best time to visit hokkaido for skiing
Mainly because of the koyo (autumn leaves). The main island of Japan, Honshu is home to some of Japan’s major ski resorts, including Shiga Kogen, Hakuba, Myoko Kogen, Madarao, and Nozawa Onsen. Photo: best ski resorts in Hokkaido for beginners blog. Among all the Hokkaido ski resorts, Kiroro has a reputation for being one of the first places to open and the last place to close. With an abundance of campsites and road-side stations (michi-no-eki) that offer places to rest and stay, it is easy to travel Hokkaido by bike. You might not know it, but Hokkaido has some of the best skiing in the world. REGION: The general mountain/geographical region the route is in. The Asahidake area has an abundance of natural hot springs, and for those wanting the Hokkaido winter-experience without blizzards, Mt. By December, the entire city is already a winter wonderland, and temperatures continue to drop as the season progresses. June begins the lead-in to Hokkaido’s summer, and with it consistently good weather. We have reviews of the best places to see in Hokkaido. Many resorts offer Spring passes and deals to encourage travellers later in the season, and you’ll find many more lodging options available to suit your needs over these dates. Fly to Tokyo then use cheap air pass to New Chitose. Explore these places in Hokkaido, Japan that you must visit. In truth, Hokkaido is a stunner any time of year, with lush green summers, vivid autumns, powdery snow-covered winters, and vibrant springs. Best time to visit Hokkaido. The best way to get around Hokkaido is by renting a car. All rights reserved. As autumn progresses temperatures will from the teens to the single digits (°C), so bring a warmer jacket and leave your sandals at home. When to travel? Many of the popular resorts are located in the Niigata and Nagano prefectures which are renowned for their exceptional snowfall. Hokkaido, the northernmost area in Japan, has great snow in the winter and wonderful ski resorts. Indeed Japan is well known for its winter illuminations. Photo Credit: SAPPORO TEINE -Kamori Kanko.co,.ltd-. In November is when Hokkaido begins its transition into winter, so it’s the perfect time to see the changing of the landscape. ... it attracted almost 2 million visitors. When is the best time to ski in Hokkaido Japan? If you’re trying to design your Hokkaido itinerary there are a few things you need to keep in mind first. Andy Greenberg PowderQuest Hokkaido Trip Guest. FREERIDE/SKITOUR: Very subjective, but is a route more-of-a-walk-than-a-ski or the other way around? The Japanese Alps are particularly well shaped to enhance the updraft of moisture and clouds, hence why we see amazing snowfall records in Japan each season.Those resorts closer to the west coast (such as Kiroro and Niseko) get more snow and while those further inland (such as Furano, Sahoro and Tomamu) get less, it's much dryer as the moisutre content is lower. DIFFICULTY: How strenuous a route is, and how technical it is. The best time to visit Japan is generally considered to be between March and May, or October and November. One of the most popular areas to ski is Niseko. The most popular zoo in Japan♪ Asahiyama Zoo offers fun for both children and adults! Although there are many places to see stunning colors and views, I have to recommend Jozankei. Offering various activities and places to go to, you could never go wrong here. Snow and ice festivals occur all around Hokkaido at the same time as the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival in February. June is the perfect time to go outside for stunning views backdropped with still-snowy peaks. The autumn (fall) colors are in full effect here, and now is the best time to take a walk outside and enjoy the changing scenery. For walking, mountain biking, canoeing, and rafting explore the lakes, rivers, and mountains. Perfect for hiking, sightseeing and camping. For prime powder conditions, snowboarding and skiing in Hokkaido Japan should be focused from mid-January through February. Overall, snowfall patterns are becoming less and less predictable with the change in global weather. If you decide to visit the area in late January and early February, be sure to take some time from … Looking for something different? READ MORE: Check out our other guide on the absolute best things to do in Japan! As with most of Japan, Hokkaido is not cheap, … If you’re not keen on sliding down a mountain, try hiking up one on a snowshoe tour! We hope you found this guide to “when is the best time to visit Hokkaido” interesting and helpful for your trip. It's peak powder time, and the slopes are less crowded. https://www.treksplorer.com/best-time-to-visit-hokkaido-japan-weather Subscribe to the Scout newsletter - a regular roundup of news from the slopes and magazine articles. Hokkaido is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in winter, thanks to its abundant powder snow and top resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. Due to the current uncertainty of future travel surrounding COVID 19, our regular T&Cs are overridden by individual supplier cancellation policies. March is a quieter month which gives discerning travelers a chance to enjoy the less-extreme side of winter while still getting a chance to visit some of Hokkaido’s interesting outdoor festivals. September still has ample time left to enjoy the outdoors, so fit in those hikes and cycling as much you can. Some of the resorts closest to major cities such as Breckenridge will see more crowds from local skiers on weekends, but generally it's smooth sailing. If you’re visiting Hokkaido for the first time, here are the top 6 heavenly Hokkaido dishes that you won’t want to miss. October has by-far the greatest of the fall foliage, so be sure to bring a camera as you travel around. Hokkaido isn’t exclusively a winter wonderland, however; every season has something spectacular to offer visitors, from the lavender fields of summer to the sakura blossoms of spring. Due to the cool-off from summer, cycling tours are popular at this time of year and often cyclists can be seen as they travel around Hokkaido. January is when the snow really packs in, and the perfect time to see Hokkaido’s wilderness blanketed in white. I’ll go through the whole year season by season, tell you about the weather and suggest best things to do in Hokkaido at each time of year. Read this article to find out how to make the most out of Hokkaido's powder snow. In Hokkaido, snowfall is so plentiful that skiers and snowboarders consider it to have some of the best-quality powder in the world. Let's find out what else there is in northern Hokkaido! BEST TIME TO VISIT SAPPORO. So if you’re new to winter activities, you won’t be alone. Furano Ski Resort 2019 - 2020 Season. To see the details for a particular season click on the links below. There are 98 ski areas located across the entire island of Hokkaido. Adventure travel in Hokkaido is quite new, but your options are as diverse as the landscape here. They aren’t far off! Some ski hills will have opened as early as the end of November, among the first to open is always Mt. ... Hokkaido 9) Illuminations. This makes it a fantastic time for skiing, especially in Hokkaido. With most snowpack gone and the mountains boasting cooler temperatures than sea level, August is the prime time to go hiking in one of Hokkaido’s numerous mountain ranges. If you’re looking for another unique experience, the Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival is still in full swing until the middle of the month. While the town is crowded during this time of year, and restaurant reservations are a good idea, the peak time of year can be a great time to visit just for the sheer energy of the town and great skiing conditions. November is generally considered the off-season for Hokkaido as everyone says goodbye to autumn and shifts into preparing for winter. Catch the drift ice as it arrives in the north around Monbetsu, Abashiri, and Shiretoko. It’s always hard to predict when the best snow will fall at each ski resort and we’re all at the mercy of the weather gods. Budget Hotels in Hokkaido Spa Hotels in Hokkaido Ski Resorts in Hokkaido Ski Hotels in Hokkaido Family Resorts in Hokkaido Hokkaido Hotels with Hot Tubs Hokkaido Hot Tub Suite Hotels Hokkaido Cheap Pet Friendly Hotels Hokkaido 5 Star Resorts Hokkaido Ski Lodges. Mountain driving conditions do exist in both Hokkaido and Hakuba. The email addresses you enter will not be stored or used by us in any way. Snow-shoeing! Located inside the vast Daisetsuzan National Park, there isn't really a resort here: The Asahidake Ropeway will get you 1,600 meters (5,250 ft) up Asahidake, the tallest mountain in Hokkaido, and you can either ski one of the two trails down, or climb the rest of the way to the 2,291-meter (7,516-ft) summit. Furano and Biei are towns in the center of Hokkaido, known for their pleasant and picturesque rural landscapes. Hokkaido Bucket List 2021: Check out best things to do in Hokkaido in 2021 including delicious Hokkaido local food, Sapporo Snow Festival , Ski Resorts, flower fields and more! If you’re looking for that world-famous Hokkaido powder, January is your month. During winter, Furano turns into a popular downhill and cross country skiing resort. Appreciate comments on how to improve my itinerary. Expert advice & competitive rates. This northern island of Japan is world renowned for its incredibly dry, powder snow. Ski areas in Hokkaido can receive 14 to 18 meters of snowfall every year! Hokkaido offers a lot of amazing winter activities. Peak seasons for almost all resorts in Japan are over Christmas and New Years Eve, during Chinese New Year (date varies each year). The start of April will still be chilly, towards the latter half of the month is when Hokkaido really starts waking up from its winter hibernation. Enjoy the lingering snow in early spring (April) while you still can. The Sahoro Ski Resort allows patrons to indulge in their very own winter wonderland thanks to the thick snowfall which is common in the area. By clicking the Accept button you agree to us doing so. Hokkaido Tourism: Tripadvisor has 500,551 reviews of Hokkaido Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Hokkaido resource. Best Time to Visit Hokkaido Visiting Hokkaido in Winter Visiting Hokkaido in Winter is brilliant for skiing enthusiasts as I am told (non skier here) that Hokkaido has the best skiing in Japan. Hokkaido quiet and almost free from tourists in March, meaning you can see the ‘real’ Hokkaido. Outside of Tokyo, Hokkaido is a must if you’re visiting Japan in winter.. January and February are the prime months for deep powder and guided Hokkaido ski tours. Travel in December is hit and miss and snow cover varies … 2020 Adventure Hokkaido. Trips to the area are also a prime time to stop by the local winery and cheese factory in Furano, and you of course should swing by Biei’s famous blue pond. The southern town of Matsumae near Hakodate is famous for their cherry-blossoms and Japanese history, but cherry blossoms are visible all over the island at this time! Amazing ice sculptures at Sapporo Snow Festival. Last updated: 29 January 2021. We can find exactly what you need. SKIING THE HOKKAIDO RESORTS. Visit Hokkaido for a wonderful vacation in Japan. You can also visit the wild northern Okhotsk region to see stunning flowers- the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in Yubetsu and the pink moss phlox in Takinoue and Ozora are well worth the visit. From snow monkeys and pretty villages to perfect skiing and cockle-warming hotpots, here are 10 reasons to book that winter trip to Japan. Hokkaido Travel Tips. Hokkaido winter travel. It is when the place shined the most and it is the busiest season for all areas. Speaking of winter in Hokkaido, one of the most popular ski resorts in the area is found on Mount Sahoro. When it comes to ski conditions, generally, early January through early March (minus the holidays) is the best time to ski. Remember to wear something warm and bring an extra blanket- here is your chance to enjoy some star viewing while drinking your favorite hot beverage! At the end of the day it really does come down to luck - we've arrived at resorts where it's been dumping with snow for weeks, but then a sudden warm spell melts away our powder dreams, and equally turned up to resorts where there's more grass than snow only to ski knee deep powder the next day. Due to their location, Honshu and Hokkaido ski resorts also have varying seasons, some starting earlier and some lasting through until April. Mt. The rest is up to you and your guide. Traveling in Hokkaido in spring is a great adventure! Furano Ski Resort is great not only for advanced skiers but also for beginners and intermediates too. Kurodake, located in the Daisetsuzan mountain range. The perfect itinerary for first-time visitors to Japan: cities, countryside, hot springs, great food, history and culture. Niseko, on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, is a contender for one of the snowiest places on Earth. So, we already know that choosing a best time to go to Japan isn’t always as simple as it sounds.. Planning out your itinerary can be a toss up between wallowing in the beauty of spring cherry blossoms or fall colours or getting soaked in a fury of rain and sticky humidity in summer. There are ample opportunities for trekking and seeing rare alpine plants. It generally kicks off with the blooming of the cherry-blossoms, which happens often in the first week of May. Best time to ski powder in Hokkaido? July is famous for the blooming of myriads of flowers, and August is the best time to get out and enjoy all of Hokkaido’s lush scenery and the outdoors. Contact us by phone or fill out this simple form. Temperatures drop fast, especially in November! Answer 1 of 11: Our family (2adults and 2 young children) is planning a self-drive tour to Hokkaido in Sep/Oct. We love nature, flowers, wildlife and farm animals. Otaru Canal. August is peak outdoor time, and with the hot days it’s the perfect time to enjoy some of Hokkaido’s water recreation! We’re Adventure Hokkaido, a group of passionate local outdoor guides who would love to share the great outdoors, history, culture and food of our home with international visitors. After you've decided what you'd like to see and do, use this list to select the best time to go! On top of that there are some great Winter Festivals, most notably the Sapporo Snow Festival But down south, things are changing. At this time hiking and other outdoor activities are still difficult due to the chill and lingering snow in the mountains, but now is the perfect time for something Hokkaido has in abundance – onsen! December is when the snow finally begins to accumulate. Daisetsuzan is best done between June to September. Free with every booking. I hope you find this information helpful for your trip to Hokkaido! If you’re really after the pow, March is the last great month for snow, and one of the best times to visit Japan for snowboarding. Being close to the Sea of Japan (only 25km away), these areas receive decent amounts of powder (up to 16 metres a season!) ), sperm whales, and even orcas. Travelling in March and April also means you may see the wondrous Cherry Blossoms in southern cities, more bluebird days, superb après ski, and exceptional mountain views. 1. General Open: November 23, 2019, to May 6, 2020 Furano Zone: November 23, 2019, to May 6, 2020 Kitanomine Zone: early December 2019 to March 22, 2020 Night Skiing: early December 2019 to March 21, 2020 Travel in December is hit and miss and snow cover varies considerably each season. Prices are much higher on these peak dates and it can be more crowded – in restaurants, bars, shuttle buses, and of course, lift lines and slopes. Try ice fishing on the top of a frozen lake around Sapporo or travel to the beautiful national forests of Akan. Kayaking in Abashiri is something you don’t want to miss- start at a lake and paddle out to sea along the river! Here we have a list of best places to visit in Hokkaido. It’s so uplifting to feel everything coming back to life again after winter. I’ve been skiing for over 50 years, from Iceland to Chile and everywhere in between, and I have never seen snow like Hokkaido. ... and Japan being Japan – ski resort infrastructure and hospitality is generally top-notch, with après-ski to rival anywhere in the world. Now that you’ve decided to come and visit us here, you’ll be thinking about when to come. Getting Around Hokkaido. The amount of snow Hokkaido receives, with a fluffiness that is unparalled, is insane. Unsurprisingly, this makes the premiere Japanese destination for the international ski community. Hiking in the national parks eg. What is the best way to travel around Hokkaido? Finally, March brings with it slowly increasing temperatures but also a chance to experience some truly unique outdoor Hokkaido festivals. It’s not uncommon to see a patch of Spring-like conditions mid-way through the season, then excess snowfall in Spring. Hokkaido really shines in the autumn! Everything will be operating. As this season is a popular time to visit Japan, the country gets very busy toward the end of the month. Many visitors to the area during the summer months want to see the lavender farms. Long sunny days and cool nights give ample time to enjoy every day. The Shiretoko area is a National Park and a prime spot to see the Hokkaido brown bear (from the safety of your car! Spring comes later to Hokkaido than the rest of Japan, but it’s a safe bet that most snow will be gone by mid-April. For those looking for outdoor adventures, the summer may be the best time to visit Hokkaido. Hokkaido's summer is short, and many flowers bloom all together between June and August. January is the most popular time to visit Japan ski resorts due to work and school holiday breaks for those in Australia. Being so naturally varied with forests and lakes, it's only fair to see Hokkaido as one of the most photogenic places in Japan. Okay, so Hokkaido and the Tohoku region may not hit double digits (Sapporo’s average March daytime high is 4°C, for example), making them good for winter sports. It gets 6m of snow a year, and the first of the season usually falls in October. The best time of year to visit Japan really depends on where in the country you’re headed and what you’re looking to include in your itinerary. Hokkaido for reliable powder & off piste/tree skiing, and Japan Alps (Honsu) - more European style alps. You will find ski resorts near Tokyo, but most of the best winter destinations for experts are found on the island of Hokkaido and in the Nagano, Nigata and Iwate prefectures on the main island of Honshu. Toward the end of March the cherry blossom begins to emerge in the south of the country, which is celebrated by the Japanese with picnics in local parks. This blogpost helps travellers answer the question “when is the best time to visit Hokkaido?”. Explore with a local guide and immerse yourself in this unique environment and culture. Hokkaido is quieter too, with fewer crowds, which makes it perfect for those interested in off the beaten path adventures. Don’t miss out on the Sapporo Yosakoi Festival, and outdoor dancing festival that takes place over multiple days. Here’s a rough guide to help choose the best time to head to Japan for your next Winter ski holiday. True Japan powder snowboarding on a classic Hokkaido powder … The best time to see Furano's lavender is early to late July. Best time to visit: Hokkaido tends to be associated with its winter events and skiing but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do the rest of the year as the island is dry with low humidity . Most of ski resorts in Hokkaido open from late November~early December till April~May. January—or as some call it “Japanuary”—is the best time to go skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido, especially if you love powder snow. Once autumn arrives my favourite day hike is Nakadake Onsen, a great day walking through the mountainside in all the colours of autumn and a soak in the natural hot springs ! Truly impressive. It has gigantic ice buildings and sculptures, with illuminations and fireworks in the evening.