When you visit Japan in winter, why not make the most of the snowy conditions and try some fun sports and activities?
Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding give you a chance to:
・Unlock new skills that might stay with you for life
・Explore new ways to exercise and test yourself
・Work up an appetite for some of the delicious Japanese food you’ll find during winter in Japan
But what are the best prefectures to visit for trying winter sports in Japan? In this post, we’ll reveal the top six prefectures as chosen by our local Japanese experts!
First, we’ll give some background on the many ski areas so you can start planning your winter adventure in Japan.
Japan has earned a well-deserved reputation as a fantastic ski destination. Why? One main reason is that it often boasts fluffy, light snow that skiers and snowboarders love.
In winter, Japan welcomes visitors from far and wide to its many gorgeous ski resorts, and there are around 500 ski areas in total. Wherever you are in the country, you’re likely to be just a two or three-hour journey from one of these areas. That makes it easy to fit a little sporty fun into your vacation alongside your other favorite activities.
When choosing which prefecture and ski resort to visit, here are a few factors to keep in mind:
・The rest of the items on your itinerary (e.g. the other locations you want to explore)
・How many different activities you can try in the area you’re staying
・How accessible your preferred ski resort is from other areas you intend to visit
Take the time to research the different facilities and amenities available at the ski resorts that catch your eye. If you book your stay at a resort on a whim, you could find that you’re too far from those must-see areas that attracted you to Japan in winter in the first place.
But even if you’re not a fan of skiing or snowboarding, don’t worry: there are plenty of other sports and activities to enjoy throughout winter in Japan. These include snowshoeing, hanging out at hot springs, and attending festivals.
To help you get started planning your winter travels to Japan, we’ve listed some of our top picks for prefectures to visit to enjoy winter sports in Japan!
We wouldn’t be able to talk about winter sports without mentioning Hokkaido prefecture. Hokkaido is the go-to option for skiers and snowboarders every year, with close to 15 meters of snow annually. It has an especially chilly climate that gives you lush, powdery snow, and its ski resorts usually stay open for business until May due to the longer winter season here.
Snowfall continues here longer than it does in more southern areas, which means dedicated skiers and snowboarders can make several trips during winter in Japan. And if you want to warm up a little after hitting the slopes all day, Hokkaido has lots of hot springs (including Kotan Open-air Hot Spring and Ginkonyu Onsen).
When you visit Japan in winter, Nagano Prefecture deserves a top spot in your itinerary. Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998 in its Hakuba Valley area, which has become a must-see for fans of winter sports. The valley has more than 130 runs and 10 resorts to choose from.
You can also unwind further at Nozawa Onsen, and if you’re in the area in the middle of January, try the thrilling Nozawa Fire Festival for unforgettable memories of your winter trip to Japan!
One of Niigata’s most famous ski areas is Echigo-Yuzawa, around 80 minutes by train from Tokyo. This makes is a great destination if you’re planning to go squeeze winter sports into your itinerary when visiting Tokyo or heading to or from Tokyo.
It has a dozen ski fields to explore, and it attracts more than two million ski-fans annually. Echigo-Yuzawa has lots of powdery snow, for which Niigata is well known among fans for.
Other local top spots for sports during winter in Japan here in Niigata prefecture include Muikamachi and Hakkaisan Ski Resort (on Mt. Hakkai).
Many skiers and snowboarders return to Gunma between December and April yearly. Popular resorts include Minakami Kogen Fujiwara Ski Resort, Tambara Ski Park, and Okutone Snow Park to name just a few.
Fancy a break from skiing or snowboarding? You’re in luck: Snowshoeing is another popular sport in this area of Japan in winter. You can take part in several snowshoe tours in Gunma, whether you bring your own or need to hire a pair!
Iwate is a great choice for destination for vacationing in Japan in winter. The ski resorts in Iwate tend to be less crowded when compared to the resorts in other prefectures.
If you’re looking for a place to ski and stay in the area, Appi Kogen is Iwate’s biggest ski resort and one of the largest in the Tohoku region generally. Visit at the start of February and you’ll also get to see and enjoy the Iwate Snow Festival!
Gifu is a terrific prefecture to see when you visit Japan in winter, whether you’re into skiing, snowboarding, or just marveling at the country’s immense beauty.
Gifu has 5 of the highest peaks in all of Japan, and you can choose from a fantastic set of ski resorts for your travels. These include Dynaland Ski Resort, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, and Mount Norikura Snow Resort.
If you are planning to combine enjoying winter sports in Japan with other activities and sightseeing, then Gifu is also a great choice. Hida Takayama, from where you can access many of the ski resorts by bus, is famous for beautifully preserved Japanese traditional architecture as well as delicious cuisine using Hida Beef, renown for its quality. For Japanese sake lovers, Hida Takayama is also home to many sake breweries.
For those wanting to enjoy a different type of snowscape than at a ski resort, you can also easily visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawago while in Gifu.
