Ski in Elsewhere in Japan

Hokkaido · Families

Furano Ski Resort

A ski area in the city of Furano in central Hokkaido: by train about 70 minutes from Asahikawa or about 3 hours from Sapporo with a change at Takikawa, then about 12 minutes by taxi from Furano Station; there is also a direct bus from Sapporo to Furano Station. An adult 1-day ticket in the regular season (5 December 2026 to 22 March 2027) costs ¥9,000, and in the first week and the spring season ¥7,500. The season is planned from 28 November 2026 to 5 May 2027. Children up to the end of elementary school ski free, and you need to pick up a free ticket for them at the counter on the day. There is night skiing: on weekdays 16:00 to 18:00, and on weekends, holidays and over the New Year until 19:30.

¥9,000 · ≈ $57MapsSourceTickets on Klook

✓ Price checked October 2026

Day trip from Tokyo · Shinkansen

GALA Yuzawa

A ski area connected directly to its own shinkansen station, and according to the resort the ride from Tokyo Station on the Joetsu line takes 71 minutes at the fastest; there is also a free shuttle bus of about 10 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa Station. An adult 1-day gondola and lift ticket for the 2026-27 season costs ¥8,000 at the counter and ¥7,500 online, and up to two preschool children per adult ski free. Skiing is open from 19 December 2026 to 5 May 2027, and in the week before only the gondola and the sightseeing lift run, with no skiing. This season the south area is closed, and with it its ungroomed runs and the link to Yuzawa Kogen, which is now reached by shuttle. The ungroomed Super Swan run in the north area stays open. The base building has equipment rental and an onsen, so you can arrive without gear and be back in Tokyo the same evening.

¥8,000 · ≈ $51MapsSourceTickets on Klook

✓ Price checked October 2026

Snow monsters · Onsen village

Zao Onsen Ski Resort

A ski area above the onsen village of Zao, near the city of Yamagata: from Tokyo the Yamagata shinkansen (about two and a half hours), then a bus of about 40 minutes from Yamagata Station. In winter some of the runs pass between juhyo, trees coated in ice and snow that are called 'snow monsters' in English. An adult 1-day ticket for the 2026-27 season costs ¥8,000 in the regular season and ¥9,000 in the peak season (26 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and 30 January to 28 February 2027), and ¥4,800 at the start and end of the season. Opening is planned for 12 December 2026, and the season can run until 5 May 2027. The 1-day ticket is also valid for night skiing in the Uwanodai area on the days it runs, until 21:00.

¥8,000 · ≈ $51MapsSourceTickets on Klook

✓ Price checked October 2026

Myoko · Onsen village

Akakura Kanko Resort, Myoko

A ski area above the onsen village of Akakura in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture: from Tokyo the Hokuriku shinkansen to Nagano and then the Shinano Railway to Myoko-Kogen Station, about two and a half hours in total, or a Nagaden express bus from Nagano. From 19 December 2026 to 22 March 2027 a free shuttle bus runs from the onsen village to the resort, between 8:00 and 16:40. The season is planned from 19 December 2026 to 5 May 2027. An adult 1-day ticket costs ¥7,000 according to the price list shown on the resort's site in October 2026, which does not say which season it is for, and in spring, from 23 March, ¥4,000; a joint 1-day ticket that also covers the neighbouring Akakura Onsen ski area costs ¥10,000. Preschool children ski free.

¥7,000 · ≈ $44MapsSource

Ski day · Day trip from Tokyo

GALA Yuzawa: a ski day from Tokyo, with no luggage and no gear

The ski resort with its own shinkansen station: per the resort, 71 minutes from Tokyo Station on the fastest train.