Region

Tohoku

The Powder Frontier

12m+

Avg Snowfall

-8°C

Avg Temp

Resorts

Regional Guide

About Tohoku

Tohoku is Japan's powder frontier—the wild north of Honshu where empty slopes, legendary snowfall, and authentic Japanese culture await those willing to venture beyond the well-worn path. Home to 60+ ski resorts across six prefectures, the region receives 8-10 meters of annual snowfall and boasts the famous snow monsters of Zao. This is where serious powder hunters come when Niseko gets too crowded.

“The Powder Frontier”

Why Choose Tohoku

Tohoku offers what the famous resorts can't: empty slopes, authentic Japanese culture, and some of the deepest snowfall in the country. If you're willing to venture beyond the well-worn path, you'll be rewarded with powder days you'll never forget.

Best For

✓Deep powder hunters who want fresh tracks without the crowds
✓Skiers seeking authentic Japanese culture and onsen experiences
✓Budget-conscious travelers (accommodation 30-50% cheaper than Niseko)
✓Tree skiing and sidecountry enthusiasts
✓Adventurers with rental cars who want to explore

Skip If

✗You need English-speaking services everywhere
✗You want vibrant international nightlife
✗You prefer direct flights from overseas (domestic connection required)
✗You're uncomfortable driving on snowy mountain roads
✗You want ski-in/ski-out convenience at every resort

Choose Your Destination

Prefectures in Tohoku

Tohoku spans multiple prefectures, each with its own character and skiing style. Choose a prefecture below to explore its ski areas and resorts.

Aomori

Honshu's Deepest Powder

Iwate

Tohoku's Powder Secret

Akita

Budget Powder Paradise

Yamagata

Snow Monsters & Onsen

Fukushima

Hidden Powder Sanctuary

Pro Tip

Each prefecture has its own vibe. Aomori gets the most snow, Yamagata has the famous snow monsters, and Iwate offers remote backcountry terrain. Click a prefecture to discover what makes it unique.

Plan Your Trip

Getting to Tohoku

Ideal Trip Length

5-7 days to explore 2-3 prefectures properly is recommended to explore Tohoku properly. This gives you time to ski multiple mountains and experience the local culture without rushing.

Getting There

Tohoku Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Sendai (90min), Morioka (2.5h), Shin-Aomori (3.5h). From there, local transport or rental car to resorts.

JR Pass

Highly recommended for multi-prefecture exploration. Covers all Shinkansen and most local JR lines. Consider JR East Tohoku Area Pass for regional-only travel.

Rental Car

Essential for accessing most resorts. Roads are well-maintained with mandatory snow tires. International Driving Permit required. Rent from Sendai or Morioka for best selection.

Important Note

Many Tohoku ski resorts are in remote mountain areas with limited public transport. Check individual prefecture pages for specific access details to each ski area. Some resorts offer shuttle buses from nearby train stations, but schedules can be limited.

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your priorities. Aomori gets the most snow (13m+) and has legendary Hakkoda backcountry. Yamagata has the famous snow monsters at Zao. Iwate has deep tree skiing at Geto Kogen. Akita offers the best value with dirt-cheap old-school resorts.

Yes, strongly recommended. Most Tohoku resorts are remote and have limited public transport. Rental cars with snow tires give you freedom to chase powder and explore multiple mountains. An International Driving Permit is required.

Tohoku is one of the snowiest regions on Earth. Aomori averages 13+ meters annually, Iwate gets 15+ meters in some areas, and even the 'drier' prefectures see 5+ meters. The Sea of Japan effect creates consistent, heavy snowfall throughout winter.

Tohoku can work for beginners, but it's not ideal for first-time Japan visitors. Limited English services, remote locations, and challenging access make it better suited for intermediate+ skiers who can handle some adventure.

Snow monsters are trees completely encased in snow and ice, creating otherworldly shapes. They form at Zao in Yamagata and a few other high-elevation spots when Siberian winds freeze moisture onto the trees. Best viewed January-February.

The Tohoku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Sendai (90 mins), Morioka (2.5 hrs), and Shin-Aomori (3.5 hrs). From there, you need local transport or a rental car to reach ski resorts. JR Pass covers all Shinkansen travel.

Yes, if you plan to visit multiple prefectures. A 7-day JR Pass (¥50,000) covers unlimited Shinkansen travel, which quickly pays for itself with Tokyo-Tohoku round trips. The JR East Tohoku Area Pass is a cheaper regional option.

January through early February offers the deepest powder. Late February to March is better for visibility and the famous snow monsters at Zao. December can be hit-or-miss as the snowpack builds. Avoid Golden Week in early May.

Individual Resorts

Ski Resorts in Tohoku

11 resorts

青森スプリング・

#POWDER#ONSEN#SCENIC

Aomori Spring

Aomori

469 reviews

Aomori Spring is where you remember that Japan has more than just Hokkaido - this is the northernmost resort on Honshu, where 13+ meters of annual snowfall meets zero Instagram crowds. The terrain's surprisingly legit for a small resort, with genuine steeps and tree lines, plus you can see the Sea of Japan from the gondola top.

Appi Kogen

Iwate

2,484 reviews

Appi is where Tohoku locals go to remember what skiing felt like before lift lines became a lifestyle. 5.5km top-to-bottom runs through perfect north-facing powder, with the kind of space that makes Hokkaido feel claustrophobic by comparison.

#POWDER#BACKCOUNTRY#SCENIC

Gassan

Yamagata

444 reviews

Gassan is where spring skiing dreams come alive - literally the only place in Japan where you can ski through summer while everyone else is at the beach. This isn't your typical resort experience; it's a pilgrimage to the snowiest place on Earth where 30-meter accumulations create a seasonal playground that defies physics.

Geto Kogen

Iwate

1,701 reviews

Geto Kogen is where Tohoku powder purists go to remember what skiing felt like before Instagram. Fourteen runs through proper tree fields with snow that accumulates faster than you can track it out - and somehow, you'll still find fresh lines at 2pm on weekends.

#POWDER#FAMILY#ONSEN#BACKCOUNTRY

Grandeco

Fukushima

2,192 reviews

Grandeco is where you go when you want to remember why you fell in love with skiing - genuine tree runs, 4.5km cruisers, and powder that stays fresh because nobody knows about this place. While everyone else fights for tracks at Niseko, you'll be floating through Tohoku's finest snow with maybe five other people on the entire mountain.

Hachimantai Resort Shimokura

Iwate

341 reviews

Shimokura is where Tohoku locals go when Appi's lift lines make them contemplate snowshoeing. Seven meters of that impossibly light inland powder, officially designated tree runs, and knee-deep stashes that somehow stay fresh even on weekends - all with lift lines that max out at six people.

#STEEP#BACKCOUNTRY#SCENIC#POWDER

Hakkoda

Aomori

235 reviews

Hakkoda is Japan's powder mecca for experts who want their soul back - 17 meters of annual snowfall and lift-accessed backcountry that'll ruin every other ski experience for you. This isn't a resort, it's a mountain with a gondola that drops you into untracked forest runs where one wrong turn means search and rescue.

星野リゾートネコママウンテン北エリア（旧猫魔スキー場)

#STEEP#POWDER#PARK#NIGHT

Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain North Area

Fukushima

1,166 reviews

Nekoma is where you go when you want Hokkaido powder without the Niseko circus - this north-facing Tohoku giant delivers 13+ meters of light Aizu powder to terrain that actually challenges you. Three mountains, 33 runs, world-class terrain parks, and lift lines that move because half the skiing world still doesn't know this place exists.

#BEGINNER#ONSEN#POWDER#SCENIC

Tazawako

Akita

437 reviews

Tazawako is where you go to ski with a postcard view - Lake Tazawa stretching out below your skis on clear days, powder runs through trees, and zero Instagram crowds fighting for the same shot. This is old-school Japanese skiing at its finest: 13 varied runs, proper vertical, and you can actually hear yourself think on the mountain.

#POWDER#ONSEN#BACKCOUNTRY

Tengendaikogen

Yamagata

102 reviews

Tengendai is what happens when you want Honshu's best powder without fighting Instagram crowds for every face shot. This is where Yamagata locals disappear to when the rest of Japan discovers their secret spots - 1,820m of elevation, north-facing slopes, and powder zones that stay untracked while everyone else queues at the famous places.

#POWDER#SCENIC#ONSEN#NIGHT

Zao Onsen

Yamagata

1,336 reviews

Zao is where you go to ski through actual snow monsters - those ghostly ice sculptures clinging to the trees at 1,661m - then soak your bones in sulfur springs that have been bubbling for 1,900 years. This is old-school Japan skiing at its finest: 9km top-to-bottom runs through beech forests, zero English menus, and onsen so acidic they'll strip the wax off your skis if you're not careful.