[kifo]

stars87 wrote:

True. Online shopping makes for good deals especially when they overstock in the off season.

And agreed on north face. I never bought into the nuptse nonsense. I have one ice down jacket from them as its a big fluffy bomber jacket style monster for daily use. Bought a closure deal/return item for about 120 inclv of shipping to sg by comgateway.

Very very convenient. Wear it and never layer anything below, just t shirt and jeans. With so many pockets, I don't need to carry a bag. Just stuff everything into the pockets

BTW what you think of this ?

http://www.uniqlo.com/sg/store/women...591790032.html

Have heard mixed reviews of uniqlo windblock/wind proof jeans (they got trashed by my friends)

I've been to the shops and they have the male ones as well. Neoprene like material that is waterproof as well. Looks to be a good halfway liner/technical shell.

Thinking of buying one and putting a zip at the armpit area. Will be good enough for a Fuji ascent in summer I think.

I saw them at the shop and they look quite good for the price. They will probably be great for wearing during your rest stops and maybe at the top of the mountain.

Fleece with membrane sandwiched inside them have been the latest fad a few years back with Gore Windstopper fabric that you find in genuine hiking wear and the technology seems to have matured a bit and filtered down to general wear manufacturers like Uniqlo.

Fleece by itself is very warm but not windproof at all, as the fabric is very porous, allowing heat to escape with the gentlest breeze. So while wearing fleecy stuff will be very warm indoors for reading your favorite book on the sofa, you will get chilled in a fleece jacket walking down the main road in Hokkaido when the cold wind is blowing from Siberia. Hence the development of a fleece laminated with a breathable film to help block the wind, while still allowing the fabric to breathe.

But with all these synthetic plastic film, they are unable to ventilate the moisture coming out from our body as sweat sufficiently during when worn during activity. Even with Goretex (or even eVent/Neoshell), we will need to vent the jacket through opening front zips or pit zips, especially when hiking or going uphill with a heavy backpack. So for these wind stopping fleece jackets, while they are very warm when you are fully zipped up, you will also probably start sweating too much as well.

My advice is that if you are thinking of wearing them while hiking up the slopes of Mt Fuji, they will probably be too warm. You will be better off with the standard fleece jacket from Uniqlo.
http://www.uniqlo.com/sg/store/women...514140052.html

When you have reached a rest stop and it starts getting cold in the fleece, wear a waterproof or windproof jacket over the fleece and you should instantly warm up again. Then when it is time to start walking again, walk a bit wearing these 2 layers until it feels too warm, then take off the outer jacket. This will allow you more flexibility in regulating your body temperature during a hike.

[stars87]

kifo wrote:

I saw them at the shop and they look quite good for the price. They will probably be great for wearing during your rest stops and maybe at the top of the mountain.

Fleece with membrane sandwiched inside them have been the latest fad a few years back with Gore Windstopper fabric that you find in genuine hiking wear and the technology seems to have matured a bit and filtered down to general wear manufacturers like Uniqlo.

Fleece by itself is very warm but not windproof at all, as the fabric is very porous, allowing heat to escape with the gentlest breeze. So while wearing fleecy stuff will be very warm indoors for reading your favorite book on the sofa, you will get chilled in a fleece jacket walking down the main road in Hokkaido when the cold wind is blowing from Siberia. Hence the development of a fleece laminated with a breathable film to help block the wind, while still allowing the fabric to breathe.

But with all these synthetic plastic film, they are unable to ventilate the moisture coming out from our body as sweat sufficiently during when worn during activity. Even with Goretex (or even eVent/Neoshell), we will need to vent the jacket through opening front zips or pit zips, especially when hiking or going uphill with a heavy backpack. So for these wind stopping fleece jackets, while they are very warm when you are fully zipped up, you will also probably start sweating too much as well.

My advice is that if you are thinking of wearing them while hiking up the slopes of Mt Fuji, they will probably be too warm. You will be better off with the standard fleece jacket from Uniqlo.
http://www.uniqlo.com/sg/store/women...514140052.html

When you have reached a rest stop and it starts getting cold in the fleece, wear a waterproof or windproof jacket over the fleece and you should instantly warm up again. Then when it is time to start walking again, walk a bit wearing these 2 layers until it feels too warm, then take off the outer jacket. This will allow you more flexibility in regulating your body temperature during a hike.

I did it with my army goretex on top of a long sleeve shirt on top of a mt Fuji uniqlo tee (lol). Like you mentioned, over heat and end up removing my long sleeve. Also discovered at the 8 station, my goretex lining had dried out and was flaking away in clumps.

I'm quite chunky and have a good tolerance for cold but its really really hard to find a good balance between something that can vent heat and something that can keep warm.

Pants wise was just wearing a compression pants and jeans. Wore a army goretex boot which got destroyed after the hike.

I tend to overpack and prepare for mt Fuji. Carry too much kit (assault pack with 9L of water, food and caloriemate for three days worth)

Made a bullet climb from fuji yoshida side (subaru route I think) but failed to make it down in time. Thought the return trip was like the kawaguchigo go go me route with easy scree slope.

This time (third time) I am endeavouring to do it like those Japanese nuts that sprint to the top. No excess weight, minimal kit. Just water bag, sweater and lots of 100 yen coins for the toilets. That's why looking for a windproof light technical shell/fleece thing. Any recommendations ?

The bright green colour also got some practical survival purpose.

[kifo]

stars87 wrote:

I did it with my army goretex on top of a long sleeve shirt on top of a mt Fuji uniqlo tee (lol). Like you mentioned, over heat and end up removing my long sleeve. Also discovered at the 8 station, my goretex lining had dried out and was flaking away in clumps.

I'm quite chunky and have a good tolerance for cold but its really really hard to find a good balance between something that can vent heat and something that can keep warm.

Pants wise was just wearing a compression pants and jeans. Wore a army goretex boot which got destroyed after the hike.

I tend to overpack and prepare for mt Fuji. Carry too much kit (assault pack with 9L of water, food and caloriemate for three days worth)

Made a bullet climb from fuji yoshida side (subaru route I think) but failed to make it down in time. Thought the return trip was like the kawaguchigo go go me route with easy scree slope.

This time (third time) I am endeavouring to do it like those Japanese nuts that sprint to the top. No excess weight, minimal kit. Just water bag, sweater and lots of 100 yen coins for the toilets. That's why looking for a windproof light technical shell/fleece thing. Any recommendations ?

The bright green colour also got some practical survival purpose.

You are planning to do your run in Aug/Sep?

It will be real warm at Station 5 so a thin base layer to start with is probably what you want. Maybe a wind breaker to ward off the chills. After 8th station you may want to put on a thin fleece layer. Many reviewers seems to think a Polartec Thermal Pro is the best fabric now for active insulation (i.e. when you are working up a sweat). A compression tights should be sufficient for your legs, wear a pair of shorts over them like what the Japanese hikers like to do. You might want to bring along a long hiking pants to wear when you reach the higher elevations.

It is only when you stop that you will really feel the chill. For this I recommend a nice down jacket with hood if the weather is good, or a synthetic insulated jacket if it is raining. (But I will seriously reconsider going if the weather forecast is wet. Or I will bring more emergency layers at least.)

My minimum load out for a quick up and down Mt Fuji in Aug will have:
1 short sleeve base wicking layer (worn)
1 full compression tights (worn)
1 shorts (worn)
1 light long pants for hiking (in backpack)
1 pair of thin merino wool socks (worn)
1 ultralight windbreaker (rolled up and hanging on my belt)
1 thin full zip fleece jacket (no hood) (in backpack) (e.g. Columbia Cascade?)
1 light waterproof jacket with hood (in backpack) (as light as possible, not necessary to be breathable cos I dun intend to run in it. Light rain I will wear windbreaker. Heavy rain I will go home.)
1 down jacket with hood (in backpack) (something preferably warmer than the Uniqlo UL jacket)
1 extra short sleeve base layer to change into when I reach the top or when sleeping in the huts (in backpack)
1 extra pair of medium weight wool socks (in backpack)
1 micro-fleece neck warmer (in backpack) (can wear as hat if needed)
1 pair of windstopper fleece glove

At the top, I will be wearing my dry base layer with my possibly damp fleece over it, and then my down jacket and finally my windbreaker. Legs might be a bit cold so I might bring along gaiters, which will help to block wind on my trail runnners which has open mesh panels.

[kill]

Hi,

i rem that Hokkaido has shops that sells snacks that is from all over Hokkaido, i cant remember which city. Can anyone pass me the location thks ~!

[stars87]

kifo wrote:

You are planning to do your run in Aug/Sep?

It will be real warm at Station 5 so a thin base layer to start with is probably what you want. Maybe a wind breaker to ward off the chills. After 8th station you may want to put on a thin fleece layer. Many reviewers seems to think a Polartec Thermal Pro is the best fabric now for active insulation (i.e. when you are working up a sweat). A compression tights should be sufficient for your legs, wear a pair of shorts over them like what the Japanese hikers like to do. You might want to bring along a long hiking pants to wear when you reach the higher elevations.

It is only when you stop that you will really feel the chill. For this I recommend a nice down jacket with hood if the weather is good, or a synthetic insulated jacket if it is raining. (But I will seriously reconsider going if the weather forecast is wet. Or I will bring more emergency layers at least.)

My minimum load out for a quick up and down Mt Fuji in Aug will have:
1 short sleeve base wicking layer (worn)
1 full compression tights (worn)
1 shorts (worn)
1 light long pants for hiking (in backpack)
1 pair of thin merino wool socks (worn)
1 ultralight windbreaker (rolled up and hanging on my belt)
1 thin full zip fleece jacket (no hood) (in backpack) (e.g. Columbia Cascade?)
1 light waterproof jacket with hood (in backpack) (as light as possible, not necessary to be breathable cos I dun intend to run in it. Light rain I will wear windbreaker. Heavy rain I will go home.)
1 down jacket with hood (in backpack) (something preferably warmer than the Uniqlo UL jacket)
1 extra short sleeve base layer to change into when I reach the top or when sleeping in the huts (in backpack)
1 extra pair of medium weight wool socks (in backpack)
1 micro-fleece neck warmer (in backpack) (can wear as hat if needed)
1 pair of windstopper fleece glove

At the top, I will be wearing my dry base layer with my possibly damp fleece over it, and then my down jacket and finally my windbreaker. Legs might be a bit cold so I might bring along gaiters, which will help to block wind on my trail runnners which has open mesh panels.

Thanks will reference and use this list.

Am bringing a few friends up this coming july. Then headed to furano for the bellybutton festival.

Will do as you propose. I brought two kits of base layer for my previous trip (plus two cans of beer and milk tea for the celebration at the top)

I think I'm packing wrong lol. Too much junk.

[jackieatbtu]

I actually wanted to get North Face triclimate earlier this year before my trip to Europe. But ended up with a local UK branded hardshell fleece and waterproof shell for half the NF price. I saw too many tourists from a certain country wearing NF and this made me a bit weary. NF getting too commercialised and not worth the price for me.

But, I will check out Montbell when I go Tokyo next year. =P Maybe they will have a nice triclimate jacket that I could use.

[chemcutie]

Anyone got use the luggage delivery service before? Is it good? I wanna try using it to send my bags to Yamasa... But it's 28kg... I abit lazy lug ard and change trains... So was thinking of using this service

TIA

[jackieatbtu]

I used before. Asked my hotel reception to fill in the form. Showed them my next hotel confirmed stay print out. Cause they need to put your check in date with your name on the form. But my luggage was medium size and not as heavy as yours. Not sure if that will be an issue.

[jackieatbtu]

Got a new question. In my last trip to Kyoto, I went to this small restaurant where everything is in Japanese and only sell maguro don. But the maguro is actually mixed with some soy sauce (?) and sesame before putting on the rice bowl. Anyone know what this is called and where I can find something similar in Tokyo? The maguro really no fishy taste and I love that. All the other tuna cuts I had eaten (including otoro in Hokkaido) still have some fishiness.

[Bullseye]

layang89 wrote:

Hi Bullseye

I am planning to visit Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (night) as well. My trip is mid-Nov. But i am not sure if the retro bus still operate beyond evening hours. Do you have any idea ?

Hi, I think the bus operates till around 6PM only, you can check the below site for the timings:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/1/

[kifo]

jackieatbtu wrote:

Got a new question. In my last trip to Kyoto, I went to this small restaurant where everything is in Japanese and only sell maguro don. But the maguro is actually mixed with some soy sauce (?) and sesame before putting on the rice bowl. Anyone know what this is called and where I can find something similar in Tokyo? The maguro really no fishy taste and I love that. All the other tuna cuts I had eaten (including otoro in Hokkaido) still have some fishiness.

It has been pickled. マグロ漬け丼 Maguro zuke donburi.

[w3nGaL]

s7460597 wrote:

Found this in qoo10. Have to use a transformer. Better to get an international model.

http://list.qoo10.sg/item/PANASONIC-PANASONIC-HAIR-DRYER-NANO-CARE/421939594

Thank u, and thanks cpuer
Shall not get it in Jpn then =(

[jackieatbtu]

kifo wrote:

It has been pickled. マグロ漬け丼 Maguro zuke donburi.

Anyone can help me to put this into tabelog? Not sure how to do a search in Japanese. Trying to find a restaurant that serves this in Tokyo.

[chemcutie]

jackieatbtu wrote:

I used before. Asked my hotel reception to fill in the form. Showed them my next hotel confirmed stay print out. Cause they need to put your check in date with your name on the form. But my luggage was medium size and not as heavy as yours. Not sure if that will be an issue.

They accepted my bag without weighing haha... But I glad I got rid of the heavy bag

Anyway my flight SQ 616 arrived late yest at KIX due to late arrival of flight in sg... But SQ provided chartered bus to umeda, Kyoto and Kobe... I booked hotel le next to airport though...

[layang89]

Bullseye wrote:

Hi, I think the bus operates till around 6PM only, you can check the below site for the timings:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/1/

Hi Bullseye

Thanks for your response. I noted the operating hours of the buses there ... and wonder how i get back to the hotel should i stay for the light up. Taxi perhaps, but i suppose it will be quite ex