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Ski Season

From December to April of the following year, Japan offers an ideal skiing destination, ranging from the largest ski resort in the world, Niseko in Hokkaido, to small resort villages in hot spring towns. Japan is an ideal destination for skiers of all levels, families with young children, and couples seeking adventure, culture, and an exceptional skiing experience.

About Skiing in Japan

Ski Resort Region Guide

One of the World’s Best Skiing Destinations for Alpine and Snowboard Skiing

One of the countries with the most snowfall in the world.

Hokkaido Region
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​Hokkaido

Located at the northernmost part of Japan, Hokkaido is a world-renowned ski destination. Its long winter season, abundant and high-quality snowfall, and diverse ski resorts provide excellent conditions for winter sports.

What attracts skiers to Hokkaido the most is the famous "powder snow." This snow has a low moisture content, making it dry and powdery, creating a dreamy floating sensation when skiing, which skiers love. Hokkaido’s powder snow is known for its supreme quality and is praised as the "ultimate powder snow."​

The variety of ski resorts and slopes also makes skiing more convenient. From Niseko, which has four ski resorts, to the Rusutsu Resort with three mountains, and the Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU Resort, one of the largest family-oriented ski resorts in Asia, there are options to suit any budget and any type of skiing need. Hokkaido also boasts an exceptionally long ski season, lasting from late November to early May, offering nearly half a year of skiing opportunities.

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Hokkaido

Moreover, Hokkaido’s majestic natural scenery, diverse high-quality hot springs, and fresh seafood and agricultural products also attract many visitors. When not skiing, visitors can enjoy mountain views, outdoor hot springs, and local cuisine, making for a refreshing and enjoyable experience every moment.

Chubu region
中部

Central Region

The central region of Japan, located in Honshu, covers nine prefectures: Aichi, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, and Shizuoka, including the Hokuriku region and part of the Tokai region.
The area is north of the Sea of Japan and experiences harsh winters with heavy snowfall and excellent snow quality, making it the setting for Japan’s literary “snow country.” Several famous large ski resorts are located here, with Nagano Prefecture, the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, boasting the largest number of ski resorts in Japan, with nearly 80 ski resorts.

The terrain in this region provides ideal conditions for skiing. The Japanese Alps, including the Hida, Kiso, and Akaishi mountain ranges, run through much of the region and are known as the “spine of Japan.” The area features continuous peaks over 3,000 meters, where skiers can enjoy spectacular views of the snowy mountains while skiing. This has become one of the region’s unique features.

In recent years, the Hokuriku Shinkansen has been opened, connecting major cities in the Hokuriku region with Osaka and Tokyo, making it easier to reach ski resorts in the central region. The cities in this region offer beautiful natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, unique local crafts, and distinctive local cuisine, so visitors can enjoy a relaxing vacation along with skiing.

Kanto and other areas
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Kansai region

Ski resorts in the Kansai region of Japan are known for their convenient transportation, diverse slopes, and high-quality powder snow. These ski resorts are mostly concentrated in the northern parts of Shiga and Hyogo prefectures, and are about 1 to 3 hours away by car from Osaka or Kyoto. Kansai ski resorts cater to skiers of all levels, from beginners to experts, who can find slopes suitable for their skills. Additionally, these ski resorts often have family-friendly ski areas and ski schools, making them very suitable for family visitors. The Oboke Snow Park is the largest ski resort in the Kansai region, with the steepest slopes in Japan, attracting many skiing experts. At the same time, the ski resorts in the Kansai region are also famous for their natural snowfall and high-quality powder snow, providing an excellent skiing experience for skiing enthusiasts.