There are a number of areas in Japan where ski resorts are clustered, and different areas offer different skiing experiences.
It is also an opportunity to discover a new Japan through encounters with the food, culture, and people of the ski area.
Let's take a look at some of the ski areas that have already become famous overseas, as well as those that are known to the Japanese but not yet major overseas.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan.
It has a lot of beautiful wilderness and shakes a lot of world-class powder snow, which attracts a lot of skiers in winter and a lot of people in summer for hiking and other outdoor activities.
It is also blessed with delicious seafood and many local dishes.
One of the most unique and fascinating cultures is that of the indigenous Ainu people. The place names of Niseko and Sapporo are said to have originated from the Ainu culture, and the Ainu culture permeates the culture of Hokkaido.
Niseko Area
Niseko is probably the most well known ski resort in Japan outside of Japan. Niseko powder is world famous among skier/snowboarder.
The Niseko area is located in the southwest of Hokkaido, Japan and is surrounded by the mountains of Mt. In winter, the monsoon blowing from Siberia hits Mt. Annupuri, resulting in a smooth powder snow with little moisture.
The Hirafu area offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars, stores, and services for after-skiing and nightlife, as well as The Village, a shopping and dining area designed in the image of "traditional Japanese townhouse architecture.
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6 Great Ski Resorts in Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Niseko area is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Niseko Area? Niseko is located in the southwest of Hokkaido, Japan, surrounded by Mt.Yotei to Mt.Niseko-Annupuri to the north. In winter, the monsoon blowing from Siberia hits Mt. Annupuri, resulting in a powdery snow with little moisture. This abundance of powder snow is the reason why Niseko has become famous overseas, and Hokkaido's Niseko Ski Resort is probably the most well-known resort in Japan among overseas skiers and boarders. In addition, with the recent increase in the number of skiers and ...
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Otaru / Sapporo Area
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a large city with a population of about 2 million.
In 1972, the Winter Olympics were held in Sapporo, and the Sapporo Snow Festival is held every February, attracting many people from all over the world. These events have raised the profile of Sapporo.
Sapporo is also known for its food culture, such as Sapporo Beer and Sapporo Ramen, which are loved by the Japanese people. Sapporo is also home to many other local cuisines.
Otaru is a small port town located northwest of Sapporo, the state capital. Although not as well known in foreign countries as Niseko and Sapporo, Otaru also has the best powder snow.
Otaru has a long history of prosperity as a center of herring fishing in the Meiji and Taisho eras, and as the terminal of Hokkaido's first railroad line (between Otaru and Sapporo). visitors will be able to see how this area with over 2 million people lives its daily life in this heavy snow.
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9 Great Ski Resorts in Sapporo and Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
Otaru and Sapporo area is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Otaru and Sapporo area? Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, has become a large city with a population of about 2 million. In 1972, the first Winter Olympics were held in Sapporo, and it was the first venue to host the games outside of Western Europe and the United States. From this point on, Sapporo became the center of attention. The Sapporo Snow Festival, which attracts many people from all over the world every February, also raised the city's profile. ...
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Nagano
Nagano Prefecture is also rich in nature and attracts many people for skiing and summer outdoor activities.
In 1998, the Winter Olympics were held here. Many places are also famous for their hot springs, and Nozawa Onsen is a famous ski area and hot spring resort.
The sight of monkeys relaxing in the hot springs is famous. The place is called Jigokudani Monkey Park and is located in Nagano.
Nagano Prefecture is not only famous for its nature, but also for its well preserved historical buildings.
Places such as Tsumago and Narai, where you can see the culture of farming villages, Zenkoji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, and other castles have left traces of people's lives, economy, and the history of people in Nagano.
Hakuba Valley Area
Hakuba is probably one of the most famous ski resorts in Japan, even abroad.
Located in the foothills of the Northern Alps in the northwestern part of Nagano Prefecture, Hakuba Valley is an area of soaring 3000-meter mountains, and became known worldwide in 1998 when it hosted the Nagano Winter Olympics.
In the summer, many people enjoy hiking, cycling, canoeing, etc., and you can enjoy nature all season long.
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10 Great Hakuba Ski Resorts in Japan
There are a number of areas where skiers/snowboarders can enjoy skiing in Japan. Hakuba Valley area in Nagano Prefecture is one that they should keep in mind if they are skiing in Japan. Where is Hakuba Valley? Located in the foothills of the Northern Alps in the northwestern part of Nagano Prefecture, HAKUBA VALLEY is a collection of 10 ski resorts with rich individuality and towering 3000m mountains. It was also the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. "Hakuba Valley" refers to the ten ski resorts located in the Hakuba Village, Kotani Village, and Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture. 10 ...
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Nozawa Onsen and Iiyama Area
The Nozawa Onsen and Iiyama area is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture and falls under the Shinetsu region of Japan.
Nozawa Onsen Village is a well known hot spring resort, and there are 13 facilities in the hot spring resort that have been around since the Edo period, where visitors can take a day trip to the spa.
Nozawa Onsen Village is also famous as a spot to enjoy powder.
The Nozawa Onsen and Iiyama area is where skiing was introduced early in Japan, and is also home to the Japan Ski Museum, where visitors can look back on the history of skiing in Japan.
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5 Great Nozawa Onsen Ski Resorts in Nagano, Japan
Nozawa Onsen and Iiyama area in Nagano prefecture is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Iiyama and Nozawa Onsen area? The Nozawa Onsen and Iiyama area is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture and falls under the Shinetsu region of Japan.With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) in March, 2015, access to Iiyama City from Tokyo and Osaka has become easier. Nozawa Onsen Village is a well known hot spring resort, and there are 13 facilities in the hot spring resort where visitors can take a ...
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Shiga Kogen, Kita-Shiga Area
The Shiga Kogen area, located in the northeastern part of Nagano Prefecture, is a UNESCO Park with a vast expanse of slopes in the middle of nature.
Shiga Kogen is also known for hosting the skiing and snowboarding competitions at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
There are various ski resorts scattered throughout the Kita-Shiga area, including Shiga Kogen Mountain Resorts, a major snow resort with 18 ski resorts.
The ski resorts in Kita-Shiga Kogen are adjacent to the well known Shiga Kogen, but the ski resorts in Kita-Shiga Kogen are a little less well known than those in Shiga Kogen because they are not connected to Shiga Kogen in terms of services.
So if you are a skier or snowboarder who wants to explore not only famous resorts but also various ski resorts, the Kita-Shiga area may be a good choice for you.
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5 Great Shiga Kogen Ski Resorts in Nagano, Japan
Shiga Kogen and Kita-shiga area in Nagano prefecture is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Shiga Kogen and Kita-shiga area? Located in the northeastern part of Nagano Prefecture, Shiga Kogen is a natural wonder that has been recognized as a UNESCO Park. Shiga Kogen has a major snow resort Shiga Kogen Mountain Resorts which is a collection of 18 ski resorts and various other ski resorts are scattered throughout the Kita-Shiga area. The ski resorts in Kita-Shiga Kogen are adjacent to the well known Shiga Kogen, but the ski resorts ...
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Fukushima
Fukushima is a prefecture located in the Tohoku region of Japan.
One of the most famous mountains in Fukushima is Mt. Bandai and many lakes formed by the lava that flowed from the 1888 eruption, and is the site of many natural activities. Of course, skiing and snowboarding are no exceptions.
Fukushima Prefecture has a culture that originated from the Aizu domain (a domain is a general term for the territory of a feudal lord in the Edo period[1603 – 1868]. Aizu is the name of the old domain that included the western part of Fukushima Prefecture).
visitors can feel the history through castles such as Aizu Wakamatsu Castle and Shirakawa Komine Castle, as well as many shrines and historical buildings such as Ouchi-juku, a historic inn town where thatched-roof buildings from the Edo period have been preserved.
Also, many people may have heard of Fukushima because of the tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear accident. Nowadays, tours are held to record the nuclear disaster and reconstruction and to preserve the lessons for future generations, and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Heritage Museum has also been built.
Bandai and Inawashiro Area
Inawashiro and Bandai are located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture. The Inawashiro and Bandai area of Fukushima Prefecture is home to Mount Bandai and Mount Adatara, and many ski resorts are located around these mountains.
Because of the proximity of Lake Inawashiro, many ski resorts offer a spectacular view of the mountains and Lake Inawashiro from their ski slopes.
Lake Inawashiro is also a great place to enjoy water sports such as swimming and fishing in the summer. Inawashiro as we know it today was formed by the great eruptions of Mount Bandai and Mount Nekoma that occurred 40,000 to 50,000 years ago.
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7 Great Ski Resorts in Bandai and Inawashiro, Fukushima, Japan
Bandai and Inawashiro area in Fukushima prefecture is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Bandai and Inawashiro area? The Inawashiro and Bandai area is located in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima Prefecture is located north of Tokyo and is part of the Tohoku region of Japan. In the Inawashiro and Bandai area of this Fukushima Prefecture, there are Mount Bandai and Mount Adatara, and many ski resorts are located around these mountains. Because of the proximity of Lake Inawashiro, many ski resorts offer good views of the mountains ...
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Niigata
Niigata Prefecture is known as a rice-producing region and is famous for its delicious rice and sake.
Niigata is also known as one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan, and the melt water from the snow produces delicious rice and sake.
Of course, because of the heavy snowfall, there are many powdery areas in the southern part of Niigata Prefecture.
Uonuma
The Uonuma area retains much of the culture of the people who have lived in the snow country.
In addition to rice and sake thanks to the snow, many fermented foods have been produced in the area, taking advantage of the climate.
There is also a culture of making high quality cloth by taking advantage of the snowy environment, such as Echigo Kami-nu, which has been registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
It can be said that all of these cultures were born because of the heavy snowfall in the region.
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8 Great Uonuma Ski Resorts in Niigata, Japan
The Uonuma area in Niigata Prefecture is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Uonuma area? The Uonuma area is located in the south of Niigata Prefecture, and is known as one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan. It is easily accessible from Tokyo. Echigo-Yuzawa, which is part of the Uonuma area, can be reached in about 70 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen. In the book, "Hokuetsu Seppu [北越雪譜]" describing life in snow country, which was published in Edo (Tokyo during the Edo period[1603 – 1868]) in 1837 and was ...
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Yuzawa
The Yuzawa area of Niigata Prefecture is known for its easy accessibility from the city center, and can be reached in just 90 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train.
The town of Yuzawa is also known for its heavy snowfall and was the setting for the Nobel Prize winning novel "Yukikuni".
Fuji Rock is also held in Naeba in the summer, attracting many people.
Myoko
The Myoko Kogen, which spreads out at the foot of Mount Myoko, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains, is known as one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan.
Myoko Kogen is located in the vicinity of the famous ski resorts of Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen, and is easily accessible from Tokyo.
Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen, also famous for their ski resorts, are relatively close by. In Niigata Prefecture, many ski resorts are located in the southern part of the prefecture, including Yuzawa area, Uonuma area, and Myoko area.
Myoko Kogen is also famous for its hot springs.
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7 Great Myoko Ski Resorts in Niigata, Japan
There are a number of areas where skiers/snowboarders can enjoy skiing in Japan. Myoko area in Niigata Prefecture is one that they should keep in mind if they are skiing in Japan. Where is Myoko? Myoko City is located in Niigata Prefecture, and "Myoko Kogen", which stretches along the slopes of Mount Myoko, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains, is known as one of the heaviest snowfall areas. The city has good transportation links and is easily accessible from Tokyo, and is relatively close to Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen, which are also famous for ski resorts. In Niigata ...
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Gunma
Gunma Prefecture, like Tokyo, is located in the Kanto region of Japan, but it is famous for its many natural playgrounds where visitors can enjoy full-scale rafting, canyoning, canoeing, and hiking from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
It is also famous for its hot springs. Kusatsu Onsen in particular is one of the most famous hot springs in Japan.
Oze and Katahina Area
Oze is a highland area surrounded by mountains in Fukushima, Gunma and Niigata prefectures, and is designated as a special natural monument by the government. The ecosystem and landscape are strictly protected and preserved in this area.
Oze is well known in Japan as a hiking area where visitors can experience the natural beauty of the four seasons.
Katahina Village is a small village in the Oze National Park area in the northeastern corner of Gunma Prefecture.
It is the only area in Kanto that is designated as a "special heavy snowfall zone" and has a number of ski resorts. It is about a two-hour drive from Tokyo, making it a popular area for people from the Kanto region.
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6 Great Ski Resorts Near Oze National Park, Japan
Oze and Katashina area is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Oze and Katashina Area? Oze is a highland area surrounded by mountains in Fukushima, Gunma, and Niigata prefectures. It is designated as a special natural monument by the government and is also a Ramsar Convention registered wetland. It is an area where ecosystems and landscapes that are strictly protected and preserved. Oze is well known as a hiking area in Japan. And Katashina Village is a small village located in the Oze National Park area in the northeast of ...
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Minakami Area
The Mizukami area is located in the northern part of Gunma Prefecture and is the headwaters town of the Tone River, one of the largest rivers in Japan. It is adjacent to the Yuzawa area, famous for its ski resorts, and is a popular area in the Kanto area for rafting, canoeing, and other authentic activities in summer, and as a good powder area in winter.
The area is also known for its easy access to expressways and Shinkansen lines. It takes about 70 minutes from Tokyo Station to the nearest station, Joge Kogen Station, by Joetsu Shinkansen.
The Mizukami area is also famous for its hot springs, with the Mizukami Onsen hot spring area having a long history, dating back to around 1558-1570.
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7 Great Minakami Ski Resorts in Gunma, Japan
Minakami area in Gunma prefecture is one of the best ski areas in Japan and ski/snowboard enthusiasts should check out. Where is Minakami area? Minakami area is located in the northern part of Gunma Prefecture and is the headwaters town of the Tone River, one of the largest rivers in Japan. Gunma Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of Japan's Kanto region. It is adjacent to Echigo Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture, which is a region with heavy snowfall and is well known as a snow resort, and high quality powder is popular in the Minakami area too. During the ...
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