An Ultimate Guide to Skiing in Japan

When winter comes, Japan may bring you much more thrilling experiences than other seasons. Its thick snow and snow-capped mountains in winter make it an excellent spot for skiing sports. The fabulous resorts, with vibrant forms of hopping events...Going on a skiing tour to Japan is worth a try, and here's a complete guide. If you haven't known it before, don't let the chance slip.

Japan's Skiing Season

When to Go Skiing in Japan

The ski season in Japan typically lasts from late December to early April. The skiing season and snow conditions vary in many resorts of any size. Some ski resorts, like Snow Town Yeti Ski Village, may open in late October, and some will continue until May. Importantly, you should keep abreast of the actual opening date of each resort accessible on the websites.

Generally, the peak ski season in Japan is between January and late February, and it sometimes lasts into early March. This period comes with the heaviest snow and the best powder snow in most ski resorts. During this time, the snow is at its most powdery.

Heavy Snow During the Ski Season

If you like to budget carefully and avoid crowds, late December or early April can be a good choice, providing you with beautiful weather and cheaper lift tickets and accommodations. However, it is recommended to avoid going on a Japan ski tour during Christmas and New Year since there will be crowds due to a flood of skiers from different countries, and accommodations will be much more expensive than usual. But if you want to experience the unique festival atmosphere in Japan beyond skiing, making your plan and reservations several months in advance is essential.

Where to Go Skiing in Japan

Hokkaido (Niseko and Sapporo)

Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, is a well-known destination for skiing. Hokkaido has the world's second-heaviest snowfall and skiers' favorite powder snow. Besides, the area features mountains at a relatively low altitude. These factors make Hakkaido a paradise for ski lovers. Cities like Niseko, Nagano, and Sapporo are widely popular. There are well-known or less-known ski resorts to choose from, like Niseko Resort, Rusutsu Resort, Sapporo Teine Resort, Kiroro Resort, and Furano Resort.

Nagano

Nagano, located in the central part of Japan's main island - Honshu, is a legendary place for skiing and snowboarding. The Nagano region, long known as the "roof of Japan", once hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is home to many large ski resorts, like Nozawa Onsen Resort, Shiga Kogen Resort, and Hakuba Valley, which consists of 10 ski resorts. Some of them have over 80 thousand-meter-long courses to offer. Apart from skiing, Nagano is full of vibrant festivals and rural cultures.

Tohoku (Akita, Iwate, and Yamagata)

Tohoku is composed of six prefectures, among which well-known are Akita, Iwate, and Yamagata. With mountainous terrain and proximity to the Sea of Japan, Tohoku is blessed with plenty of dry snow formed by cold winter storms and warm marine air. Tohoku boasts dozens of ski areas of different sizes, some seeing relatively heavy snowfall. You can choose what you like among ski resorts in Tohoku, such as Zao Onsen Resort in Yamagata, Appi Kogen Resort in Iwate, and Tazawako Resort in Akita. Additionally, Tohoku is renowned for its natural beauty. Akita, Iwate, and Yamagata of Tohoku are unique to their own heritage and tradition.

Skiing in Japan

Best Ski Resorts in Japan

Niseko

Located on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko Resort is one of the most popular skiing destinations in Japan. It is generally open in December and closes in May. The area is known for its superb powder and a variety of trails that suit all levels of skiers. Niseko has become the main attraction for Western skiers and snowboarders as English is widely spoken in the resort. Here, the lessons and guides are easily accessible to foreign visitors. Besides, the resort, which is close to New Chitose Airport, has a good transportation system with lift ropeways that allow skiers to rapidly access the slopes. It also boasts numerous facilities like restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a lively destination full of vibrant nightlife.

View of Mount Yotei from Niseko Resort

Rusutsu

Rusutsu Resort is another great destination for an enjoyable vacation in Hokkaido. It typically runs from November through April. Rusutsu is not far from Niseko, the New Chitose Airport, and Sapporo. Shuttle buses and cars are available at the resort. With high annual snowfall, Rusutsu enjoys a reputation for its fresh and deep snow. The resort is distinguished by well-kept ski terrain, unspoiled slopes, and tree trails covered with freshly fallen snow. The resort also provides beginner and intermediate skiers with trained instructors, giving new skiers a better experience. The resort has a lot of nearby hotels that ensure you enjoy a long stay here. If you want to avoid the crowds in Niseko, Rusutsu may be the best alternative.

Happo One

Happo One achieved international acclaim during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Now the resort has become the biggest and most popular ski destination in Hakuba Valley. It starts from December and closes until May. Happo One features a wide range of off-piste and advanced terrain and lots of ski trail variety in different lengths, including famous Olympic race trails. The resort also provides extensive, beginner-friendly instruction. Moreover, Happo Village, the surrounding resort, abounds with accommodations and amenities, and there is a great deal of shopping. If you want a lively atmosphere outside of skiing, stay at Happo Village, where you can get ski gear and various souvenirs. The resort, however, may get extremely crowded on weekends and holidays.

Nozawa Onsen

Situated in the northern area of Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa Onsen is not very far from Tokyo. Tourists can take the Shinkansen train and shuttle bus to the destination. The resort runs roughly from December until May. The mountainous terrain in the resort is extensive, with continuous powder, tree-lined trails, and polished courses. As its name suggests, the resort is famed for its distinctive onsens, or Japanese hot springs. The town of Nozawa boasts a total of 13 free public bathhouses, making it an excellent place to unwind at any one of the free hot springs after a day's exercise on the slopes. Outside of onsens, the town offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, and karaoke establishments. An amusement park is open to children free of charge on weekends. There are numerous playgrounds, including tubing, sliding, sledding, and bouncing castles, a family-friendly resort brings you thrills and calm amid a traditional Japanese ambiance.

Ski Rules and Etiquette in Japan

Skiing is an exciting but risky sport. Knowing some ski rules can help you stay safe by avoiding harmful behavior. At the same time, it's essential to follow some specific etiquette when traveling in other countries. Here are some ski rules and etiquette that you should follow in Japan's ski resorts.

Rules:

• Whether you're new to or good at skiing, it's necessary to follow the signs and warnings released by staff.
• Skiing is quite a dangerous sport, so choose the right ski activity according to your own ability and be careful of changing conditions.
• Don't stop if you're obstructing a trail or can't be seen from above.
• Make way for others whenever you join a trail or start downhill.

Etiquette:

Appreciation and apologies are highly valued in Japanese culture. Whether it's to help or cause a bother, it's always useful to say thank you (arigatou) or sorry (gomen nasai). When someone apologizes to you, say Daijobu Desu" (It's ok). Remember to do so if you want to get along with the locals.

Many ski resorts in Japan come complete with hot mineral spas, called onsens in Japanese. You are able to have a public or private bath after skiing. In an onsen, you must soak in the bath without any bathing suits. Besides, it could be considered quite disrespectful if you do not clean yourself in the onsen with your hands using a shower and soap.

Shoes are not allowed when you enter the main entrance of a Japanese house. You must change into house slippers or socks to wear indoors. What's more, wearing toilet shoes when you're in the bathroom is required in Japan.

How Much Does Skiing in Japan Cost

Ski cost is quite an important consideration before you plan to go skiing in Japan. Ski costs usually include lift tickets, season tickets, equipment rental, lessons, and accommodation.

Ski Lift Tickets

You always have a one-day, half-day, or four- or five-hour lift ticket to choose from. A one-day ticket costs usually around $26 to $40. If you go skiing in the early ski season or spring season, you can get cheaper lift tickets. Paper-based ski lift tickets have been gradually replaced by electronic ones. A certain deposit for the card is charged, but it will be returned eventually. You may find discounted lift tickets on the official ski area websites.

Handy Ski Lifts

Season Tickets

Season tickets are optional. Season tickets may be a good investment if you plan to visit the same ski location frequently. Some season tickets are valid at some ski areas, even in different regions.

Accommodation

The charges of accommodation, from $100 to $500 per night and even more, may vary considerably in most ski resorts of different sizes in Japan, and it also depends on whether you prefer a more cost-effective trip or superbly luxurious services. High-end hotels and traditional ryokans, like the ANA Holiday Inn or Onsen Shosenkaku Kagetsu Ryokan, are provided in some big ski resorts with luxurious resort facilities like hot springs and parks for children. For money-saving purposes, there are also many options. Economic hotels (such as The Cortina Hotel), local minshuku, small, and Western-style lodges, and pensions (such as Pension Folktale) are all considered.

Ski Gear Rental

Ski gear rental is quite common in most ski areas in Japan. You generally need to rent a complete set with a snowboard and boots, or skis, boots, bindings, and poles, plus full ski clothing. Typically, you must pay $60 to $120 per day. The exact daily rent varies depending on the quality of the ski gear. Shops around large ski resorts rent out less expensive ski gear. If you plan to stay for quite a long time, bringing gear with you gives you the best value for money.

Ski Lesson

Beginners are recommended to participate in ski lessons on Japan's snow vacation. The average course takes between 1 hour and a half and 2 hours. The lesson fee typically depends on the number of learners. It consists of a full-day private and group lesson. In Gala Yuzawa, for example, a full-hour private lesson costs around $80 while a 90-minute group lesson costs only around $40.

Child-friendly Lessons Are Also Available

There is no exact answer to how much skiing costs in Japan. According to personal preferences and choices, the costs associated with these factors vary greatly.

Other Tips for Skiing in Japan

• If you're a beginner, it's important to choose a ski resort with trained instructors who can ensure your proper skiing posture to avoid accidents.
• If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you enroll in a local ski school. Such ski schools always have professional ski instructors from all over the world. 
• A beginner is prone to falling when skiing. If you meet with such a case, try to touch the ground sideways instead of sitting on it directly.
• You can rent ski gear at every resort, so you don't need to prepare unwieldy gear throughout your trip.
• English is widely used in some large ski resorts, while it remains less widely spoken in many other medium-sized or small ones. Learning some basic Japanese is in your favor in the event of a bad fall and other emergencies. Here are some important Japanese phrases that you can use for fear of an emergency or special need:

• For some female skiers, it is not suitable to wear knitted hats with wool balls when skiing in order to put on their hard hats.
• Despite cold weather in ski resorts, don't wear too much in case you sweat heavily and catch a cold after skiing.
• Travel insurance is indispensable as skiing is a risky activity. Whether it is lost or damaged gear or just a nasty fall, travel insurance can guarantee you less expensive medical bills both domestically and internationally, as well as damages for any loss, breakage, or injuries.

What to Expect When Skiing in Japan

Ski Lift

Every ski resort in Japan has a certain number of ski lifts. Taking the lift is the first wonderful thing you do before enjoying skiing. It always takes you around 10 minutes to get to your destination. During this time, you can enjoy a superb panorama of snow scenes. One of the most famous lift ropeways is Zao Ropeway, which offers skiers photographic snow landscapes that feature magnificent snow-covered trees and rime.

Onsen Hot Spring Baths

A traditional Onsen hot spring bath is a must after your skiing. It is the best way to relieve fatigue and soreness. Many resorts have their own onsens in distinct Japanese styles. It is a wonderful pleasure to end a hard day with relaxing baths in a tranquil and antique atmosphere.

Sapporo Snow Festival

If you come to go skiing in Hokkaido in early February, you can't miss the Sapporo Snow Festival, usually held between early and mid-February. This one-of-a-kind snow festival will bring you a big thrill, including a spectacular winter wonderland of snow, attractive snow and ice sculptures, and other interesting games like curling, snow slides, and a maze.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Jigokudani Monkey Park

The park is one of the world-famous attractions in Hakuba. Exploring the park and witnessing snow monkeys can be a memorable part of your ski trip in Japan. The park is home to nearly 200 wild snow monkeys. You can watch these adorable animals warming themselves up in the hot springs and take some pictures of the special scene.

Cute Snow Monkeys

Nagano Zenkoji Temple

The old temple is located near the Nagano Ski Resort. Nagano Zenkoji Temple is best known for storing Japan's first Buddhist statue, which traces back to the 6th century. However, only a copy of the original statue is accessible to visitors. The time-honored temple has many unique temples and castle structures to explore. It provides a chance to learn about a part of Japanese history while enjoying skiing.

The perfect snow conditions make Japan a significant destination for passionate skiers worldwide. Japan has numerous ski resorts and diverse types of skiing activities to choose from, whether you're a beginner or an expert. By following the tips in this guide to Odynovo, you can make the most of your skiing adventure in Japan. Better yet, you can travel with us and we will create customized ski events for you, creating memories that will last a lifetime.