Japan: General tips for when and where to go for snow

Happo?
I can't comment as I only visited Hakuba once & we stayed in a pension near the 7-11 & the big onsen which was central to most mountains & not far from a shuttle bus stop

 

I am in the early stages of planning a return trip to Japan (Honshu) in late Dec 2018-Jan 2019 (again, the tedious restriction of school holidays). Whereas we previously visited Nozawa and Hakuba in 2016 during one of the less memorable Japanese/Honshu snow seasons, on this occasion we are considering Nozawa once again and then most likely Myoko (with Shiga Kogen as a wild card alternative to the latter). Given the fact that it will still be relatively early in the season (and January 2016 with its lack of snow is still fresh in our minds), I am seeking advice on the best time to go to each resort. I was thinking Nozawa first (say 2 - 9 January) so as to avoid the Fire Festival and associated crowds on 15 January, then Myoko Kogen during the second week and a bit of January. However, if Nozawa is likely to receive less snow than Myoko earlier in January, we may need to consider reversing this. I will be going with a friend who has a distinct preference for traditional Japanese accommodation and culture, hence the hesitation about Shiga Kogen. All up, there will be 8 of us (3 adults, 3 children, and 2 teenagers).

 

Hotel de Laile in Wadano area will be just fine, 2ESki. Short walk to gentle slopes of Sakka area, then quad lift will take you up to the park area ( inter) and Skyline area with a range of terrain to suit most. From the top of Sakka 2 it's an easy ski down to Shirakaba area with access to restaurants, the Central lift and gondola to the top of Panorama. You'll have a great time. Wish I was going!

 

Fire festival is fun!

 

I don't think you can draw comparisons for snow depth for Myoko vs Nozawa at that time of year.
They both usually kick off at the same time (usually) That being somewhere around the 15th to 20th december. They get snow from pretty much the same type of system.

 

Nozawa, for reasons I can't fathom, kicks off a couple of weeks earlier (late Nov - early Dec) than Myoko (mid-Dec).

 

Plus Nozowa isn't in the shadow of a big mountain like Myoko.

 

Yeah but "where" in Nozawa?
They have that Yamabiko area right up the top. That they open earlier
Does Myoko have anywhere like that?

 

Thanks "Chriscross" we got back 3 weeks ago , and it was easy getting around

 

Nope. That said, we have had top to bottom earlier than Hakuba or Nozawa the last 2-3 seasons.

 

Hmm, thanks everyone. @Sandy, I should clarify - we loved Nozawa with its older traditional feel and many options for eating out - we also were fortunate in witnessing the Fire Festival when we were last there. I remember it was also very crowded at this time, hence the thought that we’d visit Nozawa first and leave room at the inn for others on 15 January while we are at our next destination. From the little I’ve read about Shiga Kogen there seem to be a number of villages scattered throughout the area; if we went there we’d be keen to stay somewhere relatively traditional (a ryokan or small hotel, rather than say the Prince which sounds ... large) while still having a few options for meals. As for it being quiet - our teenage girls will cope just fine as long as they have access to wi-fi and phones . My friend’s children will also need English language ski lessons, as they haven’t actually skied since we were last in Japan 2 years ago when they were beginners. I understand that these are available in Shiga Kogen as well as Myoko and Nozawa. Anyway, we’re probably leaning more towards Myoko than Shiga, although if it were just me going the choice may be a little different ... (I’d be skiing Shiga and Hakuba ).

 

We went to Myoko about 5 years back. Myoko Snowsports were amazing. They looked after us really well and they run english-language lessons (most of them were Australians and the others were fluent in English anyway). If it's still the same team as when we were there they come highly recommended.

 

Looking to be in Japan Dec 21 till 2nd Jan.

I am wondering where to go, I plan to go to Hakuba for a bit to use up some of that perisher epic pass savings but other than that its open to when and where ever.

ideas?

One thing my GF has asked for is a white Christmas as such so not Tokyo for the Christmas period if anyone knows of a great place for Christmas day we're open to ideas too!

 

Dont get seduced by the epic pass. Skiing is cheap in Japan, go where the snow is not where you'll get a discount on your lift ticket. At that time of year the further north you go the better chance you have of good snow.

 

what's the best way to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo? just fly?

 

Fly is the quickest and cheapest. If you have time you can take the Shinkansen (bullet train) but it takes a whole day.

 

My only experience of Japan is Niseko - twice. Toying with the idea of Hakuba or Nozawa or back to Niseko again. Apparently Ive left it too late and Ive heard that accom at Nozawa is just about impossible - we are mid range budget people. At Niseko we stayed mid Hirafu. Have no idea whether Nozawa or Hakuba accom can be close to lifts or whether you have to wait ages for a shuttle. Would like to be able to walk to some restaurants/bars. Do NOT want to hire a car. Interested in your thoughts...

 

Go to Naeba

 

Would it have snow around 24-28th December?

 

Visited Shiga Kogen followed by Nozawa in Jan this year. Yes Nozawa was a special looking town but skiing was so so and limited. Town is special but number of westerns like In Nesiko didn’t give me a feel I was in Japan. Very tourist driven. Shiga Kogen on the other hand did. Massive ski area and being around locals on lifts, runs made it special. Great skiing and advantage skiing from town to town.Jump on bus to monkeys and smaller towns nearby that you can explore and test your Japanese. Food was amazing in our hotel which served traditional sitting every dinner. Wins hands down over Nozawa and Nesiko for on piste skiing. No night life or many options to eat at night. Very quite and calm.

 

Last two weeks Jan next year.

 

Historical they get snow earlier there than other places. worst case would be the plaz snow would not be completely covered.

 

At Nozawa there is a range of accommodation. Because it is popular it may be a bit late to get what you want for the last 2 weeks of January but you never know till you look.
At Hakuba there are about 9? differetn resorts. They are spread down a valley. There are shuttles that run between them. Some of the resorts have accommodation that is walking distance to the slopes. Some don't. Some may be close to restuarants. Some isn't. So there is a huge spectrum of options. To pick the best for you prioritise the things that are most important. Price v walking distance to ski slopes v walking distance to restaurants v closeness to shuttles etc.

 

I should have been clearer...
Ive heard that if you are not near lifts or restaurants then you wont get anywhere without a car. Shuttles may go past full one after the other so cannot be relied on.
With Niseko you can get a bus from Annapuri to Hirafu but it takes way too long. Can you ski across the resorts in Hakuba?
I guess im after stuff that is within walking distance but dont know the areas in Nozawa or Hakuba to know what is near or not.

 

No you can't ski between the Hakuba resorts but the shuttle buses are very good (as far as buses go). Nozawa you wont need a bus as it's just the 1 mountain.

 

At Hakuba, if you stay near where the shuttles start from you should get on them. I have a car so not an issue for me and there are others who say you must have a car for Hakuba. But there are plenty of people who go to Hakuba without a car and have a great time. It is about managing your expectations.

Many of the resorts in Hakuba are not linked. They are actually on separate hills and quite some distance apart. It is not one mountain like Niseko.

Have a look on google maps. Have alook on some of the Hakuba resort websites. I am sure there must be a tourist association website as well.

 

Thanks - will do.

 

I've done Hakuba with a car and without. Definitely better with, but certainly doable without

 

1st time hiring a van after coming in a few times & taking normal transport to Nagano area
Will be driving from Narita to Yuzawa.
Any advice best route & for getting to Hakkaisan & Tenjindaira from Yuzawa
Thanks

 

I think there is really only the one way ..

 

They're in opposite directions but the Kan-etsu Expressway will be the quickest. Especially to Tenjindaira as it's a fair way from Yuzawa.

 

If you make it up there and you like sake Slowpony, there is a great brewery on the way to Hakkaisan. That area is renowned for the quality of it's rice and Hakkaisan brewery makes some excellent sakes. Bought a beauty there a couple of years ago. Need to get back there and pick up another one.
https://www.urbansake.com/sake-guide/sake-breweries/hakkaisan-sake-brewery/

 

Echigo Yuzawa station is an awesome place to taste/buy local sake

 

Had a couple or three tastings there over the last few trips, it's certainly a unique wall of Sake

 

I've bought the best sake I've ever tasted from there... it was milky white & they were bottling it straight from the barrel.
Of course, I tired a couple of times before I purchased... after the first try, I had to go back twice to make sure what I was tasting was the bees knees..

 

We will by trying Shiga Kogan for the first time in Feb. Looking forward to it, thanks for the report.

 

I'm planning a trip to Hakuba in the second half of February. I've been to Niseko a couple of times but this is my first time to ski Honshu resorts. I was tempted to just take the easy option & go back to Niseko but feel there is so many options I should get some variety. The snow has always been unbelievable on my other trips. I assume the end of Feb is pretty safe for reliable snow in Hakuba? I haven't sorted out exactly where we want to base ourselves yet but I'll go to the other thread as @Sandy suggested above.

 

Don’t assume nothin when it comes to weather! But yeah end of jan/start of feb is the most reliable. I would go end of feb though, you would be pretty unlucky to get no fresh snow over 2 weeks (however it can happen, as it can anywhere).

 

Perfect time to visit IMO! Quieter as the Australian school holidays are finished, and it's after Chinese New Year. You will also probably get some kinder weather too with a few more sunny days in amongst the powder days. Get excited!

 

@Sandy has done some excellent tutorials on this in the years gone by.
Sharing here rather than start a weather thread.
https://snowriders-australia.com/2017/11/05/recipe-for-japow-the-japanese-snow-machine/

 

So looking at a possible two week jaunt in early April (trying to mend a broken heart...…). Powder would be lovely but I know I am dreaming is Zao Onsen a reasonable bet for some decent groomers? I am an intermediate telemarker so don't need steeps or off piste to keep myself amused. Other suggestions welcome, prefer Honshu as I have already done two trips to Hokkaido and would like something a different.

 

Shiga Kogen.