WILL RUGBY LEAD TO MORE SKIING IN JAPAN?

Japan is on the bucket list of many skiers and snowboarders.

For some it is at the top and the way Japan has hosted the tournament and played the game has brought the country to the attention of a global audience.

The Rugby World Cup has showcased the nation in a way that no other can.

We have all seen the friendliness of the Japanese and been exposed to its unique culture.

And then there is the snow.

The north island of Hokkaido receives +15m each winter.

“It’s been an exceptional Rugby World Cup showcasing the very best of Japan and I’m certain we’ll see an uplift in enquiries from clients keen to ski there and perhaps also add a few non-ski days to explore this fascinating country,” said Michael Bennett from Ski Independence.

It offers the resorts of Hokkaido in its programme.

“Having Wales in the semi finals and England in the final maintains interest from the UK right to the very end,” he added.

Another company, Mabeyski, offers Japan and had a stand at this month’s London Ski & Snowboard Festival.

Interest in Japan surges. Image © PlanetSKI

“Many people have been watching the Rugby World Cup and some of the ones we’ve met here at the Festival didn’t even know there is skiing in Japan. We began offering ski holidays to Japan last winter and it went far better than we expected with 60% of our customers coming from the UK hence why we are at the London Festival,” said the company’s founder, Nickie Mabey.

The main Japan stand at the centre of the Ski & Snowboard Festival has been heaving for the 4-days of the event.

The Japan Stand at London Ski & Snowboard Festival. Image © PlanetSKI

The Japan Stand at London Ski & Snowboard Festival. Image © PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI was lucky enough to be in the country for some of the group games in the Rugby World Cup 2019 and we are planning a winter return after visiting some of the ski resorts.

Inghams is also offering Japan for the first time this winter.

See here for an earlier PlanetSKI story to find out what the skiing is like.

• Ski in Japan with Inghams

And here are some of the blogs from our recent visit during the start of the Rugby World Cup 2019.

Despite a lack of snow we still took a peek at the resorts:

• • Skiing in Japan 

• PlanetSKI tunes into PlanetHIKE

• PlanetSKI head south on our journey in Japan 

• Heading Onwards from Nozawa Onsen

• There’s much more to Japan than skiing

So, will the Rugby World Cup bring Japan more skiers?

Well, we’re likely to go and we suspect we’re not the only ones judging by the interest at the London Ski & Snowboard Festival.

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