Powder Perfect: Why Your Next Ski Trip Should Be in Tohoku

If you’re dreaming of a snow holiday in Japan but want to go beyond the usual major skiing and snowboarding resorts, it’s time to discover Tohoku. Just a few hours from Tokyo on the Shinkansen and easy to reach with a JR EAST PASS, this northern region remains surprisingly under the radar for many travelers.

What sets Tohoku apart is not only its consistently light, dry powder snow, but also the way winter is woven into everyday life. From picture-perfect onsen villages, to hearty comfort foods, to snow festivals shaped by centuries of cold-weather traditions, Tohoku’s winter culture adds a richness that goes beyond a standard ski-and-snowboard trip.

Add to that a relaxed and uncrowded atmosphere, good value for your money, and easy access with the Shinkansen, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable winter adventure. We’ve selected three of Tohoku’s signature resorts to spotlight below, each of which is covered on the Ikon Pass.

Tucked away in the mountains of Iwate Prefecture, APPI Snow Mountain Resort is one of the largest ski areas in Tohoku and known for being family-friendly, with elementary school kids and younger skiing for free. On-site accommodation allows for easy ski-in/ski-out access, making it simple to maximize your time on the slopes.

APPI offers something for every skier and snowboarder, from gentle tree runs in the Magic Forest area for beginners, to designated off-piste zones, a park with jumps and jib features, and CAT tours for backcountry enthusiasts. Night sessions extend the fun after sunset, and when it’s time to take a break, visitors can enjoy a unique igloo lunch or relax in the resort’s onsen, Shirakaba-no-yu, with both indoor and outdoor baths.

Key Information：

●Lift Operating Hours: Typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.¹
●Lift Ticket Prices: Regular season 1-day pass-Adults (junior high and above) 9,500 yen(tax included); Elementary school students and younger are free ²
●Number of Courses: 21 (30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced)
●Number of Lifts: 1 gondola, 6 chair lifts
●Longest Run: 5.5 kilometers

¹ Hours vary by time of season (early, peak season, spring) and by individual lift. Check the official site for the latest schedule.
² For full ticket options, multi-day passes, and online specials, check the official site for details.

Spanning the mountain peaks of Yamagata Prefecture, Zao Onsen Ski Resort is an iconic winter destination, famous for its legendary “snow monsters.” These “monsters” are trees covered in thick layers of frost, making for an otherworldly landscape. You’ll also find plenty of budget-friendly eats around the resort, with local ramen and other winter comfort foods to refuel you between laps.

Zao spans multiple interconnected zones, with plenty of lifts and runs, mostly suited to beginner and intermediate riders for long, scenic cruisers. Advanced riders aren’t left out either, with 20% of the mountain offering steeper terrain and more technical lines. One highlight is the 10-kilometer Juhyogen Course, a scenic descent that passes right by the iconic snow monsters before reaching Zao Onsen Village.

Key Information:

●Lift Operating Hours: Typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.¹
●Lift Ticket Prices: Regular season 1-day pass — Adults 7,500 yen; Junior High and younger 3,800 yen; High School students 6,700 yen; Seniors (60+) 6,700 yen(all prices include tax) ²
●Number of Courses: 12 courses spread across 14 ski areas (40% beginner, 40% intermediate, 20% advanced)
●Number of Lifts: 3 ropeways, 1 gondola, 28 chair lifts
●Longest Run: 10 kilometers

¹ Hours vary by time of season (early, peak season, spring) and by individual lift. Check the official site for the latest schedule.
² Peak-season pricing varies during the snow monster viewing period (mid-February to early March); see the official site for full details.

Located in Fukushima Prefecture, NEKOMA Mountain is one of Tohoku’s largest ski destinations, split into two main areas: North and South.

The South Area features tree runs, a beginner-friendly step-up park, a “flow park” for smooth lines between features, night sessions with occasional fireworks, and a quirky hamburger café with a skateboarding ramp. The North Area is home to the Global Park, where you can watch professional riders train, an advanced park with big jumps open to advanced riders, and even a banked slalom course in the spring. True to Nekoma’s slogan, “For all the snow-crazed,” the resort is designed to maximize the fun for those who love to ride.

Key Information:

●Lift Operating Hours: Typically 8:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. ¹
●Lift Ticket Prices: Regular season 1-day pass — Adults 6,300 yen; Junior and Senior High School students 4,500 yen; Elementary students 3,000 yen; Seniors (60+) 5,800 yen(all prices include tax); Preschoolers are free ²
●Number of Courses: 33 (30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced)
●Number of Lifts: 13 chair lifts, 3 snow escalators
●Longest Run: 2.4 kilometers

¹ Hours vary by time of season (early, peak season, spring) and by individual lift; note that the connecting lift between the South and North areas closes earlier at 2:50 p.m., so make sure you’re back on the side you started from before it closes. Check the official site for full lift schedules.
² A 500 yen(tax included) deposit is required for the IC ticket card (refundable upon return). Night sessions require a separate ticket.

All three of these Tohoku ski destinations are easy to reach from Tokyo. Here are a few example routes via the Shinkansen, which will get you into the heart of Tohoku rested and ready for the slopes.

●APPI Snow Mountain Resort
The simplest JR route from Tokyo Station takes about 2 hours 15 minutes on the Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka Station. From there, take the West Exit, then ride the local Bus #26 for roughly 70 minutes to Appi Kogen. Chartered buses are also available for hotel guests (advanced reservation required).

●Zao Onsen Ski Resort
From Tokyo Station, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station (approximately 2 hours 22 minutes), then board a bus at Terminal 1 for a 40-minute ride to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal.

●NEKOMA Mountain
From Tokyo Station, the fastest JR route is a 76-minute ride on either the Yamagata or Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station, then a 70-minute bus ride to Nekoma Mountain South Area. Please note that the bus from Koriyama Station requires a reservation.

A fast and comfortable ride on a Shinkansen will cover most of the journey from Tokyo to these Tohoku ski resorts. Make your Shinkansen journey simple and efficient with JR-East Train Reservation.

In addition, Welcome Suica Mobile makes your travel even more seamless.

If you plan to hop around to other ski resorts and cities, a JR EAST PASS can save you time and money. For more details, please visit this page.

The Tohoku Shinkansen and other JR East lines give you the option to upgrade to the GranClass car. With premium reclining seats, generous legroom, and even dining options, GranClass ensures you arrive at the slopes rested and ready to ski.

World-class snow and unforgettable slopes are waiting for you mere hours from Tokyo. Reserve your Shinkansen tickets and start carving your way through Japan’s hidden winter playground today!