap, and you can ship your ski gear on Black Cat with a 3-day window.

Train: There is a Japan Rail Pass that is only available if purchased from your home country BEFORE traveling to Japan. Look into it if you want to check out more of Japan by train! Note, bikes are not allowed on trains, but it is easy to rent bikes in most places! The train is a great way to travel. However, plane rides are still cheap to Hokkaido and other parts of Japan.

We can help you plan your trip. Since we are a local guide service, not a travel agency, we can provide you with unbiased travel advice and the best solutions that correspond with your goals. We are not monetarily compensated by any specific establishments.

What is the cancelation policy?

We take our job and dedication to you very seriously. You can view our Terms and Conditions on this web site on the menu above. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at all.

When should I go and where should I stay when I visit the powder paradise of Niseko, which is known on instagram for being expensive and oversold?

OK look, we get it. The most marketed pow pow paradise period is a small window in Jan-Feb. But a lot of that time, lifts are closed due to what we call “blizzard season.” This can put a damper on that low-hanging fruit expectation of “blower” pow on your trip of a lifetime just dropping in off the lift. Those blizzard days are the times when some people stay home or drink expensive hot chocolate… when the rest of us gear up, zip up, and head out into the backcountry and get some safe, low-angle goodness with a little bit of wind in our hair. Because, how else is an epic, silky onsen water soak better deserved? We can then adorn it with an only-available-in-hokkaido favorite, the Sapporo Classic beer, and a big bowl of locally made miso ramen.

However…It’s also very understated how much fun later in the season can be, and so much slower paced.

Shoot us an email and we can help you decide the best time to visit. If you like deep backcountry adventures, it’s not a bad idea to wait until March to come and explore the entire expanse of volcanic magic that is Hokkaido.

Who is the owner of Japan Powder Connection?

Jenny Veilleux has been operating JPC since 2013. She has been a trusted guide in the area for over 15 years. During the COVID pandemic, she stayed at home and worked as a property manager, ski instructor, and massage therapist in Crested Butte, Colorado. Jen has lived in Hokkaido for the most of her adult life. She speaks a bit of Japanese and is tied and dedicated to her local community in Kutchan. Anybody living, working, or visiting Kutchan or the Niseko area is more than welcome to reach out to Jen. Shoot us a message on the link provided and she will respond personally. If you are looking for an adventure tour, or maybe just trying to get accustomed to being in Japan and adjusting to a new environment, Jen will make time for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We are a community in Niseko, and we support one another.

Do you have a pickup service?

Yes, we offer door to door private VIP tours. We can also arrange activities after skiing, rental gear, road trips, and cultural experiences.