Let's Plan Your Family Ski Trip to Japan

A Step-by-Step Guide

Do you get to January, open Instagram, and suddenly everyone you know is skiing in Japan? Meanwhile, you’re sitting there thinking, “Wait… didn’t I say we’d plan this last year?”

Let’s make 2026 the year you fill the feed — with powdery ski shots, steaming bowls of ramen, and grinning gondola selfies. This is your family’s year to finally do it — and we’re here to help you plan it from first idea to first lift ride.

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🏔️ Step 1: Choose Your Region

First things first — where do you want to ski?
The big decision: Honshu or Hokkaido — or a combination of both.

Let’s start with Honshu, Japan’s main island. Getting to the mountains here is as easy as hopping on a Shinkansen from Tokyo or Osaka. If you love the idea of combining city adventures with snowy ones, Honshu makes it wonderfully easy.

On the other hand, Hokkaido (hello, Sapporo!) lies further north and feels like its own snowy wonderland. You can reach it via a quick domestic flight from Tokyo — or even better, take advantage of Qantas’ new direct seasonal service from Australia to Sapporo.

❄️ Honshu vs. Hokkaido — What’s the Difference?

Still unsure which is right for you? Here’s a quick comparison:

• Honshu offers more traditional Japanese villages, onsen culture, and cultural attractions. The terrain tends to be steeper, and while the snow is excellent, conditions can be a little more variable.

• Hokkaido is world-renowned for light, dry, consistent powder. Resorts often feel more international and cater especially well to families, intermediates, and powder chasers.

Bottom line: Both are incredible. It just depends on the kind of experience you’re after.

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⛷️ Step 2: Choose Your Ski Resort

Once you've picked your region, the next step is zooming in on the right resort for your family.

Here are a few key questions to help narrow it down:

• Do you need an English-speaking ski school?
  Not all resorts offer this — and trust us, it makes a huge difference.

• What are your skill levels?
  Be realistic about where everyone’s at now — but also consider how quickly beginners can progress.

• Is everyone skiing?
  If not, look for resorts that offer non-ski activities like snowshoeing, tubing, or cultural excursions. They’re great for rest days too.

• How important is après-ski to you?
  Japan’s après scene is mellow (think soaking and feasting), but it’s growing and very different in each resort.

• Are you hiring a car or staying put?
  If flexibility is a priority, consider renting a car.

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🏨Step 3: Choose Your Accommodation

Now that you've chosen your resort, it’s time to figure out where to stay. A few things to think about:

• Hotel, lodge, or apartment?
  We usually book through Booking.com or Agoda. Lodges often feel warm and social, while apartments offer space and flexibility — perfect for families.

• Do you want ski-in/ski-out?
  If you’ve got little ones (or just tired legs), ski-in/ski-out is a total game-changer.

• What about meals?
  Some accommodations offer half-board (breakfast and dinner), which is fantastic in smaller towns. If you like more variety, choose somewhere close to local restaurants.

• Interested in onsen access?
  Don’t miss out on this classic Japanese experience — many accommodations have their own baths, or are located near public ones.

• How close do you want to be to the lifts?
  Decide whether you’d prefer to stay right at the base or are happy walking or shuttling from a nearby village.

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🚄 Step 4: Plan Your Transport

With your region, resort, and lodging picked, it’s time to sort out how you’ll get there.

• Flights:
  Use Skyscanner to compare routes into Tokyo, Osaka, or Sapporo.

• Trains:
  The Shinkansen is a great way to travel and can be great value if you’re visiting multiple regions. We loving booking with Klook as it is so easy to prebook your exact train and seats.

• Car hire:
  We’ve had good luck with Discover Cars. Just be sure to tick the box for snow tyres and bring your international driver’s permit.

• Airport transfers:
  Some resorts offer direct buses — bookable through Klook or similar services. They’re perfect if the kids can handle the journey and you’re ready to ski the next morning.

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📅 Step 5: Book Your Trip

You’re almost there! Now it’s time to lock things in.

Travel Agent or DIY?

We’ve used Japan ski specialists in the past like Ski Japan, but these days we prefer to book everything ourselves — it gives us more control and flexibility.

Here’s the order we recommend:

1. Book your flights via Skyscanner

2. Lock in your accommodation with Booking.com

3. Add your transport: Klook.com for Shinkansen or Discover Cars for car hire

Stay tuned for:

1. Why we Keep Recommending Nozawa Onsen

2. Why We Keep Going Back to Shiga Kogen for Family Ski Holidays

3. Your Guide to a Self-Drive Ski Trip in Morioka, Japan