Plan the Perfect Ski Trip in Japan: Nagano or Hokkaido? (With Snowfall Stats!)

[@np4567]

Thank you, very informative. Planning my first trip to Nagano next year. First time visiting Japan and first time going overseas, hopefully my basic Japanese makes it convenient for a Tokyo-Nagano visit

[@belleloden]

Thanks for watching and I'm excited for you 😊I got by with my very limited Japanese so I'm sure everything will be ok for you!

[@ManChiWong-r8p]

Very good comparison between Nagano and Hokkaido. But I would like to add two comments: 1. I visited Hakuba just in mid Dec this year. The snow condition is terrible. Probably, the global warming affected most of the resort. 2. When skiing in Niseko, you can see the beauty of Mount Yotei at the same time. It is awesome! Mount Yotei is like the second Mount Fuji but in Hokkaido.

[@belleloden]

Thanks for sharing the insights! Yes, climate change unfortunately affects skiing as ski seasons become shorter and more unstable :(

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

I live in Tokyo, spent the New Year holidays in Hakuba (Tsugaike), it snowed and the snow was awesome! Went back last week, still awesome and since then it has snowed more.

[@이쁜하늘좋다]

So thorough! Thank you

[@Zulu21Bravo]

Thank you my Family and I are planning a snowboarding trip to Japan. I wasn't to sure where to go because there's such a great selection but your video is the best one I've seen yet.

[@belleloden]

I’m glad you found it useful! 😊

[@LeonSylvester]

Very good video. Organised, informative and zero fluff 👍 thanks for the help!

[@belleloden]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful :)

[@MrBrianChamberlin]

It is really helpful. Your explanation is so simple and clear. You have such a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing.

[@belleloden]

Thanks for your encouragement and kind words! 💜

[@krissp8712]

Seconded, well researched and presented!

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

Nagano. Definitely Nagano. Ive lived in Japan for almost 10 years and always prefer Nagano over Hokkaido.

[@anonymous_7788]

Could you tell me please why nagano? And what is the best snow resort to visit in nagano? Cause I will going to Japan for winter in next week. Thank you

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

@@anonymous_7788 The resorts in Hakuba Valley, Nagano ... the powder is incredible, much better skiing/snow boarding than Hokkaido at much better prices too, and easily accessible from Tokyo or Osaka. Groomed slopes, off piste, powder, back country, freestyle/park ... there's something for everyone.

[@anonymous_7788]

@@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate ooh I see. Do you think hakuba better than nozawa and shiga kogen? And btw which snow resort in hakuba are the best?

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

@@anonymous_7788 Each one has different characteristics. Hard to choose. Hakuba47 has an awesome park, even beginners can go to the top of the mountain by the gondola and come down by route 7. Its lift pass allows you to also ski at Hakyba Goriyu (ski resort next to 47) and Goriyu has night skiing) and Hakuba Iimori (3 interconnected resorts). Iwatake has probably the most amazing scenery and also has an awesome park. Tsugaike has all kinds of terrains and many other activities beside skiing/snowboarding. Cortina has awesome powder/off piste skiing. Happo One is full of challenging and was the venue for the Nagano 1998 Olympics

[@BriannaMeighan]

Fantastic video - thank you SO much for this!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙏

[@belleloden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bennykoh]

Thanks for sharing. I went to nozawa onsen last December but stayed at a relatively modern Western style accommodation with beds. I m going to be niseko village in another western style accommodation this December. One thing I noticed is that the accommodation, ski lessons and ski equipment are all more expensive than Nagano (more than 15% difference). Not sure about snow quality as my family are beginners in skiing.

[@belleloden]

Thanks for your feedback. Try the Japanese-style accommodation next time! :)

[@krissp8712]

Yeah I heard Niseko up in Hokkaido is starting to get busy but wow that's quite the markup. I'm thinking of trying Tsugaike resort near Hakuba/Nagano myself.

[@cd8815]

@@krissp8712 Very busy and much more expensive than Nagano now, but it's 10/10 skiing

[@anasawan_]

Beautiful guide. Thank you very much!!

[@belleloden]

Thanks so much for the encouragement :) I'm so happy you find it helpful!

[@canbayar6993]

Thank you for this neat video, most questions we had about which one to choose and why, answered !

[@belleloden]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@kevincafaro8846]

Thank you for great details.

[@viktornovitskyi9457]

thanks for sharing this. it’s really helpful ❤

[@belleloden]

I'm glad you found it helpful :) Thanks for watching!💜

[@zachgoodman6093]

Exceptional video. Thanks for sharing

[@belleloden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@EasyKoiCenter]

Great & detailed review. Keep it up, I'm sure you're on your way for a successful channel 👍

[@belleloden]

Thanks for watching and for the encouragement!☀

[@suediamond8780]

Traveling in March and Sapporo is much cheaper for accommodation but flight is likely more expensive than transport to Nagano…

[@doyouevennaturebro4593]

Damn it. I was hoping you would say Hokkaido was steeped bcuz that’s where I’m headed in Feb 😊

[@belleloden]

You'll love Hokkaido, enjoy your trip!

[@MayaAsor]

congrats for the excellent video

[@belleloden]

Thanks for watching!

[@denigma68rltw]

Great job, thank 👏 you.

[@belleloden]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@skirolf]

Hello! What skiingareas have you been to in Europe ? Comparing to japan places? What about lift lanes? Do lifts close during snowing?

[@belleloden]

Hi! I've skied in the Alps but Japan's powder snow is like skiing on clouds! I haven't experienced the times when ski lanes had to close in Europe (yet) except this time in Japan.

[@skirolf]

@@belleloden Hello. I have visited the japanese Alpes and toured around Hokkaido by train in the summer. Very nice trip. In general I was not impressed about the terrain, height, vertical drop, what kind of lifts, lift capacity, number of lifts, number of black runs etc. Of course I could be wrong. So as a good comparison knowing your European visiting resorts could be a good reference. I have been to most of the well known skiing areas in the European Alps. As a true ski lover it is importait to know if they close the lifts in heavy snow or not. And when they open in the morning. Have a good skiing !

[@belleloden]

​@@skirolf Hi, fair questions! Based on my experience, the runs in Japan are shorter than those in the Alps, and the slopes seem easier as well (in general) but the powder snow makes up for it. The location I mentioned in this video is quite local and non-touristy, so the lifts are not the fastest and most are not enclosed. This was the first time I experienced ski resorts closing the ski lifts but then it was a once-in-a-decade blizzard that got on international news. Happy skiing!

[@wckoshka8141]

I love niseko so much❤

[@aaronc3032]

I am really hoping we have a snow blizzard while over there 👉 😅

[@belleloden]

Lol yeah, the fresh POW...it was like skiing on clouds but blindfolded! I ran into another blizzard in Austria, too but that one was nothing compared to this one in Nagano!

[@rinatinterconti]

Super Good review

[@belleloden]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@tetong25]

where would you suggest to go in Hokkaido, with off great piste slopes?

[@belleloden]

I've heard of Teine and Asahidake having awesome off-piste terrains but I've not been there yet. The latter is the highest mountain in Hokkaido and it's literally on a live volcano - you'll definitely need a guide to avoid disappointment from what I know as it seems the area is not patrolled.

[@tetong25]

@@belleloden Thanks on giving your advice. What are your thoughts on Niseko United - Grand Hirafu?

[@aleckghost2013]

thank you

[@doyouevennaturebro4593]

Do you think it’ll be easy to eat vegetarian in Hokkaido?

[@belleloden]

I never tried but I presume you can always order vegetable tempura (fried vegetables) or vegan nabe (nabe = hot pot)!

[@codytappen]

It’s possible but not super convenient anywhere in Japan

[@JezaLoki]

It’s easy to eat vegetarian in Hokkaido. If what you’re really asking is will you be spoilt for choice then No. That said, there’s a Hokkaido specialty called Soup Curry that has vego options and is served with rice. It’s absolutely delicious and so good on a cold winters day. There are amazing soup curry restaurants in Kutchan (near Niseko) and Furano. Sapporo, where soup curry originally came from, has the bulk of restaurants.

[@fashiongr1]

Nagano seems far from Osaka though?

[@belleloden]

It’s just under 4 hours by train (shinkansen) which is acceptable to me :)

[@ktjamlex]

Yet to find a comfy bed - I'm sticking to Canada

[@belleloden]

I know what you mean. Then the ryokans are not for you as you will be sleeping on tatamis. Opt for the regular "western" hotels and try requesting a softer mattress...if there's a next time!😉

[@Sjoerdverbraak]

nijntje

[@belleloden]

Nijntje rules in our home💜

[@renad14oct]

Thank you so much for this video ! 🤍 Hakuba seems to be the most convenient option! But from the pictures i saw the views of the mountain in Hokkaido look unreal, is there similar views in Nagano ?

[@belleloden]

The views are different, even if it's just within Hokkaido ;) Nagano is easier in terms of transport, more budget-friendly and has less crowds so Hakuba is a great option especially if this is the first time you go to Japan for skiing.