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.
Snowshoeing
Wandering Nagano’s White World
Nagano is known as a powder paradise for skiers and snowboarders, but it’s also nirvana for snowshoeing—for those looking to ...
Backcountry Skiing
Think Snow (Safety)
It’s the start of the season. You can’t wait for enough snow to either cover up the rocks (if you’re in alpine areas) or bend...
Sponsored
Hachimantai: Japan’s Must-Experience Powde...
Japan gets a lot of snow, but few places get snow as light and dry as Hachimantai’s "Aspirin Powder." It’s all thanks to the uniq...
Issue 82
Spring Skiing in Japan 2022
It may be spring in Japan but you can still ski in select ski resorts open all the way to Golden Week.
Winter
The Resistance
The Indy Pass arrives in Japan to bring avid riders to local resorts that punch above their weight class and offer varied terrain.
Backcountry Skiing
Go Deep into Shinano
Discover Snow Country in Shinano Town in northern Nagano, popular for its deep powder but also its mountainous winter scenery.
Events
Japan Snow Guide: Winter 2022 Events & Note...
Check out the latest news and winter events held at ski resorts all over Japan in 2022!
Backcountry Skiing
Hachimantai’s Powder History
Discover powder and ski culture deep in Tohoku at Hachimantai.