All main ski resorts in Japan have retailers providing gear rental providers, offering totally different ranges of apparatus for hire. We now have reviewed the gear rental costs at a number of main ski resorts and listed them in your reference:
Japan’s Prime 10 Common Ski Resorts
1. Niseko United Ski Resort, Hokkaido

Often known as Japan’s powder snow paradise, Niseko boasts 4 interconnected ski areas with distinctive snowfall and snow high quality, appropriate for skiers of all ranges. The resort provides complete amenities, handy transportation, a vibrant night time snowboarding ambiance, and a wide range of scorching springs and connoisseur eating choices, making it a best choice for worldwide ski fans.
Web site:www.niseko.ne.jp
Route: New Chitose Airport ? JR Kutchan Station (approx. 2 hours quarter-hour), then take a bus or shuttle to the ski resort.
Opening date: November 29, 2025
2. Furano Ski Resort, Hokkaido

Positioned inland in Hokkaido, Furano boasts wonderful snow and a relaxed ambiance, making it excellent for households and learners. With 23 ski runs throughout two primary areas, coupled with resort motels and numerous actions, skiers can take pleasure in Furano’s native specialties and scorching springs. The winter surroundings, with its blooming flowers and snowscapes, is especially fascinating.
Web site:www.princehotels.com/zh-hant/ski/furano/
Route: Take the JR prepare from New Chitose Airport to Furano Station, then take a 20-minute bus trip or lodge pick-up/drop-off.
Opening date: November 29, 2025
3. (Hokkaido) Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort

Positioned about an hour’s drive from Sapporo metropolis heart, the ski resort boasts a protracted snow season, ample snow cowl, and clearly outlined ski slopes, making it excellent for learners or quick city ski runs. Nicely-equipped rental and instruction providers can be found. The resort additionally encompasses a restaurant with panoramic mountain views.
Web site:www.sapporo-kokusai.jp
Route: Take a bus from Sapporo metropolis on to the ski resort (roughly 60 minutes).
Opening date: November 21, 2025
4. (Hokkaido) Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

A landmark of high-end resorts in Hokkaido, boasting expansive ski slopes and powder snow, complemented by luxurious lodging, the Ice Metropolis ski resort, and a ski college, it is appropriate for households, teams, and newbie to superior skiers. Nighttime snow and ice experiences and devoted household amenities provide a wide range of leisure choices past snowboarding.
Web site:www.snowtomamu.jp
Route: Take the JR prepare or bus straight from New Chitose Airport to the resort, roughly 2 hours and half-hour.
Opening date: December 26, 2025
5. Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Tohoku, Yamagata Prefecture

A well-liked ski resort in Northeast China, famend for its gorgeous ice timber and stress-free scorching springs. With over 40 kilometers of ski runs, it is appropriate for learners and intermediate to superior skiers. After snowboarding, take pleasure in a soak within the scorching springs and expertise the spectacular winter wonderland, making it an ideal year-round trip vacation spot.
Web site:www.zao-ski.or.jp
Route: Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station, then take a bus for roughly 40 minutes to Zao Onsen Station.
Opening date: December 13, 2025
6. Appi Kogen Ski Resort, Tohoku, Iwate Prefecture

The most important ski resort in Iwate Prefecture, with over 20 runs and considerable powder snow, encompasses a family-friendly playground and upscale motels, making it appropriate for teams and superior skiers. The resort boasts a well-planned format, steady snow cowl, and complete amenities for eating, lodging, and leisure.
Web site:www.appi.co.jp
Route: Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka Station, then take the shuttle bus for roughly 60 minutes.
Opening date: December 6, 2025
7. (Niigata Prefecture, Kanto Area) GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort

Essentially the most conveniently positioned ski resort in Niigata Prefecture, straight accessible by the Tokyo Shinkansen, permitting you to ski proper from the station. With numerous ski slopes and complete rental, instructing, and scorching spring amenities, it is a in style selection for day journeys or weekend snowboarding, appropriate for learners to superior skiers.
Web site:www.gala.co.jp
Route: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to GALA-Yuzawa Station. The ski resort is correct outdoors the station (roughly 75 minutes).
Opening date: December 13, 2025
8. Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort, Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture

Hakuba Valley in Shinshu is a famend ski resort with numerous slopes and direct entry by way of lifts, attracting ski fans and superior skiers alike. It is also conveniently positioned close to a number of different ski resorts, permitting for in-depth exploration. With considerable actions in the course of the ski season and a wide range of lodging choices, it is appropriate for impartial vacationers and extended-stay skiers.
Web site:www.hakubaescal.com
Route: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano Station ? take a freeway bus to Hakuba Village, then switch to a shuttle bus on to the ski resort.
Opening date: December 1, 2025
9. (Niigata Prefecture) Maiko Snow Resort

A well-liked family-friendly ski resort in Niigata Prefecture, this ski resort boasts slopes appropriate for learners and kids, a family-friendly play space, and delightful surroundings. Conveniently positioned, well-equipped, and with a full vary of leases, it provides same-day spherical journeys to Tokyo, making it an excellent selection for learners and households.
Web site:www.maiko-resort.com
Route: JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station ? Free shuttle bus (roughly half-hour)
Opening date: December 20, 2025
10. (Kansai Area, Shiga Prefecture) Biwako Valley Ski Resort

Positioned on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, its most distinctive characteristic is the cable automotive providing panoramic views of the lake. The realm primarily options newbie to intermediate ski runs, and provides a wide range of snow actions in winter, making it excellent for brief ski runs from the Osaka and Kyoto areas, in addition to household journeys. Quite a lot of eating places and leisure choices are additionally obtainable.
Web site:www.biwako-valley.com
Route: JR Osaka Station ? JR Shiga Station, stroll to the cable automotive station and take the cable automotive up the mountain.
Opening date: December 28, 2025
Snow situations at Japanese ski resorts
Snowboarding is extremely depending on climate situations; dangerous climate or inadequate snow can considerably cut back your enjoyment. Usually, the official web site of a ski resort shows real-time climate data. As well as, the next two climate web sites may also be used to verify climate situations at ski resorts in Japan and all over the world; keep in mind to verify them earlier than you go.
Climate Information
This Japanese web site supplies data on ski resorts throughout Japan, together with climate forecasts for the following 10 days, ski slope availability, and snow depth. It additionally contains data on gear rental charges, close by scorching springs, and their opening hours, making it a really helpful web site.
Web site:weathernews.jp/s/ski
Snow Forecast
The English web site supplies data on ski resorts all over the world, together with climate forecasts and snow depth, in addition to detailed climate situations on the summit, mid-mountain, and foot of the mountain, catering to skiers of various ability ranges.
Web site:www.snow-forecast.com
Often Requested Questions
Easy methods to evaluate costs and make reservations for ski gear rental in Japan?
Most ski resorts in Japan have gear rental retailers, with charges charged by set or particular person merchandise. A full set for someday prices roughly 7,000 to fifteen,000 yen. It is strongly recommended to make reservations upfront by means of the official web site or associate ski resort web sites to keep away from shortages throughout peak season. When renting, take note of the situation of the gear, whether or not it’s new or used, the right measurement, and its cleanliness. It’s advisable to carry your individual equipment (equivalent to gloves, goggles, and knee pads).
What ought to I concentrate on when buying ski insurance coverage in Japan?
Snowboarding is a high-risk exercise, so when buying journey insurance coverage, it’s best to first affirm that “snowboarding” is included within the protection. It is strongly recommended to decide on a plan that features abroad medical therapy, private accident, and emergency rescue providers. Some insurance coverage insurance policies solely cowl snowboarding on common slopes, and should not cowl excessive freestyle snowboarding or ski competitions.

