Your Guide to Choosing the Ultimate Ski Resort in Japan
From ski-only resorts, resorts with night skiing, park skiing, tree skiing, off-piste skiing, and resorts for the ultimate Japow experience, you’ll find a resort to suit your needs
Skiing through Japanese Powder Snow. Photo by Hendrik Morkel on Unsplash
Anyone who has skied or boarded in Japan knows that the snow in Japan is special. Its geography is particularly conducive to great snowfall. A warm current runs off the coast that borders the Sea of Japan. In winter, cold winds from Siberia collide with the warm water that evaporates from the Sea of Japan, forming clouds.
The wind carries the clouds inland, causing massive snowfall dumps when they hit the hillsides of the towering Japanese Alps and the mountains of Hokkaido. The snow is often powder dry, especially in Nagano and Hokkaido, earning the snow in Japan the moniker of Japow.
What is perhaps lesser known is that Japan experienced a ski resort construction craze in the bubble years as skiing became a status symbol, with the country peaking at over 700 separate resorts in the 1990s. Today, it is estimated that the country still has over 450 operating resorts - almost the same number as the USA, which is a large number given how small Japan is!
These run the entire gamut –from small local hills that only have a magic carpet, to massive ski areas. Most are somewhere in between. It can be daunting to choose which ski or snow resort to visit in Japan, which is why we are here to help. We’ve compiled a list of ski resorts to suit every type of skier or snowboarder.
Ski-only resorts in Japan
In most snow resorts around the world, skiers and snowboarders coexist in harmony. That said, there are still some ski-only resorts, or areas within resorts that have snowboarding restrictions. In Japan, there are more snowboarders than skiers, so if you prefer to visit ski-only resorts, you should check out the resorts listed here:
Slopes with snowboarding restrictions
1. Madarao Kogen, Nagano Prefecture: Lesser known, but offers off-piste, ungroomed courses and skiing among the trees.
2. Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture: This expansive resort has select zones where snowboarding is restricted.
3. Kagura Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture: While much of Kagura is open to both skiers and snowboarders, some sections maintain a ski-only policy to enhance the skiing experience.
Ski-only resorts
4. Naspa Ski Garden, Niigata Prefecture: A ski-in and ski-out resort offering intermediate runs with a few more difficult trails
5. Katashina Kogen Ski Resort, Gunma Prefecture: Offers more beginner and intermediate runs with a few moguls
Resorts with night skiing in Japan
Skiing or snowboarding at night is a completely different experience from skiing in the day. The slopes are less crowded. The night lift tickets are often significantly cheaper than day tickets. The lower temperatures also mean that snow conditions are often even better at night. The illuminated slopes give off an entirely different vibe, adding a new layer of excitement and making the same trail feel fresh again.
For the snow junkie, being able to ski at night means more skiing, which lets you maximize your limited vacation time. You can also ski at one resort for the day, and then book a private transfer to another for night skiing, combined with an onsen experience. Here are some resorts that offer night skiing and boarding.
Niigata Prefecture (All within a relatively close driving area)
1. Myoko Kogen: Hosts night skiing at select areas with well-maintained trails ideal for a peaceful night glide.
2. Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort: Provides extensive night skiing facilities with a variety of courses under the lights.
3. Naeba Ski Resort: Known for its vibrant night skiing scene with numerous illuminated runs and après-ski activities.
4. Kandatsu Kogen: Enjoy night skiing with a laid-back vibe and stunning views of the lit-up landscape.
5. Ishiuchi Maruyama: Offers night skiing with a wide range of slopes and a lively après-ski environment. (where the Japanese national halfpipe team trains)
6. Akakura Onsen: Night skiing offered every day with freshly groomed slopes
Nagano Prefecture (within 2 hours driving from Niigata resorts)
7. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort: Features night skiing on select slopes, offering a serene evening experience.
8. Hakuba Goryu: Offers night skiing with well-lit slopes and breathtaking views of the Hakuba Valley.
9. Shiga Kogen: Various areas offer night skiing, providing an array of runs to explore after dark.
10. Togari Onsen Ski Resort: Offers night skiing with a cozy atmosphere and beautiful nighttime vistas. Less crowded than Nozawa.
Gunma Prefecture (within 2 hours of the Nagano and Niigata resorts)
11. Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort: Enjoy skiing under the stars with well-lit runs and hot springs nearby for post-ski relaxation.
12. Minakami Kogen Ski Resort: Offers night skiing with scenic views and a peaceful mountain setting.
13. Kawaba Ski Resort: Features night skiing with a selection of slopes suitable for various skill levels.
Yamagata Prefecture
14. Zao Onsen Ski Resort: Offers night skiing with illuminated slopes and the unique experience of skiing among the famous "snow monsters."
15. Yamagata Zao Liza World: Provides night skiing options with well-lit runs catering to both beginners and advanced skiers.
Gifu Prefecture
16. Dynaland: Known for its extensive night skiing offerings with diverse terrains and a festive atmosphere.
17. Takasu Snow Park: Provides night skiing with a mix of challenging runs and gentle slopes.
Kanagawa Prefecture (Fuji views)
18. Snow Town Yeti: Provides easy night skiing with a unique view of Mount Fuji and well-maintained lit trails.
Chiba Prefecture (closest to Narita)
19. Chiba Snow Resort: Though modest in size, it offers night skiing with a friendly atmosphere and easy accessibility.
Ibaraki Prefecture
20. Ibaraki Ski Resort: While limited in size, it offers night skiing with a friendly atmosphere perfect for quick evening sessions.
Aichi Prefecture:
21. Chausuyama Kogen: Hosts night skiing, offering a cozy, local experience with illuminated trails perfect for evening skiing.
Where to find the best “Japow” in Honshu, Japan
Not all snow in Japan is made equal. On the lower latitude of Honshu ski resorts, the slightly higher temperatures can mean stickier, wetter snow. Does that mean you cannot experience the best “Japow” on the main island of Honshu? No, you just need to know where to look. If it’s your first time skiing or boarding in Japan, we strongly recommend you make Honshu your first stop. Here are some of the destinations we recommend if you’re searching for the best “Japow” that Honshu can offer. Also, you should consider the season, a the best time for Japan powder is Early January through mid-February. This time is known as “Japanuary”.
Nagano Prefecture (within 2 hours driving from Niigata resorts)
1. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort: a well-known foreigner-friendly resort
2. Togari Onsen Ski Resort: a less crowded park near Nozawa
3. Togakushi Ski Resort: a quieter smaller tree-filled resort
4. Kumanoyu Ski Resort “Kamayuki”: Ski above the clouds in powder
Niigata Prefecture
5. Seki onsen: A small resort, but some of the heaviest, deepest powder in the country
6. Lotte Arai: Known for its ungroomed trails
7. Tanigawadake Tenjidaira: Known for steeper runs and more technical skiing
Yamagata Prefecture
8. Tengendai Kogen Ski Resort: offers long runs in powder
Iwate Prefecture
9. Geto Kogen Resort: Hard to get to without a car, which makes it less crowded
Where to find trick parks in Japan
If your idea of a fun time on the slope looks more like perfecting your jumps and other tricks, the resorts below offer some of the most diverse trick parks closer to Tokyo.
Trick Park at Myoko Suginohara. Image credit: japan-skiguide.com
1. Myoko Suginohara, Niigata Prefecture: Offers a popular trick park with diverse features including kickers, rails, and a half-pipe. The park is a favorite for
freestyle enthusiasts looking to test their skills in a scenic setting.
2. Hakuba Goryu, Nagano Prefecture: This resort boasts a well-maintained trick park with a wide range of obstacles, including jumps and rails. It is known for
hosting freestyle competitions and events, attracting both local and international athletes.
3. Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture: Offers a dedicated trick park equipped with various freestyle features like boxes and rails.
4. Fujimi Panorama Resort, Nagano Prefecture: Known for its well-designed trick park, complete with a range of features including rails, jumps, and boxes.
5. Happo-One, Nagano Prefecture: Boasts a trick park known for its expertly crafted jumps and rails and regularly hosts freestyle events.
6. Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture: Offers multiple trick parks across its interconnected resorts, each with unique features that cater to freestyle skiers and
snowboarders.
7. Ishiuchi Maruyama, Niigata Prefecture: Offers one of the largest half-pipes in Japan, where competitions are held.
Where to experience off-piste and backcountry skiing in Japan
Unlike off-piste and backcountry skiing in North America where doing so is done at the individual’s own risk, Japan takes a more communal approach towards safety on the slopes. Accidents that happen within a resort are the responsibility of the resort. For that reason, generally speaking, most resorts ban off-piste skiing, and if you break the rules, your lift pass may be confiscated.
However, with the increase in demand for off-piste and backcountry skiing from foreign skiers, some resorts have relaxed their rules. Most of these resorts will require a permit to ski or board off-piste, and you might be asked to attend a safety briefing, and potentially sign an indemnity form.
Every year, even highly skilled skiers and boarders die in avalanches in the backcountry. If this is something you want to consider doing, please hire a local guide, pack the necessary avalanche equipment, be careful, and take note of any avalanche announcements from the resort authorities.
Nagano Prefecture (within 2 hours driving from Niigata resorts)
1. Hakuba Valley, Nagano Prefecture: Known for its extensive backcountry terrain, Hakuba Valley attracts off-piste skiers with its diverse and challenging routes, deep powder, and
stunning alpine scenery.
2. Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture: This resort offers excellent off-piste opportunities with its abundant powder snow, steep slopes, and scenic views, making it a favorite among
seasoned skiers.
3. Madarao Kogen, Nagano Prefecture: With its open policy on tree skiing, Madarao Kogen is perfect for off-piste enthusiasts looking for natural obstacles and untracked powder.
4. Naeba, Kagura, and Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resorts: Offers access to the backcountry and good beginner access
Nagano Prefecture (within 2 hours driving from Niigata resorts)
5. Myoko Kogen, Niigata Prefecture: Offering vast and varied backcountry areas, Myoko Kogen is a haven for off-piste skiing, renowned for its heavy snowfall and thrilling tree runs.
6. Kagura Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture: With a reputation for heavy snowfall and expansive off-piste areas, Kagura attracts skiers seeking thrilling backcountry escapades.
7. Charmant Hiuchi Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture: A smaller resort, with only 3 lifts, 65% of the runs are unpacked snow.
Yamagata Prefecture
8. Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture: Famous for its "snow monsters" and dynamic off-piste areas, Zao Onsen provides an adventurous skiing experience amidst picturesque
landscapes.
9. Tengendai Kogen Ski Resort: Offers access to some of the best powder on the main island of Japan.
Where to Cat & Heli-ski in Japan
Cat and heli-skiing are uncommon in Japan and your options may be limited. If you are looking for heli-skiing or cat-skiing to access untracked powder, here are some of our suggestions.
Catski
Niigata prefecture (Echigo Yuzawa area)
Mikuni is a former ski resort located in Niigata near the town of Yuzawa. It’s a quick five-minute drive from the famed Naeba Ski Resort. Then operated by the same Prince Hotel group, it closed in 2004 and has since been returned to nature, with all the man-made lift structures being removed. The only evidence that it was once a resort is the shaped piste that makes Mikuni Cat Skiing more manageable for those new to skiing in the backcountry.
A snowcat operation can take up to 10 skiers or boarders up the hill, for a full day of snow adventure. You can even consider this as part of an extended stay at other Yuzawa resorts, such as Ishiuchi Maruyama, Kagura, and Naeba.[1]
Yamagata Prefecture
Mount Gassan in Yamagata is famed for receiving so much snow that the ski resort doesn’t even open until late spring, and doesn’t close open until high summer in July! Now imagine being able to access all of that bottomless powder with a snowcat vehicle. If you need a private ski transfer from Tokyo to Nagano, or from Yuzawa to Yamagata to access cat-skiing, we can make it happen.
Heli-ski
Heli-skiing is not common in Japan due to strict air laws. There are some options in Hokkaido, and if you are considering heli-skiing on the island of Honshu, the Kagura Tourist Association runs tours in the Kagura area in April and May.
How to Send Gear
If you’re traveling with equipment, you may want to minimize the gear you need to carry by shipping it directly from the airport to your accommodation. Look out for Black Cat (the logo looks like a black cat) or “Kuroneko” delivery services which can be found after you clear the immigration. The efficient logistics network in Japan means that your luggage and gear can be usually be shipped quickly, sometimes as short as one to two days.
Enjoy the best of Japow with your private ski transfer
Imagine, you’ve planned your long-awaited winter ski or snowboarding trip to Japan at a fantastic resort, only to discover another one has the best snow. Need a last minute ski resort or inter-ski resort transfer service? We at TokudAw have you covered. Let us deliver you and your gear to the best mountain for the day with our private ski transport service so you can maximize that pow for the day!
Just arrived at Haneda or Narita, and you can’t wait to get to the slopes as quickly as possible? We can plan an airport to ski resort transfer for you, so you can maximize your time skiing or boarding in Japan.
Sometimes the best day on the slopes is being the first to arrive. Booking a private ski transfer with us means there’s no need to wait for a crowded bus, or buy your ticket in a long line, or struggle to transfer from train to bus. You can beat the line and catch the first tracks whether on the groomed slopes or to access the backcountry. We’ll work with your timetables.
Want to stay late to catch some night skiing? We’ll work with your time, so you don’t have to worry about the last bus home. Unlike some transfer services, we’re local and a small business. We’ll customize our ski transport service to your needs and the weather conditions of the day.
If you feel like a little Apres Ski, we can help you wrap up the day with a visit to the nearest large towns for some Japanese cuisine or a visit to one of the famous winter festivals. Or, if you’re looking to rest your legs a bit, we can create a customized tour of local highlights—from the famous snow monkeys to onsen or Japanese hot spring towns.
Book your customized itinerary now with TokudAw!
