The 15 Best Ski Trips in Japan

1.Nagano Ski Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $2,862Our pick

Spend about 10 days based near Yudanaka with Jase and the Japan Powder Culture Tours team. Ski Nagano’s best powder areas with guiding and lift passes, then enjoy snow monkeys, onsens, geisha, taiko, karate, Matsumoto, sake, sushi, and karaoke. It suits fit skiers who want culture built into the trip.

“Best ski tour ever! The combination of the cultural experience with expert guides made this a great trip. Jase took care of all of our needs. His guides lead us each day to the best snow on the mountain. The powder was Exceptionally awesome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Nagano: 1-Day Ski Tour Package from Nagano Station

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 9h 30m · from $243

Meet your English or Chinese speaking guide at Nagano Station, ride about 80 minutes to a Nagano ski resort, and spend the day on the slopes with skis or a snowboard, clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, and a lift pass provided. Add a two-hour beginner lesson, and guides such as Orlando, Luka, and Nadine can help you get comfortable fast.

“Was a perfect day all round. Well organised, great communication, perfect weather, great equipment. Would definitely do again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Ski or Snowboard Lesson in Shiga Kogen (4Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $184

Meet Ride Shiga in Shiga Kogen for a private four-hour ski or snowboard lesson led by an instructor matched to your level and goals. You can work on first turns, carving, race technique, freestyle, freeride, or moguls. Equipment, clothing, lift pass, and lunch cost extra.

“Very good and supportive. I would recommend to everyone. Me and my son enjoyed skiing very much. The trainer is very good, skillful and helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.1-Day Ski Tour Package from Nagano Station

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $270

Start at Nagano Station at 7:40 am for a guided ski day at a resort selected for current snow conditions, often Shiga Kogen. Your package includes transport, skis or snowboard, clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, lift pass, and optional two-hour lessons. Guides such as Shawn or Orlando may help you get set up.

“I was so glad I didn't try to get to Shiga Kogen on my own means of transportation. This tour will take you safely up into the (very) snowy mountains. As a solo skier, this tour was a great way to connect with others. Orlando, my guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the whole prefecture.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Full Day Private Skiing / Snowboarding Tour in Sapporo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $230

Spend a winter day skiing or snowboarding near Sapporo with private guide Tomo, choosing Sapporo Kokusai or Bankei ski slope. The package includes transport, slope tickets, and a visit to Hoheikyo Onsen. Rentals, clothing, gloves, and optional dinner cost extra.

“Tomo-San took us to a great beginner place for our first time skiing. We organised with him before the visit to have a 4 hour beginner lesson, which was well worth doing. He made the process smooth from pick up at our hotel to dropping oRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Snowshoeing and Onsen Adventures in a Winter Wonderland -Sapporo.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $224

Join Chris of Trekmate Hokkaido for a small-group snowshoe hike near Sapporo. Meet at Makomanai Station at 7:30am, ride to the trailhead, hike through deep snow with provided gear, eat lunch outdoors, then soak at Koganeyu Onsen. The group is limited to five.

“Chris was a great guide, very friendly and personable, and knowledgeable about what to look out for during snowshoeing. He was also accommodating to my pace. We had a solid hike through a really lovely trail, and enjoyed a nice camping lunch and then an onsen trip to round it off. I had lots of fun and really enjoyed myself, thanks so much Chris!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.From Tokyo: Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti Winter Ski Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 11 hours · from $49Best value

Ride from Tokyo or Shinjuku to Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti for five hours of snow time beneath Mt. Fuji. Choose transport only, ski rental with lift access, a basic lesson, or sledding. Multilingual staff, including guides such as Juna and Hooni, help keep the day simple.

“Juna our guide was amazing. she was friendly with very good English and drove very safely. She is an excellent and extremely patient snowboarding instructor. The trip was very good value for money and we would highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for a one day ski or snowboarding experience inclusive of equipment, clothing, lessons and transportation.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Sapporo: Otaru Asarigawa Ski Resort Day Trip with Gear

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 9 hours · from $185

Travel from Sapporo Station to Otaru Asarigawa Ski Resort for a two-hour beginner lesson, lunch break, and two more hours on the snow. Your package includes skis or snowboard gear, lift pass, helmet, goggles, and round-trip bus transport. English and Chinese instruction is available, with optional skiwear rental.

“Great guides and bus driver! Super friendly and professional. Great experience with the ski resort. Excellent skiing. Bus driver was great driving in snow. I would book this tour again. Thank you Leo and team!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Snowshoe Hike Tour from Sapporo include hotel p/up & drop off

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $308

Sumi or Sumi and Taki pick you up at your downtown Sapporo hotel, drive about an hour by 4WD minivan, and guide you through a two-hour snowshoe walk near Nakayama Pass. Gear, tea, snacks, and Hoheikyo Onsen entry are included. Lunch in Jozankei costs extra.

“What a great, fun day! Sumi was just excellent. She picked us up from the hotel, had all the gear that we need and took us on a stunning trail. She even had tea and little treats for a small pick me up half way through her tour. We ended the day at a beautiful onsen, surrounded by snow and had delicious curry. Absolutely fabulous”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.3.5hours Primeval Forest Snowshoe hike and Wildlife Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $55

Join Picchio Shiretoko for a 3.5-hour snowshoe walk through animal-made paths in Shiretoko’s winter forest. You may follow deer and fox tracks, reach the frozen Tears of Man waterfall, and view sea ice beneath the snow-covered Shiretoko Mountains. Pickup is offered, and groups are limited to eight.

“Please be ready early. Maybe 10 minutes before the agreed pick up time, it would be best if you were already ready and waiting to be picked up. We were part of a small group. The tour provider will pick up everybody from different (but nearRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Nagano Snowshoe Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $97

Join guide Kouhei Nishida for a five-hour snowshoe walk from Kurohime Station into Togakushi’s snowy beech forest. Use included MSR snowshoes and poles, follow the 400-year-old cedar avenue, seek out giant trees, enjoy coffee made at a snow table, and walk across frozen Lake Kagami.

“Amazing day of snow shoeing with Kouhei! He was informative and personable and took us off the busy tourist track so we could enjoy the natural beauty of the forest.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Snowshoe Adventures and Onsen Bliss Winter Escape in Furano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $78

Join a small-group snowshoe outing from Furano into Daisetsuzan National Park. Local guide Ikki leads you through deep forest snow, wildlife tracks, and quiet mountain scenery, with English support through a translation device. Finish at Hakuginso Onsen, where a natural hot-spring soak costs ¥700 extra.

“Great winter activity that’s not snowboarding/skiing! Beautiful landscape that was taken in at a leisurely pace. Would absolutely recommend doing the Onsen afterwards, great way to warm up after walking around in the snow. Our guide Ikki was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Bamboo Ice Cave: Snowshoe to see a natural phenomenon!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $154

Snowshoe 7 km through snowy forest near Noboribetsu to a seasonal bamboo ice cave, one of only three in Hokkaido. Your English or Japanese guide leads the route, explains animal tracks and ice formations, and serves lunch and a hot drink. Aidan and homemade food from Yasuko may be part of your day.

“An absolutely wonderful day in nature, made unforgettable thanks to our guide, Aidan. Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Being in a small group is a real plus and allows you to fully enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace. We were completely alone in the middle of nature, which made the hike incredibly peaceful and refreshing. All the equipment is provided, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Aidan’s explanations were very clear and full of interesting anecdotes, you can truly feel his passion and deep knowledge. He is extremely dedicated to making sure everyone has a great time, helps throughout the hike, offers to take…”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Icebreaker GARINKO GO III Cruise Explore Ice and Snow Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 4 reviews · 12 hours · from $151

Leave Sapporo early for the Sea of Okhotsk and board the GARINKO GO III, a new icebreaker with bow propellers that crush drifting ice beside the hull. Choose a crab-filled seafood bowl or museum time, with Japanese-speaking staff and translation support.

“Very well planned and explained. Had one of the best seafood lunch. I highly recommend this activity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Lake Tachibana: Snowshoe to a frozen lake!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3h 30m · from $96

Join Aidan from Nobo Tours for a three-and-a-half-hour snowshoe hike from Karurusu Onsen to frozen Lake Tachibana. You’ll cross snowy forest, climb a ridgeline, descend to the lake, and warm up with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Pickup from Noboribetsu and Noboribetsu Onsen is included.

“Aidan was a fantastic guide, shared lots of interesting things along the way (animal tracks, plants etc) and matched my pace during the climb. It was like hiking with a mate, chill and low pressure. Aidan lent me gaiters, neck scarf and the snowshoes. I recommend bringing a scarf and warm enough gloves because your nose will run and your hands will freeze. Aside from that I had thin warm layers for both top and bottom, and that worked fine. Make sure you wear waterproof (coat, trousers, and shoes) too, and a light backpack to hold everything else. One thing I would do different is choose to go in the…”

Check availability →Read our full review