Best Japan Ski Hotels & Accommodation
The Powderhounds provide awards for the best ski hotels in Japan and other top accommodation at the Japanese ski resorts. Being the best Japan ski lodging isn’t only about being the most luxurious as it’s also about the value, the vibe and overall experience (and let’s face it, not everyone can afford the most uber luxury hotel). The Powderhounds have stayed at 180+ Japan hotels and lodgings, so we feel we’re in a good position to highlight some of the top places to stay when skiing in Japan.
For an overview of what you can typically expect with ski accommodation in Japan, check out the
Japanese ski resort accommodation page.
Best Luxury Japan Ski Hotel
Luxury hotels at Japanese ski resorts are not that common, in part, because many of the Japan ski hotels were built during the bubble era and are getting rather tired now. Typically, luxury Japan ski accommodation can be found at the westernised ski resorts where there has been a property boom such as
Niseko.
ANA Intercontinental Hotel, Appi
The
ANA Intercontinental Hotel at Appi Ski Resort is a divine luxury hotel that sits slopeside. The rooms and suites are decadent, the dining and bar area is aesthetically flawless, and in addition to two onsen, there is a day spa.
Lotte Arai Hotel, Lotte Arai
No expense has been spared in rebuilding the
Lotte Arai Hotel which sits at the base of the powder hound mecca that is
Lotte Arai in Niigata. The modern and luxurious resort hotel consists of two adjacent buildings, The Arai and The Lodge, both of which offer deluxe western-style guest rooms. What really sets it apart is the quality of the amenities, with luxe onsen baths, swimming pools, day spa facilities, chic lounge bars, and restaurants with incredibly exquisite cuisine. The Powderhounds scored Lotte Arai Hotel with full marks!
The Vale, Niseko
The Vale enjoys the ultimate location in
Niseko with immediate access to the slopes, ski school and child care. The Vale has very chic hotel rooms, studios and apartments, and exceptional penthouses with a private onsen on the balcony overlooking Mt Yotei. The communal onsen is also fabulous, as is the outdoor heated swimming pool (and the cocktails!).
Akakura Kanko Hotel, Myoko Kogen
Sitting majestically up on the slopes of Akakura Kanko ski resort in Myoko, the
Akakura Kanko Hotel* offers spectacular views, especially from the outdoor onsen baths.
Best Ski Resort Condo Hotels Japan
As outlined on the
Japan ski resort accommodation page, apartments (condos) are more of a western concept, so typically only the westernised ski resorts have them. Many of the larger properties are condo hotels that have the service and facilities of a hotel, yet have self-contained accommodation.
The Vale Rusutsu
The Vale Rusutsu has a convenient slopeside location and features condos with uber luxe living spaces with floor to ceiling windows so you can relax whilst watching the snow dump down. The adjacent onsen facility is modern and includes outdoor baths with reclining areas so you can max out on the relaxation.
Fenix Furano
Fenix Furano changed the face of Furano from being a ski resort with mostly dated accommodation, to having some upscale modern accommodation. Fenix Furano is a bit of an indulgence considering its location opposite the Kitanomine Gondola so the hotel rooms and condos offer mesmerising views across the slopes. The condos are aesthetically flawless, with a mix of traditional and modern Japanese décor, combined with western beds and modern conveniences.
Ki Niseko, Niseko
Ki Niseko has so many pros including apartments with lovely aesthetics, views, direct slope access, a nice onsen, and excellent concierge.
Chatrium Niseko, Niseko
Chatrium Niseko provides high end apartment accommodation in
Niseko that’s a fantastic all-rounder.
Best Deluxe Ski Hotel Japan
Risonare, Tomamu
The
Risonare Tomamu is conveniently ski-in ski-out and the suites are very spacious. Not all the suites have been renovated as yet, but the bathrooms are a highlight. With really high ceilings and massive corner windows, a large spa bath provides a relaxing soak with views. The bathrooms come complete with its own sauna.
Chalet Ivy, Niseko
Chalet Ivy is a boutique Niseko hotel with lavishly appointed rooms and suites and attentive service levels. It’s a 4.5 star hotel that feels decadently deluxe.
Club Med Sahoro, Sahoro Hokkaido
Club Med Sahoro provides deluxe hotel rooms, but it’s the extensive facilities and services of the hotel that make this a stand-out as a completely stress-free holiday destination.
Best Ski Resort Ryokan
Takahan, Yuzawa
Takahan Ryokan in Yuzawa near the base of the
Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort is not a luxe ryokan, but it oozes history and tradition and provides a conventional ryokan experience.
Nishiya Ryokan, Tengendai
The
Nishiya Ryokan (Shirabu Onsen Yutaki no Yado Nishiya) in Shirabu Onsen near the base of
Tengendai Kogen provides the ultimate in historic ryokan experiences. It even still has its thatched roof intact, although you might not see it in all its glory if it’s covered in snow. The traditional décor is exquisite whilst the ryokan is very rustic. Only the guest rooms are heated, the taps are left running so they don’t freeze, and the onsen is as raw as it gets.
Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei
Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei is a deluxe ryokan in Jozankei Onsen near Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort which offers a classic ryokan stay.
Naraya Ryokan
Naraya Ryokan is not the fanciest ryokan in Nozawa Onsen, but it is still lovely and provides a good value, and has nice indoor and outdoor onsen baths. Naraya is an aesthetically lovely wooden building located in a street that also has other pretty and traditional Japanese buildings.
Ryokan Biyu Noyado, Yudanaka
In nearby
Yudanaka,
Ryokan Biyu offers a lovely Japanese experience along with some western friendly concepts such as the option of a western style breakfast. The communal onsen baths are charming and you can book a private rooftop onsen to really take in the views. Or the best is the luxurious suites (that include some western comforts) with a private onsen on the balcony that looks up to the mountains. We didn’t want to leave!
Kinshuusanso
Kinshuusanso Ryokan near
Kawaba Ski Resort in Gunma is a delightful ryokan with amazing Japanese cuisine. The highlight was the semi open air, private onsen in our room which was very decadent.
Best Onsen at a Ski Hotel
There are so many hotels and ryokan in Japan that fit this bill! Some of the hotels with great onsen are luxurious or deluxe, whilst for some hotels the onsen is the main event.
Best Economical Japan Ski Accommodation
Matsunoki-tei, Tsugaike Hakuba
Matsunoki-tei is a simple ryokan/minshuku that’s almost ski-in ski-out or 260m walk to Tsugaike Kogen gondola. It has well priced rooms that utilise the onsite onsen for bathing. The décor of the inn is delightfully traditional, including the dining room where great Japanese meals are served up.
Lodge Aibiya, Yudanaka
Formerly an old ryokan,
Lodge Aibiya has retained much of its Japanese décor and charm. The lodge has a choice of shared rooms if you're on a budget, or lovely private rooms.
Geto Kogen Lodge, Geto Kogen
The
Geto Kogen Lodge at
Geto Kogen has some concepts of a capsule hotel so it’s rather cool, and it has a very high quality onsen.
Best Ski Lodge Japan
Lodge 401, Annupuri Niseko
Lodge 401 has so many awesome things going for it, including a cute little bar, exceptionally gourmet bar snacks and breakfast, and high levels of service.
Tenjin Lodge, Tenjindaira
The staff are amazing and another highlight of staying in this great lodge is the vibe of the communal space and hanging out with like-minded skiers and snowboarders.
Tenjin Lodge also scores points for its location at
Tenjindaira; an amazing ski destination for powder hounds.
Best Ski City Hotel
Hotel Metropolitan is attached to the Nagano train station so it’s incredibly convenient, and the deluxe rooms and chic bar are lovely.
The
JR Inn Asahikawa is conveniently located adjacent to the Asahikawa train station.
JR Tower Hotel Nikko, Sapporo is located in the Sapporo train station building, and offers quality accommodation and amazing city views, especially from the bar.
Grand Park Otaru is a very good value hotel in the coastal city of Otaru, and it offers lovely views across the water.
Golden Raspberry Awards: Worst Japan Ski Accommodation
Undoubtedly there are worse places to stay in Japan, but here are a couple of doozy hotels we’ve stayed in.
Yubari Hotel Shuparo near the Yubari Ski Resort had way too much grey paint and the deserted hotel felt like a spooky scene from The Shining. It comes as no great surprise that this hotel has closed indefinitely.
Hotel Lady Diana & St George’s in Goryu Hakuba was pretty bad, with springs sticking out of the mattress and laissez faire staff that were not prepared to communicate using google translate (or broken Japanese) or do much beyond the bare minimum. And their website states that it's a "luxurious resort hotel" - ha!
Most Interesting Japan Ski Accommodation
Hotel Fusch at
Ani Ski Resort provided an amazing stay. It was a bizarre place with Xmas decorations that have been up for a couple of decades and soooo much bric a brac and wall hangings that it probably put the owner on the hoarding spectrum. Mama-san was incredibly friendly and made the experience really special, including the creation of soooo much food.
*hotel that the Powderhounds have been to but not stayed at
