Choosing the Right Ski Resort in Japan
July 10, 2025
The popularity of Japan’s ski resorts is well known and an favourite destination for Australian snow holiday goers. 3 of the most popular Japanese regions that skiers and snowboarders consider most commonly include Niseko, Hukuba and Shiga Kogen. Let’s take a brief look at these destinations and what you can expect at each.
Niseko
Niseko ski resort in Hokkaido is the most famous Japan resort amongst international skiers and boarders. For those that love powder, Niseko Japan is the number one pick for a ski holiday as it just seems to consistently snow, and the deep, deep powder is way too enticing for any keen snow holidaymaker considering Japan. The snow factory of Niseko is the ultimate big powder playground! Very popular with western tourists and the off slope 4 or 5 Star hotels, vibrant nightlife and choices of restaurants match the high quality snow this resort is known for. On the back of this popularity in recent years Niseko has started to become one of Japan’s more expensive destinations but it’s’ well worth the money!
Hukuba
Located in the Japanese Alps near Nagano, it’s a valley that is home to some 10 ski resorts. Each Hakuba ski resort alone may not offer a huge amount of terrain variety, but it’s the combination of the different Hakuba ski areas and villages that makes this ski region really special. Hakuba is located approximately 3 hours from Tokyo where most of the journey can be made the speedy Shinkansen (bullet train) making it relatively easy to access for skiers and boarders. Hukuba also offers a variety of après-ski options, including hot springs (onsen), snow monkeys and cultural experiences making it also popular for families.