SNOW SPORT TOURISM｜JAPAN SPORT TOURISM

Blessed with fluffy, light, and high-quality snow, Japan’s ski resorts are among the world’s best snow resorts. Many people come from overseas for the finest powder snow.

You can enjoy various snow activities such as skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and snow rafting.

Ski resorts in Japan are full of facilities and services such as kid’s parks, so families with small children can feel at ease. You can enjoy winter sports as much as you want.

Nagano Prefecture

Skiing, snowboarding

Ski Association of Nagano

Nagano is the best mountain resort in Japan, with 15 high mountains (3,000 meters above sea level), and 29 beautiful mountains that are counted among the One Hundred Famous Japanese Mountains. The nature of the mountains creates class A rivers such as the Tenryu River and Chikuma River that lead to the Pacific Ocean side and the Sea of Japan side and fertile soil, and you can enjoy various types of hot springs from acidic to alkaline. The dishes of fresh alpine crops and livestock products are also one of the many pleasures.
Various ski resorts representing Japan are located all over the prefecture, and snow activities are also popular. It is a spot that attracts a lot of attention from overseas.

Coming Soon

Official Site*Japanese only

Hokkaido

Snow strider, slacklining in the snow

Urban Snow Sports Study Group

In Sapporo City in Hokkaido with a population of approximately two million and boasting more than six meters of snow, facilities, and ski resorts where visitors can experience snow, as well as legacy facilities from the 1972 Sapporo Olympics, are located within one hour of the city, and the good access is attractive. Not only traditional sports such as skiing and snowboarding, but you can also enjoy urban snow sports, where sports that have the potential to become new winter sports leading to tourism are selected and a fusion of city and sports in winter is defined. In addition to snow strider and slacklining in the snow, you can also experience events such as komezori (sledding with a rice bag), yukiita snowboarding, and mini skiing.

Official Site*Japanese only

Hokkaido

Cross country skiing

Sapporo Global Sports Commission

Cross country skiing (walking skiing) is a popular winter sport especially in Europe and Canada. You ride on two skis that are thinner than those used when sliding down an ordinary ski slope and glide on snow-covered plains on foot.
Taking advantage of the annual snowfall of six meters, parks all over Sapporo City have developed walking ski trails. The Nakajima Park course, located in the center of Sapporo City, offers nighttime events where you can experience walking skiing under fantastic illuminations.

Official Site*Japanese only

Hokkaido

Sports Yukikaki

Japan Sports Yukikaki Association

Sports Yukikaki is a new ingenious competition in a snow country designed to help elderly people who can no longer shovel snow by themselves. It sets rules for snow shoveling, which is tough and hard work, so that everyone can enjoy it. Led by local junior high and high school students, the project aims to enhance interaction with the elderly living in the community and revitalize the local community by removing snow from residential roads used by the elderly.
At the World Sports Yukikaki Championship, warm homemade food is served every year, and even hungry stomachs can be satisfied.

Official Site*Japanese only

Niigata Prefecture

Snowball fight

Koide Snow Festival Executive Committee

Uonuma International Snowball Fight is a winter event held every February in Uonuma City, Niigata. Since 1989, the event has been held more than 30 times under the leadership of the Koide Snow Festival Executive Committee, aiming to utilize snow as a local resource under the banner of “the birthplace of the snowball fight”.
The snowball fight is intended to be played with a sense of fun, and the players enjoy the snowball fight using a koshiki, a playground tool unique to heavy snowfall areas. In addition, team members wear matching costumes and perform to enliven the crowds.