This year I rented from Rhythm in Hakuba and I pre booked premium skis.On arrival I was given very second hand basic skis.I asked for a more recent pair and I was told to try these out and if I didn't like them bring them back!I This happened 3 times before I got the quality skis I was after! I even told them what I skied on in Australia Rossignol 88's,I would have thought it a pretty easy task to find an equivalent ski to these!I wanted to support a "local" company but regretted my decision to pre book before my arrival in Japan. I am going to Niseko this year and hope the ordeal of renting skis is a bit less frustrating!