Ski Resorts Near Tokyo
Japan is becoming more and more popular as a snow sports destination and there’s plenty of great ski resorts within easy reach of Tokyo that serve as good, cheaper alternatives to the famous slopes of Niseko in Hokkaido. You can even go skiing or snowboarding as a day trip from Tokyo at ski resorts like Gala Yuzawa, or the amusingly named Snow Town Yeti on Mount Fuji.
The resorts on Honshu (the main island where Tokyo is) tend to be less popular and less expensive than Hokkaido, particularly during the week. So if you’re flexible, keep an eye on the forecast and catch an empty mid-week slope on a clear sunny day after some heavy snow fall.
Ski Resorts In Hokkaido
If you’re a powder addict and cost is no objective, then you might want to fly away from Tokyo up to Hokkaido where average temperatures are much lower so powder snow is more likely. The most popular area is Niseko, which has multiple resorts including Annupuri, Grand Hirafu, and Hanazono and Niseko Village Ski Resort.
Things To Know Before Skiing And Snowboarding In Japan
Putting safety first you’ll want to check you are insured for snow sports (especially the small print around going off piste), and that you have good mobile phone coverage for the area (Docomo network is usually the best, Softbank the worst) should you need to call for help. Snowmobile rescue for minor accidents on piste is likely to be free of charge, but that won’t cover treatment or transport to a hospital, so the small extra cost of insurance cover is worth the peace of mind.
For getting your snow gear whether you’re renting or buying we have some articles on picking up a bargain (see below). Also Japan has a great courier network for shipping your gear to and from the resort, so if you like to travel light and have cash to burn, then this is worth looking into. See our article: “Rent, buy or ship – snow gear in Japan”.
