Powderhounds Awards for the Best Japan Ski Resorts
The Powderhounds offer awards for the best skiing in Japan in case you can't decide on where to go. In addition to our picks for the top ski resorts in Japan below and the best Japan ski resorts as
rated by the readers of Powderhounds.com, you can also check out the
where to ski in Japan page and our
Japan ski resort ratings.
Others in the top 10 ski resorts in Japan are:
Note that we've rated all the Hakuba ski resorts as individual ski areas, so overall Hakuba is definitely up there as one of the best places to go skiing in Japan because it ticks lots of boxes for many skiers and snowboarders.
Be mindful that some of the Japan ski resorts that are amazing for powder hounds are not necessarily “resorts”, and may include some lift accessed backcountry and full BC that requires expert riding ability, route-finding skills and backcountry proficiency (and/or a guide).
Others that we've rated in the top 10 ski areas in Japan for
powder hounds are:
However the best way to go powder hunting is to think more in terms of the best Japan ski regions, not individual ski areas, because many are too small to capture the attention of a powder hound for long. On a multi-resort guided Japan ski tour or a DIY skiing in Japan road trip, a greedy powder hound can sample many of the best Japan ski resorts. See the Japan powder skiing regions page for more information.
Other Powderhounds.com Awards for the Best Skiing in Japan
Skiing and Snowboarding
- Best overall terrain: Niseko, Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba Norikura, Furano, Sapporo Teine
- Best beginner terrain: Hakuba Tsugaike, Aomori Spring, Kagura, Niseko
- Best intermediate terrain: Shiga Kogen, Zao Onsen, Happo One, Niseko
- Advanced piste terrain: Nozawa Onsen, Madarao, Shiga Kogen, Kandatsu Kogen
- Off-piste terrain: Rusutsu, Niseko, Hakuba Norikura, Furano, Arai, Hakuba Cortina, Oze Iwakura
- Uncrowded slopes: Ani, Charmant Hiuchi, Tenjindaira, Piyashiri, Amihari Onsen, Okunakayama
- Best expert & extreme terrain: Kurodake, Tenjindaira, Hakuba Norikura, Hakkaisan, Tengendai, Teine, Cortina, Nozawa Onsen
- Best slackcountry* (lift accessed backcountry): Niseko, Tenjindaira, Hakkaisan, Norikura, Tsugaike, Teine, Ani
- Best backcountry (may be partly lift assisted): Tenjindaira, Tokachidake, Kurodake, Niseko, Hakkoda, Asahidake, Aomori Spring
- Best tree skiing Japan: Oze Iwakura, Rusutsu, Cortina, Aomori Spring, Kurodake, Minowa, Tsugaike, Norikura
- Best lift infrastructure: Kiroro, Rusutsu
- Best terrain park: Aomori Spring, Naeba, Alts Bandai, Hakuba 47
- Best cat skiing: see the best Japan cat skiing page
Japan Snow
- Best Japan powder: Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Asahidake, Kurodake, Piyashiri, Sapporo Kokusai
- Highest likelihood of freshies: Oze Iwakura, Tazawako, Kumanoyu, Piyashiri, Minowa, Tenjindaira
Lots of Japanese ski resorts score full marks for the snow quality/quantity, uncrowded slopes and likelihood of scoring fresh tracks. See the
Japanese ski resort ratings for more information.
*At some ski resorts, the definition of what’s off-piste versus sidecountry is somewhat blurry.
Best Japan ski resort for first-timers and beginners:
Kagura has excellent beginner terrain, but it doesn't cater particularly well to international visitors whilst Aomori Spring only has private lessons available. Niseko is an excellent ski resort for beginners who don't speak Japanese because there are group or private ski/snowboard lessons in English, and the staff at the equipment rental shops speak English. Sahoro is also ideal for beginners if you stay at Club Med Sahoro where lessons are included (and same for Club Med Tomamu and Club Med Kiroro). |
Other Awards for the Best Japanese Ski Resorts & Towns
- Best luxury ski resort in Japan: Lotte Arai Resort
- Japan ski areas with very few gaijin: Oze Iwakura, any of the Tohoku ski resorts, Yuzawa ski resorts, Minakami ski resorts
- Destination resorts without many westerners: Zao Onsen, Shiga Kogen
- Best traditional Japanese experience at/near ski area/s: Shibu Onsen, Yudanaka, Zao Onsen, Jozankei Onsen, Minakami
- Top resorts that cater to international guests: Niseko, Hakuba
- Best family resort / top Japan ski resort for kids: Tomamu, Sahoro, Niseko, Lotte Arai, Rusutsu
- Best shopping for ski & board equipment & clothing: Niseko, Hakuba
- Best Japanese cultural experience: Zao Onsen, Asahikawa
- Best quality facilities & services: Lotte Arai, Kiroro
- Top Japan ski accommodation: see the best Japan ski hotels page
- Ski resort/town with best onsens: Nozawa Onsen, Zao Onsen, Lotte Arai
- Best onsen: Takaragawa Onsen (near Tenjindaira and Houdaigi), YukiChichibu Onsen (Chisenupuri Onsen), Sukayu near Hakkoda, Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen in Aomori Prefecture
- Best onsen at a hotel: see the best Japan ski hotels page
Best Japan ski resorts for kids:
Naeba and Joetsu Kokusai are very family friendly, but these ski resorts don't cater particularly well to international visitors. See our top family ski resorts in Japan page for information on resorts for children that don’t speak Japanese, where there are group ski/snowboard lessons, good beginner slopes, child care and plenty of kids' activities.
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Nightlife
Tours and Activities
Cost & Value for Money
See our
ski resorts in Japan ratings to see how Japanese ski resorts compare on various factors including the terrain, powder, apres and family-friendliness.