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With a reputation for sumptuous powder, and unique cultural experiences, Japan is becoming a must-see destination for UK skiers looking for a ski adventure like no other.
While European skiing grows increasingly unpredictable as the climate changes, one thing you won’t have to worry about with ski holidays in Japan is the snow conditions. Japan ski resorts typically receive more snow than anywhere else in the world, particularly on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, with resorts averaging a towering 15m of snowfall each winter. Along with all this deep powder, they also boast some of the world’s best tree skiing, while the mellow terrain means you absolutely don’t have to be an expert to ski here.
Particularly powdery, Niseko ski resort is the most famous in Japan, while Hakuba Valley has the finest alpine skiing. For authentic appeal, however, choose one of the smaller Honshu ski resorts, such as the historic village of Nozawa Onsen with its centuries-old hot springs (onsens) and traditional guesthouses (ryokans).
Culture is a rich part of any trip to Japan and the lightning-fast bullet trains make it easy to visit the dazzling modern metropolis of Tokyo. The food in Japan is fantastic too and, from sushi to ramen, from yakitori to katsu curries, it’s far more varied than you can imagine. Don’t forget to pick up a Bento box while on your travels! For apres-ski, you’ll also find Japanese pubs (izakayas) in every resort.
You should also explore Japan’s history and cultural heritage – visit ancient temples and shrines or take a thought-provoking trip to Hiroshima. Meet the country’s famous snow monkeys in Nagano, and visit ancient Kyoto, with its old craft shops and tea houses, where you can stroll along the Philosopher's Path, see Buddhist temples, Shōgun castles and the Imperial Palace.
Demand for skiing in Japan is now at an all-time high with Google searches by UK skiers up 50% year on year. So, if you’re looking, you need to look for the experts. And that means Ski Safari.
Ski Safari are the UK’s leading Japan ski experts and feature the best ski resorts across Hokkaido and Honshu, including Niseko, Hakuba, Furano, Nozawa Onsen, Rusutsu and Kiroro. They specialise in flexible, tailor-made itineraries, with the option to visit fascinating cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Kanazawa, Kobe and Okinawa. And they’ll take care of all the admin hassle such as flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes, ski hire, lessons and more.
Three of the best new Japan ski trips with Ski Safari
This year, Ski Safari has launched three new Japan ski trip itineraries to build on the success of last year’s Taste of Japan Ski & City Safari (Niseko, Tokyo, Kyoto):
Flavours of Japan Ski & City Safari
Price: 12 nights from £3,150pp, including flights, transfers and accommodation.
From snow to sashimi, ridgelines to ramen, the Flavours of Japan Ski & City Safari is the ultimate holiday for those who want to experience authentic Japanese food culture with incredible skiing.
You’ll spend five days skiing the fantastic tree runs, groomed pistes and backcountry slopes in the deep powder snow of Niseko, staying in tranquil Niseko Village or buzzing Hirafu Village before travelling by planes, bullet trains and automobiles to three unique gastronomic hubs: Kobe, famed for its marbled wagyu beef; Osaka, Japan’s neon-lit food capital, with bold flavours and regional specialities such as takoyaki, a popular dish of octopus-filled balls; and Tokyo, Japan’s bustling capital, with every flavour from exciting street food to Michelin-starred restaurants.
BOOK NOW: skisafari.com
Histories of Japan Ski & City Safari
Price: 12 nights from £3,150pp, including flights, transfers and accommodation.
Carve Niseko’s endless, fluffy powder before stepping into the past to take in poignant historic moments that changed Japan forever in Hiroshima and Okinawa.
After five days of amazing skiing in Niseko, your eye-opening historical journey starts in Hiroshima, which was levelled in 1945 by the destructive force of the atomic bomb. Here you can visit the Peace Memorial and, if you have time, take the ferry Miyajima Island, which is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meanwhile, Hiroshima’s dining scene is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets, and if you’re exploring on foot, there are several shrines, parks and gardens to visit too.
Then travel to Okinawa Island, in the south of mainland Japan (Honshu), which has a distinct Ryukyuan culture and its own languages and dialects, with highlights like Shurijo Castle and stunning white sand beaches. The island was strongly influenced by the traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom that ruled between the 15th and 19th centuries.
The trip is rounded off with a night in the ever-expanding capital, Tokyo.
BOOK NOW: skisafari.com
Traditions of Japan Ski & City Safari
Price: 12 nights from £3,150pp, including flights, transfers and accommodation.
Combine Niseko’s legendary powder skiing with Japan’s rich identity and cultural heritage by visiting Kyoto, Kanazawa (known as ‘Little Kyoto’), Shirakawa-go and Tokyo.
For five days, explore Niseko’s incredible slopes and soft powder, with enough variation to keep all levels of skiers and snowboarders entertained. Enjoy apres-ski traditions like a soak in a natural spring onsen.
Then spend four days, visiting Japan's cultural capital of Kyoto and Kanazawa’s preserved geisha and samurai districts, shrouded in Edo-era charm and home to tranquil gardens and thousands of temples and shrines. You can also sample the famous gold-leaf ice cream, visit teahouses and the celebrated Kenroku-en garden, and sleep in cosy, ryokan-inspired accommodation.. From here, you can take a day trip to the nearby village of Shirakawa-go, famous for its triangular thatched roofs, which are lit up at night.
Finally, board the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo, where ancient streets are tucked beneath towering modern skyscrapers - a striking reminder of the country’s harmony between past and present.
BOOK NOW: skisafari.com
Check out full information on these and other great options for ski safaris in Japan here.
Take the trip with Ski Safari
Ski Safari have been pioneering ski destinations with a difference since 1996. As one of the first tour operators to offer holidays to Japan back in 2008, Ski Safari have seen this powder paradise grow from a niche choice for hardcore skiers and boarders to one of their most popular destinations for skiers of all abilities wanting a different kind of winter experience. Enquiries for Japan trips are now up by 124%.
With prices starting at 10 nights from £2,095pp including flights, transfers and accommodation, check out the website or call 01273 224060 to get a tailored quote.
When is the best time to ski in Japan?
Go in January or February for the best full-on powder skiing, with each month averaging 25 snow days. Go mid to late March when the arrival of spring means the cities are warmer and the cherry blossom starts to bloom, but you can still ski a wonderfully deep snowpack amid perfect snow conditions, with the occasional powder day.
