Cable skiing
Japan is home to more than 500 ski resorts (ski-jo) and the Japanese ski fields are ranked as some of the best in the world. Offering an incredible amount of choice, Japan ski fields range from tiny local ski hills to huge mega-resorts, which are the most popular choice for powder hounds and overseas visitors.
When to ski in Japan
The ski season in Japan generally begins in December and lasts until April but the actual dates depend on each resort and its location. Hokkaido, due to its location in the north, and the mountains of Nagano, located in higher altitudes, tend to get more snow earlier in the season than in other places.
When to ski in Japan
The ski season in Japan generally begins in December and lasts until April but the actual dates depend on each resort and their location. Hokkaido, due to its location in the north, and the mountains of Nagano, located in higher altitudes, tend to get more snow earlier in the season than other places.a
Recommended places to ski and snowboard in Japan are in Hokkaido , the northernmost island of the Japanese archipelago, and the main island of Honshu. Niseko is the largest, most developed, and popular of all the ski resorts in Japan, and Hakuba, located in the Japan Alps in Nagano Prefecture attracts winter sports lovers for its accessibility from Tokyo, variety of resorts and terrain.
Skiing in Hokkaido
Niseko is a renowned ski resort in Hokkaido, but it's not the only one. There are several other resorts on the island that get high volumes of snow every season—and they are often less crowded than Niseko.
Rusutsu , located next to Niseko, is known for its excellent tree runs, large amount of snowfall, and great lift infrastructure. Get away from the crowds at the family-friendly Furano resort , east of Sapporo, where you can also enjoy snowmobiling, ice fishing and a number of activities for children, including English-language lessons.
Skiing the Japanese Alps
The Japanese Alps, the “Roof of Japan” as they are often referred to, are a group of high mountains, the tallest reaching above 3,100 meters. They extend across central Honshu from Toyama Prefecture bordering the Sea of Japan to the Southern Alps in Shizuoka Prefecture, bordering the Pacific Ocean. These mountains are a good place to ski and snowboard. The ski resorts in Hakuba are located in the Northern Alps, along with Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. A day trip to see the snow monkeys in Yudanaka Onsen makes a great rest day while skiing in the Japan Alps.
Skiing in Tohoku
Zao Onsen Ski Resort on the border of Yamagata and Miyagi, and Appi Kogen in Iwate are the stars of Tohoku. Zao Onsen, famous for its slopes lined with “juhyo” or so-called snow monsters , is filled with Japanese charm and natural hot springs, perfect for relaxing after a long day carving up the runs. The mountain is accessible by bullet train and then local bus from Yamagata Station. Appi Kogen Ski Resort is a stellar resort in the Hachimantai area of Iwate Prefecture. It features high-end ski-in, ski-out accommodation, excellent food, plenty of intermediate slopes for younger children and beginners, as well as group ski and snowboard lessons in English. In particular, Appi Kogen has well-groomed slopes.