Room to cruise
Intermediates and confident riders will appreciate the sustained runs. Choose your route by the current piste map, your ability and the day’s conditions.
Single ski area
2026–2027Winter operating plans
Published course counts describe the facility, not the number of runs open on your visit.
| Ski area / zone | Planned start–end | Source / checked |
|---|---|---|
| Appi Kogen Ski Resort | – Planned | Official announcement ↗Checked: 12 October 2026 |
These are seasonal plans, not live slope or lift status. Snow and weather can change the dates and the terrain available.
Check the season and update time on the linked page. Snow and lift reports from a previous season may remain online.
A winter escape in Japan’s Tohoku mountains.
THE MOUNTAIN · THE FOOD · THE STAY01 / THE MOUNTAINAPPI KOGEN, IWATE
Find your
long way down.
Long, carefully groomed pistes are Appi’s calling card. If your ideal day means linking turns all the way down the mountain, put this corner of Tohoku on your list.
With 11 runs stretching beyond two kilometres, there is room to settle into a rhythm. The appeal continues at the base: slope-side stays, Japanese dinners and an onsen before bed.
Snow, with variety
Appi is known for powder snow as well as piste grooming. Fresh snow changes the feel of the mountain; check daily lift and terrain openings before heading up.
A complete mountain stay
Combine skiing or snowboarding with hot springs and regional food. Staying at the resort makes it easier to spend your time on the mountain.
Terrain figures describe the resort, not the number of runs open on a particular day.Official piste map & conditions
02 / GETTING HEREMAKE THE LAST LEG EASY
All roads lead
to the snow.
From Tokyo, travel north to Morioka by Tohoku Shinkansen, then continue to Appi. Match your arrival to the resort transfer before you book.
STARTTokyoTohoku Shinkansen
CONNECTMoriokaResort bus or local train
ARRIVEAppi KogenCheck your hotel’s drop-off
FROM MORIOKA STATION70–75 min
Hotel shuttle
The published 2026–27 charter shuttle costs ¥2,000 per adult, one way. It is for eligible APPI hotel guests and uses Morioka Station’s West Exit.
Reserve by 23:59 the day before. The charter service is scheduled for 5 December 2026–4 April 2027.
FROM HANAMAKI AIRPORT90 min
Airport transfer
Iwate Hanamaki is a regional arrival option. The published APPI hotel-guests’ charter shuttle costs ¥3,500 per adult, one way.
Reserve at least four days ahead. Confirm flight connections and your hotel’s eligibility.
RAIL ALTERNATIVE~60 min
Appi Kogen Station
Local trains from Morioka take about an hour. Arrange the final station-to-hotel transfer separately; confirm the winter shuttle timetable before travel.
For the regular Morioka–Appi public bus, the 2026–27 timetable and fare were still being finalised when checked.
Driving? The resort is about 20 minutes from Matsuo-Hachimantai IC in normal conditions. Allow extra time in snow and arrange a winter-equipped rental car.
03 / WHERE TO STAYTHREE DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO APPI
Your mountain
address.
A luxury retreat, a practical slope-side base or a ryokan focused on food and hot springs. Choose the stay that fits the rest of your trip.
01
FOR A SPECIAL OCCASIONANA InterContinental
Appi Kogen Resort
A small luxury hotel with 38 rooms and suites, mountain views, hot springs and a spa. A strong choice for couples who want the hotel to be part of the experience.
- Why choose it
- Space, privacy and a slower evening.
- Before booking
- Compare room types and the dining or lounge benefits included in your rate.
02
FOR MAXIMUM SLOPE TIMEANA Crowne Plaza
Resort Appi Kogen
The landmark yellow hotel beside the ski area. A broad range of room types, several restaurants and an indoor pool make it a useful base for families and groups.
- Why choose it
- Slopes, dinner and facilities in one resort.
- Before booking
- Check your building, room layout and which meals or activities are included.
03
FOR FOOD & ONSENShikikan Saito
Shikikan Saito · Akasakata
Stay outside the resort in a Japanese ryokan with seasonal multi-course dinners, individual room designs and indoor and open-air baths. The evening is a reason to stay here.
- Why choose it
- A regional Japanese inn experience.
- Before booking
- Reserve the ski-area transfer by the previous day; check arrival and departure-day restrictions.
Room prices vary by date, occupancy and meal plan. Compare the full stay price on each property’s website.Saito transfer details ↗
04 / EAT & DRINKFROM LAST RUN TO LAST ORDERS
The other reason
to come north.
Seafood from Sanriku, Japanese beef, local sake and a proper drink after dinner.
Start with the resort’s restaurants and bars for an easy evening. For a meal farther afield, LAMP brings a local Hachimantai option to the list.
Winter 2026–27 dinner reservations ↗
IZAKAYAInside APPI resort
ABURI-TEI Aburitei
Robata-style grilled seafood and regional mountain ingredients, with sake from Iwate and Tohoku. The pick for a Japanese izakaya evening.
Seasonal venue. Its page still marks the 2025–26 season as finished; confirm 2026–27 reopening before planning dinner here.
JAPANESE DININGCrowne Plaza · Main 2F
Nanashigure Nanashigure
Seasonal Japanese dishes and set menus built around the region’s seafood and mountain produce. A good fit for a relaxed, food-focused dinner.
Currently listed: 17:30–21:00; last orders 20:30. Reserve your table, including when dinner is part of your hotel package.
CASUAL BARANA Crowne Plaza
Grand Chariot
Beer, wine, whisky and cocktails, plus light meals. With darts and sports viewing, this is the choice for a more sociable end to the day.
Check the operating nights and hours for your stay with the hotel.
COCKTAIL BARANA InterContinental
MOCCO
A quieter bar for a cocktail or whisky with a view. Non-resident guests are welcome; ask the InterContinental front desk about access.
Currently listed: 19:00–00:00; last orders 23:30. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
LOCAL RESTAURANTKashiwadai, Hachimantai
Restaurant LAMP
A longstanding local restaurant, operating in Hachimantai since 1969. Consider it when exploring the area around Morinoyu rather than returning straight to the resort.
Dinner hours and closing days differ across its official listings. Call +81 195 78 2066 before making the trip; arrange your return transport.
Plan your evening: book dinner early, allow for the last transfer, and choose a taxi or hotel transfer if you will be drinking.
05 / AFTER THE SLOPESSTAY A LITTLE LONGER
Turn the pace
right down.
Hot springs fit neatly after a full ski day. For a taste of local craft, finish earlier and make time for a daytime visit.
THE EASY APRÈS-SKI CHOICE
Shirakaba no Yu
Appi Onsen Shirakaba no Yu
Trade ski boots for an open-air hot-spring bath. This is the simplest way to add a Japanese onsen experience to a stay at Appi.
- Where
- Within the APPI resort area; ask your hotel about the local transfer.
- Currently listed hours
- 13:00–22:00; last admission 21:30. Check seasonal changes before visiting.
AN EVENING OUTING~25 min by car
Hachimantai Morinoyu
Hachimantai Onsenkyo Morino Yu
A public hot-spring bath in Hachimantai Onsenkyo, with indoor and outdoor baths and a sauna. A good alternative when you want to explore beyond the resort.
10:00–20:00; last admission 19:00. Closed on the third Friday of the month. The published 25-minute drive from Appi is a normal-conditions guide; snow can add time.
FINISH SKIING EARLYLocal craft
Appi Urushi Studio
Appi Urushi Workshop
Discover Appi’s lacquerware tradition and browse pieces made for everyday use. It is a different side of the region, beyond snow and hot springs.
09:30–17:00. Closed Sundays and Mondays from December to March, with holiday exceptions. Arrange transport to the studio in the Ashiro area; contact it ahead for workshop experiences.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
Continue exploring this area
GUIDE
Explore Tohoku
Decide on a base and enjoy the land. A regional stay guide with a focus on snowy mountains.
GUIDE
Tohoku snow travel guide
Even within the same region, transportation hubs and convenient accommodations vary. Choose your destination based on your accommodation and last leg of travel.
Area reference photograph; not the featured propertyATTRACTION
Appi Lacquerware Workshop
Local pottery and daily handicrafts.
FOOD
Grand Chariot
Time spent talking with friends after skiing.
FOOD
MOCCO
End your day with a quiet drink.
STAY
ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen
A convenient base for days on the slopes.
Sources
www.appi.co.jp · 3 October 2026
www.japan.travel · 3 October 2026
www.appi.co.jp · 12 October 2026