It’s only 30 days until lifts start spinning in Japan – 30! If you’re not sorted yet, it’s time to get all your bookings finalised and bags packed so that you’re all sorted when you finally arrive in town this Japan ski season.
And if a 30 day countdown isn’t enough to get you fired up, we thought it would be a great time to remind you of five things that you’ll only find at Japanese ski resorts – because a JaPow experience truly is one of a kind.
Cheap Eats and Konbini Treats
If you search Japan in your Instagram or Tiktok reels, you’ll most likely be inundated with photos and videos of konbini treats (rightfully so, they’re awesome). But outside of social media clout, there’s a reason people love konbini snacks so much while enjoying the Japanese ski season – konbini’s offer up incredibly high quality food options for a fraction of the price you’d be paying at restaurants or food trucks.
And whatever you get, it’s almost guaranteed to be good–especially when you start unlocking super secret konbini hacks.
Top Secret Konbini Hacks To Enjoy this Japan Ski Season:
Look, you’d normally need a high level security clearance to receive this kind of info, but we felt like sharing some of our local knowledge, so here’s our favourite super secret konbini hacks:
– Putting a piece of the world famous konbini fried chicken into the even more renowned egg sando (even better with a dash of Japan’s super spicy mustard karashi).
– Squishing a Black Thunder ice-cream into the packaged pre-buttered pancakes to make an insanely good ice-cream sandwich.
– Putting literally anything inside the pizza wraps – ANYTHING.
– Adding an onsen egg from the fridge section into your instant ramen.
– And finally, making your dinner stacked. If you’re looking at the pre-made dinner options but are unsure there’s enough protein to fill you, you’ll find the exact same cuts of meat marinated, packaged and ready to go in the fridge and freezer sections of any konbini.
Winner, Winner, Japanese Dinner
While everyone’s got a favourite sushi spot around the corner from their house back home, there’s nothing quite like the real deal. We’re talking, fresh sushi right off the boat, bowls of ramen bigger than your brand new Giro helmet, and hearty soup curries to warm you up after a day out on the slopes – the options are endless. Honestly, the food scene around the Japanese ski resorts during the winter season is so good you won’t to brush your teeth after eating, just to keep those flavours in your mouth for as long as possible.
A Resort A Day Keeps The Doctor Away
Got a five day trip planned? Realistically, if you’re shredding in Hakuba or Niseko this Japan ski season, you can visit a different resort every single day – and why wouldn’t you want to explore as much of the mountain as you possible?!
Resorts Within Niseko United
You’ll never be short of options if you’re shredding Niseko United this Japan winter season. With four interconnected resorts all within Niseko United, lesser known favourites like Rusutsu, Moiwa and Kiroro all a short car ride away, and endless backcountry terrain, Niseko has you covered no matter what style of riding you’re into.
Resorts Within The Hakuba Valley
If you thought Niseko was stacked with options, you have another thing coming if you’re visiting Hakuba this winter season. Excluding backcountry and off-piste riding, Hakuba offers up 10 different resorts all within the Hakuba Valley. A five day trip won’t even cover every resort! Maybe it’s time to look at extending your stay…
Resorts Within Furano
If you’re visiting Furano this winter season, you’ll have the option to shred at two different resorts, both offering diverse terrain, extensive treelines and some of the best pow in Hokkaido.
Kitanomine Zone
Ideal for beginners and families, this zone offers gentle slopes and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great place to start your skiing journey or enjoy a relaxed day on the snow this Japan ski season!
Tip: Rhythm Furano can be found directly opposite the Kitanomine gondola in the Fenix building.
Furano Zone
Catering to more experienced skiers visiting during the winter season, the Furano Zone offers challenging runs and beautiful views, making it a favorite among seasoned adventurers.
Tip: Enjoy easy summit access with the Furano 101 Ropeway
Discovering Japan’s Ski Season Culture, One Strong At A Time
‘I said maybeeeee, you should go and sing some karaokeeeee, cause after allll, it’s never a bad call’
From kei cars, onsen and karaoke, to the infamous Strong Zero hangover, Japan’s ski season offers up a lot of little doses of Japanese culture that really help differentiate it from any ski resort around the world. Trust us, when you’re a few Strong’s deep belting your heart out at karaoke, you’ll get what the hype is about.
Pro tip: Try to find an open-air onsen this Japan ski season, not only is it a surreal experience sitting in a naturally heated hot spring while it’s snowing around you, you might even spot a couple of snow monkeys.
Pow, Pow, Pow
We know, we know, whenever you hear about the ski season in Japan all you hear is pow, pow, pow. But just how much of that is hype?
To put it in perspective, if you’ve ever gone shredding at any of the Australian resorts during peak season, you’re most likely skiing on a 100cm base. In one night in Niseko last winter, it snowed 160 cm. Yep–it’s that special.
Add that to the world renowned treelines you’re always seeing in pro vids and Japan’s famous gate system, which allows you to explore ungroomed side and backcountry terrain without needing to hike for hours, you’ve got a pretty damn special skiing experience ahead of you.
Don’t believe us? Check out last seasons recap vid to get up to speed on just what you’ll be missing.
We normally don’t like to repeat ourselves, but this time it’s too important to not mention again. It’s only 30 days until lifts start spinning this Japan ski season! Are you sorted for rentals yet? Pre-book online now and save time and hassle when you arrive in-store.
