Is skiing big in Japan? Why is Japan so snowy? How much does it cost to ski in Japan?

Skiing is one of the best and most fun activities you can choose to do on holiday, something completely different from the classic sun and sea options, an adventure that can truly make your trip one to remember forever.

When you are looking at the top destinations for skiing, you should look no further than Japan. This country is home to unbeatable skiing, so here we will take a look at why that is and help you decide if a skiing holiday in Japan is the perfect getaway for you.

Is skiing big in Japan?

Millions of people hit the more than 500 slopes that make up Japan’s skiing destinations each year. The figure has actually dipped over the last 30 years for locals, where formerly one in seven Japanese citizens would go skiing, but there is still a strong history and presence of the sport in this country.

When Japan hosted the winter Olympics in 1998, it allowed the whole world a glimpse of its stunning powdery slopes, and the world responded by coming to check it out for themselves. Over 30 million visitors came to Japan in 2019 alone, before the pandemic upset the statistics, and a large number of these people headed to ski resorts.

Japan has hundreds of resorts across the country, with many located in the north with its relatively reliable cold season and a huge amount of snowfall. It is known as the powder capital of the world, and Japan’s legendary powder is just one of the many reasons that professional skiers and newbies alike flock to its slopes.

Japan is also known for its incredible food, welcoming people, and fascinating culture, as well as the onsen, or hot springs, that you can relax in after a long day on your skis. All these reasons and so many more contribute to Japan’s reputation as one of the best places to ski in the world.

You can go skiing pretty much anywhere north of Tokyo, and there are resorts nearby that are easy to get to and can be enjoyed by residents without too much travel involved. The snowier and more popular resorts are found on Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan. 

Wherever you choose to visit, you will soon see why skiing is so big in Japan, and why so many residents and tourists flock to the hundreds of ski resorts each year.

Why is Japan so snowy?

During the ski season of December to April, parts of Japan can see upwards of 600 inches of snow, a huge amount by any standards and one of the key reasons why so many people head here to ski. Not only is the snow abundant, but it is also particularly powdery and almost unique in the world of skiing.

The cause of this snow is one of life’s most important factors – location, location, location. Japan is situated in the perfect spot and has all of the weather conditions necessary for snow to fall year in, year out, and in large amounts.

The Sea of Japan maintains warm currents all year round, and never freezes or gets too cold. This means that there is always plenty of moisture in the air which can be turned into snow. These rising warm currents meet the cold front coming down from the north, hitting Japan’s mountains and leaving snow in their wake.

The cold air is pushed down from Russia and China, and freezes the moisture in the air, and creates the light fluffy powder that Japan’s ski slopes are known for. The mountains tend to get the most snow by far, and the exact snowfall can depend on weather conditions and temperatures which may vary from storm to storm.

As the warm currents and cold air move towards Japan and meet over the mountains, this perfect convergence allows for greater snow than in many other parts of the world. Each component is required to make it work, and skiers everywhere are so grateful that it all comes together here in Japan.

How much does it cost to ski in Japan?

Skiing is not a cheap sport, and particularly in classic areas like the Alps, a skiing holiday can be far more expensive than a simple trip to the beach. However, there is so much that you must account for on a skiing holiday, from travel to the resort, ski pass, rentals, and more. 

That being said, and excluding the cost of reaching Japan from your hometown, Japan is on the cheaper end of the spectrum when it comes to skiing, and there are bargains to be found both inside and outside the peak season.

Access to the internet and fantastic companies like BeActive Life ski resorts in Japan allows more people to find the best deals out there and save money on their dream skiing trip. You can choose to visit in March when the slopes are quieter and you can save as much as half of the cost compared to earlier in the season. 

Skiing in Japan can be a lot cheaper than skiing in more classic destinations like Europe or the United States, with the Alps often representing some of the most expensive holidays to be found anywhere. When you include the costs of everything that you need for your time in Japan, it begins to seem even more of a bargain than ever before.

Ski passes, for instance, can cost as little as $25 a day, as much as a third of the price of the same passes in the Alps. Ski rentals are similarly priced, while accommodation can be found with all you could wish for as little as $40 a night. The food you will find is often of the highest quality, and a fraction of the money you would spend in another part of the world. 

For your lift pass, rentals, and food in many places you should expect to pay $100-200 each day, and that is without accommodation, so you can see that Japan is lower on cost, while still giving you stunning views and an unforgettable experience.

Conclusion 

Skiing is huge in Japan, home to arguably the best powdery snow and ski resorts in the world. The perfect conditions that create so much snow all year attract professionals and new skiers alike, so why not have a look and see if next year, you wish to be one of them?