FAQ

The Japanese snow season officially starts in November and runs through to May. As noted by our brand, statistically Japan receives more snow than any other developed ski destination during the month of January. During the winter season, north westerly winds carry cold dry air from the Siberian landmass, over the Sea of Japan, where the air picks up moisture before hitting Japan's North West coast line. When these systems hit the peaks of the Japanese resorts, they churn, dumping the abundant snow that Japan is famous for. In the northernmost region, Hokkaido, where the Sea of Japan is most narrow, deep, dry powder has become known worldwide.

The best timing will depend on location and the goals of the traveler. Excellent on piste powder is all but guaranteed in Hokkaido and certain mountains such as Hakkoda and Geto Kogen from late December through the end of February. For back country and side country trips, mid-January through mid-March is advised so that snow bases can build up enough to cover hazards. 

Heavier snowfalls in Japan are well known in January and February and do often continue well into March also. Ski specific areas such as Nagano, Niigata, Yamagata, Aomori and Hokkaido do see and often experience very heavy snowfalls and is not uncommon for it to snow up to 1 meter on any given day. Japan is well known for abundant powder snow and it is common for it to snow in January and February and one may see week-long periods of nonstop snow before the weather breaks and the sun can be seen again. Nagano and Niigata resorts are more widely known for getting a good mix of heavy powder snowfalls with a smattering of bluebird days. Hokkaido is known for hard to believe amounts of powder snow, with the trade off being fewer sunny days.

This depends on the resort: some allow off-piste skiing, while others strictly prohibit this, please check with your reservation consultant for details on each resort. Skiing or snowboarding off-piste, either inside or outside a ski resort's boundaries can be very dangerous. Be sure to only visit areas that are designated as safe by local authorities.

Avalanches are common and heavy snow storms can create deep powder snow drifts. You should make yourself aware of the winter weather risks – and consult local information sources such as tourism centers and your hotel and ski resort where appropriate for the best in resort advice based on the activity you are undertaking. It is your responsibility to ensure that your comprehensive travel insurance policy covers all your activities. Some general insurance policies may not cover snow sports, make sure you read the fine print and question it before buying it if you are unsure.

Altitude sickness is a reaction to the lower amounts of oxygen available at altitudes above 2,500m. The mountains are lower in Japan than Europe or North America, typically topping out below 2,500m, therefore altitude sickness is not a problem people experience when on snow holidays in Japan.

Japanuary Trips are curated itineraries which are either self-guided or guided with the support of third-party tour guides who have been evaluated and vetted by Snow Country Travel LLC. Trips are designed and priced for as few as 2 people staying double occupancy (single supplements are also quoted). Japanuary Tours are unique itineraries that are designed and run by guides directly contracted with Snow Country Travel LLC for set group sizes.

Full selections of retail winter ware are available at the principal resorts of Niseko and Hakuba, and there are many ski shops in major urban centers such as Tokyo. Nonetheless, sizes in the cities are designed for the domestic market, so it is best to gear up at home and bring your gear with you. Winter temperatures range from -15 degrees to zero degrees Centigrade (5 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit) with more extreme temperatures on the taller mountains. Winds are a factor, so face masks are strongly recommended on top of typical skiing layers (underlayer plus 2-4 top layers). With large amounts of snow accumulation, sufficiently tall and waterproof snow boots are also recommended. Particularly for Hokkaido and other big powder destinations such as Hakkoda, ski equipment typically used in Europe and eastern North America may not be adequate for the light and deep powder snow. We recommended bringing your own boots, and potentially renting locally appropriate skis or boards if conditions merit.

Major resorts such as Hakuba, Nozawa, Niseko, Kiroro, Rusutsu and Furano have rental shops carrying the most modern and world class gear. Other locations in Japan have only basic, low performance gear, so bringing your own is recommended on more remote and culturally focused trips. Backcountry gear (including beacons and avalanche packs) is available for rent in Niseko, Hakuba and Furano but not widely available elsewhere.

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Japan is generally an easy country in which to drive, with a strong culture of following traffic rules and generally skilled drivers. Many towns which are hundreds of years old have very narrow streets that were laid out long before automobiles were invented, and thus we do not recommend novice drivers to drive in Japan. Consistent snow means that experience driving in snowy locations is also strongly recommended. Driving is done on the left side of the road (similar to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia). Foreign tourists can drive in Japan, as long as they have an International Driving Permit issued under the Geneva Convention in addition to the driving license of their own country. This must be obtained before arriving in Japan. A passport and credit card must also be presented when renting a car. Road signage is generally in Japanese and English throughout most areas of Japan and most rental cars from major agencies have video screen navigation systems as standard equipment. Japan has a national zero per cent blood-alcohol level standard for driving. It is also an offense for a passenger to allow someone under the influence of alcohol to drive. 

Baby sitting and child care arrangements are available at the larger resorts, but often in limited supply. We thus recommended booking the services far in advance. Resorts with advanced ski school infrastructure (Niseko, Kiroro and Tomamu) have ski school programs for children as young as 3 years old. Most other locations have ski schools catering to children ages 6 and above. 

We strongly recommend that you book lessons or guides in advance at all times and even more so at peak times during the season to ensure you and your group get what you need.

For most itineraries, a rental car is not necessary with organized transportation readily available (bus or train) or guide transport being relied on. In some cases, such as the Japan Grand Tour, car rentals are recommended for portions of the trip and priced in accordingly. Travelers should note that car rental agency branches located in most airline gateway locations (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) do not typically have snow tires or all wheel drive set as standard equipment in winter. Locations in northern and mountain destinations do have these features as standard.

All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If a participant cancels 120 days or more prior to departure, a refund less an administrative fee of 50% of the deposit will be made.

Per-person charges for cancellations that occur less than 120 days prior to departure (“Cancellation Period”) are as follows:

91-119 days prior to departure: 100% of the deposit amount45-90 days prior to departure: 50% of the Expedition cost44 or fewer days prior to departure: 100% of the Tour cost

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