Ok thanks for the update, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the road is ridable. I am headed up to Shinjuku Station on Saturday and will leave Thursday night. No doubt I am down for snowboarding if someone could recomend a rental shop in the Tokyo area (if any exist outside of resorts?).

Also can anyone recomend a cheap hostel in the Shinjuku area? I have never been to Tokyo before so I am a bit clueless about where to stay, get gear, etc.

I am really looking foward to this trip, lets hope all goes well with the weather so we can tear it up!

No worries Lou, even if you don't have any snowboarding gear I can always use a good Sherpa.

Post your questions on the general message board and you might get more of a response.

Hey guys, have fun!
wish I could be there but can not :-(
the first 12 k on Subaru line...man, I could almost sell my mom for that run!

...and Lou, those other guys could use a cameraman to take photos when hitting kickers ;-)

Hey fellas - Flashy you'll be missed but I'll carve a few for you. BTW - you been riding lately?

Dawg, man wish I had known you needed a snow board about 2 weeks ago cuz I have two but one is out in Nagano right now so SOL. As for rentals, I doubt it is possible in Tokyo because no one would rent just to have to lug it around trains etc getting to the mountains.

That said, I'll ask around a bit. What size foot do you have and what length board do you usually ride?

I think the last time I skated was....back in January, in -10 degrees and in the ol'Garage.

the snow has disappeared in sthlm but still lots of sand, most streets are not sweeped yet.
that's not relly an excuse, but I have spent some time on snowboarding this spring.

Adam, u better Carve Hard !

btw. Sk8ev, which board will u bring to Fuji?
my old Burton already has experience on Mt. Fuji since the descent 2003.

will it be a Fuji comeback for the ol' hag?

I ride a 148 with size 9 boots in a front foot goofey/back foot standard config with my body facing the right. I can make do though with something close though.

If I cant secure a board I will do photos for everyone provided I can get the proper cold weather gear together. Just let me know if everyone is serious about getting this photographed and I will bring my camera outfit. I have a Minolta SLR with 28-80 and 100-300mm lenses. Its a pretty basic setup but is adequate for harsh weather that would eat a digital SLR alive. I might have to ask everyone to chip in on film/development costs though. Just let me know sooner rather than later so I can try to get survivable clothing for the snow portion.

Hey there Lou Dawg - looks like I can set you up with a board but no luck on the boots. You have any sources for boots?

How about your place to stay? I am going to be flying back into town late Sunday so kind of unpredictable on my end otherwise you could stay at my place.

Thanks a million for the offer but I ended up booking a decent hostel a few days ago for only 2000 yen a night. I can't complain about that, way less than I anticipated.

I may just try to find a pair of boots and other misc gear for sale at this board shop in Osaka. Maybe they will be discounted since the season is finished around here. Is it a standard width board with ratchet bindings?

Yup Standard board. If you have boots you'll be fine.

I'd be up for leaving early like on Monday so we have the day to skate, get an onsen, and figure out what we're doing. What time could people leave? 9am
might be a good target...

I am good to go at 9:00 on monday(or whenever). Where would you like to meet up?

Ok everyone, we are getting close to skate time and I will be leaving for Tokyo shortly. Any updates on a meeting time and place? I am unsure of internet availability at my hostel so let me just post my mobile:

"loudawgph at k.vodafone.ne.jp"

If we don't decide on a time and place by friday afternoon or plans change after that would someone be kind enough to send me a text?

As of right now I have not been able to find gloves, googles, and boots. Tomorow I will give it my last shot at a board shop in Umeda. Otherwise let me know if anyone wants 35mm pics and I will try to bring my SLR outfit.

OK boys- I have been up in Akita all week with no internet.

As a begining how about 9am at Seijo Gakuen Staion. West Exit. That is closse to my house and an express stop on the Odakyu line.

I'll write Lou Dawg after I get back to Tokyo tonight.

Fellas thanks again for an amazing run on Fuji. I'll have some pix up soon from the snowboarding. Nothing worth putting up from the skate due to diminishing light but what can you do...

Also working on the podcast with abandon. Got the first 12min of it together and will finish it up after getting the second and third sections wrapped up hopefully tonight.

I'll post the link here as soon as I have it.

Whats up everyone, the trip was a blast. I just got back to Osaka yesterday because I missed my night buss (No big deal, being homeless in Yoyogi park is actually a pretty chill time). I sent some film in for development so hopefully I will have some pics posted by sunday or monday. How did the videos and digital stills turn out?

I spent some time skating around during my tenure as a park bum and had a chance to ride the main roads in Shibuya at night after the traffic had died down, awsome runs no doubt. Also found a run in Roponggi that I dont think has been documented yet but I'm not entirely sure. In any event maybe I can come back to Tokyo later this month (budget depending) to map them out and ride some more.

I will put a link up to the shots as soon as I have them posted!