We Help You Plan
Your Perfect Trip
To Japan.
Built by someone who's been chasing Japow for 35 years—and knows exactly how frustrating the planning can be.
Why I Built
Japow Ski Resorts
I'm half-Japanese. I've been visiting family in Hokkaido since I was a kid—over 35 years of trips, powder days, and après sessions across Japan.
I know what it's like to be a foreign visitor—the language barriers, the confusion, the scattered information. But I also have something most visitors don't: I can read Japanese. I've navigated the local websites, train systems, and resort booking processes my entire life.
And here's the thing—even with Japanese language skills, planning a ski trip to Japan is a slog.
The official resort websites? Often outdated, impossible to navigate, and buried in details that don't help you make a decision. I've been doing this for decades and I still get frustrated. I can't imagine trying to plan a trip while relying on Google Translate.
That frustration is why I built this site.
I want to make it as easy as possible for foreign skiers and snowboarders to experience what I've been lucky enough to experience my whole life. The waist-deep powder. The post-ride onsens. The food that hits different after a day on the mountain. The whole vibe.
No gatekeeping. No "locals only" attitude. Just honest information to help you score an incredible trip.
Planning a Japan
Ski Trip Is
A Nightmare.
500+ resorts. Information scattered across a million blogs and forums. Every resort claims to be "family-friendly" and "all levels"—yeah, right.
You end up with 17 browser tabs, a half-finished spreadsheet, and more confusion than when you started. Meanwhile, powder day windows are closing and accommodation is booking up.
What People Learn
The Hard Way
We built this site because we kept seeing the same preventable mistakes.
"Booked the resort everyone hyped up online. Turns out 'legendary powder' means steep chutes and tree runs for experts. I'm a solid intermediate. My kids are still on the bunny hill. We dropped serious cash to lap the same two green runs all week while everyone else was getting face shots in the backcountry."
"Full sleeve tattoo. Got turned away from three onsens on day one. The one cultural experience I was most hyped for—gone. Found out later there were tattoo-friendly spots nearby. Nobody told me. Could've avoided the whole situation with 10 minutes of research."
"Started planning in November for a February trip. Peak season. Every ryokan within walking distance was booked solid. Ended up in a business hotel 45 minutes from the mountain. More time on shuttle buses than on snow. Rookie mistake."
"Missed our train connection because I couldn't figure out which platform. Lost half a powder day dragging luggage through stations with two exhausted kids. Fresh tracks were long gone by the time we finally got there. Would've paid anything for clear directions."
That's Why We Built This. So You Don't Have To Learn The Hard Way.
A Directory
Built For Skiers.
We've done the research slog so you don't have to. Every resort profiled with the details that actually matter—not marketing fluff.
Our Approach
No Gatekeeping
We're not hoarding secret spots. We want you to experience Japan the way we have.
Honest Comparisons
Every resort has trade-offs. We give you the real talk, not just the highlight reel.
All Levels Welcome
First-timer? Family with groms? Expert sending it? We've got intel for everyone.
Real Details
The stuff booking sites skip—tattoo policies, actual English support, legit transport options.
Whether You're A
First-Timer Or A Regular.
First-Timers
Planning your first Japan ski trip and overwhelmed by 500+ resort options
Families
Traveling with kids and need legit beginner terrain and solid ski schools
Powder Chasers
Hunting for the deepest snow and trying to dodge the crowds
Culture Seekers
Want the full experience—onsens, ryokans, local eats—not just the skiing
Beginners welcome. Families welcome. Solo shredders welcome.
If you want to ski Japan, we're stoked to help.