Japan Ski Resorts: A Guide to Hitting the Slopes Near Tokyo

There are heaps of amazing slopes all over Honshū and Hokkaidō (like Niseko), but in this guide we’re focusing on ski and snowboard resorts near Tokyo — and we’re capping it at the “a few hours away” mark.

While skiing and snowboarding near Tokyo may not be cheap, with careful planning, a few days of winter adventure can be had within a reasonable budget. As an added bonus, many of the ski resorts have onsen nearby — perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of intense activity on the slopes.

Pro tip: Package deals, like the mega-popular day trip to Snow Town Yeti from Tokyo, and this snowboard lesson experience in Niigata, are often better value than booking all of the different components yourself.

To begin, you might like to watch our snow sports in Japan YouTube video, which covers some of the best ski resorts near Tokyo:

Resorts at a glance

1. Hakuba

Nagano
Nov 30, 2024 – May 2025 (Happo One)
4 hrs from Tokyo

Famous for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics, this ski town in Nagano Prefecture is located in the Northern Alps and has good powder, plenty of resorts, and hot springs galore. The trip to Hakuba from Tokyo takes about 4 hours, either by car, or by a combination of bullet train and bus.

A 1-day lift ticket at Happo One, Hakuba’s largest resort, goes for ¥8,000. Alternatively, if you want to keep your options open, you can get a Hakuba Valley Day Pass for ¥9,700, which covers the 10 main resorts in the area.

Learn more about skiing options in Hakuba.

2. Shiga Kōgen

Nagano
Dec 6, 2024 – May 6, 2024
3 hrs from Tokyo

We love Nagano, and this sprawling ski resort has a special place in our stingy hearts. Made up of 18 separate but interconnected resorts, Shiga Kōgen has a huge variety of options for snow riders of all capabilities. Some of the slopes were used in the 1998 Winter Olympics (those ones scare us).

A 1-day lift pass, which gives you access to the whole area (and its network of shuttle buses), will set you back ¥8,000, while a week-long pass costs ¥51,300. Learn more about skiing and snowboarding in Shiga Kōgen, as well as how to get there from Tokyo.

There are plenty of hot springs to relax in, too. And Japan’s famous snow monkey onsen is not too far away either!

3. Nozawa Onsen

Nagano
Nov 30, 2024 – May 6, 2024
3–4 hrs from Tokyo

Yet another Nagano favorite, this spot also helped host the 1998 Winter Olympics. True to its name, Nozawa Onsen has a multitude of hot springs where visitors can soak away the day’s aches and pains. Public volunteer-managed onsen called soto-yu, which are housed in little shacks and sprinkled around town, can be used for a small donation at each entry.

As for the slopes, Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort is a popular place for snow lovers, as it boasts a 297-hectare ski area. 1-day lift tickets go for ¥7,300, while a season pass costs ¥95,000. Learn more about skiing at Nozawa Onsen.

The trip from Tokyo takes about 4 hours by car or 3 hours by the fastest combination of public transportation (the Hokuriku Shinkansen plus a bus).

4. Bandai

Aizu, Fukushima
Nov 30, 2024 – May 6, 2024 (Hoshino Resorts)
3–4 hrs from Tokyo

This beautiful resort area in Fukushima Prefecture is home to Mt. Bandai, host of several ski resorts. In addition to skiing, nearby attractions include Lake Inawashiro and Goshiki-numa (five smaller volcanic lakes in the Bandai Highlands).

The upcoming 2024–2025 season will see the introduction of the new Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain. Formerly two separate resorts (Alts Bandai and Nekoma), a new lift linking the two areas will offer access to 33 courses and 13 lifts. With plenty of park terrain, the south side of the mountain (formerly Alts Bandai) is a favorite for park riders, but the north side of the mountain (formerly Nekoma) is considered to have the best snow.

A 1-day lift ticket at Hoshino Resorts goes for ¥5,700 plus a ¥500 pass deposit. Other nearby resorts include Inawashiro.

5. Naeba

Niigata
December 14, 2024 – April 6, 2025
2 hrs from Tokyo

Mt. Naeba in Niigata Prefecture is tucked deep in the mountains and offers some really wonderful powder and night skiing. The Naeba area includes nearby Kagura Ski Resort, linked by the 5.5-kilometer Dragondola, the longest gondola in Japan. The best powder is to be had at Kagura due to its higher elevation.

A 1-day Naeba lift pass costs ¥7,200, or free for children 12 and under. A joint ticket for Naeba and Kagura costs ¥9,000.

While we’re talking about Naeba, GALA Yuzawa is not even 20 km away — and makes for a super easy, affordable day trip from Tokyo.

6. Myōkō

Niigata
Dec 14, 2024 – March 30, 2025 (Akakura Onsen)
3 hrs from Tokyo

Located in the southwest corner of Niigata Prefecture, just to the north of Nagano City, towering Mt. Myōkō has four resorts on its slopes: Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Suginohara Onsen, and Ikenotaira Onsen. There are also resorts on nearby mountains that lie within Myōkō City, most notably Lotte Arai Resort and Seki Onsen.

Compared to tourist-soaked Hakuba and Niseko, Myōkō is relatively undiscovered. Given the massive amounts of powder for which the area is famous (around 14 meters each year), this shouldn’t last forever.

A 1-day lift pass at Akakura Onsen — the biggest of the area’s resorts — is relatively cheap ¥6,000. Or, you can opt for a joint Akakura Onsen and Akakura Kanko ticket for ¥8,000. There are lots of good value rental shops in Akakura Onsen village as well.

Pro tip: If you’re considering a season pass, you can get access to the four main resorts with the Mt. Myoko All Mountain Pass, BUT don’t overlook other nearby resorts. Seki Onsen, in particular, may be small, with only two lifts, but it’s said to have some of the best powder snow in the country.

Myōkō-kōgen Station, with easy access to the ski resorts in the area, is only 3 hours from Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the Kita-Shinano line.

7. Mount Fuji

Yamanashi
Oct 25, 2024 — Mar 31, 2025 (Yeti)
2–3 hrs from Tokyo

If ambiance is more important to you than powder, you can always try Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi prefecture. There are two resorts on the famous mountain, albeit with man-made snow, for part of the year. The family-friendly and amusingly named Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti has four small-ish slopes and a kiddie area, while Fujiten is bigger with ten runs and a kids area.

A day pass at Yeti will set you back ¥5,200 on weekends or ¥4,300 on weekdays. Fujiten is a bit cheaper at ¥4,000 on weekends or ¥5,000 on weekdays, and their season usually runs from mid-December until early April. Both resorts offer night skiing.

At about 2 to 3 hours from Tokyo, Yeti and Fujiten are a good bet for a close-by beginner or intermediate day of snowboarding fun.

8. Karuizawa

Nagano
December 21, 2024 — Mar 20, 2025
90 mins from Tokyo

Karuizawa is another option not far from Tokyo. In southern Nagano Prefecture, Prince Hotels and Resorts Karuizawa is geared towards beginner and intermediate boarders and skiers. There are 14 runs, with the longest being 1.5 km.

You can grab a 1-day lift pass on Klook for US$71.75 in peak season. When it comes to travel time, it’s one of the closest ski resorts near Tokyo, taking around 90 minutes on the bullet train (plus a 10-minute walk or a free shuttle ride to the resort).

Sorry, I’m stuck on Niseko …

Possibly the most famous resort in Japan — especially among Australians — Niseko is located on the northern island of Hokkaidō. It’s home to meticulously maintained family-friendly ski fields, landscapes perfect for backcountry ski adventures, and plenty of powder snow.

All of Niseko’s ski resorts are located on Mt. Niseko-Annupuri. The major resorts — Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Niseko Hanazono, and Annupuri — take over the southeastern half of the mountain, making this side the best place to begin. Annupuri is usually open the longest, with lifts running from November 30 until May 6 this year. The regular season runs from December 14, 2024 until March 23, 2025.

You can also pick up a Niseko All Mountain Pass, which will give you access to all four resorts for the day. The pass costs ¥10,500 per adult (¥6,300—¥8,900 for children depending on their age). Learn more about skiing in Niseko.

While it is not geographically close to Tokyo, you can get to Niseko from Tokyo in about five hours — so a half-day or so — if you fly (or a whole day by train).

Skiing and snowboarding near Tokyo FAQs

If you’ve got lingering questions, we’ve got answers for you.

I’m a beginner! Can I take ski & snowboard classes somewhere?

Most ski resorts in Japan offer classes in skiing and snowboarding at varying prices. The real difficulty might be finding these lessons in English. Generally, larger and more well-known resorts like Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen will have dedicated English classes.

Where can I get ski and snowboard equipment from?

If you don’t want to lug around your skis or board, resorts offer rental equipment, either directly or from an on-site store. If you’re only comfortable with your own gear, though, you still have options.

There are plenty of specialty skiing and snowboarding stores in Tokyo. You can post your gear ahead of you to the resort, or if you’re driving, just bring it along. If you’re taking the Shinkansen, you might still be able to bring your stuff on there, but be aware of the new luggage rules.

Which resorts in Japan offer night skiing?

Many, but not all, ski resorts in Japan do night skiing. Of the places we’ve mentioned, you can night ski at Naeba, Nozawa Onsen, Akakura Onsen,Hoshino Resorts, Yeti, Fujiten, and Niseko. Night skiing will generally be included in your 1-day pass, or if you only want to ski at night, you can usually get a cheaper night skiing lift ticket. Just keep in mind that, generally, night skiing is limited to only one or two slopes.

What if I want to get a package or tour?

While we’ve mostly covered the slopes as stand-alone destinations, plenty of resorts offer a holiday package or tour schedule. These will generally include lodging, meals, and gear as part of the cost. They might be a more affordable option for families or beginners. Two popular examples include a day trip to Snow Town Yeti from Tokyo, and this snowboard lesson experience in Niigata.

Many thanks to Axel Lieber for his valuable input.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change at any time. First published in December 2014. Last updated in December 2024 by Patrick Balfe.