Naomi Mano, founder of the Japan-travel specialist Luxurique, customizes itineraries in the region for travelers seeking immersion in the local culture a week in Akakura might include shredding with Olympic coaches, staying at intimate ryokan, Cat-skiing in virgin powder bowls, and visiting the snow monkeys of Jigokudani. Myoko Kogen is a lift pass–linked area comprising four key resorts (Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Ikenotaira Onsen, and Myoko Suginohara) while additional resorts, including Lotte Arai, Madarao, and Tangram, dot the surrounding mountains. Myoko’s resorts are among Japan’s oldest, retaining an authentic, low-key feel while benefitting from huge snowfall-one local lodge, Seki Onsen, claims some 600 inches per winter-making it popular for off-the-radar backcountry terrain and genuine Japanese hospitality. The region of Myoko takes its name from Mount Myoko, which straddles Nagano and Niigata. Traditional cuisine served at a ryokan in Hokkaido. From $9,600 per person based on two guests For an Immersive Experience: Myoko Mabey Ski has created a 14-night adventure around the region, skiing several local resorts, including Appi Kogen, home to one of the largest hot springs in Tohoku, before venturing farther north for Aomori Springs and then crossing the Tsugaru Strait to spend six nights in Niseko, on the island of Hokkaido, where guests can ski tour into the Mount Yotei crater. Making up the northeastern third of Honshu, the Japanese mainland, Tohoku encompasses multiple small independently owned ski areas, among them Aomori City, allegedly the “snowiest city in the world” Juhyogen Slope, named after the hulking frozen trees called juhyo, or snow monsters and Alts Bandai, where the powder is so fine you literally can’t form snowballs with it. “Tohoku is the next off-the-beaten-track ski destination, with very few foreigners and an abundance of fresh powder and traditional onsens,” says Nickie Mabey, founder of ski-adventure specialist Mabey Ski. From about $9,800 per person based on two guestsįor the Extreme Pow-Hound: Tohoku & Niseko For a comprehensive Japanese mountain experience, Powder Byrne provides an eight-night Nagano ski safari combining three nights each in traditional ryokan in Nozawa Onsen and Hakuba plus two nights in Tokyo, complete with ski guiding and lift passes, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, train travel, private transfers, and city sightseeing. Simon Meeke, managing director of U.K.-based luxe-ski specialist Powder Byrne, calls Nozawa Onsen “the perfect ski town, retaining a traditional Japanese atmosphere and adding dramatic scenery, quiet pistes, and easily accessible side country.” Meanwhile, Hakuba’s resorts-notably Hakuba 47, Happo-One, and Cortina-provide a skier’s dream pick-and-mix between them, offering Japan’s steepest ski terrain, diverse groomed and off-piste options, and stellar tree skiing, all easily accessible. To experience a generous sampling of what Japanese skiing has to offer, the neighboring mainland prefectures of Nagano and Niigata are home to over 130 ski resorts, including the historic spa town of Nozawa Onsen and the Hakuba Valley, which sit in the shadow of the towering northern Japanese Alps. Just be sure to avoid the holiday crowds over Chinese New Year and hire an expert regional guide (more on which, below) to help you search out the best snow, smooth over lost-in-translation moments, and steep yourself in the unforgettable surrounds.įor a Bit of Everything: Nozawa Onsen & Hakuba ValleyĪ macaque bathing in a natural hot spring. The country’s diverse resorts showcase quintessential local cuisine, culture, and hospitality, and there are options for every type of trip, from family vacations to ski safaris to hardcore powder pilgrimages. Here, ramen is the go-to skier’s lunch, hot tubs are replaced by the traditional outdoor hot springs known as onsen, and karaoke bars trump nightclubs. Here’s Why That Matters.Īman's New Bangkok Hotel and Residence Tower Will Open This Yearīut there’s more to shredding Japan than staggering volcanic landscapes and the world’s most beautiful snow. Munich Just Got Its First New Hotel in 16 Years. How Nepal’s New Luxury Lodgings Took It From Bargain Bolthole to Jet-Set Hideaway
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