Appi Kogen
Located to the north of Tokyo in the Tohoku region, Appi Kogen ski resort is not only one of the best ski areas in Japan, it is also really well priced. Located right next to Towada-Hachimantai National Park in northeast Honshu, Appi Kogen provides long, well-groomed pistes and excellent powder snow from peak to base of the mountain.
This lovely ski vacation resort has skiing and snowboarding suitable for all levels on its twenty-one trails. The longest run is three miles, while nearly 700 acres is available for skiing here. Appi Kogen also has facilities for night skiing. Eighteen lifts including two eight-person gondolas and three high-speed, detachable, hooded quad chairs access the slopes which range from nursery and cruisers to steep and deep.
Snowmaking facilities, an impressive mogul terrain and deep powder have made Appi Kogen one of Japan’s premier ski resorts. Snowboarder will be delighted with the terrain park which has a 328-foot half pipe, kickers and rails. The total length of the pistes is just over 35 miles and the most challenging runs start from the top of the mountain.
The resort has excellent instructors who offer support and instruction for everyone from beginners to experts. The resort provides a snowy fun area for children and snowmobiling is popular. The shops are well stocked with everything from skis, snowboards, boots, and poles to skiwear from caps to gloves. Even if you do not ski you can enjoy the winter woods as Appi Kogen Nature School provides guided tours including hiking in the surrounding beech forests, treks to neighboring Hachimanta, snow vehicle tours and back country trekking.
Topnotch ski-in/ski-out hotels and economical villas are just some of the accommodation options. The hot springs complex is one of Japan’s largest with a huge hot spring bath, private spa, whirlpool and massive 50-seat sauna. Appi Kogen’s fifteen restaurants include Appi Plaza, with seating for 950 and some excellent international restaurants. The most convenient means for getting to Appi Kogen is to take the train via Morioka and a bus from there to the resort.
