Snow Season Japan

WHY SPEND A WINTER SEASON IN JAPAN?

Featuring as a must visit destination in travel editorials of major newspapers and being raved about by visiting pro skiers and snowboarders shooting the latest snow films, Japan is growing more popular as a top snow destination. The land of sake, sushi and sumo has been more recently associated with powder, park and pipe. Japan is a truly unique place to spend a winter season, not least because of the fascinating culture and unbelievable powder snow conditions.

CULTURAL CONTRASTS

Apart from the enduring symbol of Mount Fuji in the Japanese landscape, this island nation's stunning mountain ranges are relatively unknown to the outside world. Japan is a country of striking contrasts, famous for the neon lights of downtown Tokyo, the latest electronics and technology moving faster than a speeding bullet train. Outside the cities, however, Japan has kept its beautiful mountains and unbelievable powder stash well hidden. More than 600 ski resorts lie dotted around the country (that's more than North America) and it's no surprise really when you consider that 80% of the land mass is mountainous.

HUGE SNOWFALLS

Each winter season, Hakuba sees some of the highest snowfalls, not only in Japan, but also in the world. As a coastal mountain region, the Japanese Alps receive a staggering amount of precipitation over the winter months with weather systems moving in from Siberia across the Sea of Japan. With snowfalls of up to 15m a season, the roads are lined with huge walls of snow and the resorts piled high with light dry powder. The storm days, perfect for riding in the trees, balance out nicely with the sunny bluebird ones.

UNCROWDED SLOPES

Another magical thing about skiing and snowboarding in Japan is that you won't find the usual long lift queues, even on those frequent powder days. Long hours and strict working culture in Japan leave people little time for holidays, which means the resorts are relatively empty compared to Europe and North America. With so many resorts to choose from in the Hakuba valley and no crowds, you'll find fresh tracks for days on end after a big storm. Japan is quite literally an off the beaten track winter paradise for any seasonaire.

UNIQUE CUISINE

From Soba noodles and Sushi, to dishes you might be less familiar with like Basashi (raw horse meat) and Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancakes), you won't run out of new things to try. Fear not though, there are plenty of familiar Western ingredients to be found in the supermarket, as well as restaurants serving up everything from Mexican to Italian dishes. A common misconception about Japan is that it's an expensive place to live and travel. You'll find eating out surprisingly cheap, with main dishes costing as little as £5.

SAKE AND HOT SPRINGS

Japan's après-ski scene is also unique. After a day of floating through powder past the distinctly Japanese silver birch trees, you can enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the many traditional hot springs, known as onsens. Hakuba has plenty of great little atmospheric bars, filled with friendly local riders, fresh flowing beer and warm sake. There are regular parties and events all over the village and even downtown jib competitions. With our Japanese Language Course, you'll be communicating in no time and making new lifelong friends from Japan and all over the world.