Winter sports aren't unique to the Alps and Pyrenees. Skiing and snowboarding are also very popular in Japan. The country even hosted the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998. Indeed, Japan enjoys heavy snowfall from December to March, sometimes impressive accumulations of over ten meters depending on the region and resort. You've probably already heard about the snowfall in Toyama Prefecture, where the accumulation can reach the height of a 3- to 5-story building, as shown in the photo below.
Although skiing and winter sports are relatively less popular than in Europe, Japan has nothing to be ashamed of and offers many resorts with distinct charms and almost unlimited activities.
And why not enjoy one of the many onsen often found alongside the resorts after a good day of skiing?
Niseko International Domain
We begin with what is undoubtedly the most well-known and frequented ski area. This is the Niseko ski area, which includes the resorts of Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono.
Located in Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan and nestled on the slopes of Mount Niseko Annupuri, which rises to 1,308 meters, it is known as the powder capital due to its abundant and high-quality snow. Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world flock there every year.
While Japanese ski resorts are different from those in Europe, Niseko is surely the closest to them.
You will find many hotels and apartments there and can fully enjoy yourself even if you do not speak Japanese thanks to the international staff and the many languages spoken.
Yamaga Zao Onsen
While Yamaga Zao Onsen 蔵王温泉 is known for its breathtaking caldera and numerous hot springs, the resort becomes a popular gathering place for all snow lovers as soon as the first snowflakes approach.
Its unique feature? A volcano ranked among the 100 most active in Japan, which has given rise to onsen (hot springs) and numerous ponds at its base. But it's in winter that the landscape is radically transformed. Indeed, the unique geography, combined with freezing temperatures, sculpts the trees into ghostly white shapes straight out of the imagination of painters from the last century. But let's get back to the subject of this blog: winter sports. You can ski on the slopes that crisscross this landscape or explore it on snowshoes for a day. The choices are numerous, and the resort will keep you entertained throughout your stay. The resort is also known for having a ski run of over 10 kilometers, the longest in Japan!
Hakuba Valley and its ski resorts
The Hakuba Valley is located in the Japanese Alps, about three hours from Tokyo. Getting there is easy, especially since the valley is home to Japan's largest ski resort. You can also choose from smaller resorts by taking one of the many available shuttle buses. The Hakuba Happo-one and Hakuba 47 resorts are must-visits, having gained widespread recognition since the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The Happo Vertical is one of the steepest runs in the entire valley, reaching over 1,000 meters! It's a place where you can glide on pristine powder, not to mention the epic runs that allow you to ski down a course of over 8 kilometers.
Dynaland Ski Resort
Although its name doesn't sound very Japanese, this resort is one of the most important in Gifu Prefecture in western Japan. Its unique feature? It's open from 5:00 AM until 11:00 PM. This allows you to enjoy the unique scenery and atmosphere depending on the time of day. The resort also has a children's park and offers attractions for the whole family.
