Vol 110 Back number ー Where to take guests for skiing in Japan

This story was written by Yuji Akiyama

Translated by Yumiko Mori

On my last blog, I wrote about the popularity of skiing in Japan among the oversea tourists. This post is a sequel to the previous one. "And where they go for skiing"

This year I have carried out 3 separate tours of 8 days each from Jan 5th to Feb 4th. The members consist of first, second and third tour were two Americans and Canadians, five Americans and last tour was five Canadians. Two tours have been already booked for the next year and the accomodation for the trip has also been arranged.

Regarding with the locations of skiing, in my case, it would be mostly in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata area.As a guide I am pretty confident in guiding new sites, however there are another complicated issues in Japan. For example, parking, traffic and accomodation. In order to make a smooth trip in Japan it would be extremely beneficial to undersatnd certain local information.  So I prefer to guide the areas that I mentioned above.

Below are the areas that I visited to guide in Japan

In Hokkaido,

Niseko BC,  Around Gosyoku Onsen( Onsen=Hot springs) , Kiroro BC, Shioyamaruyama in Otaru, Etanbetsutouge in Asahikawa Mt. Asahi, Hutou Touge in Monbetsu area,Tengu Cat Ski, Otoe Cat, Mt.Furano, Mt Tokachi and Furano ski BC.

Otaru BC, the tour starts from the side of the residential area. Therefore, need to be careful where to park

At Etanbetsu Touge

  Induced blow at Mt. Asahi, the signature scene

 Otoe Cat tour.  Nothing is bad to be guided sometimes...

BC at Kiroro has always got very deep snow!!
Please remember to sign up and leave from the gate

Photo with Mr.Kato, the director of the TENGU Cat Ski

In Niigata area,

Myoukou area including Mt. Mae, Mt. Hiruyai in Sasakura onsen area so far. Yet I am planning to explore new areas like Kurohime, Otozuma, Mt. Kana and Arai Ski resort to name a few.

Reopened after a decade of closure. Avalanche control is assigned to a Canadian company
This time I only visited my frined but maybe I will go skiing next year.

The route above was the last year's tour, named as "Powder area tour"
From Shirouma via Kamikuchi leading to East Sea( Sea of Japan), Sasakura hotsprings, kotani and coming back to Shirouma

On the way to the destination. we didn't forget paying visits to cultural sites.

In Nagano,

I often visited from Kitakotani to Goryu. Mostly Kamikouchi area. Since Kotani area has fewer people so great powder conditions can be most likely expected. However, on the other side, bacause of the declining population I suspect the snow plowing would last or not in the future of those areas.

We can't miss out the popular side country of Happou, Tugaruike, 47, Koruchina and Norikura area when we talk about Nagano area. The only thing is that the locations are very accessible so the navigation around the area can become very competitive among other tour companies.

Walking through the Kama Tunnel at Kamikouchi

Goryuu BC comes with a section of crossing the stream 

Happou BC  under the stunning weather 

Mt. Oonagi in Kotani BC, one of my favorite 

 In order to provide knowlegable guiding, I am mostly focused on the areas I mentioned above. Yet, other popular locations would be Gumma, Touhoku ans Gifu. Those places seem to be very fun and attractive for the future.

To be honest, some of the guests join my tour without knowing the name of the area nor where they are skiing at the moment.  Of course this brings many opinions but as a guide I am determined to provide the safe and and enjoyable trip at one of the greatest locations.


If you are to go for a trip to Japan, we have a great variety of resouces with us. So feel free to contact us for any questions! I hope this blog will help you to plan your trip to Japan!!:)

Thank you for reading!