Category
Snow and Ice
ActivitiesSnow and Ice
Japan’s reputation for the best snow on Earth is well earned — Niseko’s international powder scene, Nagano’s dense concentration of resorts, and Tohoku’s quieter, heavier-snowfall hills that never quite make the international lists. Our complete guide to skiing and snowboarding in Japan covers all of it, region by region, alongside dedicated coverage of backcountry touring, avalanche awareness, and the annual Japan Snow Guide. Browse below for resort deep dives, trip reports, and season-by-season updates.
Skiing
Skiing in Japan: The Complete Guide to JapanR...
Everything you need to plan a ski or snowboard trip to Japan — the regions, the resorts, the powder season, and how the locals actually do it.
Backcountry Skiing
Japan Snow Guide 2025
Outdoor Japan's Annual Japan Snow Guide features some of the top ski resorts around Japan, from Hokkaido down to Gifu. Enjoy ...
Fukushima
Finding Fresh in Fukushima
“Please don’t put up English signs!” the young American couple pleaded with me. We were enjoying some drinks after a backcoun...
Issue 91
Shocked Straight by Slides
I have to admit, I’m not entirely crazy about the, “He died doing what he loved,” narrative. If I was out in my kayak and a w...
Backcountry Snowboarding
CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao
Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
Hokkaido
New Horizons in Shiretoko
During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
People
Silent Resilience
Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
Iwate
Shizukuishi
Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.