The Best Ski Resorts in Japan

Skiers and snowboarders around the world are always in search of that next great ski trip. And there are few bucket places that compare to Japan. You could ski every day of the year at a different Japanese ski resort, and you’d still just scratch the surface of the country’s offerings. That’s because there are more than 500 ski areas across Japan. We’re here to sort out some of the best of the best and help you choose the place for your next ski vacation.

Japan is a truly epic winter sports destination, but it may surprise you to discover that Japan is great for learning to ski and, even more so, to learn to snowboard. That’s because it snows more than most countries, so beginners can learn and fall on soft, fluffy snow, not frozen hardpack. Additionally, the ski travel market in Asia and Japan is dominated by beginners and low intermediates, so most of the ski resorts are set up for rentals, lessons, and long, windy green slopes. What’s more, most of Japan’s resorts are on volcanic mountains, which means wide, gentle slopes at the bottom. For advanced skiers and boarders, the draw is the deep, dry, fluffy powder that never seems to stop falling in the height of winter. Japan’s special blend of ultra-dry powder is sometimes called “Japow,” – and there’s an awful lot of it.

Then there’s the wonderful après-ski scene. Japan is rich in food and drink culture. Fill up with ramen at lunch, and you’ll be warm and full the rest of the day. Then, relax after a day on the slopes in a traditional hot spring bath, or “onsen.” Before you have your first onsen experience, make sure you brush up on the local rules: Find your way to the correct bath, as it’s split by gender and the signs are in Japanese. Then make sure you shower first at the nearby stalls and remove all of your clothing (no bathing suits are allowed). Finally, make sure you’re aware of policies of each onsen; some, for example, don’t allow tattoos.

No matter what type of skier or rider you are, you’ll find something to love in Japan. Now, without further ado, let’s take you on a tour of Japan’s best ski resorts.

The Best Ski Resorts In Japan

Ski Resorts in Nagano

Nagano is probably the first of Japan’s 47 prefectures that comes to mind, as it hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Nagano’s slopes are a relatively quick train or bus ride from Tokyo, making it an ideal location for international travelers and locals alike. Headlining Nagano is Hakuba Valley, at the northern side of the Japanese Alps. Hakuba Valley, which picks up an average annual snowfall of 36 feet, can be reached in two and a half hours from Tokyo if you catch the most direct train. Hakuba Valley’s scenery is incredible, and there are lots of backcountry options here as well. However, it can be very crowded during peak ski season.

Lift tickets in Hakuba Valley cover all the smaller resorts in the valley, but consider the time you would spend on shuttles going between them if you want to hit more than one ski resort in a day. Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 are linked at the top via a gondola and a shared lift ticket, while Cortina and Norikura Onsen are connected by courses and chairlifts going both ways. Note that Hakuba Valley is accessible using the Epic Pass. Après-ski here means soaking in hot springs and diving into the food offerings from a plethora of restaurants.

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort is known for its top-notch intermediate ski slopes that are arguably the best in Japan. It’s one of the largest ski areas in the country, with several smaller resorts interconnected into one giant playground. You won’t find any shortage of terrain in the region, which hosted some of the events at the 1998 Winter Olympics, including the alpine skiing slalom and snowboarding giant slalom at Yakebitaiyama, and the alpine skiing giant slalom at Higashidateyama.

Nozawa Onsen provides a different skiing experience in Nagano. This hot spring ski resort features a village with a unique atmosphere where steam rises everywhere as you wander the cobblestone streets. While not the most extensive Nagano ski resort for serious skiers and riders, it offers a few in-bounds and sidecountry ski areas with fairly steep terrain that you won’t find just anywhere in Japan. Time your visit to experience the strange, exciting fire festival held every year on January 15. You won’t forget it.

Ski Resorts In Niigata

Skiing in the Niigata Prefecture, which borders Nagano, began back in the early 1910s. Niigata is still a mainstay of skiing in Japan, with about 55 ski resorts still operating. We’ll start at Myoko Suginohara, a favorite Japanese ski resort. It offers tree skiing, side-country action, and long cruisers. The resort’s longest ski run, stretching more than five miles, is a highlight. Although it doesn’t have much advanced terrain, and the black runs are not particularly challenging, it’s a great intermediate ski resort.

Seki Onsen is a Myoko ski resort that boasts great off-piste skiing terrain for powder skiers and riders. It opened in the 1940s and is among Japan’s oldest ski resorts. As such, it’s not your typical expansive ski resort (it only has two lifts), yet it offers good, steep tree skiing. Bonus: It receives a lot of snow each ski season. Lotte Arai, which reopened under new ownership in 2017, is a new option in the area for powder buffs and families looking for convenience. Due to it being a new development, it doesn’t have a village or any nightlife, so it may be best to visit for a day trip to explore the vast bowls and steep terrain. Lotte Arai is also accessible on the Ikon Pass.

Ski Resorts In Hokkaido

Skiing in Hokkaido is an iconic experience for powder seekers. The north island of Japan is ideally located in the path of consistent weather systems that bring cold air across the Sea of Japan from Siberia. The result is that Hokkaido ski resorts are generally piled on with incredibly dry powder.

Niseko United is one of the most famous Japanese ski resorts for international skiers and snowboarders. Why? It seems like it never stops snowing here, which makes for frequent deep powder days. Niseko is a particularly excellent choice for English-speaking families with young children since kids’ ski lessons are available in English. There are some of the best facilities and infrastructure you’ll find in Japan, and extensive backcountry options. The village vibe in Hirafu is fun, with good shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, but book early if you want good lodging, as it’s very competitive. Niseko is also accessible on the Ikon Pass.

Rusutsu Resort is a paradise for experienced powder lovers. It offers some of Hokkaido’s best powder and tree skiing, where skiers can blast right through the dry powder with virtually no resistance. Rusutsu is another good resort for international travelers, as there are English signs and English-speaking staff. It is located about 90 minutes drive south-west of Sapporo, which was home to the 1972 Winter Games. Rusutsu is available on the Epic Pass.

Kiroro Resort is a destination of its own with upscale facilities, modern infrastructure and, of course, lots of powder. It used to go under the radar relative to some of the high-profile Hokkaido ski resorts nearby. However, it’s far more popular today, especially because of the all-inclusive Club Med Kiroro. It’s a medium-sized resort spread over two mountain peaks, featuring 23 runs with a somewhat equal spread of beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Kiroro also has world-class backcountry routes where you’ll rarely see other people.

Ski Resorts In Yamagata

Yamagata Prefecture is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu, where there are 23 ski resorts, including Zao Onsen Ski Resort, which is known for its snow monsters – fir trees clumped with ice and snow as a result of the bitter Siberian winds (as shown in the photo below). The bizarre frozen trees create a uniquely Japanese ski scene. Zao is also a famous onsen resort town, which is just what the doctor ordered after a day of skiing. Onsens can be found in many of the ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), while there are also public bathhouses and open-air hot springs called rotenburo. The therapeutic waters are a great place to soak weary ski muscles.

The onsen theme continues at Ginzan Onsen, located an hour and a half north of Zao Onsen, characterized by wooden ryokan hot spring inns lining the Ginzan River. Lit with gas streetlamps, this hot spring town will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. At night, the soft light emanating from the streetlamps and inns evokes a nostalgic, cozy feel that’s perfect for photos. You’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops here, too. If you want a more offbeat, unique lodging experience on a Japanese ski trip, then this is it.

Ski Resorts In Aomori Prefecture

While Aomori Spring Resort is well off the radar of many travelers, you’ll want to add this to your list. Aomori Spring is just across the water from Hokkaido, so it gets the same weather systems, but without the crowds. The resort is a long way from anything else, so much so that staff often refer to the mountain as an “island”. It’s a taste of what skiing in Japan was like 20 years ago, untracked powder all day, and zero lift lines. Plus, Aomori Spring is included on the Indy Pass.

Hakkoda is mainly known for its backcountry skiing terrain, so this is for serious powder skiers and snowboarders, although there is a small pisted area with a chairlift. Hakkoda’s backcountry terrain is partly serviced by a cable car, so you can access the lift-assisted backcountry on the frontside of the mountain or hike further into the backcountry from the top station. However, note that major storms can buffet Hakkoda, so in the peak of winter, there are times when the cable car (known as a “ropeway” in Japan) may be closed.

Ski Resorts In Iwata Prefecture

Finally, we end in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. Geto Kogen is located centrally in the northern part of the main island of Honshu and about a 3.5-hour journey from Tokyo by bullet train and bus. Geto Kogen isn’t a destination ski resort like many of the other Japanese ski resorts mentioned here, so it’s best visited for just a day or two. It’s the perfect place to stop for some waist-deep powder on the way to Appi Kogen or the resorts in Aomori. While storms and winds can be frequent, this means Geto Kogen gets an incredible amount of snowfall each winter, and the snow gets blown into its numerous ridged tree runs. You can stay in a dorm-style capsule hotel in the main lift building and be ready for first tracks. It’s also available on the Indy Pass.

Appi Kogen Ski Resort is the most well-known of the Iwate resorts, in part because of its well-developed facilities, family-friendly vibe, and English-language private lessons. Additionally, there is tree skiing inbounds and some side-country terrain, including a cat-accessed zone. Appi Kogen accommodations include a luxury hotel and more budget-friendly lodging options near the ski area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Japan have good ski resorts?

Yes, and there are so many to choose from in Japan, with more than 500 ski areas and resorts. Just know that many are small ski areas that don’t have the amenities, infrastructure, and luxury accommodations like Aspen, Vail, Park City, or Whistler, although Japan can certainly deliver on luxury. One of the best reasons to visit Japan is for the abundant, dry powder snow, often called “Japow.” All the famous ski areas receive significant snowfall every season, so it’s not hard to find deep powder during the heart of winter.

While some ski resorts in Japan may not come with the vertical or challenging terrain of your favorite North American ski resorts, it doesn’t really matter when it seems to snow every day. A safe bet for North American or European visitors is to go for one of the resorts in the Ikon Pass, Epic Pass, or Indy Pass portfolios noted above. The biggest challenge will be narrowing down the list of great Japanese ski resorts for a memorable Japan ski vacation, which our guide here helps you do.

Where is the best resort to ski in Japan?

With so many ski resorts to choose from in Japan, it’s hard to know where to start. However, you can’t go wrong with Niseko United. It never seems to stop snowing in Niseko, and the powder is often deep. Niseko is also a great family-friendly ski resort. Beyond Niseko, Nozawa Onsen, with its traditional village, is among Japan’s best ski destinations if you want a taste of history and Japanese culture. Time your visit to experience the strange, exciting fire festival held every year on January 15.

Is it expensive to ski in Japan?

In short, it depends, although it’s typically less expensive than the bigger ski resorts in North America and Europe. The primary choices at most Japanese ski areas are one-day, half-day, or four- to five-hour lift tickets. A one-day ticket typically costs around ¥5,000-10,000 (about US$35-$75), depending on the resort and time of year. Half-day tickets have become more popular in recent years. Accommodations can be good value if you book early (6-12 months in advance), but it can become more expensive if you leave it late. Car hire is generally good value, while dining can be surprisingly economical if you are used to prices in the U.S. or Europe. Prices for gear rental and lessons vary between small resorts and big destination resorts, so if you need lessons in English, make sure you investigate this first when choosing a resort.

What is the best month to ski in Japan?

January and February are the best months to ski in Japan. Ski Japan says, “If you’re after powder, the best time to visit is January and February. For festivals, the best time to go is from late January until mid-February. If you want to get a great deal and enjoy stunning weather, March and early April are the best months to go.”