Skiing + Snowboarding In Japan Is AMAZING (and cheap)
Japan snowboarding and skiing? I got you!
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I live in Tokyo part-time. And I LOVE spending the winters here. There’s still a ton of stuff to enjoy (like hot springs and hot bowls of ramen) but you also get less crowds. Plus, it’s shoulder season, so it’s usually cheaper.
And the best part? The skiing and snowboarding in Japan is amazing (and sooooo much cheaper than Vail prices in the US).
This is my full guide on skiing and snowboarding in Japan——what to expect, the costs, where to go, where to buy and the general vibe.
So let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
Skiing+Snowboarding In Japan Is Cheaper (what to expect)
Below is a breakdown (+slideshow) of average lift tickets prices for different resorts across the US versus a couple popular spots in Japan.
(smaller resorts should be even cheaper)
US Resort Prices (examples):
Mammoth, 5 days
~$700-900
Killington, 6 days
~$800-900
Breckenridge, 7 days
~$1400
Keystone, 7 days
~$1200
Seven Springs, 2 days
~$200
Japan Resort Prices (examples):
Niseko, 6 days
¥66,500 (~$420)
Hakuba, 6 days
¥60,000 (~$380)
Now let’s talk about transportation——INCLUDING flights to Japan. Because honestly, tickets can be pretty cheap (depending where you’re flying from).
For starters, winter time is shoulder season for Japan, so plane tickets are usually cheaper.
I like to fly out in either January or February (from the Midwest in America, Ohio). And I usually find some seriously cheeeeeap tickets during these months. I usually grab one-way tickets to Tokyo (a perk of being a digital nomad), which can be as low as ~$350 flying out of Cleveland.
I mean, that’s insane!
As for getting to the mountains and ski resorts, the cost depends on where you’re going/coming from and how you get there.
Overnight busses are cheaper than taking a train. They’re just less convenient and you’ll probably be tired the next day (unless you can sleep on the bus…and if you can, I’m jealous lol). But overnight busses are actually a really fun experience!
The busses are cozy, clean and you stop at rest areas along the way to fuel up, eat or stretch your legs.
I still take busses from Tokyo to Osaka or for trips to the mountains. It’s sort of a cool Japanese experience——something I definitely recommend trying at least once (especially if you’re a solo traveler looking to save some loot).
Here are some price and time estimates for train vs bus tickets to a couple popular spots near Tokyo (*prices can vary a lot):
Bus from Tokyo
To Hakuba: $45 (one way); 5 hours
To GALA: $30 (one way); 3.5 hours
Train from Tokyo
To Hakuba: $60 (one way); 3 hours
To GALA: $40 (one way); 1 hours
Willer Express is a popular site for snagging cheap overnight bus tickets. Or you can use sites like Japan Bus Online, Klook or Kosoku Bus. If you’re buying a ski package through a tour operator though, be sure to check since your transportation might already be covered (more on this later——the last section).
Explore more:
➤ Is Tokyo Expensive? My Weekly Budget
➤ How Much Yen You Should Bring to Japan
The Biggest Downside to Japan Ski Resorts? Limited Aprés Ski Options (¬_¬")
Winter in Japan is amazing. Buuuuut one thing you might notice when skiing or snowboarding here is the lack of ski village bars, shops or aprés ski options. I mean, there are restaurants nearby and ski lodges with food and drinks…but the vibe isn’t quite the same as western resorts.
If you’re expecting the same energy as somewhere like Breck or The Beach at A Basin, then you’ll be a little disappointed; aprés ski culture in Japan is different.
You’ll probably find more options if you go to popular spots or places with a lot of foreigners (like Niseko in Hokkaido). Or you can usually create your own aprés ski experience (i.e. enjoying nearby hot springs, izakayas and ramen shops).
But on the hill, your options might feel limiting——something to keep in mind.
Is Japan Good for Skiing/Snowboarding?
HARD YES! Japan is AMAZING for skiing and snowboarding. They get a ton of snow (in the mountainous areas) and places like Hokkaido or Northern Honshu are famous for the epic powder.
Even places close to Tokyo (like Nagano) have great snow. There are plenty of resorts, great snow and affordable prices. Japan is definitely a solid ski and snowboard destination.
And when you’re not riding, you can take a train anywhere to enjoy all the other epic things to do Japan during the winter.
So do it! Buy the tickets. Go shred :)
(⬇︎keep reading til the end to learn how and where to buy ski tickets in Japan⬇︎)
Best Places to Ski/Snowboard In Japan
Possibly Interesting Fact: a lot of the ski areas in Japan are in the Japanese Alps (the ‘Roof of Japan’); this is a mountain range running through central Honshu with high peaks and epic nature.
Some Resorts In Nagano/Niigata/Gunma (central Honshu)
Hakuba
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort
*Only about 75 minutes from Tokyo on the Shinkansen!
Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort
Shiga Kogen
Kagura
Some Resorts In Tohoku (northern Honshu)
Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Appi Kogen Ski Resort
Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort
Sumikawa Snow Park
Some Resorts In Hokkaido (northernmost Japan)
Rusutsu
Niseko
Tomamu
Are There Ski Resorts Close to Tokyo?
Definitely! You can take a train or an overnight bus (which is cheaper and usually what I do) to get to ski areas just north of Tokyo. Nagano, Niigata and Gunma are the closest spots to Tokyo.
And if you’re wondering about still spending time in Tokyo, you can absolutely split up your Japan trip between the city and the mountains. Because why not take a break from the city lights to spend a couple days skiing or snowboarding?
Depending on how long you’re staying, this is totally doable.
(you can even just do a quick day trip to the mountains…especially if you go somewhere like GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort——the Shinkansen has a stop there)
How to Buy Tickets + Get to the Ski Resorts In Japan
You can buy lift tickets and rentals directly from ski resort websites, from tour operators or through a booking site like Viator (owned by TripAdvisor).
You can also check out popular sites Ski Japan, Rhythm Japan or Snow Monkey Resorts for full package deals (which include accommodations, transportation, lift tickets, rentals and even local guides). Or Epic Pass for Rusutsu Resort or certain spots in Hakuba Valley.
So that’s all I’ve got for you here. Hope you enjoy some epic riding in Japan! Maybe I’ll see you out there :)
Later ✌️
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