I skied with Japan Cultural Tours this past February and had a truly wonderful experience. From start to finish, everything was on point—punctual, well-organized, and thoughtfully planned. The guides were not only friendly and knowledgeable but also added fun and entertainment along the way, making the trip even more memorable. The skiing itself was excellent, and the overall experience exceeded expectations. I’d highly recommend Japan Powder Culture Tours to anyone looking for a seamless, enjoyable, and culturally rich ski adventure in Japan.
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Overall we had a great time. And all the staff are lovely. Accommodation was fabulous (we upgraded to western room). However, we had some concerns around general operation of the tour. Minimal introduction/instruction as how day to day operations work. We were never taught how to use our beacon/probe/etc and never received it on the first day. Guides know the mountains very well but minimal training in regards to guide certifications, first aid, general experience, etc. The actual tour that you pick doesn’t seem to matter as groups are just mashed together anyways. A lot of runs are in areas the resorts don’t want you to go and sometimes you are intentionally trying to avoid ski patrol. Just didn’t feel very respectful to the resorts. Japan has a lot to offer with skiing and is incredible! Just not sure I would recommend this specific tour unfortunately.
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This was my first Japan ski adventure but certainly not the last. I have been an avid skier for 55 years and have over 3000 ski days. I can honestly say that my days with Japan Powder Culture Tours were some of the best powder days I have ever had.
While the areas that Jase and his team frequent look subdued compared to some of the big mountain terrains of Hokkaido, they are set up perfectly for powder skiing. We had significant snowfall during our stay and were skiing knees to chest deep powder every day we were there. If you like glades full of perfect powder, you will love the skiing around Yudanaka. If you are a beginner or intermediate and not ready for the trees, fear not. We saw people who had never skied getting face shots after only a couple days with the guides. Jase makes sure that everyone has a good time and finds the freshies.
The cultural aspect of these tours was one of the draws as I was planning an adventure for my son and me. We were not the least bit disappointed. Hotel Omodaka was clean, comfortable, affordable and had all the traditional ryokan features to complete the Japanese experience. The staff went above and beyond at every opportunity to ensure a good experience and there was often someone who could speak English if needed. The onsen was remarkable and provided great views of Yudanaka as well as Shibu Onsen from both the inside and outside facility. An inhouse sauna and local massage availability ensure you can continue for one more powder day no matter how much it snows. The included breakfast and dinners gave a great sampling of local fare and were never short on calories. The hotels River Front Café and Bar have excellent food if you do not want to leave the facility at night when dinner is not included.
Yudanaka has several other eateries, and Jase arranges reservations and shuttles as needed to get you where you want to go. An early morning shuttle was arranged for our rest day so we could hike in and see the monkeys prior to the crowds arriving. We then walked back to Omadaka stopping by the many sites in Shibu Onsen, the facility will also retrieve you if desired. There is a laundry facility a short five minute walk from Omadaka so you can travel as light as needed.
Japan Powder Culture Tours exceeded our expectations in every way. Jase provided a great package with everything required and made for an easy fun vacation with fantastic skiing. Five stars.
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Japan Powder Culture Tours provided an excellent service. The Yumoto Ryokan was excellent. An early pick-up got us on the slopes promptly, divided into groups by ability. The purpose for those who were up to it and for it was to seek the powder, of which we had plenty in the week after Christmas. The guides knew the slopes well, and headed off-piste where possible. They gave good advice about technique and were always on top of their game. A well-staged, very active ski-ing holiday.
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I recently finished another great Japan ski trip with the Jase and the rest of the Japan Powder Culture Tour (JPCT) guide team. My first trip was in Feb 2023 and after a fun time then, I went again this year in early Mar 2024. Jase and the all-star guide team have tremendous knowledge all the resorts in the Shiga Kogen / Nagano area and the base village of Yudunaka. Every day the JPCT team puts you on the Japan powder (on and off piste) and gives you the right balance of challenging terrain, fast pace, and helpful instruction as needed. Beyond the great snow, there is a plenty of good camaraderie among fellow skiers & snowboarders, especially if you are a solo traveler looking to ski/ride with others of a similar skill set and passion for powder. I also have to give props to Jase for his fleet of quality rental equipment (very pleased with the powder ski setup he provided). Beyond the time on the snow, Jase always makes sure you have a good time via the cultural activities, team meals, and some great onsen hotels in Yudunaka. Highly recommended!
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My group of 6 had a great week with Jase and his team. The benefit of being able to go to the resort with the best conditions and with a guide to show you the way was worth getting into a crowded bus each morning. The accommodation was very clean and comfortable and the food on offer, especially for dinner, was excellent.
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We are inexperienced powder skiiers. However, Jase and his guides were great matching us with similar standard skiers and were great teaching us new skills and taking us to places we would not go by ourselves. They looked after us very well from picking us up on time, organising our accommodation and ski here to the little things like getting us water at lunch and at the end of the day.
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This tour was the best decision ive ever made to go on. I went solo and absolutely had the most amazing time. Jase and the guides are so amazing and advanced in there teaching, they have so much knowledge of the area and the resorts we visited were amazing everyday. I learnt new skills to take away with me and some of the most amazing people on the tour that i hope to meet up with at sometime somewhere around the world. i honestly cant stop telling people how amazing this trip was...Anybody at any level thinking about doing it just book it..no regrets and ill be back next year
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I took my 13 & 14 year old boys for first Japan ski experience Jan'24. I wanted it to be memorable to them for the fun & good vibes, powder and a little non-touristy genuine culture. Jase & his team delivered on all fronts. The guiding crew are great fun but also very good at their job including safety first, fun & good memories a close second. Jase has amazing energy running the show and legitimately wants his clients to have the best experience, he cares being naturally service oriented. He is very good at ensuring each day the skiing choice is made to maximise the day for all, which for advanced skiers like us was proven by our 5 days being fresh powder found every day despite no snow falls in between! The additional cultural shows were fantastic with genuinely impressive talent. I noticed repeat customers present in the wider groups which says something and the clients Jase has just seem good people so we enjoyed all the group. Jase is also very good at providing good information (including logistics) before hand to set a realistic expectation of what to expect and for help. Thanks Jase and team, you provided wonderful memories for myself and my boys more importantly.
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Solo Skier (intermediate to advanced). I can’t speak highly enough about the quality of this ski trip. Jase and the rest of his guides do an outstanding job in delivering the following features to those who are adventurous enough to book this trip: Powder – lots of it with multiple ski locations in reach, we chased the powder every day. Excellent instruction from his guides – I was able to improve my form and ability during this trip. Wonderful accommodations: traditional Japanese rooms and daily Onsen were a feature of the trip. The Japanese culture features were also a lot of fun. Jase knows how to pack the day and keep it interesting for everyone. I also appreciate that Jase accommodates all levels of skiers, which really makes this trip great for families and couples. Overall the quality and amount of snow was unprecedented. This, in combination with top notch guiding and a good dose of Japanese culture, makes this both a unique experience and some of the best skiing available on the planet. I will definitely return!
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