Here are a few of the best ski areas you should visit in Japan.
Japan is one of the top places in the world to go skiing and snowboarding because of the exceptional snow conditions there. You can look forward to unlimited powder, welcoming locals, delicious food, and soothing onsen. It can provide a variety of ski resorts, including Niseko, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, and others. Here are a few of the best ski areas you should visit around the nation.
Niseko, Hokkaido
The most well-known ski resort in the entire country of Japan is Niseko, which is sometimes referred to as the "powder capital of the world." Regularly frequented by locals and tourists alike, the entire Niseko area is extremely English-friendly. Niseko Ski Resort offers a range of groomed courses as well as off-piste trails where you can take advantage of new snow, making it perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. When it comes to après-ski, Hirafu Village has a ton of activities, restaurants, shops, and a vibrant nightlife that is uncommon in other ski resorts in Japan. Niseko is about a two-hour drive southwest of Sapporo, but you can reach there from the city or New Chitose International Airport using a variety of shuttle buses and trains.
Elevation: 1,308m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 15m+
Lifts: 3 Gondolas / 30 Lifts
Terrain: 30% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 30% Expert
Transportation: 2.5 hours drive from Chitose Airport
Rusutsu, Hokkaido
Rusutsu is a fantastic choice for a snowy Hokkaido escape that's a touch less crowded than Niseko because of its abundance of snowfall. If you want to spend a day or two exploring different trails, the snow resort is only about 30 minutes by vehicle from Niseko. For novices and experienced skiers, Rusutsu provides well-groomed terrain, while powderhounds will enjoy the unexplored tracks and tree paths covered in recently fallen snow. The trip to Rusutsu just takes 90 minutes, regardless of whether you are going from Sapporo or the New Chitose Airport. There are shuttle buses that run between the resort and the airport as well as the city.
Elevation: 994m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 12m+
Lifts: 4 Gondolas / 19 Lifts
Terrain: 30% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 30% Expert
Transportation: 2 hours drive from Chitose Airport and 40 minutes from Niseko
Appi Kogen, Iwate
Appi Kogen, the largest ski area in the Tohoku region, offers deep powder skiing, groomed trails, and a variety of facilities to keep you occupied after you've finished tearing up the slopes. There are a total of 21 courses at the Appi Kogen Ski Resort, offering a friendly variety for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. To get to the resort, it's a 5-hour bullet train ride from central Tokyo to Morioka Station. From there, you can take a shuttle bus or local train up to Appi Kogen.
Elevation: 1,328m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 8m
Lifts: 16 Lifts
Terrain: 30% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 30% Expert
Transportation: 3.5 hours from Haneda airport
Shiga Kogen, Nagano
Shiga Kogen often remains open from the middle of November to the end of May, which is an astonishingly lengthy ski season. Shiga Kogen is also one of the biggest ski resorts in the nation, with 19 distinct ski areas that can all be accessed with a single handy lift pass. This makes it even better. The resort has trails for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels because it occupies such a vast area. Additionally, it is close to well-known locations like Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Shiga Kogen is located in Nagano Prefecture and is connected to Tokyo via bullet train and bus. It is a component of Joshinetsu National Park. A 70-minute bus ride is required after traveling by bullet train for about an hour and a half from central Tokyo to Nagano.
Elevation: 2,307m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 11m
Lifts: 50+ Lifts / 5 Gondolas
Terrain: 45% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 15% Expert
Transportation: 4.5hrs from Narita airport
Hakuba Valley, Nagano
In the Japanese Alps, the large ski area of Hakuba Valley is home to 10 separate snow resorts. A fun break with plenty of snow and beautiful scenery where you can simply shuttle between the many resorts to make the most of the varied terrain. After a day of riding the trails, unwind in one of the many hot springs that are scattered across the valley. Also very English-friendly and is a popular spot for international travellers. It is accessible in under three hours from central Tokyo via bullet train and bus. An hour-and-a-half shinkansen ride will get you to Nagano Station, then an hour-long bus ride will take you directly into Hakuba.
Elevation: 1,831m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 11m
Lifts: 5 Gondolas / 138 Lifts
Terrain: 30% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 30% Expert
Transportation: 3 hours from downtown Tokyo
Nozawa Onsen, Nagano
Prior to becoming a well-known ski resort, Nozawa Onsen was a hot spring village. Visiting one of the town's 13 free public bathhouses is the perfect way to unwind after a day of skiing. The ski area is great for families and has a variety of slopes. There is only one main ski area in Nozawa, but it is a sizable one with plenty of moguls, groomed runs, and wooded trails. Even while most lodging options are Japanese guesthouses and the hamlet itself is full of Japanese charm, everything is highly English-friendly. Nozawa Onsen, located in the northern region of Nagano Prefecture, is conveniently close to the heart of Tokyo. After a two-hour bullet train ride, you will arrive at Liyama Station where you may change to a shuttle bus that will take you in just 20 to 25 minutes right to Nozawa Onsen.
Elevation: 1,650m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 11m
Lifts: 18 Lifts / 3 Gondolas
Terrain: 40% Beginner / 30% Intermediate / 30% Expert
Transportation: 4.5 hours from Narita Airport
Naeba, Niigata
Over 20 different snow resorts can be found in the region, including the well-known Naeba Ski Resort, which is where the ski-in, ski-out Naeba Prince Hotel is located. You can ski and snowboard via both Naeba and Kagura Ski Resort thanks to the Dragondola, Japan's longest gondola lift. There are trails suitable for skiers of all abilities, including easy slopes and difficult runs for experts. For those who want to demonstrate a few skills, there are also terrain parks.
Elevation: 1,789m
Skiing season: December to April
Average Snow: 6m
Lifts: 13 Lifts
Terrain: 30% Beginner / 40% Intermediate / 30% Expert
Transportation: 60 to 80 minutes via bullet train from Tokyo then 30-50 minutes bus ride
If you are a winter sports enthusiast, try to visit one of them! Feel free to chat with our travel consultants on WeChat: Expatsholiday or Email: [email protected], they will help you get a tailor-made tour based on your needs!
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