Japan in winter? Absolutely friggin’ amazing. Japan’s winter is well-loved for its relaxing hot springs and gorgeous slopes blanketed by thick snow that is just perfect for skiing and snowboarding. Aaand, here’s your sign to visit Japan this winter if you’d like a fun-filled holiday!
To best enjoy the season, you can’t miss out on the snow and the exciting array of activities it has to offer. So, if these are up your alley (more like slopes), we recommend heading to the most popular spots for the snow in northern Japan: Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Niseko. Alternatively, there are also the mountains along the Sea of Japan Coast to explore: Niigata, Nagano, Hakuba, and Madarao.
Klook Tip: To visit these winter wonderlands, book a JR Pass and save up on your trip! Enjoy unlimited train travel for 7, 14, and up to 21 days with the JR Pass Whole Japan. Or, if you wish to visit Hokkaido, do it with the Hokkaido Rail Pass and hop on the local trains and buses!
But we get it. There’s so much to love about Japan in winter, so you’d wanna squeeze in everything you can, including the snow. Lucky you—we’ve uncovered some of the most accessible ski and snowboard day trips and overnight packages in Japan, where you can travel for the day or spend a night in without experiencing the hassle of planning too much beforehand. Check out our ultimate Japan ski guide and scroll down for some resort recs.
Check out these 10 top Japanese ski resorts and packages:
- Private ski and snowboarding lesson in Yuzawa from Tokyo
- Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti day trip from Tokyo
- Biwako Valley and Hakodateyama Ski Resort day trip from Kyoto
- Hakodateyama Ski Resort day trip from Osaka
- Kiroro Resort Snow World in Hokkaido from Sapporo
- Rusutsu Resort skiing experience from Niseko
- Noboribetsu Sanlavia Ski Resort
- Bibai Snow Land
- Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort
- Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
- Skiing experience at the Kamui Ski Links Resort
1. Private ski and snowboarding lesson in Yuzawa from Tokyo - Niigata
Slide down the slopes of Yuzuwa!
Duration of activity: 2-6 hours
Get there in: an hour from Tokyo
How to get there: Get to the location conveniently with the bullet train, which takes you from Tokyo in just 1 hour
On top of the most accessible Japan ski destinations list, the charming town of Yuzawa in Niigata is just an hour away from Tokyo. The resort town lies in the Japanese Alps, so you can expect some really heavy snowfall in winter! With the private ski and snowboarding lesson, you’ll surf the snow with a professional instructor with different levels of skiing and snowboarding. You’ll get to pick between a two-, four-, or six-hour ski or snowboard lesson.
2. Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti day trip from Tokyo - Shizuoka
Marvel at Mt. Fuji’s snow-capped mountains while gliding down the slopes!
Duration of activity: 12 hours
Get there in: two hours from Tokyo
How to get there: Free round trip transfer between Shinjuku and Snow Town Yeti
Want to ski and also get the best view of Mount Fuji? Look no further – the Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti (also known as Snow Town Yeti) features a surreal view of the world’s most perfect cones, plus six exciting slopes and tracks that are designed for beginners to advanced skiers. To get to Shizuoka’s famous ski resort, you can take a day trip from Tokyo with Klook and enjoy free round-trip transfers from Shinjuku to Snow Town Yeti.
3. Biwako Valley and Hakodateyama Ski Resort day trip from Kyoto - Takashima
Try different trails in Biwako Valley.
Duration of activity: 1 day
Get there in: an hour from Kyoto
How to get there: Free round-trip transfers from and back to the city
Spend the day in the snow with a trip to not just one but two stunning ski resorts near Kyoto. When you book this Japan ski day trip to Takashima, you’ll get to check out Biwako Valley Ski Resort and try out eight different ski trails, seven ropeways, and the super long skiing route of 1,400 meters. Next, head to a more relaxing location. The Hakodateyama Ski Resort is famous for its superb snow quality and Kids World, where the little ones can sledge down the snow.
4. Hakodateyama Ski Resort day tour from Osaka - Takashima
Make the trip memorable by taking some wacky pics on the snow!
Duration of activity: 12 hours
Get there in: 2.5 hours from Osaka
How to get there: Free round-trip transfer between Hakodateyama Ski Resort and Osaka Dai-ichi Hotel
Alternatively, you can also book the Hakodatayama Ski Resort Day Tour if you’re coming from Osaka! Located just west of the magnificent Lake Biwa, it’s popular among skiers in the Kansai region and is one of the go-to spots for people looking for a great time skiing in Osaka. Known for its high-quality piste, the resort is ideal for beginners and pros alike.
5. Kiroro Resort Snow World in Hokkaido from Sapporo - Akaigawa Village
Zip down Akaigawa Village’s winter wonderland.
Duration of activity: 1-2 Days
Get there in: 1 Hour from central Sapporo/ 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport
How to get there: Get to Kiroro Resort Snow World easily when you book a seat on the Hokkaido Ski Bus
The Kiroro Resort Snow World is considered to be one of the top ski destinations in Japan, best known for its thick wad of powder white snow, so you’ll feel free to slide, ski, and sledge down the slopes. This ski resort also offers heaps of kids’ activities, as well as kids’ group ski lessons. From Sapporo, you can easily take a day trip.
6. Rusutsu Resort skiing experience from Niseko - Hokkaido
Become a skiing pro this winter!
Duration of activity: 9 Hours
Get there in: 1 Hour from Niseko
How to get there: Transport directly from your accommodation to the Rusutsu gondola base in time for the resort opening
At Rusutsu Resort, you can challenge yourself by having a different tree skiing experience, as the resort has a massive ski area that includes three mountains–each having a mix of various tree runs. And to make your adventure even better, don't forget to check out the private ski lessons available, designed to help you master the slopes and boost your confidence.
7. Noboribetsu Sanlavia Ski Resort - Noboribetsu
Have the novelty of experiencing all sorts of snow activities while in Noboribetsu!
Duration of activity: 7 Hours
Get there in: 2 Hours from Sapporo
How to get there: 1-Hour drive from Chitose Airport
Did you know that in just seven hours you can turn your beginner ski skills into that of a pro? The guys at the Noboribetsu Sanlavia Ski Resort will guide you through the slopes, whether you’d like to try skiing or snowboarding. This quiet ski resort offers seven fantastic courses—from beginner to intermediate.
8. Bibai Snow Land - Bibai
Kids will enjoy exploring the snow on an exhilarating rubber boat ride.
Duration of activity: 60 minutes
Get there in: 1 Hour away from Sapporo
How to get there: Use the JR Pass for Whole Japan and alight from JR Sapporo Station to Bibai Station.
Ski here, ski there, but what about snowshoeing? At Bibai Snow Land in Bibai, Hokkaido, you’ll not only get to experience sledging and skiing, but also snow tubing, snow soccer, snow rafting, and mini-snowmobiling. Now, that’s a lot of snow! Gear up for an action-packed day of adventure with the kids as you try out different activities that are a hit for everyone in the fam. Adults and teens can even try biking on the snow on a snow bicycle made with extra-thick tires!
Looking for more rockin’ outdoor adventures in Japan? We’ve got just the perfect list for all you, adrenaline junkies:
9. Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort - Nagano
Enjoy the cool atmosphere at this Japanese ski resort with your best mate!
Duration of activity: One Day
Get there in: 4 hours from Tokyo
How to get there: Using your JR East Pass, take the local train to Kamishiro on the JR Oito Line. From there look for the free shuttle going to the resort.
The view of the Japanese Alps in Hakuba is one of the most incredible sights you’ll take in when you visit the Nagano countryside in winter. The Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort is among the most visited ski destinations in Japan, thanks to its chair lifts that’ll take you on a scenic ride to marvel at the snow-capped mountains and stop at iconic photo-op locations. Just rent your ski equipment from Klook, and you’ll be on your way to a fun-filled winter holiday!
10. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort - Sapporo
Wind down with a relaxing gondola ride after sledging the snow.
Duration of activity: One Day
Get there in: 3 hours away from Tokyo via shinkansen
How to get there: Ride the free shuttle bus service from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal or the Makomanai Subway Station
Sapporo isn’t only famous for its beer but also for its array of premier ski resorts. Definitely, among the top ski resorts in Japan, Kokusai Ski Resort lets you experience the thrill of speed as you zip and zoom around the snow-covered forest and the 3,600-metre-long slides for beginners and pro-skiers.
11. Skiing experience at the Kamui Ski Links Resort - Asahikawa
Bring the whole fam for a day of snow fun at one of Japan’s most visited ski resorts.
Duration of activity: 8 Hours
Get there in: 2 Hours from Sapporo
How to get there: Free shuttle transfers from Asahikawa City
Put a fun twist to your winter holiday by visiting the Kamui Ski Links Resortin Asahikawa, where you’ll get to feel the adrenaline rush of skiing, slidin’, and slippin’ down the snow on the snowboard, banana boat, and tube slide!
Before You Go
Get your heart pumping with a thrilling snowboarding experience in Japan!
Before you go, you might want to check out the most up-to-date snow reports as well as consider avoiding peak periods that fall in January, coined as ‘Japanuary’ by powderhounds who are after the heaviest snowfall. Another thing to consider is the fantastic snowboard and ski hire options available, making it even easier to hit the slopes with top-notch gear.
Lastly, a part of the quintessential Japanese culture would be to soak in onsens (natural hot-spring pools) after a long day in the snow. The mineral-rich water helps ease aches from the day’s hard work. You can experience this at the Gunma Oligan Hot Springs.
Japan in winter is truly a sight to behold. Plan well and make sure to leave a day or two to visit the snow. If you need more ideas on what to do whilst in Japan, you can always discover more attractions and tours with our handy guide:
Updated by: Jianne Uy
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