First-Timer's Guide: Packing and Riding Japan's Ski Resorts

WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND

Skis and Poles/Snowboard

Ok, before we get into this – we know. You’re going to read this blog, think we’re rage-baiting with hot takes, and then regret your choices later down the road. 

Trust us on this one, if you’ve ever lugged a 30kg ski bag through the narrow carriages of a train in Tokyo, we’re sorry – we know mentioning that ordeal may trigger some PTSD. 

It’s that bad. Japan’s metro areas were truly not designed for ski bags. 

On the flip side, your gear likely wasn’t designed for Japanese snow. Pow is a different beast to the terrain you’re shredding back home. It’s lighter, drier, more floatable, and if you’re not riding on something designed for it, you’ll find yourself nosediving.

Save the hassle, rent or buy once you're in town.

Ski and Snowboard Boots

We get that for some of you out there, your own pair of boots is non-negotiable. But really, whether you’re coming over with 7kg of carry-on allowance or the full kit and kaboodle with 30kg checked-baggage, your boots are going to take up half up half of your luggage space.

Helmet

We strongly believe that you should always wear a helmet while riding, but similar to your boots, helmets take up a lot of space – which is fine on the way home, but on the way to Japan, you’ll want to save as much luggage space as humanly possible. How else are you going to bring home all the epic goodies you buy throughout your trip?

Ski Outerwear (Jackets and Pants)

It doesn’t matter if you come over with a brand new ski jacket, you’ll leave with an extra. There’s just something about them, as soon as you see the new lines on the shelves, you’ll want to update your steeze. 

Plus, as a pro tip that many of you don’t know, outerwear can also be hired alongside your ski rentals.

WHAT TO BRING

Nothing

Literally everything you will ever need for Japow can be rented or bought in town, but if you insist on bringing your own goods, here’s some of the essentials that you may not need back home but will 100% need for Japan.

Base Layers

Ever been inside a house that’s got a frame but no insulation? It’s bloody freezing! The same applies to your body. Layering helps you keep warm, without overheating like you would if you donned a sweatshirt under your jacket. 

Gloves/Mitts

Non-negotiable. A good pair of gloves is a MUST! Whether you’re out on the slopes, pumping a few at après or clearing snow off your rental car, your hands will be out in the open a whole lot. Keep ‘em warm, keep ‘em dry and your spirits will stay high.

GoPro

‘Bro, I swear it was literally like a 180 degree gradient, deep pow and heaps of sidehits. I literally boosted off one and did an accidental 720, but still stomped it.’

Yeah, right, bro. Make sure your friends believe your crazy Japow stories by bringing along a GoPro or handheld digital camera to make sure all the best memories are captured!

Sunnies

Drinking après without sunnies adds a whole new meaning to ‘getting blind’ – you can’t see anything! As you may expect, snow is reflective – reeeeeaaaaallllyyyy reflective. So if you’re out and about enjoying the town, make sure you’re rocking a good set of shades and a healthy layer of sunscreen. 

Face Mask/ Balaclava

On the flip side to a set of sunnies, a face mask is also an essential inclusion when packing for Japow. And no, we don’t just say that because we think it’s cool to dress like British rappers. Japan’s ski resorts are known for one thing, endless snowfall – and we mean endless. So when you’re slashing turns in knee-deep pow or sitting on a chairlift in heavy snowfall, you’ll be stoked that your face is covered up. 

Goggles

Was this one ever really a question? When you’re flying down a run at high speeds with fresh snow hitting your face, you won’t be able to see without a set of goggles on your face. Sure, that may be good for riders who really live by the huck and pray mentality, but for the rest of us, we want to be able to see where we’re going.

Underwear

You laugh now, but there’s always someone that forgets.

‘Ok, so if I want to pack light, where do I go to get all of these things?’

Rest easy, we’ve got you. Whether you’re chasing a bit of retail therapy, premium rental gear or the best Happy Hours in town, one of our Rhythm Japan stores will have you covered, but each store also serves up a little something different.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Hakuba

Rhythm Wadano

The mecca of Hakuba, Rhythm Wadano serves up everything. Offering the region's most extensive rental and retail selections, bootfitting services; a tunes workshop, Rhythm and Beans Cafe & Bar, free pick-up and drop-off for customers on the first day of their rental period. And now, also acting as the base for lesson and guiding services with Rhythm Rides. 

Not only is Wadano the best spot to grab your rentals, it’s also an essential stop for all shoppers hitting up Hakuba, offering a huge selection of outerwear like jackets and pants to get you kitted, fitted and ready for the slopes.

Rhythm Happo

For those of you who can’t make it over to Wadano, you can also score your rentals at Rhythm Happo! The range might be slightly smaller than up at Wadano, but that doesn’t make it any less premium of a selection. Rhythm Happo will have you covered, whether you’re looking to carve groomers, smash park laps or hit up some deeper terrain.

Rhythm Summit

Prefer to take your ride home with you at the end of the trip? Rhythm Summit has you sorted. A dedicated retail store, stocking all the best skis and boards, bindings and snowboard boots, as well as an epic selection of accessories like goggles, helmets, headwear, baselayers, socks and souveniers.

OYUKI 

Find your usual jacket isn’t keeping you warm enough? Visit our friends over at OYUKI. Located right next door to the evo Hotel, OYUKI offers some of the freshest outerwear you’ll find in town. And the best part? Having been created in Niseko, OYUKI is designed and tested in the Japanese mountains, so there’s never a question about if the gear will be suitable for the conditions.

Niseko

Rhythm Hirafu

The Rhythm Japan flagship store. Rhythm Hirafu is our biggest store across all three locations, offering an epic selection of all the best new skis and board rentals, some equally epic retail outerwear options, a fully fledged tunes workshop, and the closest Happy Hour to the lift lines at our Rhythm and Beans Cafe & Bar.

Rhythm Summit

Everything you ever need in your shopping cart, Rhythm Summit is the premium spot for all retail in Niseko. Skis, boards, jackets, pants, midlayers, helmets, ski and snowboard boots (with bootfitters in-store), as well as a huge selection of après boots, Rhythm Summit has it all. Honestly, you could come over with just the t-shirt on your back and one trip to Summit will have you kitted out like it’s your 10th season in Niseko.

Rhythm Setsu

Perfect for those staying at Setsu, Rhythm Setsu is an in-hotel store that offers a small rental selection alongside a curated selection of essential accessories.

Furano

Rhythm Furano

Furano’s biggest selection of rental and retail gear, Rhythm Furano is our newest edition and it’s quickly becoming the crowd favourite. Epic options of skis, boards, boots and outerwear for those looking to buy, and an even more impressive rental selection for those who’d rather test out all the new models. Before you ask, of course there’s a Rhythm and Beans and Workshop in-store as well.

Rhythm Locker Room

Bought a bunch of epic stuff at Rhythm Furano and now you aren’t sure where to put them while you go riding all day? Check out our Rhythm Locker Room for flexible locker storage options right around the corner from the store!