Ski/Board rentals

[Watcher]

OK... I've been here for 4 beautiful seasons of powder... hit 8 different mountains (some of them twice) and always rented. Yeah, I know I should'vebought some gear a long time but I'm one of the guys who is always on the verge of leaving and can't commit to the purchase. Here's the question... You know that in Canada, I guess America too, that we can rent or demo the current year's stuff at a very reasonable price all wonderfully waxed up and ready to thrash. I've only seen one demo day here and that was end of the season and on a small mountain in Fukui. In general the stuff I've seen for rent here is pathetic, worn through, and expensive. Well, I'm heading to Akakura (again... nice freeride park) and was wondering if anyone knows where there's a decent rental shop, either there, here in Osaka, or anywhere for the multitudes who don't live in Osaka. I mean, there's gotta be somewhere you can test drive (not allowed in Japan wth cars, I hear) some gear before throwing down the hard earned Man. Ideas?