Winter and snow often go hand in hand with the enjoyment of outdoor wintertime activities. While Canada has many wonderful spots, did you know that Japan is a popular winter destination especially for travelers wishing to experience superior skiing?
An impressive, yet lesser-known fact about Japan is that it is home to over 400 ski resorts. One of the most famous is located in Niseko (ニセコ), Hokkaido on Japan’s northernmost main island. Hokkaido is popular with both Japanese and international travelers alike and it is renowned for having delicious food, diverse natural vistas, and a wide variety of available activities in every season.
Japan Airlines offers frequent service to New Chitose International Airport (CTS) from cities across Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima. Niseko is approximately 100 kilometers from CTS in Sapporo, and visitors can easily reach Niseko via car, bus or train in about 3 hours.
Niseko is famous among ski enthusiasts for its fresh powder snow. The area even has its own coined name, JAPAW, an abbreviation for Japan Powder Snow. Imagine being the first one of the day to step onto a mountainside covered in fluffy fresh powder snow!
When planning a multi-day trip to Niseko, you will find a variety of accommodations. For example, some hotels offer on-site access to mineral rich hot springs or onsens – perfect for relaxing in after a day on the slopes. Hokkaido’s seafood is also famous and highly praised by Japanese throughout the country. And, when you visit in winter, you will find that crabs, scallops and oysters are in-season. The local cuisine is delicious and can be enjoyed in a variety of atmospheres from casual-style izakayas to formal Michelin-starred restaurants.
If you are looking for a more authentic Japanese-style ski resort and accompanying hospitality, consider visiting Hakuba (白馬). There are seasonal shuttle buses from Narita and Shinjuku direct to Hakuba that allow travelers to conveniently explore Tokyo before dashing off to ski.
There are several resorts in Hakuba. One, called Hakuba Happo-Oné (白馬八方尾根), was the venue for alpine skiing during the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano. The longest slope runs about 8,000 meters and the highest elevated lift is 1,831 meters, skiers can enjoy spectacular panoramic views.
Hakuba offers delicious local dishes such as Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles). It is a must-try food in this area. There is also a wasabi farm nearby called Daio Wasabi Farm (大王わさび農場). It is one of Japan’s largest wasabi farms and a popular tourist destination. Water in Shinshu comes from natural alpine springs allowing the wasabi to thrive here since it can only be grow under pristine conditions. Visitors can also experience unique wasabi products such as wasabi beer and wasabi soba noodles, and they can learn about how the wasabi grows.
Both resorts are also fun to visit in the summer. There are numerous summertime activities available such as trekking, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing – and even hot air balloon rides! These resorts are dream destinations for outdoor lovers throughout the year.
We hope you will have an opportunity to visit these spectacular places in Japan. 
