basic information

Japan offers several world class skiing and snowboarding resorts with abundant, high quality snow, beautiful scenery and relaxing hot springs. The country has staged the winter olympic games twice in the last 40 years.

There are over 500 ski resorts across Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern main island of Kyushu, varying in size from large resorts with dozens of runs to small one-lift slopes. The best resorts and snow conditions are found in northern Japan (Hokkaido and Tohoku) and in the mountains along the Sea of Japan Coast (incl. Niigata and Nagano).

While there are no ski resorts within the borders of metropolitan Tokyo, it is feasible to go skiing or snowboarding in a daytrip from Tokyo. Some of the most easily accessible and most popular resorts for daytrips are located in the Yuzawa region of Niigata Prefecture, which can be reached in under 90 minutes by shinkansen.

Many ski areas in Japan double function as hot spring resorts, leading to the particular Japanese way of enjoying skiing and snowboarding in combination with relaxation in a hot spring after a day on the slopes.

The skiing season generally starts around December and lasts until April, with the peak and best snow conditions found from mid January through February. Snow is abundant and temperatures moderate, barely dropping below -10 degrees.

While skiers still outnumber snowboarders on most Japanese ski slopes, snowboarding also enjoys a big popularity, and the number of resorts welcoming snowboarders and providing special snowboarding facilities, such as half pipes, has been increasing.

The typical cost of a one-day pass for large ski areas is around 4000 to 4500 Yen. Many resorts also offer half day, multi day, season and nightskiing tickets. Furthermore, ski holiday packages, which include transportation, lift pass and accommodation, are available at competitive rates through travel agencies.

Renting ski equipment and ski wear is possible in virtually every ski resort across Japan. In many resorts, snowboards are also available for rent. Typical prices are around 3000 to 5000 Yen per day for a complete set (skis, boots and poles). Similar prices apply to a one day rental of ski wear.

Below is a map and list of some of Japan's largest and most famous ski resorts:

Niseko, Hokkaido
3 hours from Sapporo by bus or train
Niseko is currently attracting a lot of attention from overseas - especially Australia - and is probably the most visited Japanese ski and snowboard resort by foreigners. The almost guaranteed powder snow and fantastic views of Mt. Yotei make this a very popular destination.
more details by japan-guide.com
resort details and daily reporting by SnowJapan

Furano, Hokkaido
2 hours from Sapporo by train or bus
Furano is another Hokkaido resort that is growing in popularity and also offers often excellent snow conditions. The resort is located to the east of Sapporo.
more details by japan-guide.com
resort details and daily reporting by SnowJapan

Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture
80 minutes from Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen
Yuzawa Town is just a 80 minute train ride from Tokyo making it the most convenient ski town for people in the Tokyo area. There are about 20 ski and snowboard resorts within reach of the main station including the well-known Naeba (30 minutes), Kagura (15 minutes) and also town resorts like GALA Yuzawa and Iwappara.
more details by japan-guide.com
resort details and daily reporting by SnowJapan

Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture
3 hours from Tokyo by Nagano Shinkansen and bus
Hakuba is another very popular ski and snowboard town located in the northwest of Nagano Prefecture. Happoone resort was host to downhill events in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and the general scale of the resorts in Hakuba is impressive. Popular resorts include Happoone, Hakuba Goryu, Tsugaike Kogen and Hakuba Cortina Kokusai.
more details by japan-guide.com
resort details and daily reporting by SnowJapan
 

Appi Kogen, Iwate Prefecture
1 hour from Morioka by train or bus
Appi Kogen is a popular resort near to Morioka in Iwate Prefecture. With a good choice of courses for different levels of skier or snowboarder, it is one of the best choices in the region.
resort details by SnowJapan

Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture
3 hours from Tokyo by Yamagata Shinkansen
Zao Onsen is a small onsen village with its own large ski resort. The resort is famous for its "Snow Monsters" - interesting shapes formed as snow and ice covers the trees on the mountain. If you make a trip to Zao be sure to try the onsen hot springs.
resort details by SnowJapan

Minakami, Gunma Prefecture
90 minutes from Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen
The northern region of Gunma receives good snowfall in winter and there are a variety of resorts in the region, including Tanigawa Tenjindaira and Hodaigi. A little further to the east are resorts such as Kawaba and Marunuma Kogen in Katashina which has a very long season from November until May.
resort details, daily reporting by SnowJapan

Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture
3 hours from Tokyo by Nagano Shinkansen and bus
Nozawa is one of the few ski resorts in Japan that really delivers that "Japanese experience". The small village nestled at the base of the resort is compact and has a good atmosphere with a number of public onsen hot springs that you can enjoy. Look out for the popular Fire Festival in January each year.
resort details, daily reporting by SnowJapan

Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture
3 hours from Tokyo by Nagano Shinkansen and bus
Shiga Kogen is the biggest skiable area in Japan. The resort area actually is a number of resorts which are (apart from the three resorts in the souther area) linked up by ski courses. With a huge amount of choice there is truly something for everyone at Shiga Kogen and it also often has excellent snow conditions.
resort details, daily reporting by SnowJapan

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