Time To Start Planning for The Ski Season In Japan!

Summer is well underway in Japan which means it's time to start planning for Winter adventures!! As soon as the temperature begins dropping across Japan, snow-enthusiasts from all over the world commence their journey to Japan for the ski season, so now is the time to start looking for early bird flights, sales and packages.
Skiing in Japan (once you're there) is much more affordable than you might think, and for me, coming from Australia, it's cheap as chips! I spent a day on the slopes with gear hire, lift pass and lunch coming to AU$20! The same experience in Australia would cost me at least ten times that amount. The cost for the more commonly frequented slopes in Japan may be closer to AU$80, which is still a cheap day out on the slopes if you're coming from Australia.

Many of Japan's ski slopes can be reached easily in a couple of hours from Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka by train, and you won't need to speak Japanese to find your way there. I am not one to plan ahead (at all!), so I would just organise my first night in a hotel in one of the aforementioned cities and then book my ski holiday on arrival at one of the travel agents at the train station... but that's just me :)

You can organise accommodation at the snow as part of your ski package and it's quite affordable, being similar in price to European ski resorts. Transport up to the slopes is also really convenient, with plenty of shuttles and trains, and most signs are also written in English (at the more popular spots). Once you're there you will undoubtedly find staff who can speak English too.

For the more adventurous travelers, and serious skiers, Hokkaido should be at the top of your list. Accessible from Sapporo are two great ski resorts- Sapporo Teine (where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held) and Sapporo Kokusai. Both have beginner through to advanced runs and the quality of the powder is among the best in the world.

Not many people know that there are also ski resorts in Kyushu- Japan's southern most island- and if you're the kind of person who'd prefer to get off the beaten track and hang out with the locals rather than tourists, I thoroughly recommend heading down to Kokonoe Shinrin Koen Ski Resort in Oita prefecture, and/or Gokase in Miyazaki prefecture (this is my favourite). You may find it a little more challenging to get around Kyushu without Japanese, but the people are just SO helpful and welcoming that you won't have much trouble finding assistance. It is well worth it, trust me. Make sure you check out the live cameras and weather reports before you commit to ski in Kyushu because the season is much shorter than those further north, which can go right through to May!.

No matter where you choose to ski, the best part- and what sets Japan apart for snow adventures- is the onsen (hot springs) you can access after a full day on the slopes. If you're not used to getting naked in front of total strangers, this can be a daunting thought, but everyone else using the onsen are used to being naked with strangers and won't pay you a second of attention. You're in another country anyway so give it a go! Even if you need a few Shochu's first (please drink responsibly). I'm pretty sure you will love it, and you'll be able to tell others that you've done it :)