Snowboarding In Japan

Discover our team's top tips to make the most of your Japan snow trip, including the best snowboard to take, what to pack & what differences to expect.

Japan is touted as one of the best countries for snowboarding for Australian snow lovers. If you’re considering a trip, or have booked and are starting to prepare, this is the article for you.

Our Ecomm Manager, Naomi, is a total convert when it comes to Japan. She’s travelled there for close to 20 years and thinks Japan is the perfect family or friends snow destination. We caught up with her to hear what the fuss is all about, get some of our questions answered, and find out if it’s really THAT good.

What is the biggest difference between riding in Japan and Australia?

Japan offers steeper terrain and longer runs than Australia, a bit similar to Europe, so get your legs ready for the burn! Take the opportunity to build strength in your legs before you go and you’ll thank me later. There are plenty of free social media routines you can follow specifically for snowboarding agility.

How big are the resorts?

Resorts in Japan range from tiny single-run hills to interconnected resorts offering endless amounts of exploring to be done. The biggest, and most well-known, are Hakuba and Niseko. It’s your personal preference what you go for.

Japan’s resorts often get snow all day so you can still enjoy free refills right up to 4 pm when everyone else has gone in for an Onsen.

(An onsen is a hot spring bath which is incredible after a hard day riding. They’re super popular in Japan, and especially amongst skiers and boarders. Do not miss the opportunity to experience one for your weary muscles!)

What’s the off-piste/ backcountry like?

Some Japanese resorts are very strict about leaving the resort boundaries whilst some are more relaxed about it. Tree wells and deep snow mean the danger is significantly higher than in Australia so if you’re going off-piste make sure you’re properly prepared. I’d recommend thoroughly researching the area you intend to go to in advance to see if it meets your needs.

Your best bet for side-country and off-piste in Japan is to hire a local guide who will look at the conditions and local resorts and then take you on runs that give you an epic experience. If you are solo or a small group you can usually find another group to tag onto or if you have a few people you can tailor a package just for your group. This way you are with an experienced guide who knows the area and what to do in an emergency.

Do you find Japan expensive for a snow trip?

A Japanese ski holiday can be either as cheap as you want or you can go all out and experience the best Honshu and Hokkaido have to offer. There are plenty of less well-known resorts under $30 a day for lift passes however resorts like Niseko United and Hakuba prices are closer to $100 per day.

To give a bit of a breakdown and comparison to Australia:

Food & lift passes are cheaper.
Transport is reasonable, whether you take the bus, bullet train or an internal flight.
Accommodation can be done on the cheap if you are happy to get amongst the culture and stay in a Ryokan with a traditional futon-style bed.
If you want to be in a modern hotel/apartment as close to the lift as possible during the January school holidays, when snowfall is abundant, then expect to pay a premium, although you’ll find it not dissimilar to Aus again

Obviously, you have to consider your flights as part of the budget too but if you get in early on a sale these can be great value.

What time of year should you go?

January is the peak snow season but also the most busy (and expensive). If you can go outside of school holidays, early February is a top choice. The resorts usually open in November and stay open until April time, region and resort-specific, so you have a pretty big window to choose from.

If you’re taking the groms, anytime in the summer school holidays will be good with plenty of the fluffy white stuff.

Let’s talk about equipment. Is there anything you’d take to Japan that you don’t normally use in Australia?

The first thing to note is how much colder it is in Japan than in Aus. My top takes are:

Glove liners! I now wear glove liners under my mitts which has been a real game-changer in -10 temperatures. It's the difference between a good day and an epic day!
Low-light lens for your goggles
Apres boots for the walk to the restaurant and late-night bars (they’re worth exploring..)
Good quality mid-layer and thermals that are warm but breathable for when you’re sweating up a storm because you want to ride until the last lifts! I’d recommend the Le Bent thermals

How experienced should you be to enjoy riding in Japan?

You don’t need any experience to go to Japan! The beauty of Japanese snow is that it is more often than not, dry powder snow which means falling over is more forgiving. Plenty of resorts offer lessons in English & Chinese because Japan is so easy to access from Asia and Oceania making it an ideal Northern Hemisphere destination due to the short flight time.

Check our Staff Pick Snowboards for a Japan snowboard holiday this 24/25 Season

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