More and more foreign tourists are now visiting Japan to enjoy winter sports and activities. The reason being that there are many winter resorts in Japan with quality powder snow, abundant snowfall, and wonderful mountain views. As many areas are also close to hot spring resorts, it is attractive for those who would like to relax in the hot spring after skiing. As it is difficult to get around via public transport while carrying ski gear or a snowboard, it will be much easier and stress-free to arrange a charter car pick up from the airport.
1. Hakuba (Nagano Prefecture)
Hakuba is popular with many skiers and snowboarders due to its heavy snowfall and good quality snow. Another attraction is that you can ski in the wilderness overlooking the Northern Alps! There are about 10 ski resorts in Hakuba.
Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture is a mountainous area in central Japan, and you will generally use bus and Shinkansen if you’re getting there via public transport. However, getting around with luggage is difficult, so it is more convenient to use a charter vehicle from the nearest airport.
■ Access:
■ Access to Hakuba from Haneda Airport (Transport Options and Fare Estimates)
● Highway Bus: Access Shinshu http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/hakuba_haneda/
・ About 6 hours (one way) via Chuo (Central) Expressway
・ Bus Stops: Haneda Airport International Terminal – Bus Stop No. 6, Haneda Airport Terminal 1 – Bus Stop No. 13, Haneda Airport Terminal 2 – Bus Stop No.13
・ Fare Estimate (one way): 9,000 yen per adult, 7,000 yen per child
● Charter Vehicle
・ About 4 hours 50 minutes (one way) via Joetsu Expressway
・ Fare Estimate (one way): From 155,000 yen per vehicle (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) – Please inquire: info@japan-land-service.com
● Train
・ One way about 4 hours 20 minutes
・ Haneda Airport International Terminal Building Station → Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho Station → JR Yamanote Line → Tokyo Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen→ Nagano Station → Nagano Station East Exit (Bus to Hakuba Happo) → Hakuba Station (walk) → Hakuba Village
・ Total Fare Estimate (one way) 10,290 yen
■ Access to Hakuba from Narita Airport (Transport Options and Fare Estimates)
● Highway Bus: Access Shinshu: http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/hakuba_narita/
・ About 6 hours (one way) via Chuo (Central) Expressway
・ Bus Stops: Narita Airport Terminal 1 – Bus Stop No.5 (1F), Narita Airport Terminal 2 – Bus Stop No.12 (1F), Narita Airport Terminal 3 – Bus Stop No.12 (1F)
・ Fare Estimate (one way): 9,500 yen per adult, 7,500 yen per child
● Charter Vehicle
・ About 4 hours 50 minutes (one way) via Joetsu Expressway
・ Fare Estimate (one way): From 158,000 yen per vehicle (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) – Please inquire: info@japan-land-service.com
● Train
・ One way about 4 hours 40 minutes
・ Narita Airport International Terminal Building Station → Narita Airport Terminal 2 Building → Narita Express → Tokyo Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen→ Nagano Station → Nagano Station East Exit (Bus to Hakuba Happo) → Hakuba Station (walk) → Hakuba Village
・ Total Fare Estimate (one way) 10,290 yen
2. Nozawa (Nagano Prefecture)
At Nozawa you can be guaranteed 100% natural snow and plenty of snowfall, and you will be able to enjoy skiing and snowboarding to the fullest. There is the historical Nozawa Onsen hot springs on site, so after enjoying yourself on the slopes, let’s head out to some of the 13 communal hot spring baths and warm up your body from tip to toe. To get to Nozawa, catching buses and Shinkansen are common if you’re using public transport, but it is easier and much more comfortable to hire a charter vehicle from the nearest airport.
■ Access:
■ Access to Nozawa from Haneda Airport (Transport Options and Fare Estimates)
● Highway Bus: Access Shinshu http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/hakuba_haneda/
・ About 6 hours (one way) via Chuo Expressway
・ Bus Stops: Haneda Airport International Terminal – Bus Stop No. 6, Haneda Airport Terminal 1 – Bus Stop No. 13, Haneda Airport Terminal 2 – Bus Stop No.13
・ Fare Estimate (one way): 9,000 yen per adult, 7,000 yen per child
● Charter Vehicle
・ About 3 hours 50 minutes (one way) via Chuo Expressway
・ Fare Estimate (one way): From 155,000 yen per vehicle (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) – Please inquire: info@japan-land-service.com
● Train
・ One-way about 3 hours 30 minutes
・ Haneda International Airport Building Station → Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho Station → JR Yamanote Line → Tokyo or Ueno Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen → Nagano Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen → Iiyama Station → Nozawa Onsen Liner (Direct Bus) → Nozawa Onsen
・ Total Fare Estimate (one way) 10,500 yen
■ Access to Nozawa from Narita Airport (Transport Options and Fare Estimates)
● Highway Bus: Access Shinshu http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/hakuba_narita/
・ About 6 hours (one way) via Chuo Expressway
・ Bus Stops: Narita Airport Terminal 1 – Bus Stop No.5 (1F), Narita Airport Terminal 2 – Bus Stop No.12 (1F), Narita Airport Terminal 3 – Bus Stop No.12 (1F)
・ Fare Estimate (one way): 14,000 yen per adult, 9,400 yen per child
● Charter Vehicle
・ About 4 hours 50 minutes (one way) via Joetsu Expressway
・ Fare Estimate (one way): From 158,000 yen per vehicle (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) – Please inquire: info@japan-land-service.com
● Train
・ One way about 4 hours 40 minutes
・ Narita Airport International Terminal Building Station → Narita Airport Terminal 2 Building → Narita Express → Tokyo or Ueno Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen → Nagano Station → Hokuriku Shinkansen → Iiyama Station → Nozawa Onsen Liner (Direct Bus) → Nozawa Onsen
・ Total Fare Estimate (one way) 12,000 yen
3. Yuzawa (Niigata)
Yuzawa is one of the areas with heaviest snowfall in Japan and has 12 ski resorts in the area. The large-scale snow resorts in the area include Maiko Snow Resort and Joetsu International Ski Resort, and it is a popular hot spot to enjoy winter sports. There are also hot springs around Echigo Yuzawa Station, so why not rejuvenate in the hot spring after enjoying snowboarding or skiing! Yuzawa is about 90 minutes away from Tokyo Station via the Joetsu Shinkansen, and if you’re getting there by car, access to the ski resort is convenient because as it is close to the highway interchange. As you have a lot of luggage when you’re going skiing, so it will be much easier to head directly to the resort from the airport with a charter car.
■ Access:
■ Access to Yuzawa from Haneda Airport (Transport Options and Fare Estimates)
● Highway Bus: No direct bus from Haneda Airport
Highway bus model route: About 7 hours
・ Haneda International Airport Building Station → Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho Station → JR Yamanote Line → Tokyo Station → Omiya Station → Yuzawa Yokote Station
・ Fare Estimate (one way): 3,000-6,000 yen per adult
● Charter car
・ About 3 hours 30 minutes (one way) via Kanto Expressway
・ Fare Estimate (one way): From 165,000 yen per vehicle (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) – Please inquire: info@japan-land-service.com
● Train
・ One-way about 3 hours
・ Haneda Airport International Terminal Building Station → Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho Station → JR Yamanote Line → Tokyo Station → Joetsu Shinkansen → Echigo Yuzawa Station
■ Access to Yuzawa from Narita Airport (Transport Options and Fare Estimates)
● Highway Bus
・ About 6 hours (one way) via Kanto Expressway
・ Bus Stops: Narita Airport → Busta Shinjuku → Yuzawa IC
・ Fare Estimate (one way): 3,000-6,000 yen per adult
● Charter Car
・ About 3 hours 20 minutes (one way) via Kanto Expressway
・ Fare Estimate (one way): From 168,000 yen per vehicle (Toyota Hiace Grand Cabin) – Please inquire: info@japan-land-service.com
● Train
・ One-way about 3 hours 15 minutes
・ Narita Airport International Terminal Building Station → Keisei Skyliner → Ueno Station → Joetsu Shinkansen→ Echigo Yuzawa Station
4. Hokkaido
Hokkaido, the land of the north, is a mecca for winter sports. With plenty of good quality snow, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding as much as you want. What makes Hokkaido special is that all ski resorts have large areas and amazing views, and you can enjoy winter sports in the wilderness. Here, we will introduce you to ski resorts with good access from the airport.
【From New Chitose Airport】
● Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu
It is one of Japan’s largest ski resorts with the highest quality powder snow and is fast gaining in popularity among many winter sport enthusiasts. Many visitors come from overseas, and the resort has 30 courses varying in difficulty, from beginners to advanced. There are a variety of convenient accommodation options that you can choose from, with hotels and condominiums at the base of the ski resort. There is also a hot spring at the resort, so after enjoying yourself playing winter sports you can relax and rejuvenate.
■ Access:
■ 110 km from New Chitose Airport, approximately 2 hours 20 minutes by car
■ About 2 hours by train and bus from New Chitose Airport
● Rusutsu Resort
Only about 90 minutes away by car from New Chitose Airport, Rusutsu Resort is a ski resort with good access from the airport. This resort consists of 3 mountains, with good quality snow and magnificent views. There are 37 courses in all, with the total run distance of 42 km. From beginners to advanced, all winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves here at Rusutsu. You can experience plenty of snow activities such as Hokkaido’s unique dog sleds and snowmobiles, so it is suitable for both families and groups.
■ Access:
■ 86 km from New Chitose Airport, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car
■ About 2 hours by train and bus from New Chitose Airport
● Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
Teine Ski Resort is somewhere you can go when you want to combine skiing with sightseeing in Sapporo. It is a historic ski resort where the Sapporo Winter Olympics were held in 1972. With high quality powder snow in the mountain at an altitude of over 1,000m above sea level, Teine Resort has a total of 15 courses with magnificent views. It is uniquely Hokkaido that you can ski on a long course while enjoying the wonderful views of Sapporo city and Ishikari Bay from the top of the mountain.
■ Access:
■ 70km from New Chitose Airport, about 40 minutes by car
■ One hour by train or bus from New Chitose Airport
【From Asahikawa Airport】
● Furano Ski Resort
This large ski resort has hosted numerous international competitions, such as the FIS World Cup and Snowboard World Cup, and there are courses that exceed 4 km. It will be a memorable experience for you when you enjoy various winter sports while looking at magnificent nature such as the Daisetsuzan Mountain Ranges. There are 24 courses in all, and visitors of all skill level can enjoy themselves from beginners to advanced. It is also attractive that the weather is relatively stable, and it doesn’t get too congested.
■ Access:
■ 45 km from Asahikawa Airport, about 60 minutes by car
■ Approximately one hour 30 minutes by train, bus from Asahikawa Airport
● Asahikawa Santa Present Park
Santa Present Park has good access by car from Asahikawa Airport, and it is a resort where you can casually enjoy winter sports. This ski resort has hosted the FIS Snowboard World Cup competition in Asahikawa. There are 6 courses in all, and there’s an option to suit beginners to advanced skiers. As there is an area only for kids, it is safe to visit with your family. In addition, the resort is open at night until 9:00pm, so you can enjoy skiing and riding while watching the nightscape of the Asahikawa city area.
■ Access:
■ 25 km from Asahikawa Airport, about 30 minutes by car