PlanetSKI Arrives in Japan

27th January 2025 | James Cove, Japan.

Last modified on January 30th, 2025

We’re in the ski destination that has been at the very top of our bucket list for more years than we care to remember. But we’re not heading straight to the mountains. Skiing can wait.

We’re in Japan for 5 weeks or so taking in resorts on the main island of Honchu and the northern island of Hokkaido.

Now you would have thought we’d head straight to the powder, but we’re in Japan for more than the skiing.

Much more.

Onsens, Raman, Suchi, Kimonos, Temples, Mt Fuji, Cartoons, Tokyo, Drumming, Ice sculptures, Samurai warriors, Shopping, Karaoke, Bullet trains, Parasols, Chop sticks, Micro cars, Neon lights, TV game shows, Pokemon, Bowing, Respect, Politeness and anything random that comes our way.

Sadly there’s no Cheery Blossom at this time of year.

We are going to soak it all up.

Our first ski area will be the Hakuba Valley, but we have stopped in the town of Matsumoto, the gateway town to the resorts in the Japan Alps.

We are here to pause, absorb and reflect.

The town is home to one of the most famous castles in Japan, Matsumoto Castle.

It is officially registered as a ‘Japan National Treasure’, and it’s easy to see why.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

It was constructed in the 1590s and inside there is a museum dedicated to its place in Japanese history.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

The striking five-tiered, six-story main tower, flanked on either side by smaller structures, is one of the most famous castles in Japan.

It is not for the unfit as there are seven staircases inside.

The one between the 4th and 5th floor is 61 degrees with a 40cm step-height.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

Venturing to the top of the tower is well worth the reward with a superb view of the city, as it stretches out to the Northern Alps.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

And next door to the castle is the Kaichi School Building.

Also classified a ‘Japan National Treasure’ and a must-visit.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

It was constructed in the 1870s and was used as an elementary school, a junior high school, a women’s school and a technical college for teachers.

It was a functioning educational establishment until 1963.

Not many schools have such fabulous doors in between their classrooms.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

Its long corridors retained a smell of stale polish and you can still hear the echoes of the children and the teachers if you let your imagination run a bit.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

On our 48-hour visit ahead of the ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley, the town was by chance hosting its annual Ice Festival.

We saw them setting up in the grounds of Matsumoto Castle.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

Then the next day was the end result – quite stunning:

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

And to cap it all off there was some Japanese drumming on offer too at the Matsumoto Festival.

We choose to stay in a traditional Japanese hotel – Onsen Hotel Omoto.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

As the hotel name suggests, it is famous for its Onsens and we headed straight in.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

Onsens have an important place in Japanese society with their traditional bathing methods.

One strips off and then washes oneself thoroughly with soap and water before bathing in the hot water.

Sometime is it a natural hot spring, other times not so.

Silence is compulsory, tattoos are generally not allowed.

A light kimono-like garment can be worn – a kimono is a traditional Japanese garment that is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side over right.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

There are approximately 25,000 hot spring sources throughout Japan, and approximately 3,000 onsen establishments use naturally hot water from these geothermally heated springs.

Originally they were the communal way of washing and a centre of daily life.

No coverage of Japan is complete without mentioning the food – it is off the scale.

There is of course the sushi, but don’t for a moment think that is the only type of cuisine on the menu.

On night one in Matsumoto we went traditional Japanese and ate in the Yoshitei restaurant that is well off the tourist track.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

The next night we tucked into the most fabulous duck in what was more like a Parisian bistro than a Japanese restaurant.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

And talking of food and drink, behind this unassuming facade in the centre of town is an absolute gem – Abe.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

It has been serving coffee since 1957.

PlanetSKI in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI

It is a traditional sort of place.

With cheesecake to die for.

The town of Matsumoto is a perfect stop off before the skiing – to sample Japan and get over ones jet lag.

Every other person seems to drive one of these.

The Japanese version of the Italy’s Fiat 500, Germany’s VW Beetle or the UK’s Mini.

For a moment in Matsumoto it felt like the UK.

Matsumoto is most famous for its castle but its main temple is well worth a visit too.

After a fabulous 48-hours the call of the mountains became stronger and stronger.

From Matsumoto it is a scenic drive of under 2 hours to Hakuba and our first port of call, Happo One.

We have recovered from jet lag, started our love affair with Japan and are now ready to do what we have mainly come for.

The skiing.

It looks like there is some snow in the forecast too.

It will be interesting to see if the reality of skiing in Japan lives up to its image.

So far, so good.

Do check back….

Visiting Japan

A handful of UK operators offer ski holidays to Japan.

One is Ski Safari that has perhaps the most experience of the country with tailored packages built on the company’s extensive knowledge and experience.

It offers the following six resorts:

Niseko – Japan’s largest and best-known ski resort, the quality and quantity of snow here is unparalleled – for powder, it doesn’t get much better than a Niseko ski holiday

Hakuba – Hakuba ski holidays are blessed with alpine-like terrain and huge variety. Hakuba is a great place to use as a base for exploring multiple resorts on one lift pass.

Rusutsa – A quirky, powder-filled paradise, Rusutsu ski holidays are great on their own or as part of a longer trip in Hokkaido.

Nozawa Onsen – Japan’s oldest ski resort, Nozawa Onsen ski holidays are as famous for onsens as they are for skiing – perfect for a ski trip with added culture.

Kiroro – Relatively under-the-radar, Kiroro ski holidays feature deep powder, quiet slopes and fantastic tree runs off-piste.

Furano -Choose a Furano ski holiday for a traditional resort in an idyllic setting and top notch piste skiing. A good value option, Furano is a thriving town in its own right.

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