Even though Japan has a lot of ski and snowboarding resorts across the country it received the recognition it deserves regarding the features and quality of the slopes only recently. Therefore, if you love winter sports, you could consider giving one of the resorts in Japan a try. In case you are planning a trip to Japan, it is important to note that summer is not a very good time to visit unless you enjoy hot and highly humid atmosphere. However, if summer is the only time you can take a couple of weeks off, then the best area to visit during this period is the Hokkaido, a region in the Northern part of the country that is cooler than the rest of Japan.
In case you are planning a recreational trip to a ski resort in Japan, then you should avoid going during the main national holidays. The Golden week that lasts from late April to early May and Obon week that is usually in mid August, are generally considered the biggest holiday periods and the peak travelling season. Overall, Japan has special offers in different areas of the country that address various preferences and attract certain kinds of tourists.
The best time to plan a fun ski trip to a ski resort in Japan is during the winter, as the country is covered in snow for almost four months. The Northern regions of the country, such as Hokkaido, is a mountainous area and you will be glad to know that you can enjoy the snow there for almost half of the year. During the winter, the hot spring resorts are a very popular choice of foreign tourists, as nothing beats ending an entire day spent skiing or snowboarding than warming up this way.
While fall is the best time to explore the mountains and countryside of Japan, be aware of the typhoon season that usually lasts from late August to early September. While it is true that they already ran their course before they hit the mainland, there is always a chance of a big storm ruining your vacation plans. The best way to avoid this unpleasant situation is to keep a close eye on the weather before you head to Japan.
The past ten years have brought a lot of modifications to the way the Japanese ski resorts have been seen by foreign tourists. While back then it was quite unusual to see someone who is not Japanese skiing on the slopes in the Hokkaido region, nowadays you cannot take one step without bumping into foreign tourists in this mountain region. Even though a vast majority of the promotions and offers are intended for the Australian public, the ski resorts from the Hokkaido region have all the features that appeal to European and U.S. citizens as well. Regardless of the fact that the Western tourists have quite a handful of truly amazing ski resorts to choose from, skiing on the Japanese slopes is a totally different experience that is definitely worth a shot.
For your information, there are plenty of ski resorts in Japan other than the Hokkaido region. One of the more reputed ones is the Niseko ski resort in Sapporo and anyone planning a trip to a ski resort in Japan should never miss out on this one!
Author: Seymour Trent