Japan's 2023/2024 ski season wraps! ❄️ Experience epic powder days like our team's adventure in Appi & plan your dream Japan ski trip with our early bird specials. Get a sneak peek at next season – contact The Snow Concierge today!

Last year there was great excitement when it was announced that Alts Bandai and neighbouring Nekoma Snow Park & Resort would finally be connected by an 810m lift from the 2023-24 season onwards. After hearing this news, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to check out a resort that’s been on the radar for a while. We duly booked a week at the Hoshino Bandaisan Onsen Hotel, the 4-star hotel situated within the resort complex.

So, what did we think?

Club Med the global leader in Luxury all inclusive holidays is offering an early bird discount of 30% off your entire stay if you book before the 31st of May 2024. This offer is available at all four of their amazing Japanese properties and is all most too good to pass up.

If you’re not concerned about known brands, this is where the real bargains can be had. As recently as three weeks ago, we saw adult beginner snowboard sets on sale in Tokyo for ¥29,900 (around AU$310) for a snowboard, set of bindings AND boots!!)

A few highlights from The Snow Concierge’s month on the ground in Japan.

The snow engines are firing up and while some resorts have been affected by a bit of rain this week, this weekend promises to be the start of a sustained period of snow across most regions.

It’s not quite summer yet in Australia, which means it’s still autumn in Japan but that hasn’t stopped snow from falling!

Heading to Japan? Here are just a few of The Snow Concierge’s favourite Japan travel hacks.

You’ve heard all about the phenomenal snow, the incredible cultural experience and pretty much everyone you’ve ever met has told you it’s one of the best snow destinations on the planet but you’re not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with some tips that will help make your Japan snow trip dream a reality – everything from when to go, to choosing the right resort.

At The Snow Concierge, the only thing we want you to have to think about is which chairlift to ride and what time to stop for lunch.

From the moment you arrive in Nozawa Onsen and wander the snow-covered streets, you will see what the hype is about. The village, with its narrow lanes and traditional wooden buildings, feels like a page from a history book. But this magical setting is only the backdrop to what is to come.

If you want a quintessential Japanese ski hotel experience somewhere off the radar, with great snow and infrastructure, and with relatively few Westerners then Appi is ideal.

The Snow Concierge was one of the first international visitors to realise Hakuba’s huge potential while working for a US television network during the Nagano Winter Olympic games, and it has been a fast favourite ever since. 

If you’re thinking about your first ski trip to Japan, then you’ve probably heard a lot about the amazing snow that Niseko is world famous for. Everyone (and we mean everyone!) has had a friend, family member or work colleague visit Niseko and no doubt heard rave reviews.

The obvious question is whether it is possible for a single resort to live up to the hype that surrounds Niseko. Well, we’re here it to break it down and share what you need to know if you are planning to visit the powder paradise of the North for the first time.

What’s The Snow Concierge doing in Japan in Summer you may ask? Well one of the ‘toughest’ parts of our job is making sure we’ve tried and tested all the places in Japan that our clients want to visit, not just the ski resorts.

Want to experience a Japan snow holiday but want to ease in to the cultural side slowly? Or perhaps you don’t want to have to make too many decisions while on holiday? A great option here is a no-fuss, all-inclusive experience.

Great news for Japan bound travellers with Qantas today announcing a doubling of flights from Australia to Tokyo.

The Aldi ski sale is a great opportunity to get new ski clothes for a very reasonable price. Perfect for replacing the items your kids might have outgrown. And let’s face it, kitting out fast growing kids can get expensive when they need a new snow outfit once or twice a year. There’s an adult range too if you are looking for an affordable update to your ski wardrobe. 

Most visitors to Japan’s ski fields tend to head to the better-known resorts of Niseko, Rusutsu, Hakuba Valley, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen, and for good reason as they are incredibly tourist friendly destinations with great accommodation and dining options and excellent ski infrastructure. But there are another 495 or so amazing resorts to discover for those hoping to have those runs all to themselves and who are prepared to venture a bit further afield.

You’ve probably heard about the amazing culture, the delicious food, and the incredible sights which are reason enough to visit Japan. When you add in the abundance and quality of the snow, amazing infrastructure, and excellent and varied accommodation options, Japan really stacks up as a great option for your next ski vacation.