CULTURE & NATURE

Things to do in Japan

Leave a day for the places beyond the slopes. Explore local sights, culture and winter experiences alongside your ski holiday.

NATIONWIDE FIELD NOTES

Explore places that fit your ski holiday, organised by region. Check each official website for current availability, prices and opening hours.

Mount Yotei from Grand Hirafu, photographed in March 2017. This is a destination photograph, not current snow conditions.Hokkaido
JAPAN SNOW GUIDE

Niseko United

Four ski areas surround Niseko Annupuri. Start with the base that fits your hotel and lesson, then shape the day around wind, lift operations and open terrain.

Winter slopes at Zao Onsen Ski Resort.Yamagata Prefecture
JAPAN SNOW GUIDE

Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Ride up towards the winter trees, then return to the hot-spring town for the evening.

Winter view of Hakuba Happo-one: a sea of clouds and morning light beyond the lift.Nagano Prefecture
JAPAN SNOW GUIDE

Hakuba Valley

A group of ski areas facing the Northern Alps. Choose a hotel by the mountain you want to ski and the village where you want to have dinner.

Hokkaido

Ningle Terrace at dusk. A wooden path and the lights of small shops continue through the snow-covered forest.Facility scenery

Ningle Terrace (Hokkaido Furano City, Shin Furano Prince Hotel premises)/ Spring, May 3, 2013, residual snow, dusk

Photograph source

Photo: 663highland/Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0. Spring, May 3, 2013, still snow, sunset scenery. Size adjustment, WebP conversion, and cropping to fit the display frame.

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Ningle Terrace

A shopping area lined with craft shops in the forest of Shin Furano Prince Hotel. You can incorporate nature-themed works and wooden hut views into your post-slide stroll. The opening hours and closures of each store may not be the same, and the aisles may be covered in snow in the winter. In addition to shopping, leave time to admire the forest scenery as much as you can afford.

Before you visit or book

Check the area and opening hours of each store, footing on snowy roads, and experience reception.

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Furano Cheese Factory

A facility that introduces the production of cheese using milk from Furano. In addition to viewing through the glass and shopping at the shop, you can also enjoy iced milk, pizza, and a hands-on experience. During the winter, there will be notices of closures and maintenance, so be sure to check the opening hours before stopping by on your way home. If you would like to try it out, check the reservation slots and required time.

Before you visit or book

Check winter closure/maintenance dates, trial reservations, pizza factory sales status, and round-trip transportation.

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Frost Tree Terrace

A winter observation facility accessed by Unkai Gondola. You can see trees and mountains covered in hoarfrost, and enjoy the scenery of the snowy mountains along with Unkai Café. The seasonal experience is different from Unkai Terrace in the summer, and you won't always see hoarfrost or diamond dust. Prepare for the cold and visit according to the weather and gondola service on the day.

Before you visit or book

Check opening hours, sightseeing tickets, suspensions, shoes suitable for walking, and protection against the cold.

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Ice Village

An area that combines an ice dome and a playground that is open on winter nights. You will be guided through experiences that take advantage of the natural cold, such as ice bars and slides. Each dome will open sequentially depending on ice conditions, so the opening date for an area and the start of an individual experience will not be the same. Check the operating hours and admission conditions of the experience you want to see and plan accordingly.

Before you visit or book

Check the day's operations, admission conditions, start of each experience, additional fees, and children's clothing.

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Mina-Mina Beach

With Tomamu's indoor pool facility, it's an easy option to incorporate into a non-skiing day or a family rest day. You will be guided through the facilities such as the wave pool, and you can also consider the open-air bath Kirin no Yu. We will introduce them separately from hot spring facilities. The conditions for inn passes and day-trip admission are different, so be sure to check your reservations and what you need before visiting.

Before you visit or book

Check whether admission reservations are required, accommodation plan targets, swimwear rental, age and accompanying conditions.

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Aomori Prefecture

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Snow-monster viewing on Hakkoda Ropeway

See winter Hakkoda without skiing.

Before you visit or book

Check the day's operation, snow monsters/visibility information, sightseeing tickets, and winter walking range.

Read the sightseeing guide
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Jogakura Bridge

A bridge spanning the Jogakura mountain stream in Towada Hachimantai National Park. Weather permitting, you can enjoy views of the mountains and valleys of Hakkoda, and choose a detour on your road trip. Winter has snow, wind, and road regulations, so don't visit with the same feeling as a summer stroll. Plan to see as much of the scenery as you can on days when you can drive and park.

Before you visit or book

Check winter traffic regulations, parking lot conditions, strong winds, road conditions, and local access information.

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Iwate prefecture

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IWATE

Appi Lacquerware Workshop

A workshop where you can experience Appi's lacquerware culture. This is a good option for combining time spent learning about local manufacturing with a stay at a hot spring or an inn.

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Kitakami Oni Museum

A museum that collects materials on the theme of demons and introduces local culture such as Kitakami's Onikenbai. This is a good option for adding Kitakami's history and folklore to your mountain trip by preparing a half-day separate from the skiing. The facility is not located in front of a station or adjacent to a ski resort, so please check the city transportation separately. Focusing on indoor tours, it can also be considered as a destination on days when the skiing is shortened due to weather.

Before you visit or book

Check closures/special exhibitions, opening hours, public transportation/taxi, and baggage handling.

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Akita Prefecture

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Lake Tazawa and the Tatsuko Statue

The Tatsuko statue on the southwest shore of Lake Tazawa is a lakeside landmark named after the legend of Princess Tatsuko. This will be a detour to see the lake seen from the ski resort from a different angle. However, since the location is far from the ski resort and the east shore of the lake, we plan to move cars and buses around the lake. We don't rely on sightseeing boats or rental bicycles in winter, but rather visit according to the snowfall and road conditions.

Before you visit or book

Check winter transportation, bus services, parking, snow on sidewalks, and opening hours of nearby stores along the lake.

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Yamagata Prefecture

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Zao Ropeway

Ropeway from Zao base station to Jizo Sancho Station via Juhyo Kogen Station. Winter is the gateway to seeing snow monsters, giving non-skiers the chance to enjoy the mountain scenery. The shape and appearance of snow monsters changes depending on natural conditions. Be prepared to protect yourself from the cold weather at the top of the mountain, and be sure to allow plenty of time for your trip, keeping in mind that wind may cause cancellations and crowds.

Before you visit or book

snow monsters Differences between admiration tickets and ski tickets, round-trip service status, cold protection, and dates of night events.

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Miyagi prefecture

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Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum

A facility near Togatta Onsen that introduces traditional kokeshi dolls and wooden toys. You can experience Togatta's craft culture, and in addition to seeing the exhibits, you can also try painting. It's an indoor destination that you can incorporate into a half-day before departure, or on days when the wind changes your snowy mountain plans. Be sure to check the reception desk and closing days for the experience, and plan your schedule to include the time to take your work home.

Before you visit or book

Closing days, final admission reception, reservation and required time for painting experience.

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Miyagi Zao Snowcat Tour

A snowmobile snow monsters viewing tour starting from Sumikawa. Even non-skiers can add the winter scenery of Miyagi Zao to their trip. The departure location and experience are different from Zao Ropeway on the Yamagata side. The growth of snow monsters, visibility, and tour operations depend on natural conditions, so be sure to protect yourself from the cold, make reservations, and plan your stay at the hot spring town in case the weather changes.

Before you visit or book

Participation reservations, meeting time, cold weather, operation of the day, and status of snow monsters.

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Fukushima prefecture

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Goshikinuma Ponds

The Urabandai lakes were formed by the eruption of Mount Bandai. Each swamp has a different blue or green landscape, and the nature trail is your gateway to exploring the area. The conditions for walking in winter are different from those in seasons without snow, so check the trail conditions at the visitor center and choose the equipment and guide you need. You can consider taking a day off from skiing as a way to get to know the local nature.

Before you visit or book

Opening status of sightseeing trails, winter equipment and guides, weather, and transportation from entrances and exits.

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Urabandai Visitor Center

A national park information facility located at the east entrance of the Goshikinuma nature trail. You can learn about Urabandai's nature and history through exhibits, and get information on sightseeing routes, mountain trails, flora and fauna. A useful base before walking around the area during the snowy season, or on days when you change your plans for the snowy mountains. Choose between a tour of the facility and a walk outside, and ask about seasonal conditions at the counter before deciding on your destination.

Before you visit or book

Closed days, winter opening hours, latest information on nature exploration trails, and experience registration.

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Niigata Prefecture

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Arai Zip Tour

A zipline experience using the mountains of Arai. This is an activity that requires reservations and is suitable for people who want to experience the expanse of the mountain from a different perspective than skiing. The dates vary depending on the season and weather, and there are participation conditions such as age, height, and weight. Make sure everyone in your party can participate, and plan your itinerary to include time for reception and equipment briefing.

Before you visit or book

Confirm the implementation season, reservations, participation conditions, and cancellations due to weather.

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Takada Castle Site Park

A park in Joetsu City built on the site of Takada Castle. Through the moat, the restored triple turret, and the cultural facilities within the park, you can experience a castle town that is different from the snowy mountains. Since you will need to travel from the Arai site, it makes sense to include it as part of your Joetsu sightseeing on the day of your arrival or return. When walking in winter, check the snowfall and road surface, and choose a way to spend your time taking into account the opening days of indoor facilities.

Before you visit or book

Check snowfall, walking trails, opening dates of the triple turret and museum, and movement from the mountain.

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Ponshukan Echigo-Yuzawa

A facility that introduces Niigata's sake and food, located in CoCoLo Yuzawa near Echigo-Yuzawa Station. We carry brands of sake breweries in the prefecture, rice crackers, seasonings, and more, so you can go shopping on your way home or experience Niigata other than the snowy mountains. Check the terms and conditions for the sake tasting room, meals, and sake bath. Decide on your train time in advance and separate the people who will be drinking and the people who will be driving to have fun.

Before you visit or book

opening hours of each store, target age group for sake, sake bath business, return train and luggage.

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Nagano Prefecture

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Jigokudani Monkey Park

A park where you can observe the ecology of wild Japanese macaques in the Yokoyu River valley. You can incorporate it into your ski area experience on your arrival or departure day at Shiga Kogen. There is a section to walk from the bus stop and the parking lot on the Kanbayashi side, so in winter you will need cold protection and non-slip shoes. Understand that the monkeys may not always appear every day, and observe them quietly by following park rules and not feeding or touching them.

Before you visit or book

Confirm business operations and entry methods, monkey visitation status, winter sidewalks, and traffic.

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Hakuba Ski Jump Stadium

A ski jump stadium known as a venue of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. On a general visit, the lift and the start tower let you feel the height and slope the athletes face. It is still used for competitions and practice, so do not assume it is open to visitors at all times; check the opening information. It also suits a half-day of rest or time in the village with companions who do not ski.

Before you visit or book

Check tournament/practice schedules, lift operations, suspensions in case of bad weather, and tour areas.

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Oogama

A place that is rooted in the lifestyle of Nozawa Onsen, where a high-temperature source gushes out. As you watch villagers boiling vegetables and wild plants, you will learn that hot springs have been used not only for bathing, but also for kitchens. Tourists are not allowed to enter the hemp pot, so please plan it as a walking spot to observe it from the surrounding area. In winter, be careful of snow-covered roads in the area and do not obstruct the flow of people who use the area for daily living.

Before you visit or book

Check that non-village residents are prohibited from entering, the surrounding road surface, and viewing etiquette.

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CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

Continue exploring this area

Winter view of Hakuba Happo-one: a sea of clouds and morning light beyond the lift.
GUIDE

Getting to Hakuba

Reserved and non-reserved Nagano buses are separate. Winter pages still cover2025–26: verify the current departure and actual stop at Happo, Hakuba Station or Goryu. The existing80min example is bus plus walking from Nagano to Happo gondola, not every mountain or waiting time.

GUIDE

Japan snow itineraries

Connecting skiing days with time to enjoy the surroundings. Consider the model plan for each area.

GUIDE

A winter itinerary for Hakuba

Hakuba's model plan. Connecting arrival, skiing, and enjoyment of the surrounding area. Please adjust the number of days and time allocation according to arrival time and traffic.

GUIDE

A winter itinerary for Tomamu

Tomamu's model plan. Connecting arrival, skiing, and enjoyment of the surrounding area. Please adjust the number of days and time allocation according to arrival time and traffic.

GUIDE

Getting to GALA Yuzawa

Transportation information to GALA Yuzawa. From major transportation hubs to snowy mountains and the entrance to your inn. Please check the official information on the day of use for times and fees.

GUIDE

Getting to Kagura and Mitsumata

Transportation information to Kagura/Mitsumata. From major transportation hubs to snowy mountains and the entrance to your inn. Please check the official information on the day of use for times and fees.