Visit Japan #6: Skiing in Japan (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Japan National Tourist Organization London Office)

Winter Sports in Japan
Japan has long been popular for its futuristic high-tech cities and ancient cities with exquisite gardens and temples, but its fantastic winter resorts have been a well kept secret. For at least four months every year Japan has some of the best and most reliable snowfalls in the world. There are huge amounts of fresh powder snow every day and there’s no need for a helicopter to get to it – all you need is a lift ticket.
Over 70% of Japan's land area is composed of mountains and the winters are governed by the Siberian air mass, the coldest air mass in the world. As a result at least four months every year the mountains in the central highlands and northern regions of Japan are blanketed with snow, making Japan's ski grounds among the best and most reliable in the world.

Japan was the first Asian country to host Winter Olympics in 1972 and then again in 1998. Yet despite the country's brilliant winter sports conditions and facilities few international skiers and snowboarders have ventured to Japan to experience its amazing powder snow, exciting cities such as Tokyo and Osaka and Japan’s beautiful ancient capitals Nara and Kyoto.

However, this is now all set to change. Most tour operators now offer great value packages for skiing and snowboarding in Japan so why don’t you try Japan for your next winter holiday?

Is Skiing in Japan Affordable?
Japan is a great value destination. Skiing and snowboarding are particularly popular with young people in Japan so resorts have been careful to keep their costs low. A full-day lift ticket at a major resort in Japan will cost around 4,500 yen (approx. £21/€27). All large resorts offer various accommodation options. Rates per person per night range from 6,500 yen (approx. £30/€39) including two meals at a minshuku (reasonable Japanese inns) or skiers lodges to 20,000 yen (approx. £93/€119) and up at first class hotels without meals.

In addition to fantastic skiing, ski holidays to Japan also offer visitors a completely different cultural experience that they do not get from skiing in the US or Europe. For example, Japanese cuisine and onsen (natural hot springs that skiers in Japan relax in after skiing) and also temples to visit when skiers want a break from the slopes. An annual winter highlight in Hokkaido is the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February.

The festival's huge and elaborate snow sculptures attract millions of viewers every year. Japan’s snow monkey’s are also not to be missed! You can also easily include a city break in Tokyo or Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, which will this year be running a special winter campaign with exciting events and accommodation offers.
For detailed information about Japan’s many ski resorts visit http://www.snowjapan.com/