Just got back from Hokkaido last week. Went with tour group tho.
It was rather cold there esp in central mountain area eg Furano where ski resorts are at -6 to -7 deg but much colder when the wind was blowing.
For clothing, a long john helps alot. After long john, you probably need 1-2 piece outer wear and a jacket. Like others said, a waterproof outermost wear is important because with all the snow stuck to the clothing, this will turn into water when you get into the comfort of shelter. Bearnie is a must I think because it protects your ears (can get painful if too cold), scarf helpful (altho I find it uncomfortable like being hanged!!:bsmilie
, gloves thick waterproof ones. I have a wool one which does not help much.
Brought a pns and dSLR. Find the pns battery ran out very very fast after just 3-4 photos without flash mainly due to the cold. dSLR does not have this problem. I normally hide the camera under my jacket after taking photos to keep them warm. Do not have battery problem. Also do not experience misting problem when camera taken out after going into shelter (thankfully).
One problem with taking photos during snowing is how to protect the camera from the snow. Initially was apprehensive about shooting in the snow:sweat:, but urge to shoot overwhelms my fear. Had a fair share of snow dropping on my camera but generally just brush off what is possible. Yes, my camera is still working :bsmilie:. On hindsight, the biggest problem is not with the batteries, camera or snow but the fingers. I can get so cold to the point of being painful if exposed too long to try to catch a nice photos esp when I was on Mt Hakodate at -5deg with the wind blowing!
Hokkaido is very nice and the Japanese are very very friendly. It will be a very memorable experience.
