Wanting to experience the ultimate winter wonderland skiing at a Japanese Ski Resort? Known for their powdery snow and breathtaking scenic views, the Japan ski resorts offers an unforgettable skiing adventure. With runs of varying difficulty levels, there’s something here for everyone – from beginners to advanced skiers. Relax and indulge in traditional Japanese hot springs after a day on the slopes or enjoy world-class dining options offering delicious local cuisine. Make memories that will last a lifetime at one of these Japanese Ski Resorts.
There is much to learn about the ski resorts of Japan. Skiing in Japan is growing in popularity due to massive amounts of Japan snow, also known as Japow. These ski resorts will give you access to great Japan powder skiing, some of the best snowboarding in Japan, and options for future cheap ski vacations!
Japan has a large variety of ski resorts across the mainland and the northern island. Each resort is a little bit different from the next, so research and learn which resort offers the ski trip you desire. Read below to find which ski resort in Japan is best for you.
Japan snow cannot be missed so check out the most popular Japan ski resorts: Hakuba, Niseko, and Aomori.
Great snow conditions
Small crowds with great snow
Expensive
Resort vibes
Great Night Life but expensive
Great Snow
Great for groups
Small town vibes
Nightlife at more affordable places
Snow can be hit or miss
Japan Ski Season
Get ready to shred some of the best powder in the world because you’re headed to Japow! This unique term refers to Japan’s abundant, light and dry snow that makes for some of the best skiing and snowboarding conditions in the world. During winter months, many flock to Japan’s various ski resorts, located all around its mountain range. Powder hounds can expect unparalleled snow quality from resorts such as Niseko or Hakuba Valley.
Japan ski is typically between the months of December to April. You will find that December can be a little hit and miss because it depends on when the snow starts falling. If you are looking for a December trip, then I recommend heading to the northern island of Hokkaido as there is more snowfall in the north than on the southern resorts.
If you are coming later in the season on the hunt for that Japan powder, then anytime from mid January onward the various resorts across the islands will be covered in Japan snow.
Closing dates depends on the snow fall and temperatures, Hakuba starts to shut down a lot starting in March. Most resorts however will stay open until April.
Japan Ski Resorts
There are Japan Ski Resorts all over the islands. A majority you will find on the most northern part, on the island of Hokkaido. Hokkaido ski resorts are known most for the powder – but limited sunshine. Below you will find one from that region: Niseko.
Additionally, the northern part of the main island holds the prefecture of Aomori which is snowy like Hokkaido but with fewer crowds.
There are also ski resorts in the area of Tokyo, therefore a bit more southern. These ski resorts are along the Japanese Alps. While these offer breathtaking views, you will not get as much Japan powder at these resorts. A resort from this region in this post is Hakuba Valley.
If this is your first time visiting Japan, learn great tips for planning a trip to Japan.
Aomori Ski Resort
Discover the beauty of Aomori Resort, a hidden gem nestled in the northernmost region of Japan. With its breathtaking natural scenery, luxurious accommodations, and world-class offerings, it is no wonder that visitors from all around the globe flock to this idyllic destination. From skiing on pristine slopes to indulging in hot springs and mouth-watering cuisine, there is something for everyone at Aomori Resort. Come and explore one of Japan’s best-kept secrets
Aomori is located on the northern part of the main island. This resort is small and secluded which means that it is never very busy.
The resort has its own set of mountains that it is next to, and the only way to stay at the resort is at the resort’s hotel: Rockwood hotel. The other upside of this is the fact that the lodge is ski in and ski out. The nearest lift is only 30 feet from the drying area.
Ultimately, the only people that will be on the mountains are the people staying at the hotel and the local driving in from the city.
Keep in mind though, given how exclusive this location is you have to book upwards of 2 to 3 months in advance as it quickly sells out.
Aomori Resort Overview
- Airport: Aomori Airport
- Pros: Small, exclusive, fresh tracks and snow. Never have to feel crowded anywhere at the resort as there is a limited amount of people coming in. Cheapest resort on this list.
- Cons: No nightlife. Once you are at the resort, you are basically stuck at the resort. If you forgot anything, expect to pay a bit for a replacement item at their shop as there are no retail shops in the area either.
Aomori is known as one of the snowiest places in the world. There is a famous highway tunnel that people visit that is simply the highway cleared of snow – however the snow piles upwards of 30 feet on each side later in the season. In other words, the snow is higher than a large tour bus.
This means that Aomori is always offering fresh powder options for those looking to go skiing. The snow is constantly falling, and therefore always refilled the next day. The constant snow has also made Aomori famous for what they call “Snow Monsters” which are the trees covered in some much snow that they turn into giant white blobs scattered across the mountainside.
The downside is that due to the constant refill, there hardly is ever any bluebird days. If you happen to be there during that time, then you’re one of the lucky few!
Even though the resort is on the smaller side, especially compared to Niseko and Hakuba, there is plenty of room. The longest run is about 5km long, and there is plenty of width on the runs. The gradient can be pretty steep in some areas, but with all the snow there is no concern for a hard landing.
The resort also offers two long runs for night skiing that is open until 2100. This is a popular option if you want to enjoy runs all to yourself. Given how tiny the resort is you may only see one or two other people out on the night runs.
There are also backcountry options or off-piste options. There is only one guide at the resort, but given the size, you can typically pay a group rate for a private tour. You are able to coordinate a plan with him the day before and he will take you touring based on your expectations. Typically it becomes a mix of lifts up to the top, followed by touring around the backside of the mountain range.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that Aomori is a resort all by itself, there are really no options for eating out or drinking out unless you drive into the town about 30 minutes away.
The lodging is half-board so you will be given breakfast and dinner. Additionally, you can pay 2000 for all you can drink beer for two hours.
Since the lodge is the only thing at the resort, you will arrange with reception to be picked up from the Aomori airport. The shuttle will come and pick you up, and then drive you the approximate hour and a half to the resort. When it comes time to leave, they will shuttle you back to the airport.
Given the airport is fairly small, the lodge is very familiar with the airline times and can typically guess your flight time if you tell them where you are coming from. However, just provide them with your flight information and you will have someone waiting for you on arrival.
The hotel will run you about $1,200 for four nights. However, this is including a buffet style breakfast and dinner. Lift tickets are very cheap at about $20 a day. Overall, with the inclusive hotel and the cheap lift tickets, this is one of the cheapest places to visit for a ski vacation in Japan.
Niseko Ski Resort
Niseko ski resort has gained global popularity for its infamous “Japow” – powder snow that is light, fluffy and of high quality. Located in Hokkaido, Japan, it boasts an average annual snowfall of 15 meters making it a must-visit destination for winter sports fans. With 4 interlinked mountains and over 60 groomed trails to choose from, there’s something here for everyone – whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. World-class amenities such as accommodation, dining and après-ski activities await visitors in the charming town center. Book your trip now to experience the magic of Niseko first-hand!
This large ski resort is on the northern island of Hokkaido. Niseko is the most popular ski resort in Japan.
This fairly large ski area is popular due to the fact that it is fairly westernized. A large expat population from Australia runs a majority of the business or are there on working visas. If you visit a hotel or a restaurant in the main Hirafu area, you are most likely to run into an Australian working there for the season.
The main area of the resort is in the Hirafu area and is actually broken into four smaller resort areas. This is where you will find the majority of people. There are some other options for skiing the neighboring mountains.
Here are the four areas:
The resort offers a variety of tree runs which is popular for visitors. You just have to find the “Gates” that are opened across the resort to enjoy the off-piste experience.
This area is great for parties, and going abroad but not really feeling abroad.
Niseko Overview
- Airport: New Chitose Airport
- Pros: Big resort, a large variety of nightlife and hotels. Easy to access from the airport.
- Cons: Very expensive, crowded, and very westernized or basically “tourist hub”.
Similar to Aomori, Niseko is constantly getting snow. This place is also known as one of the snowiest locations in Japan. You are almost always guaranteed fresh powder and refills over the night.
However, just like Aomori, that means you are going to be very limited on the bluebird days at Niseko. You will be sacrificing sun for the chance to always ski on fresh snow.
There is a great debate between the two major resorts: Hakuba and Niseko. The ones in favor of Niseko say it is because of the constant snowfall and the amount of powder that Niseko receives that is why they prefer Niseko over Hakuba.
There are a lot of options for skiing at Niseko. You can focus on the main resort area which is comprised of the four different resorts. If you are not too tight on money, you can buy access to the entire mountainside and access the four different resorts that way.
Additionally, there are off-piste options at the resort, you just have to find the “Gates” that are open. They are a bit tricky to find, as the gates are simply areas of rope that are open meaning that you are able to ski in that side country area. The gates aren’t very clearly labelled other than being an opening in the rope border.
If you are looking for more backcountry adventure though, there are options for going skiing at Mount Yotei and partake in some crater skiing.
Niseko has a very large nightlife and a large variety of places to eat. This is probably due to a large amount of tourism in the area and the expats.
The main area of Hirafu is where you will want to hit up for the bar scene and a large variety of food from Japanese, to Western, and other sorts of Asian such as Indian. Read more about where to eat at Niseko here.
There is even a Mexican restaurant!
The downside is the fact that since it is such a tourist hub, the places know people are willing to pay. Therefore, expect to pay a bit to be eating out in Niseko. Unless you hit up the food trucks!
To get to Niseko you will have to fly into New Chitose Airport, and then commute by train or bus to the ski area. I recommend the bus, it is about a two-hour drive and is consistent. The train sometimes is delayed due to snow – which yes is amazing given the fact that it constantly snows in this region.
Niseko is the most expensive of the resorts in Japan. Four days at a hotel in the main Hirafu area will probably cost you over $1000 but is not including food and drinks which you can expect to pay another $150 or so for. Then the lift passes which aren’t very cheap either.
Hakuba Ski Resort
Looking for a ski destination that has everything? Look no further than the Hakuba Ski Resort! Located in Japan’s Northern Alps, it boasts some of the best snowfall in the world with over 11 meters annually. It also offers over 9 unique resorts with each catering to different levels of skiers and snowboarders. Hakuba has an extensive network of lifts and slopes that can cater to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels even during night hours at select resorts. The stunning scenery paired with hot springs and delicious food make for an incomparable winter vacation experience.
I like to think of Hakuba as the cheaper version of Niseko.
Hakuba used to be a hidden gem inside the Japanese Alps. However, the growing popularity is quickly making it similar to that of Niseko. There is a growing expat population on working visas in the area and the resort area is growing to handle the tourism increase.
Hakuba offers a larger mountain range though, as it is inside the Japanese alps there are no limits to the resorts that can be visited and there is always some new area to explore.
Hakuba Overview
- Airport: Narita Tokyo Airport
- Pros: Big resort, a large variety of ski options, cheaper accommodation.
- Cons: Pretty far from the largest airport (six hours roughly), growing popularity and incredibly crowded bluebird days.
Weather at Hakuba is a lot nicer than that of Aomori and Niseko. While it does not get all the fresh powder that the northern part of Japan receives, Hakuba still manages to get a decent amount to allow for some deep runs.
You are more likely to have fair weather days at Hakuba or bluebird days at Hakuba as it is not snowing as much as Niseko or Aomori.
However, when there are bluebird days the people visiting, and people from Tokyo and the surrounding area, flock to Hakuba to try and get first tracks. So expect some crowds due to this.
Hakuba has one large resort: Happo One which can handle large crowds better on the bluebird days. However, the eight other smaller resorts can have wait lines upwards of 20 to 30 minutes on those bluebird days.
As mention previously, there are nine resorts at Hakuba meaning there is no shortage of resorts to explore. At Hakuba, there is a little bit of everything.
The one large resort, Happo One, is where you can ski the long groomed runs. There is Cortina, where almost all side country is free to access for enjoying powdery tree runs. Then there is Hakuba 47 which has the largest snow park in Japan. If you are looking for a variety of resorts then Hakuba is a great option for that.
The resorts also offer a lot of off-piste options where there is access to side country to ski through the trees.
Additionally, there are numerous companies in the area that offer backcountry tours to take you to more secluded areas of the resorts. However, with growing popularity the backcountry tour guides are saying it is harder to tour out to an area where there will not be another tour group.
As Hakuba is quickly turning into another Niseko, the food options and bar options are growing each year. There is a larger option of traditional Japanese food than Niseko, however, there is a growing amount of western food arriving each season.
Additionally, there are late night bar options in Echoland to find all the Australians hanging out at.
Hakuba is best accessed to by bus and by train and will be one of the longest to reach of the ski resorts in Japan.
I would recommend taking the bus. It will take six hours from Narita airport, but it is easier than changing two trains and then getting on a bus. The straight bus option allows you to just hop on at the airport and be driven into Hakuba – all while you play on the free wifi!
Hakuba is cheaper than Niseko –, especially in accommodation. Hakuba does not offer many resort style hotels, so most of the places are budget or hostel. This means you can spend approximately $300 for a four-night stay at Hakuba. The food is about the same price as Niseko though, especially with the popular western food establishments opening.
Niseko vs Hakuba
Heading to Japan for a ski trip and can’t decide between Niseko or Hakuba? Both offer incredible snowboarding and skiing opportunities, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Niseko boasts unbeatable amounts of dry powder, while Hakuba provides a wider variety of terrain for all skill levels. If you’re looking for off-slope activities, Niseko offers more options with its hot springs and restaurants, while Hakuba has a more traditional Japanese feel with onsens and local markets.
If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, Japan is a must-visit destination. With its abundant powder and world-class resorts, the country offers some of the best skiing experiences in the world. When it comes to choosing a destination within Japan, two names stand out: Niseko and Hakuba.
Niseko is known for its consistent powdery snow throughout the season and excellent tree runs that provide plenty of adrenaline-pumping moments for adventure seekers. It caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders from beginners to experts with its abundance of beginner-friendly slopes as well as challenging ones.
Hakuba, on the other hand, boasts multiple resorts that cater to different skiing preferences – Goryu being perfect for beginner to intermediate skiers while Happo One meets the needs of more advanced skiers. The area also typically attracts fewer crowds than Niseko which can be ideal for more laid-back enthusiasts.
Both destinations offer unique charms and are definitely worth exploring based on what type of experience you’re looking for.
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Great! I’d love to check out some of these ski resorts! My Swiss friends say Japan has some of snow in the world. Seems like a great place to learn.
This is so great! I love the photos! I can’t believe how expensive it is to stay at the ski resorts.
wow great post! These resorts look amazing! Now I just need to learn how to ski 😛
What a dream destination! We are visiting Japan for the first time later this year, but to ski there would be unbelievable, what an insightful guide!
Such a great post, saving it for when I go to Japan!
This post is awesome Amy!!
I have visited Niseko and Hakuba but both times I was a total beginner (I borrowed friends clothes and skis for an afternoon skiing in Niseko, and another friend’s clothes and snowboard for a day in Hakuba!) I would loooove to go back and explore more now I know what I am doing. It is interesting to hear how they have changed. Yeeears ago there wasn’t much nightlife. We just ate curry before heading to a hot spring and bed!
The JaPOW in Aomori looks soooo fun to ski in!!
So glad I found this as I hope to go snowboarding in Japan in the next few years! I am an avid snowboarder in Canada where I live and keep hearing things about the ski resorts in Japan. Love your blog and niche!
Hokkaido has some amazing ski resorts! Near where I lived in Miyagi prefecture, there is also a beautiful ski resort called Zao. Oh how I miss skiing in Japan. All the ones you mentioned here are lovely! 🙂
That’s a great list! I do hope to visit Japan again and this time in the winter to hit some slopes. The photos are so lovely 🙂
This is a very comprehensive post, thanks for sharing! I have never been skiing in Japan but a lot of my friends have. Would be interesting to explore the resorts of your post one day!
Wow, incredible pictures. Really interesting post! I love skiing, so I’ll definitely bookmark this for when I go to Japan!
Camille from http://www.craftyexplorer.com