The Ultimate Japow Guide: Japow Resorts in Hokkaido

Japow Was Calling – Here’s Where I Answered

So, you’ve heard the hype. You know what Japow is. Now the big question: where do you actually go to ride it?

With over 500 ski resorts across Japan, choosing the right destination can be overwhelming. But if you’re chasing deep, dry, dreamy powder, there’s one place that’s earned its legendary status: Hokkaido! Let’s break down what makes this region so special – and which resorts truly deliver.

Welcome to Hokkaido – The Land of the North

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island, kissed by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk. Sitting on a similar latitude to cities like Munich, Chicago, and London, Hokkaido gets blasted with Siberian storms that dump meters of powder across its 1,300+ peaks. Temperatures regularly drop below -30°C, making it the coldest and snowiest region in the country. And while its mountains aren’t sky-high, don’t let that fool you – what they lack in altitude, they make up for in quality of snow. To make it simple, I’ve grouped the best resorts by region. Scroll down, explore the map, and start daydreaming.

Sapporo Area

Kiroro – The Snow Magnet

If the rest of Japan is dry, Kiroro is still getting pounded. It’s literally a powder black hole.

• Lifts: 10 lifts
• Slopes: 30 km
• Crowds: Chill on weekdays, moderate on weekends. Locals know it’s a powder magnet, so on storm days: be early or get left behind.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 50.–
• Best for: Powder addicts who don’t mind chill terrain.
• Fun Fact: Waffle hot dogs with cheese, ketchup, and mustard. Yes, you read that right.

✨ Strict off-piste rules. Don’t even try to duck a rope — they’ll yell. Be fast… or say goodbye to your lift pass. But the snow? Unreal. 

Sapporo Kokusai – The Day-Tripper’s Dream

Niseko-level powder, but just a short train ride from the city. Perfect for a spontaneous shred session.

• Lifts: 5 lifts
• Slopes: 11 km
• Crowds: Busy on weekends, chill on weekdays
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 36.-
• Best for: Weekend warriors & budget-conscious skiers, no night skiing
• Fun Fact: Locals treat it as a “hit it hard, then go soak” resort — post-ride onsens are practically tradition.

✨ Nice terrain, easy access, and a fun ride out. Expect crowds on weekends.

Asarigawa Onsen – Tiny but Fun

This one’s adorable. Small, quirky, and kinda charming.

• Lifts: 3 lifts
• Slopes: 6.9 km
• Crowds: Ultra chill, mostly locals, ski schools, and beginners.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 30.-
• Best for: Beginners, warm-up days, or a chill vibe
• Fun Fact: Possibly the tiniest ticket office in all of Japan.

✨ The lifts at Asarigawa are straight out of the 80s, and the whole place gives off major throwback vibes – it’s like snowboarding in a vintage postcard.

West Hokkaido

Niseko – The Powder Disneyland

If you haven’t heard of Niseko, you’ve probably been living under a rock. With four interconnected resorts and a massive international scene, it’s Japow’s main stage — the ultimate blend of magic and mayhem. They don’t call it Japow Disneyland for nothing. So many Aussies ride here that locals jokingly call it “Nisekonesia” — but with 15 meters of snow per season, no one’s complaining.

• Lifts: 32 lifts
• Slopes: 50 km
• Crowd: Packed during holidays and powder days. Huge international scene. Be early, be fast, or settle for tracked-out lines.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 65.–
• Best for: Powder chasers, après ski fans
• Fun Fact: The legendary “Pizza Box” single chairlift still runs!

✨ Powder is abundant. But gates close early (14:30), and it gets busy. Still worth it — if you know how to play the game.

Rusutsu – Haunted Powder Paradise

Rusutsu delivers incredible tree runs, wide-open groomers, and surprisingly fun terrain — all wrapped in a slightly surreal atmosphere. With two distinct areas — West Mountain (more mellow) and East + Mt. Isola (steeper, deeper) — you can ride all day without getting bored.

• Lifts: 18 lifts across 2 resorts
• Slopes: 42 km
• Crowd: Can get pretty busy, especially on weekends and holidays — this place isn’t a secret anymore. West Mountain sees more families and ski schools, while East + Mt. Isola handles it better, with more space to escape and chase fresh lines. Still, expect lines on a good powder day.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 90.– (most expensive we experienced — but early bird offers help)
• Best for: Tree riders, carvers, and adventurous explorers
• Fun Fact: Rusutsu is the only ski resort in Japan with a rollercoaster sitting next to the slopes. It’s closed in winter, but it looms over the village like a ghost of summer fun — super creepy, super iconic.

✨ Rusutsu stole my heart. Between the carving slopes and the bottomless trees, it was everything I wanted in a Japow day!

Central Hokkaido

Kamui Ski Links – Hokkaido’s Best-Kept Secret

No frills. No fancy hotels. Just good snow, good lines, and a quiet, old-school vibe that makes Kamui feel like a locals-only powder haven.

• Lifts: 6 lifts
• Slopes: 24 km
• Crowds: Almost nonexistent. No lines, no stress. Locals show up when it dumps — otherwise, it’s all yours.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 33.–
• Best for: Locals, powder seekers, anyone who hates queues
• Fun Fact: May you find the pink bathroom at Kamui. Nothing like stepping into a bubblegum bathroom after slashing powder turns – because apparently, even powder hunters deserve a little pastel sparkle. 💖

✨ The place feels like someone built a resort just for their friends — and then forgot to tell the world. Chill lifts, deep pow, and no crowds. What more do you need?

Furano – The Anti-Niseko

No parties, no hype, no massive crowds. Furano is where the locals go to ride hard and earn their turns. The terrain hits different here  – steeper, more technical, and definitely not for the faint of heart.

• Lifts: 11 lifts
• Slopes: 32 km
• Crowds: Way more chill than Niseko, but not empty. Early birds score fresh lines. Tourist groups show up late — but by then, you’re sipping your second coffee.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 47.–
• Best for: Confident riders who want space to play and steeper tree runs.
• Fun Fact: In the lift line at Furano, there’s a vending machine that sells… bean sandwich ice cream. And yes — people actually buy it. Because nothing says “I’m ready for a steep tree run” like sweet red bean paste frozen between two cookies at -15°C.

✨ I came for the powder, but it was that one hidden line — and the non-stop laughs with my crew — that really stuck with me. Furano gave us some of the best days. The kind you don’t plan, but never forget.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu – Luxury Meets Deep Powder

Where else can you shred pow, then float in a heated indoor wave pool with a view? Tomamu is what happens when you mix Japow with sleek design, sky-high hotel towers, and just enough wilderness to keep it interesting.

• Lifts: 6 lifts
• Slopes: 21 km
• Crowd: Can feel busy near the base, but the tree zones stay untouched longer — especially if you know how to find the side gates.
• Lift Ticket Price: ≈ CHF 47.–
• Best for: Couples, families, or those wanting comfort + pow
• Fun Fact: There’s literally an app to track tree runs and terrain access — because of course there is. You’re in Tomamu now.

✨ It’s a flex — luxury towers, heated pools, and still untouched pow. But honestly? I’ll trade the spa robe for tree runs and a sketchy lift any day.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to ride all 500 resorts. Honestly, if you time it right, one is enough. But if you’re like me — chasing face shots, laughing with friends, and finding magic in the trees — Hokkaido’s mix of wild snow and wild vibes is something you won’t forget anytime soon. This won’t be my last Japow trip — that’s for sure.

Have you shredded Japow yet?

Been to any of these Hokkaido resorts? Or dreaming of the first time?
Drop your go-to spot or bucket list pick – let’s compare notes!
Got resort questions? I’ve got you. Comment below and let’s get your ride planned.

More about Japow:

The Ultimate Japow Guide

  What is Japow? 

  My Japow Adventure  

 Japow Resorts in Hokkaido

 How to plan your Japow trip

  Freeride Safety, Apps, and Survival Rules

  The Culture of Japan – Beyond the Powder

Next, we’re getting into something crucial – don’t miss the next post: The Ultimate Japow Guide: How to Plan Your Japow Trip

Until then: Keep the stoke high, your board ready, and your dreams face-shot deep.

Media: All video footage is owned by me. Some images were generated using Midjourney AI.