Japan Hokkaido & Honshu Powder Belt Index 2026
Every commercially significant Japanese ski resort — from Sapporo Teine, Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro and Furano on Hokkaido, through Hakkoda, Zao and Appi in Tohoku, down to Hakuba, Nozawa, Shiga Kogen, Myoko, Naeba and Kagura in the Northern Alps, plus the Gunma/Tochigi and Hyogo/Tottori southern outposts — compared on adult walk-up day pass (¥), piste kilometres, top elevation, latitude and average annual snowfall. Filter for the 'deep belt' resorts over 10 m of seasonal snowfall.
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20 resorts in the index
| Resort | Region | Pass (¥) | Piste (km) | ¥/km | Top (m) | Lat (°N) | Snow (m/yr) | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakkoda | Tohoku | ¥5,000 | 8 | ¥625 | 1,324 | 40.7 | 17 ❄ | Dec–May | Aomori cult backcountry, single ropeway, Japan's deepest snowpack, ski touring base |
| Niseko United | Hokkaido | ¥9,000 | 47 | ¥191 | 1,188 | 42.8 | 15 ❄ | Nov–May | Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, Hanazono — Japan's #1 international powder destination, 11 gates, Strawberry Fields |
| Rusutsu | Hokkaido | ¥7,500 | 42 | ¥179 | 994 | 42.7 | 14 ❄ | Nov–Apr | Three peaks, mature gladed tree skiing, quieter Niseko alternative, family-resort feel |
| Kiroro | Hokkaido | ¥7,800 | 21 | ¥371 | 1,180 | 43.1 | 14 ❄ | Nov–May | Highest snowfall in Hokkaido, Club Med + Yu Kiroro, Asari peak tree zones |
| Myoko Suginohara | Niigata / Nagano (Northern Alps) | ¥5,800 | 25 | ¥232 | 1,855 | 36.9 | 13 ❄ | Dec–May | 8.5 km Suginohara longest run, mature birch glades, quiet Niigata alternative |
| Zao Onsen | Tohoku | ¥5,500 | 35 | ¥157 | 1,660 | 38.2 | 12 ❄ | Nov–May | World-famous 'snow monsters' (juhyo) ice-rime trees, hot-spring village |
| Kagura | Niigata / Nagano (Northern Alps) | ¥6,500 | 23 | ¥283 | 1,845 | 36.8 | 12 ❄ | Nov–May | Japan's longest commercial season (mid-Nov to late-May), backcountry gate access |
| Hakuba Valley | Niigata / Nagano (Northern Alps) | ¥8,500 | 200 | ¥43 | 1,831 | 36.7 | 11 ❄ | Dec–May | 10 interconnected resorts incl. Happo-One, Hakuba 47, Goryu, Tsugaike — 1998 Nagano Olympics |
| Naeba | Niigata / Nagano (Northern Alps) | ¥6,800 | 35 | ¥194 | 1,789 | 36.8 | 11 ❄ | Dec–May | Dragondola to Kagura, Prince Hotels, Fuji Rock Festival summer venue |
| Appi Kogen | Tohoku | ¥6,500 | 45 | ¥144 | 1,304 | 40.0 | 10 | Dec–May | Iwate's biggest, longest run 5.5 km, traditionally quiet international scene |
| Nozawa Onsen | Niigata / Nagano (Northern Alps) | ¥7,000 | 50 | ¥140 | 1,650 | 36.9 | 10 | Dec–May | Yamabiko tree gates, 13 free village onsen, Dosojin Fire Festival 15 Jan |
| Shiga Kogen | Niigata / Nagano (Northern Alps) | ¥6,500 | 80 | ¥81 | 2,307 | 36.7 | 10 | Dec–May | Japan's largest ski area by piste count, 18 connected resorts, snow monkeys nearby |
| Furano | Hokkaido | ¥7,600 | 28 | ¥271 | 1,074 | 43.4 | 9 | Nov–May | JR rail-accessed, central Hokkaido lavender-fields region, cold-and-dry snow |
| Manza Onsen | Gunma / Tochigi | ¥5,800 | 11 | ¥527 | 2,000 | 36.6 | 9 | Dec–Apr | Japan's highest-altitude onsen ski village, sulphur springs |
| Tomamu | Hokkaido | ¥7,500 | 29 | ¥259 | 1,239 | 43.0 | 8 | Dec–Apr | Hoshino resort, Ice Village winter attraction, family Hokkaido alternative |
| Sahoro | Hokkaido | ¥6,400 | 21 | ¥305 | 1,030 | 43.1 | 8 | Dec–Apr | Club Med Sahoro, quiet Tokachi region alternative |
| Tambara | Gunma / Tochigi | ¥5,500 | 10 | ¥550 | 1,550 | 36.8 | 8 | Dec–Apr | Easy Tokyo day-trip, family/beginner focus |
| Daisen White | Central / Western Honshu | ¥5,000 | 7 | ¥714 | 1,300 | 35.4 | 8 | Dec–Mar | Tottori, Sea of Japan coast, sacred Mt Daisen views |
| Sapporo Teine | Hokkaido | ¥5,300 | 16 | ¥331 | 1,023 | 43.1 | 7 | Dec–Apr | 1972 Sapporo Olympics venue, 30 min from Sapporo city, ocean views |
| Hachi Kita | Central / Western Honshu | ¥5,500 | 12 | ¥458 | 1,221 | 35.4 | 7 | Dec–Mar | Hyogo/Tottori border, southernmost major Honshu ski region, Osaka access |
❄ = resort sits inside the 'deep belt' with over 10 m of average annual snowfall — the dependable JaPow zone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Japan has approximately 500 ski areas, of which around 50 are of national or international significance. This index covers the 20 commercially most important resorts from Hokkaido down through Tohoku, Niigata, Nagano, Gunma and as far south as the Hyogo/Tottori border — accounting for over 90% of international visitor skier-days and the deepest-snow zones of the country.
Hakuba Valley (Nagano) is Japan's largest interconnected ski region with 10 connected resorts and approximately 200 km of pistes, anchored by Happo-One (1998 Nagano Olympics venue), Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu and Tsugaike Kogen. Shiga Kogen (also Nagano) is Japan's largest single-pass ski area by piste count with 18 connected resorts and 80 km of pistes. Niseko United on Hokkaido (47 km across four resorts) is Japan's largest international-facing destination.
Hakkoda in northern Aomori receives the deepest seasonal snowfall in Japan (around 17 m annual average) but operates only a single ropeway and serves primarily as a backcountry / ski-touring base. Among commercial resorts, Niseko United and Rusutsu (~14–15 m), Kiroro (~14 m), Myoko Suginohara (~13 m) and Zao Onsen (~12 m) anchor the 'deep belt' over 10 m of annual snowfall.
Most major resorts open mid-to-late November (Kagura is typically first, followed by Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano) and close late April to mid-May. Kagura (Niigata) operates Japan's longest commercial season (mid-November through late-May). The peak powder window across Hokkaido and Honshu is mid-December through late February. April skiing transitions to corn-snow / spring conditions. May skiing is limited to Kagura, Niseko Hanazono and certain Tohoku backcountry zones.
Hokkaido (Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, Kiroro) delivers the deepest, driest powder snow with the most established international infrastructure — the right choice for powder-focused skiers and snowboarders. Honshu (Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Myoko) offers slightly less snow but richer cultural integration (onsen villages, traditional ryokan, sake breweries, easier rail access from Tokyo). Both are world-class. Many returning visitors split a 10–14 day trip across both islands.