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♨ 4 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
2. 2. Rusutsu ResortHokkaido · Large

   14.4 m/yr · — (our read)

   ❄ 14.4 m/yr🛏 from ¥3,525

   ☆ Shortlist
3. 3. Okutadami MaruyamaNiigata · Medium

   13.3 m/yr · Very High (our read)

   ❄ 13.3 m/yr♨ 1 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
4. 4. Nozawa OnsenNagano · Large

   11.6 m/yr · High (our read)

   ❄ 11.6 m/yr🛏 from ¥5,050♨ 4 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
5. 5. Sugadaira KogenNagano · Medium

   11.2 m/yr · Medium (our read)

   ❄ 11.2 m/yr🛏 from ¥6,500♨ 1 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
6. 6. Maiko Snow ResortNiigata · Large

   11.1 m/yr · Medium (our read)

   ❄ 11.1 m/yr🛏 from ¥4,000♨ 1 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
7. 7. Hakuba CortinaNagano · Medium

   10.8 m/yr · Very High (our read)

   ❄ 10.8 m/yr♨ 2 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
8. 8. Hakuba Norikura OnsenNagano · Medium

   10.8 m/yr · High (our read)

   ❄ 10.8 m/yr♨ 1 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
9. 9. Kagura (Mitsumata / Tashiro / Kagura)Niigata · Large

   10.4 m/yr · Very High (our read)

   ❄ 10.4 m/yr🛏 from ¥5,400♨ 1 onsen

   ☆ Shortlist
10. 10. GALA YuzawaNiigata · Medium

    10.4 m/yr · High (our read)

    ❄ 10.4 m/yr🛏 from ¥4,000♨ 2 onsen

    ☆ Shortlist