*Ratings are based on Snoway user reviews (updated Dec 6, 2025).
Japan’s ski resorts are famous for deep powder, long seasons, and unique mountain culture — but not all resorts are created equal. This ranking is based on reviews from Japanese skiers and snowboarders on Snoway, one of Japan’s largest ski-resort review platforms.
Here are the Top 10 Ski Resorts in Japan for 2025 with concise insights and practical tips for international visitors.
No.1 Rusutsu Resort (Hokkaido)
- Rating: 4.06 (6,014 reviews)
- Courses: 37
- Lifts: 18
- 2025–26 Season: Nov 29, 2025 – Mar 26, 2026
Hokkaido’s No.1 mega-resort — huge terrain, top-tier snow, world-class hotels.
Rusutsu offers 37 runs, 42 km of total distance and high-speed lift infrastructure including four gondolas. It’s consistently praised by Japanese riders for its unmatched scale, reliable powder, and relatively low congestion. Many reviews mention comments like “Best snow quality” and “Too big to finish in one day.”
The resort base feels like a self-contained town, with onsen facilities, an indoor wave pool, and multiple hotel types — from the main Rusutsu Resort Hotel to the luxury Westin Rusutsu Resort and condo-style The Vale Rusutsu.
- Location: Hokkaido
- Best for: Powder lovers, families, all-round resort stay
- Access: Free shuttle bus from Sapporo; paid ski buses from New Chitose Airport
Official website (EN): https://rusutsu.com/en/
No.2 Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort (Nagano)
出典：きょろさん
- Rating: 4.00 (6,652 reviews)
- Courses: 36
- Lifts: 20
- 2025–26 Season: Nov 29, 2025 – May 6, 2026
The perfect mix of long runs, authentic hot-spring village, and deep local culture.
Nozawa features 36 courses and a maximum run of around 10 km. Japanese reviews love its terrain diversity and long-distance riding: comments often highlight the combination of long slopes, gondola connections, and great powder. Many riders come here to ski hard all day and then relax in the hot springs.
The resort is directly connected to a traditional onsen village with family-run inns and pensions. Larger Western-style hotels are limited, which adds to the charm of experiencing rural Japan.
- Location: Nagano
- Best for: Intermediate & advanced riders, onsen lovers, longer stays
- Access: Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station, then Nozawa Onsen Liner bus
Official website (EN): https://en.nozawaski.com/
Hotels in Nozawa Onsen (PR):
Search Nozawa Onsen hotels
No.3 Tambara Ski Park (Gunma)
出典：mさん
- Rating: 3.99 (2,826 reviews)
- Courses: 8
- Lifts: 6
- 2025–26 Season: Nov 29, 2025 – May 6, 2026
A surprisingly snowy, family-friendly resort close to Tokyo.
Tambara is known for excellent snow quality and a long season despite its location in Gunma. Riders praise uncrowded slopes and a good balance of beginner and intermediate terrain. On good days, the powder can be impressive for a resort so close to Tokyo.
Most foreign visitors treat it as a day-trip resort, as nearby lodges cater mainly to Japanese guests.
- Location: Gunma
- Best for: Families, beginners to intermediates, day trips from Tokyo
- Access: Free shuttle buses from Numata or Jōmō-Kōgen stations; around 2.5 hours from Tokyo by car or train + bus
Official website (EN): https://www.tambara.co.jp/winter/
No.4 Kagura Ski Resort (Niigata)
出典：shotamaekawaさん- Rating: 3.92 (7,801 reviews)
- Courses: 23
- Lifts: 20
- 2025–26 Season: Nov 22, 2025 – May 17, 2026
- Kids: Children 12 and under ski free
Japan’s king of long seasons and high-quality powder.
Kagura sits on the Niigata–Gunma border and is adored by Japanese advanced riders for its deep snow and wide upper-mountain terrain. Reviews frequently mention that the upper areas offer excellent powder while the lower slopes tend to be less crowded. Spring skiing here can last well into May.
Most visitors stay in nearby Naeba, as Kagura has limited lodging at its base. The Naeba Prince Hotel is the main accommodation hub, and you can ski both Kagura and Naeba as part of the broader Mt. Naeba area using the Dragondola gondola connection.
- Location: Niigata
- Best for: Powder hunters, long-season riders, spring skiing fans
- Access: Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa (about 90 minutes from Tokyo), then hotel shuttle or local bus
Kagura official website (EN):
https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/kagura/
Naeba official website (EN):
https://www.princehotels.com/naeba/
No.5 Zao Onsen Ski Resort (Yamagata)
- Rating: 3.92 (4,789 reviews)
- Courses: 26
- Lifts: 41
- 2025–26 Season: Dec 6, 2025 – May 6, 2026
Home of Japan’s famous “snow monsters” — worth visiting even without skiing.
Zao Onsen is a large resort with 41 lifts and a huge variety of terrain. Japanese riders praise the famous “ice monsters” (snow-covered trees), long cruising courses, and the combination of skiing with a traditional hot-spring town.
The resort is ideal both for dedicated riders and for mixed groups where some people may want to focus on sightseeing and onsen. The onsen town at the base has a good selection of hotels and ryokan.
- Location: Yamagata
- Best for: Scenic trips, onsen & ski combinations, all levels of riders
- Access: Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station (about 2 hours 22 minutes from Tokyo), then bus (around 40 minutes)
Hotels around Zao Onsen (PR):
Search Zao Onsen hotels
Official website (auto-translated EN):
https://zaomountainresort-com.translate.goog/ski/
No.6 Shiga Kogen – Yakebitaiyama (Nagano)
- Rating: 3.91 (4,498 reviews)
- Courses: 17
- Lifts: 6
- 2025–26 Season: Dec 6, 2025 – May 6, 2026
- Kids: Children 12 and under ski free
Olympic-quality snow at 2,009 m — part of Japan’s largest ski area.
Yakebitaiyama (often called “Yakebi”) is one of the flagship areas in the Shiga Kogen ski region. It was a venue for the Nagano Winter Olympics and offers excellent snow quality, varied courses, and tree-run zones. Japanese riders frequently mention the new powder courses and the convenience of ski-in/ski-out hotels.
With a common lift pass, you can access 18 interconnected ski areas across Shiga Kogen, forming Japan’s largest continuous ski domain. The famous Snow Monkey Park is also located nearby, making it a popular side trip.
- Location: Nagano
- Best for: All levels, especially intermediate and advanced riders who want to explore a huge area
- Access: Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station (about 83 minutes from Tokyo), then Nagaden bus to Shiga Kogen (about 90 minutes)
Official website (EN):
https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/shiga_kogen/
Shiga Kogen Official website (EN):
https://shigakogen-ski.or.jp/english/index.html
No.7 Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort (Nagano)
- Rating: 3.89 (7,390 reviews)
- Courses: 13
- Lifts: 21
- 2025–26 Season: Dec 5, 2025 – May 6, 2026
Japan’s most international mountain — huge vertical, Olympic history, and massive terrain.
Hakuba Happo-One is the flagship resort of the Hakuba Valley’s 11 ski areas. Known for its 1,000 m+ vertical drop, wide open slopes, and spectacular Northern Alps views, it remains one of Japan’s most iconic resorts. It was also a venue for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
Japanese reviews emphasize its excellent grooming, long runs, and great snow conditions in the upper area. On fine days, the alpine scenery is simply stunning. The base area has become highly international, with many foreign-run restaurants and bars, which also means it can be busy in peak season.
- Location: Nagano
- Best for: Strong intermediates and advanced riders, long runs, international resort atmosphere
- Access: Shinkansen to Nagano Station then bus to Hakuba, or JR Azusa from Shinjuku to Hakuba Station, then local bus or taxi
Official website (EN): https://www.happo-one.jp/en/
Hakuba Valley Official: https://www.hakubavalley.com/en/
No.8 White World Oze Iwakura (Gunma)
- Rating: 3.89 (4,051 reviews)
- Courses: 16
- Lifts: 11
- 2025–26 Season: Dec 13, 2025 – Apr 5, 2026
The biggest, most advanced-snow terrain in the Kanto region.
White World Oze Iwakura is located deep in Gunma and is especially popular among Japanese intermediate and advanced skiers. The resort is known for varied, challenging terrain and good snow quality, with many riders praising its course variety and grooming.
It is less famous among international visitors, which can mean fewer crowds even on good days. There is an on-site hotel (Oze Iwakura Resort Hotel), making it easy to stay overnight.
- Location: Gunma
- Best for: Intermediate and advanced skiers, Kanto-based riders, those seeking less crowded slopes
- Access: Joetsu Shinkansen to Jōmō-Kōgen Station, then bus (around 70 minutes). Direct seasonal buses also operate from Shinjuku.
Official website (EN):
https://www.oze-iwakura.co.jp/ski/language/en/
No.9 Furano Ski Resort (Hokkaido)
- Rating: 3.85 (2,882 reviews)
- Courses: 23
- Lifts: 11
- 2025–26 Season: Nov 29, 2025 – May 6, 2026
- Kids: Children 12 and under ski free
Beloved by Japanese locals — superb balance of powder, grooming, and scenery.
Furano is divided into the Furano Zone and Kitanomine Zone, which connect at the top. It’s highly rated by Japanese riders for its consistent snow quality, excellent grooming, and beautiful mountain views. The facilities are well maintained, and staff are known for being friendly and helpful.
Internationally, Furano is less hyped than Niseko or Rusutsu, but among Japanese skiers it’s one of the most respected resorts in Hokkaido.
- Location: Hokkaido
- Best for: All-round riders, families, those wanting a quieter alternative to Niseko
- Access: Ski buses from New Chitose Airport (about 135 minutes)
Official website (EN):
https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/furano/
No.10 Kiroro Snow World (Hokkaido)
- Rating: 3.84 (3,600 reviews)
- Courses: 21
- Lifts: 10
- 2025–26 Season: Dec 6, 2025 – May 6, 2026
Powder paradise without Niseko-level crowds.
Kiroro is renowned for its deep, consistent powder and high-quality facilities. The layout favors off-piste and powder lovers, and many Japanese riders appreciate the combination of abundant snow and relatively low competition for fresh tracks compared with Niseko.
The base area includes Club Med Kiroro, making it a great option for visitors who prefer an all-inclusive resort experience. Kiroro is also within easy reach of Otaru, allowing for a day of sightseeing.
- Location: Hokkaido
- Best for: Powder hunters, all-inclusive stays, riders who want quality snow without huge crowds
- Access: JR to Otaru Station then free hotel shuttle; seasonal buses also operate from Sapporo with lift-ticket packages.
Official website (EN):
https://www.kiroro.co.jp/snowworld/
What Makes These Resorts “The Best” by Japanese Standards?
Unlike marketing-driven international rankings, this list reflects what Japanese riders actually value when they choose where to ski:
- Reliable powder and long seasons
- Efficient lift systems and good snow management
- Balanced terrain for real skiing and snowboarding, from beginners to experts
- Resort environment and crowd levels that allow you to actually enjoy the snow
- Authentic local experiences like hot springs, mountain villages, and Japanese food
If you’re planning a ski trip to Japan and want the “real” local favorites rather than just the loudest names in overseas media, these 10 resorts are a great place to start.