This section contains reference answers to frequently asked questions about ski areas in Japan. It is a supporting resource to complement SnowJapan’s ski area reports, data, and archives.
How many ski areas have there been in Japan over time?
As noted elsewhere in our Guides section, it is very difficult to pinpoint an exact number of ski areas in Japan at any one time. The following estimates are based on decades of operating SnowJapan and researching the history of skiing in Japan, and give a good idea of how the number of operating ski areas has changed over the decades.
1955 — About 30 ski areas
1960 — About 70 ski areas
1965 — About 190 ski areas
1970 — About 310 ski areas
1975 — About 440 ski areas
1980 — About 500 ski areas
1985 — About 530 ski areas
1990 — About 650 ski areas
1995 — About 700 ski areas
2000 — About 722 ski areas
2005 — About 700 ski areas
2010 — About 500 ski areas
2026 — About 490 ski areas (including some that are temporarily closed)
Why are there so many ski areas in Japan?
Japan currently has about 490 recognised ski areas.
Many were developed during the rapid growth of skiing and winter recreation from the 1960s through the 1990s. In addition to large destination ski areas, many towns and villages established smaller local ski areas for schools, families and community use.
While the total number has declined since its peak around the year 2000, Japan still has one of the largest numbers of ski areas in the world, ranging from internationally known destinations to small local hills.
What are the most northerly and southerly ski areas in Japan?
The most northerly ski area in Japan is Kushukohan, located on the small island of Rebun off the northern coast of Hokkaido. The most northerly ski area on the Hokkaido mainland is Wakkanai Komadori.
On Japan's main island of Honshu, the most northerly ski area is Mutsushi Kamafuseyama, located in Aomori Prefecture. The most westerly ski area on Honshu is Tokusagamine, in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The most southerly operating ski area in Japan is Kujyu Shinrin Koen, in Oita Prefecture. It is also the most westerly operating ski area in the country and the only operating ski area on the southern island of Kyushu. Gokase Highland, in neighbouring Miyazaki Prefecture, was formerly Japan's most southerly operating ski area. In July 2026, it was announced that Gokase Highland would permanently close and would not operate from the 2026–2027 season onwards.
Together, these ski areas illustrate the north-to-south extent of skiing in Japan, with the most northerly and most southerly operating ski areas separated by more than 1,650 km.
More broadly, most ski areas are concentrated in the mountainous regions of northern and central Japan, becoming progressively less numerous further west and south.
Why do some ski areas close permanently?
Japan's number of operating ski areas has gradually declined since reaching its peak around the year 2000. However, ski areas have been closing throughout the post-war era. Even in the 1970s, some smaller ski areas disappeared as larger and more modern facilities attracted more visitors. The SnowJapanHistory archive clearly shows how closures have occurred throughout the decades.
Permanent closures occur for a variety of reasons, including declining visitor numbers, ageing facilities, financial difficulties, changing demographics and, in some regions, less reliable snowfall. In many cases, several factors contribute to a decision to close.
SnowJapan continues to maintain historical records of closed ski areas as part of our long-term archive of Japan's skiing history. For more information about former ski areas, see SnowJapanHistory, which documents ski areas that no longer operate.
Is the amount of snowfall in Japan declining in recent years?
Long-term observations by the Japan Meteorological Agency indicate declining trends in snowfall and snow cover in many parts of Japan (link to report in Japanese language). However, conditions vary considerably depending on the region, elevation and the individual winter.
Many long-time residents of Japan's snowy regions feel that winters are not as consistently snowy as they once were. Ski areas in western Japan in particular, as well as some lower-elevation ski areas elsewhere in the country, have experienced seasons with limited (or even no) natural snowfall.
At the same time, Japan's main snow regions continue to receive very large amounts of snowfall in many winters. Some winters bring exceptional snowfall, while others are less snowy than average.
SnowJapan is not a meteorological organisation, and our observations are based on years of monitoring ski areas and snowfall across Japan. It is therefore difficult for us to make broad statements that apply equally across the whole country, particularly as trends can vary significantly depending on the region and elevation.
For recent observed snowfall data, check the statistics in our daily reports. For historical snow depth data, where available, see the individual ski area listings on SnowJapan.
What counts as a ski area on SnowJapan?
SnowJapan aims to document all recognised ski areas (スキー場) in Japan.
Our database includes ski areas of all sizes, from major destination resorts to small local facilities. Some have dozens of lifts, while others have only a single lift or rope tow. A small number operate without any lifts at all.
However, not every place where people can ski or play in the snow is considered a ski area. Small practice slopes, school grounds and temporary snow play areas are not included unless they are formally recognised and operated as a ski area.
Our guiding principle is simple: if a location is recognised as a ski area in Japan, it has a place in the SnowJapan database.
Is Shiga Kogen one ski area or 18 ski areas?
The answer depends on how you choose to count them.
On SnowJapan, all ski areas in the Shiga Kogen highland area of Nagano Prefecture are identified as being part of Shiga Kogen. However, we count them as 18 separate ski areas because each has its own recognised name and independent ownership and operation.
Many visitors experience Shiga Kogen as a single interconnected destination, and you may see it described elsewhere as one large ski resort. Both approaches are understandable and depend on the context. However, the existence of connections and shared lift tickets is not, by itself, enough to define a single ski area. For example, ABLE Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park are directly connected and share a lift ticket, yet are recognised as two separate ski areas.
For the purposes of the SnowJapan database, each recognised ski area is recorded individually while also being identified as part of the wider Shiga Kogen highland area.
Why doesn't SnowJapan use the terms "Hakuba Valley" and "Niseko United"?
Hakuba Valley and Niseko United are organisations that bring together groups of ski areas for marketing and promotional purposes. They also provide visitor information and offer shared lift tickets and other services. They are not individual ski areas or geographical place names.
Throughout SnowJapan, information is organised by individual recognised ski areas rather than by these wider groupings. This provides a consistent way of documenting ski areas throughout Japan, regardless of how ski areas may be promoted or associated with one another.
Where relevant, Hakuba Valley, Niseko United and similar organisations are identified on individual ski area pages to help explain those relationships and make it easier for visitors to understand how ski areas are connected.
Why do some ski areas have several different names?
There are several reasons why a ski area may be known by more than one name.
Some ski areas have changed their official name following new ownership, redevelopment or rebranding. Others have merged with neighbouring ski areas while retaining elements of their previous names. In some cases, different English spellings are used for the same Japanese name.
Where appropriate, SnowJapan uses the current official name of each ski area while also recording previous names in our database and archives. This helps preserve historical records and makes it easier to find information about ski areas that have changed over time.
Occasionally, even the ski area itself appears to use more than one Japanese and/or English name. It can be confusing, even for long-term observers.
Why does SnowJapan use the term "ski area" instead of "ski resort"?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, "ski resort" can mean different things to different people. It may refer only to the skiing facilities, or to the wider destination including accommodation, restaurants, hot springs, shops and the surrounding town.
Throughout SnowJapan, we use the term "ski area" because it refers specifically to the skiing facilities themselves. It also more accurately reflects the diversity of skiing facilities found throughout Japan. Some ski areas are part of larger resort destinations, while others are small community-operated facilities with few or no visitor facilities nearby.
Why do you call a double ski lift a "pair lift"?
In Japan, a two-person chairlift is referred to as a "pair lift".
SnowJapan uses the naming conventions and terminology used at ski areas in Japan.
At some ski areas, particularly those with historical links to the Prince Hotels & Resorts group, you may also see the term “romance lift” used.
Common lift types in Japan include:
Ropeway – aerial cable car system with cabins travelling in both directions
Gondola – enclosed cabins running continuously on a circulating cable
Quad lift – 4-person chairlift
Triple lift – 3-person chairlift
Pair lift – 2-person chairlift
Single lift – 1-person lift
Why do you write "Hokkaido", not "Hokkaido Prefecture"?
Throughout SnowJapan, we refer to Japan's prefectures as, for example, Nagano Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture and Akita Prefecture.
Hokkaido is different. Although it has the same administrative status as Japan's other prefectures, its official English name is simply Hokkaido. Unlike the other prefectures, it does not use the word "Prefecture" in its official English name.
This dates back to the late nineteenth century, when Hokkaido was established as a separate administrative region. The suffix -do (道), meaning "circuit", was retained as part of its official name. Hokkaido is the only remaining example of this historical naming system in Japan.
For that reason, throughout SnowJapan we write Hokkaido, not Hokkaido Prefecture.
Are there any ski areas on Mount Fuji?
There are no ski areas on Mount Fuji itself, but there are two ski areas on its lower foothills: Snow Park Yeti in Shizuoka Prefecture and Fujiten Snow Resort in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Are there any summer ski slopes and indoor skiing facilities in Japan?
At one time, there were quite a few summer ski slopes in Japan featuring artificial mat surfaces.
In recent years, however, their number has declined, with several facilities announcing closure in 2025, including Fujiten Snow Resort in Yamanashi Prefecture, GALA Yuzawa and Kagura in Niigata Prefecture, and Winghills Shirotori Resort in Gifu Prefecture.
True to our name, we love the snow in Japan, so this isn't our main area of interest. However, as far as we can tell, the following ski areas offer skiing on mat surfaces in summer 2026:
Engaru Rock Valley in Hokkaido
Marunuma Kogen in Gunma Prefecture
Nozawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture
Riverwell Ikawa in Shizuoka Prefecture
Wakasugi Kogen Oya in Hyogo Prefecture
As with summer ski slopes, there used to be more indoor skiing facilities than there are today. The remaining facilities are SNOVA Shin Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture and the indoor half-pipe facility at Kamui Misaka ski area in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Perhaps the most famous indoor skiing facility in Japan was SSAWS ('Spring Summer Autumn Winter in Snow') in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It operated between 1993 and 2002.
Will I see ‘snow monkeys’ everywhere?
Wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) can be seen in some mountain areas of Japan, along with other wildlife such as Japanese serow (nihon kamoshika) and wild boar (inoshishi).
The most well-known location is Jigokudani Yaen-Koen Wild Snow Monkey Park in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture. The monkeys there are habituated to humans due to managed feeding in the park. As a result, visitors are often able to observe and photograph them from close range.
Should I go to Niseko or Hakuba?
We do not believe it is our place to recommend one ski area or region over another.
SnowJapan provides detailed information, independent reports, maps, statistics and other tools to help you compare Japan's ski areas and decide what best suits your own interests and priorities.
One thing we can say with confidence is that Japan offers far more than just a handful of well-known, highly regarded destinations. There are many other excellent ski areas across the country that are well worth considering. The best choice depends on the kind of experience you are looking for.
Good luck with your planning.
P.S. If you're looking for a recommendation... we'd tell you to make up your own mind!