Bucket List Trip: Skiing in Japan

Why ski in Japan? 

Snow skiing in Japan is something that has been on my bucket list, and let me tell you, it surpassed my expectations and then some. There are a few different ski areas in Japan, but the most popular and well-known is Niseko, located in the northern island of Hokkaido. Niseko is internationally renowned for its incredible conditions and consistent falls of light, fluffy powder. Surprisingly, the top elevation of the Niseko ski area is only 3,937 ft (853 ft at the base). Compare this to popular resorts in Colorado and other areas in the United States, with base and peak elevations reaching well over 10,000 ft. So no need to worry about altitude sickness! From the peak, experience breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean to one side, and the famous Mount Yōtei volcano to the other. Also, who wouldn’t want to experience a piping hot bowl of authentic ramen or udon for lunch at any of the on-mountain lodges?

Getting There

Niseko airport is accessible via Sapporo’s New Chitose International Airport, an easy 1 hour flight from Tokyo. From there, Niseko is approximately a 2.5 hour drive. It is easy to hire a private transfer, or a public bus is also available. The bus does get busy during high season, so recommend buying tickets ahead of time!

Travelers wanting to experience the Shinkansen (bullet train), can take the train from Tokyo to Niseko.

Sapporo is also a great place to spend a couple of days on the way to or from the mountain to experience the famous Sapporo beer, snow festival, and more!

Accommodations

The Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is the premier ski-in/ski-out resort in the area, located at the Hanazono base area. The Park Hyatt offers enriching experiences in an environment of carefully curated art, cuisine, and contemporary design. It features multiple on-site restaurants, including Molière Montagne, from 3 starred Michelin chef Hiroshi Nakamichi. 

Clients booking with Earhart Travel Consulting receive exclusive VIP amenities when they book at the Park Hyatt, including: 

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary daily breakfast for up to two guests per room
• $100 USD equivalent credit to be used during hotel stay
• Early check-in /late check-out
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Welcome amenity
• Assistance with connecting rooms

The Hanazono base area also features an incredible ski school and child care center – all within steps of the Park Hyatt. The Edge lodge at the Hanazono base area is one of multiple on-mountain lodges serving ramen, sushi, ice cream, and other Japanese specialties. Like all food in Japan, you can expect high quality at extremely reasonable prices.

The main town area, Grand Hirafu, also has many options for ski-in ski-out accomodations, such as The Vale Niseko or AYA Niseko, and even private houses and villas. During my stay, we rented an apartment just a couple of blocks from the main gondola. While not technically ski-in, ski-out, there is so much snow that many days I skied home on the sidewalk!

Activities

The skiing in Niseko offers something for everyone, from beginner runs to expert backcountry skiing. With the incredible snow fall, the backcountry skiing in Japan is truly unbeatable. We hiked to the peak of the mountain one day, offering incredible views of the ocean and Mount Yōtei. There is also the option for heli or cat skiing to experience the mythically deep powder.

Part of the experience of skiing in Japan is the opportunity to soak your sore muscles at the end of the day in a local onsen, or geothermal hot spring. Many hotels offer on-site onsens, or there are multiple within walking distance of town. The onsens are a must-do traditional Japanese experience. 

In addition to the incredible skiing, Niseko offers snow tubing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and more.

Food

While most western ski resorts offer only overpriced, below-average cafeteria style dining, the Niseko mountain has multiple on-mountain restaurants and lodges with incredible Japanese food. Be sure not to miss the famous noodle hut Boyo-so, a non-descript mountain hut only accessible by a black diamond run or a small hike. Grab soba or udon soup, pork cutlet curry, and a glass of mulled wine or a draft beer to enjoy by the roaring fire in the center of the room. 

Within town, you can find an abundance of restaurants of all cuisines and formalities. For fine dining, don’t miss the Powder Room, where you can enjoy caviar shots, uni pasta, and grilled wagyu. For those nights when you may want a quick bite, there are many food trucks in the Grand Hirafu village, featuring bao buns, tacos, dumplings, and more.

For those wanting to experience a taste of Japanese nightlife, be sure to stop by Bar Gyu, accessible via a fridge door tucked into the snow and featuring an incredible cocktail program. You can find casual bars in town often packed with Australian, British, and American tourists winding down after a long day on the mountain. Our favorite was Bar Barumba, a tiny bar built into the side of a tree with a cozy, cave-like atmosphere where the bartenders cut the ice by hand from giant blocks.

Thing to Know

• Hire a guide – I would highly advise getting a private guide for a day to show you around the mountain. Unlike the mountains in the west, the trails on Niseko are not the most well-marked. There is so much backcountry terrain to explore, it would be nearly impossible to find your way around on your own. Most ski instructors and guides are from Canada or Australia, so finding an English speaking guide is not an issue. It is also necessary to rent avalanche gear when skiing in the backcountry. For example, some backcountry trails will not allow you through the gates unless you scan your avalanche beacon. Our guide was able to help us rent all the necessary equipment, making the experience seamless and providing peace of mind. Our guide helped us experience some amazing backcountry runs we would not have been able to find otherwise! 

• Everyone speaks English! – As a major international tourist destination, you will have no trouble communicating in English in both Niseko and Tokyo. It is always nice to know a few Japanese words, but you will find that almost everyone speaks English. In fact, you’ll find the majority of tourists skiing Niseko are from Australia, Canada, UK, and US.

• Prices – While traveling all the way to Japan for a ski trip from the US may seem like an extravagance, the prices once you arrive are extremely reasonable. Lift tickets and rentals in Japan are less than half the price of those in the US and Canada. The food on the mountain is also inexpensive, and amazing quality. Also, Niseko is part of the Ikon Pass! You’ll find that your biggest expense will likely be your plane ticket.