APPI is located in Hachimantai city in the north-western region of Iwate Prefecture. It is one of the largest and well-known ski and snowboard resorts in the northern Tohoku region of Japan with slopes on Mt Maemori and Mt Nishimori in Hachimantai National Park. The resort is about 50km north of Morioka City and is popular throughout the year with a golf course and relatively cool temperatures in the summer months. In recent years, the resort has rebranded as just 'APPI' - until then it was know as 'Appi Kogen'. APPI has been operating since 1981.
APPI significantly expanded the tree run zones for the 2018-2019 season. There are now five zones - Bravo, Cruise 1 and 2, Dragon Tail and Attack over on Mt Nishimori.
The official vertical of APPI has changed since the Sailer gondola has been rested - it was previously 805m, but is now effectively 620m.
Iwate Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region of the main island of Honshu. Morioka is the capital city. Most of the ski and snowboard hills in Iwate Prefecture are located in the western mountainous regions, near to the border with Akita Prefecture. Aomori Prefecture is to the north and Miyagi Prefecture is to the south of Iwate.
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Ski and snowboard wear rental is also available.
Children's facilities
The 'APPI Snow Play Land' is located near the base of the resort and open from 12th December 2020 until 21st March 2021. There is a 800 yen entry charge for those with valid lift tickets, otherwise 1,000 yen.
Park information
Various official Backcountry Tours are available at the resort.
APPI Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Late November until Early May
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:00am until 3:40pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 3:40pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
APPI is open from 8:30am until 3:40pm on weekdays and Saturdays and from 8:00am until 3:40pm on holidays in the daytime.
Night skiing is from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on the following dates:
December 2020: 27th-31st January 2021: 1st-3rd, 10th February 2021: 11th-12th, 21st-22nd
The 'early season' is until 11th December 2020. The 'spring season' is from Monday 22nd April 2021.
APPI Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Under 6 years old
Older Child
School age (6-18 years)
Senior
60 years & over
5 Hours
5,300 yen
3,000 yen
3,000 yen
3,600 yen
1 Day
5,600 yen
3,300 yen
3,300 yen
3,900 yen
Shirakaba Pass
3,100 yen
2,000 yen
2,000 yen
2,300 yen
2 Days
10,900 yen
6,300 yen
6,300 yen
7,500 yen
3 Days
16,200 yen
9,300 yen
11,100 yen
11,100 yen
Nighta (4pm-8pm)
2,200 yen
1,500 yen
1,500 yen
1,700 yen
1 Lift Coupon
550 yen
550 yen
550 yen
550 yen
11 Lift Coupons
5,500 yen
5,500 yen
5,500 yen
5,500 yen
Gondola (1 ride)
1,650 yen
1,650 yen
1,650 yen
1,650 yen
2020-2021 Season lift tickets
The 5 Hour ticket is valid for 5 hours from the time of purchase.
Tickets that do not include riding the gondola are also available - 4,600 yen for one day; 4,300 yen for 5 hours.
The Shirakaba ticket is a special ticket for beginners. It is valid until 4:30pm on the Central quad lift and Central pair lifts only.
The 'early season' is until 11th December 2020. The 'spring season' is from Monday 22nd April 2021.
Getting to APPI
By public transport
Train
44.7km from Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line
10.1km from Appi Kogen Station on the Hanawa Line
30km from Iwate Numakunai Station on the Iwate Gingate Tetsudosen line
Information
APPI is about 10km from the small Appi Kogen Station on the Hanawa line.
It is just under 45km from Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line.
Shuttle bus services are available from Morioka Station to APPI and the journey takes about 1 hour.
By Car
12.6km from the Matsuo Hachimantai IC on the Tohoku Expressway
15.5km from the Ashiro IC on the Tohoku Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 282 (2.3km away)
Direction
APPI is located about 2km off Route 282. The resort is just under 13km from the Matsuo Hachimantai IC exit of the Tohoku Expressway.
From the Matsuo Hachimantai IC exit turn left onto Prefecture Road 45. After just over 200m turn left to continue on Prefecture Road 45. Turn left here and continue for about 3km until reaching the main Route 282 road. Turn left onto Route 282 and continue for about 8km until reaching some traffic lights with a Lawson convenience store on the left hand side. Appi Kogen is signposted at this junction - turn left and follow the signs for a few kilometres up to the Appi Kogen resort base.
From the Ashiro IC to the north, turn right onto Route 282 to head south towards 'Appi Heights' (as it is signposted) and Morioka. Continue on Route 282 for around 13km until reaching the signposted turn for Appi Kogen. Turn right and follow the signs for a few kilometres to the Appi Kogen resort base.
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