Itinerary
The Tohoku Adventurer
This tour focuses on the Tohoku region of Japan - the vast tract of land north of Tokyo on Honshu Island. This is Japan's least-visited region and also, bizarrely, it's snowiest! There are so many undiscovered ski resorts up here, off the radar of the international skiers and largely dependant on local trade, meaning fresh track opportunities are plentiful. This is Japan's new frontier and this suggested itinerary gets you to several of our favourite powder-blessed resorts - Appi-Kogen, Hakkoda, Ani & Tazawako.
The only Western skiers and snowboarders who will find reason and make the effort to visit the ski resorts in the Tohoku region will be the passionate, experienced, expert backcountry skiers, motivated to seek untouched snow away from the mainstream skiers. It’s all about finding fresh tracks in amongst the trees or in the open Alpine bowls…and this is what Tohoku can deliver. These resorts may be smaller than many in Japan in terms of recognized runs, but this is of no consequence to ski ‘pioneers, prepared to travel more extensively, and put some effort in to ‘earn their turns’.
There are three bases in this sample itinerary - firstly in Hakkoda, perhaps Japan's best free ride mountain? Then you head down to Appi Kogen, a more 'conventional' ski resort in many respects, though off-the-radar for most international powder-hungry guests, and then finally you head to Akita Prefecture...Japan's hidden, powder secret.
Timeline
HOW MUCH WOULD THIS SKI HOLIDAY COST?
Obviously, cost depends on what standard of accommodation you prefer, how many excursions and activities you want to book, whether you wish to include ski hire and local backcountry guides...etc.
An indicative lead-in price for this 15 day itinerary would be from circa £4,600 per person, including moderately decent accommodation (during mid / low season), transfers, lift passes in Appi Kogen, Hakkoda, Ani & Tazawako, a Japan rail pass, and economy class flights from the UK.
If you were to move the dates to January (but still avoiding Christmas & New Year / Chinese New Year), this would then likely impact the costs by circa a couple of hundred pounds per person.
Solo travellers should also be aware that costs increase, as you carry the burden of the accommodation cost alone.
We don't have to include international flights. However, by keeping it all within one package, your arrangements are protected by our ATOL licence, which is preferable from your perspective.
Different Snow strive to offer the most competitive prices in all instances. However, we pride ourselves first and foremost on quality - we are an independent specialist tour operator and, therefore, are not beholden to any supplier. We make our decisions based only on who's best in each and every instance.
SUGGESTIONS & VARIATIONS
With no set departures or fixed dates this itinerary can be extended, or even curtailed, to suit your available dates or match your budget.
We are featuring two of the best ski resorts in the Tohoku region - though there are many others, many of them wonderful. If you'd like spend time in Aomori Springs, Geto Onsen or Alts Bandai then we've skied them all ourselves and can certainly incorporate these places in to the itinerary. Tohoku really is Japan's last ski frontier, largely unexplored and with so much potential.
You can, of course, add more time for a general exploration. We have included Hachinohe City in this itinerary because we love it - remote, provincial, beautiful surrounding countryside and a friendly vibe. But Japan is your oyster and the options are endless.