Where to Ski in Japan: 9 Best Ski Resorts & Selection Tips

Japan is one of the top countries for skiing and snowboarding. You could enjoy high-quality powdery snow and be well-equipped. Moreover, skiing in Japan is cheaper than in Europe.

With over 400 ski resorts in Japan, we know it's a challenge to pick a suitable one. In this article, we've compared the nine best ski resorts, helping to make your decision easier.

1. Niseko United: Top Pick for a Ski Resort

• Location: Sapporo in Hokkaido
• Distance: 2 hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Suitability: all types, including families
• Ski season: late November to the end of April

Niseko United is one of the top picks for ski resorts in Japan. The powder snow is the best, being light and dry.

The resort has four interconnected resorts with 78 pistes. With one ticket, you could ski in all four resorts. Moreover, Niseko provides a range of skiing experiences, including tree skiing and cross-country skiing. Plus, it boasts the liveliest nightlife with many options among Japan's ski resorts.

However, Niseko is the most expensive and crowded resort in Japan. Most hotels are international luxury chains, attracting numerous foreign skiers. If you seek a resort rich in Japanese culture, Niseko may not be suitable as it is highly westernized.

2. Hakuba Valley: Biggest Ski Resort in Japan

• Location: Nagano
• Distance: 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen plus car
• Suitability: beginners to professionals, and families
• Ski season: December to the end of March

Hakuba Valley hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is the largest ski resort in Japan, making it popular among skiers. With more challenging terrain than Hokkaido, it has fewer crowds than the latter.

Hakuba Valley consists of 10 resorts and 200 trails. Each resort offers different suitability, allowing you to choose the best one that matches your skill level. Here is a comparison of the resorts:

• Beginner: Tsugaike Kogen, Goryu, Sanosaka, Jiigatake
• Intermediate: Happo-one, Iwatake, Goryu, Sanosaka
• Advanced: Happo-one, Hakuba47, Norikura
• Family: Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba47, Jiigatake
• All types of skiers: Cortina, Norikura

In Hakuba Valley, hotels are mainly medium and high-end, and you could also find hotels with traditional onsens. The nightlife in the central area is vibrant although there are fewer options than in Niseko.

3. Rusutsu: Less Crowded and Cheaper Than Niseko

• Location: Sapporo in Hokkaido
• Distance: 2 hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Suitability: all types and families
• Ski season: December to the end of March

If you prefer enjoying the best powder snow similar to Niseko but with fewer crowds and at a lower cost, Rusutsu is the best choice for you. It's smaller and attracts fewer international skiers.

Rusutsu offers skiing on three mountains, making it perfect for tree skiing through birch forests. The nightlife there is vibrant but less bustling than in Niseko.

What's more, Rusutsu has been named the best family ski resort in Japan. You and your kids could enjoy various family-friendly activities, such as snow rafting, dog sledding, a mini bobsleigh, and more.

Although Rusutsu is a great alternative to Niseko, the pistes in Rusutsu are relatively simple if you don't ski in the woods. The rental shops have a smaller selection of snow gear and the facilities are not as new.

4. Furano Ski Resort: a More Japanese Vibe

• Location: Furano in Hokkaido
• Distance: 2½ hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Suitability: all, especially for beginners and intermediates
• Ski season: late November to early May (Kitanomine Zone operates from December to the end of March)

Furano Ski Resort has fewer crowds and is more affordable than Rusutsu. If you've skied in Hokkaido before and prefer a quieter place with great snow, choose Furano.

The ski resort offers two main areas: Kitanomine, perfect for beginners due to its easy runs, and Furano, ideal for intermediates and advanced skiers with its higher level of challenges.

Apart from skiing, you could enjoy more Japanese cultural experiences and restaurants in Furano. It is located near the town of Furano and it offers Japanese-style accommodation.

We recommend staying at the hotel in Furano Ski Resort. Getting to the resort isn't convenient, so this could help you save more time for skiing instead of spending it on the road.

5. Kiroro Ski Resort: Deepest Snow

• Location: Otaru in Hokkaido
• Distance: 1½ hours from New Chitose Airport by car
• Suitability: all types and families
• Ski season: late November to the end of April

Kiroro Ski Resort boasts the deepest snowfall in Hokkaido, usually after Christmas. Its wide pistes with minimal crowds allow you to maximize your ski experience.

Except for skiing, all other experiences depend on hotels since you couldn't enjoy them in the surrounding area. In Kiroro, hotels typically include Club Med and high-end options that offer numerous activities but are at a higher cost compared to those in Niseko.

6. Shiga Kogen Ski Resort: Fewer Western Skiers

• Location: Nagano
• Distance: 2½ hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen plus car
• Suitability: all types, especially for intermediates
• Ski season: late November to early May

Shiga Kogen is Japan's highest ski resort and has a longer operating season. While it is not well-known among Western skiers, many Japanese skiers favor this resort for its lack of crowds but with many traditional onsens.

It has 18 resorts and a single ticket grants access to all. There are three major areas in Shiga Kogen.

• Yakebitaiyama and Okushiga Kogen: This area offers expansive terrains and luxury hotels.
• Shiga Kogen's central area: It includes the most interconnected ski resorts.
• Yokoteyama and Kumanoyu: This is the only interconnected area. Enjoy fewer crowds and hotels with traditional hot springs in this region.

Although it's not convenient to get to this resort, it's just a 30-minute drive away from the park where snow monkeys soak in onsens and the famous traditional Shibu Onsen.

7. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort: More Abundant Supporting Facilities

• Location: Nagano
• Distance: 2½ hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen plus car
• Suitability: all types
• Ski season: December to the end of March

As one of the famous ski resorts in the Nagano region, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort offers more convenient transportation than Hakuba Valley and offers a wider variety of restaurants and accommodation than Shiga Kogen Ski Resort.

You could enjoy a rich Japanese atmosphere there. Nozawa Onsen is a famous hot spring town with many free traditional public onsens. Additionally, you could attend the Dosojin Fire Festival, one of Japan's three fire festivals, held annually on January 15th.

However, the hotels there are mostly local budget options, with just one 4-star hotel available, and many types of accommodation are residential hostels.

8. Zao Onsen Ski Resort: Unique Tree Ice Scenery

• Location: Yamagata, northeast of Japan
• Distance: 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen plus car
• Suitability: all types, especially for beginners and intermediates
• Ski season: December to the end of April

If you enjoy skiing through a unique snowscape, Zao Onsen Ski Resort is the place for you. The resort's biggest highlight is the tree ice, which draws many skiers every year.

It is recommended to ski in January and February for clearer days. The weather at Zao Onsen Ski Resort could change frequently, sometimes leading to icy conditions that make skiing unsuitable.

You could enjoy fewer skiers and cheaper costs there. Moreover, don't miss relaxing at the Zao Onsen, one of the famous onsens in Japan.

9. APPI Kogen Ski Resort: Snow Quality Is Better Than in Hokkaido

• Location: Hachimantai in northeast Japan
• Distance: 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen plus car
• Suitability: all types, especially intermediate
• Ski season: December to early April

The snow quality at APPI Kogen Ski Resort is similar to, or even better than, Hokkaido because of its north-facing location. The wide pistes and fewer skiers could greatly enhance your ski experience.

APPI Kogen Ski Resort has the largest onsens in northeast Japan, located at APPI Onsen. With limited nightlife options, it's perfect to soak in these onsens in the evening after a day of skiing.

Additionally, it has fewer skiers and is more affordable than skiing in Hokkaido and Nagano.

When Is the Ski Season in Japan?

The ski season in Japan usually lasts from December to March. The actual period varies slightly depending on the location of each ski resort.

Hokkaido, Nagano, and northeast Japan are the three main regions for skiing in Japan. Here are their typical opening periods:

• Hokkaido: late November to the end of April
• Nagano: December to the end of March
• Northeast Japan: mid-December to early April

January and February form the peak season for skiing in Japan. This period is perfect for skiing with heavy and steady snowfall. However, you would encounter larger crowds and higher costs.

December, March, and April have fewer travelers and are cheaper months. Although snowfall could be unpredictable due to warm days, the powder snow remains excellent. Most ski resorts are closed in April but some higher mountain resorts may still open, offering a final chance for skiing.

How to Choose the Best Ski Resorts in Japan

If you are looking for a ski resort that has fewer crowds with great powder snow, consider Rusutsu, Furano Ski Resort, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, Zao Onsen Ski Resort, or APPI Kogen Ski Resort.

For those who want to ski close to Tokyo, choose Hakuba Valley, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, or Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort. All of them are easily accessible from Tokyo within 3 hours.

If you prefer to ski in March and April with quality powder snow, opt for ski resorts with longer operating seasons, such as Niseko, Furano Ski Resort, Kiroro Ski Resort, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, or Zao Onsen Ski Resort.

Plan Your Japan Ski Trip Now!

Are you excited about skiing in Japan and exploring the best of the country? Our Japan travel advisors can help you choose the best ski resorts based on your preferences and tailor-make your Japan tour to ensure you have a hassle-free trip.  Find below some of our Japan ski Tours

• 14-Day Japan Highlights and Skiing in Hokkaido
• 8-Day Tokyo Highlights and Nagano Skiing Tour 

More Useful Tips on Skiing in Japan

• Hokkaido or Nagano, Which is Better for Skiing
• Japan Ski Map
• Japan Ski Guide 2025/2026: When, Where to Ski and Travel Tips