Yuki the Snowbear

Best of Japan · Ranked

Best places to ski in Japan in January

The best places to ski in Japan for January are Niseko United, Rusutsu Resort, Okutadami Maruyama. Peak powder month — ranked by snowfall and reliability. Our read from JMA normals + elevation.

This ranking is our read from the data (Japan doesn't publish a single difficulty/family grade) — use it as a starting point, not gospel.

Tip: ★ shortlist your favourites, then compare up to 3 side by side — each scored by 🐻 Yuki Recommends.

  1. 1. Niseko UnitedHokkaido · Large

    14.5 m/yr · — (our read)

    ❄ 14.5 m/yr🛏 from ¥2,020♨ 7 onsen
  2. 2. Rusutsu ResortHokkaido · Large

    14.4 m/yr · — (our read)

    ❄ 14.4 m/yr🛏 from ¥3,525♨ 1 onsen
  3. 3. Okutadami MaruyamaNiigata · Medium

    13.3 m/yr · Very High (our read)

    ❄ 13.3 m/yr♨ 1 onsen
  4. 4. Geto KogenIwate · Medium

    13.1 m/yr · Very High (our read)

    ❄ 13.1 m/yr♨ 1 onsen
  5. 5. Nozawa OnsenNagano · Large

    11.6 m/yr · High (our read)

    ❄ 11.6 m/yr🛏 from ¥5,050♨ 8 onsen
  6. 6. Sugadaira KogenNagano · Medium

    11.2 m/yr · Medium (our read)

    ❄ 11.2 m/yr🛏 from ¥6,500♨ 1 onsen
  7. 7. Maiko Snow ResortNiigata · Large

    11.1 m/yr · Medium (our read)

    ❄ 11.1 m/yr🛏 from ¥4,000♨ 4 onsen
  8. 8. Hakuba CortinaNagano · Medium

    10.8 m/yr · Very High (our read)

    ❄ 10.8 m/yr♨ 2 onsen
  9. 9. Hakuba Norikura OnsenNagano · Medium

    10.8 m/yr · High (our read)

    ❄ 10.8 m/yr♨ 2 onsen
  10. 10. Kagura (Mitsumata / Tashiro / Kagura)Niigata · Large

    10.4 m/yr · Very High (our read)

    ❄ 10.4 m/yr🛏 from ¥5,400♨ 3 onsen

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