[Tohoku Iwate] Ski in Hachimantai Area and Enjoy Winter to the Fullest

2 Ski Resorts for Skiers of All Levels: Hachimantai Resort Panorama Ski Area & Shimokura Ski Area

Hachimantai Resort Panorama Ski Area & Shimokura Ski Area is a snow resort consisting of 2 ski areas and a hotel that is perfect for both beginners and advanced-level skiers. Panorama Ski Area for beginners and families, and Shimokura Ski Area for intermediate and advanced-level skiers, differ in features, scenery, and snow quality. Panorama Ski Area has an area called Hachimantai Winterland, where you can enjoy playing in the snow without skiing or snowboarding, so anyone can enjoy the winter of Hachimantai. With a shared lift pass, you can enjoy both ski areas, which you can easily travel between using the free shuttle bus.

More information about Hachimantai Resort Panorama Ski Area & Shimokura Ski Area here!

Panorama Ski Area: Where Beginners and Children Can Have Fun in the Snow

Panorama Ski Area is recommended for beginners and children. It is located right in front of Hachimantai Mountain Hotel, so the access between the hotel and the ski area is easy. Families with little children can also feel at home. Beginner Park is an area where people who are new to skiing or snowboarding can practice safely. With the snow escalator installed, both children and adults can get started without worry. Once you have gained a little confidence, it is time to hit the slopes! The entire ski area is made up of beginner and intermediate courses, where you can enjoy a 2.7 kilometer-long run.

Shimokura Ski Area: Enjoy High-Quality Powder Snow for Intermediate and Advanced-Level Skiers

Shimokura Ski Area is perfect for intermediate and advanced-level skiers. The lower part of the course has a beginner area, but the upper part is mainly made for intermediate and advanced-level skiers. The 3 tree-run areas where you go through the beech forests are especially popular among powder snow enthusiasts, for one of the top ""ultra-light powder snow"" experiences in Japan that they offer. The slopes make the most out of the terrain, and there is also a certified course for ski competitions. You can enjoy the finest powder snow here to your heart's content.

Enjoy Snow Activities in Hachimantai Winterland

Hachimantai Winterland is an area dedicated to snow activities including sledding, snow-striding, and snow tubing. The area is surrounded by a net and has a snow escalator, so even little children can play safely. There is also a 400-meter-long, mini snowmobiling course, so it is fun for both adults and children.

Fun Events and Activities

Hachimantai Resort Panorama Ski Area & Shimokura Ski Area offers a wide variety of events and activities. The events include the ""Happy New Year Fireworks"" and the ""New Year's Eve Torch Run"". Among the various activities, the ""Nanadaki Icefall Tour"" (limited time only), where you will see a frozen 25-meter-high waterfall and trek through the hotel-adjacent Iwate Prefectural Forest, is especially recommended for those who want to experience the magnificent nature of the area.

Restaurants at Panorama Ski Area and Shimokura Ski Area

Panorama Ski Area and Shimokura Ski Area offer a choice of restaurants and cafeterias with a variety of menus. At ""Stone Oven Dining - Shirakaba -"" in Hachimantai Mountain Hotel, you can enjoy a luxurious lunch while looking out at the majestic view of Mt. Iwate. At Panorama Ski Area, there is ""Sekirei"", a restaurant where you can enjoy a homey atmosphere and a café menu. Shimokura Ski Area has the ""Shimokura Ski Area Center Lodge"", which is famous for its ""salted lemon ramen"" made with Shimokura spring water, as well as the ""Shimokura Powder Station"", a cafeteria where you can enjoy hand-made cinnamon rolls, a Shimokura specialty.

Adjacent to Panorama Ski Area! Stay at Mountain Hotel, Prepared for Coronavirus Measures

Hachimantai Mountain Hotel offers a breathtaking view of Hachimantai and Mt. Iwate, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains. The hotel is adjacent to the Panorama Ski Area, so it is a perfect place to stay for enjoying sightseeing and snow activities in the area to the fullest. The hotel offers a natural hot spring bath ""Hachimantai-no-Yu"" where you can relax after having fun outside, and a restaurant where you can unwind and enjoy a variety of dishes made with plenty of local ingredients. Tours with guides certified by the Japan Mountain Guides Association are also available, offering a one-of-a-kind vacation you can spend only in Hachimantai. Various coronavirus measures have been taken, including body temperature checks upon entry, as well as social distancing between seats, installation of droplet-proof sheets, and individual servings of food in the restaurant. In the hot spring bath, the number of people allowed to enter at a time has also been limited to ensure a safe stay.

Access to Hachimantai Resort from Morioka Station and Iwate Hanamaki Airport

It is convenient to use a bus to Hachimantai Resort from Morioka Station or Iwate Hachimaki Station. You can take a bus from Morioka Station East Exit No.3 Bus Stop and arrive at “Hachimantai Mountain Hotel” in about 100 minutes. If you take a highway bus (available only during winter, 2 buses a day) from Morioka Station West Exit No.26 Bus Stop, you can get there in 1 hour. From Iwate Hanamaki Airport, you can take a local bus (duration: 1 hour) to Morioka Station and follow the directions above.

Hachimantai Resort Access Information
Bus Schedule
Hachimantai Local Bus Guide

Appi Kogen Ski Resort, One of Japan’s Largest Ski Resorts

Appi Kogen Ski Resort, located next to Hachimantai, is one of the largest ski resorts in Japan, with a total ski runs of 43,100 meters long and a maximum ski run of 5,500 meters long. The ski resort is also well-known for its snow quality, with a north-facing course layout that offers ""dry powder"" with very little moisture. The ski resort usually opens from the end of November to early December. Depending on the conditions, spring skiing can also be enjoyed until early May. The lift gates have also been upgraded to an IC-compatible system for speedy and stress-free entry.

More information about Appi Kogen Ski Resort here!

A Wide Variety of 21 Courses

There are 21 courses in total at Appi Kogen Ski Resort: 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced. The vast ski area is divided into the Central Slope, the Second Slope, the Seiler Slope, and the Nishimori Slope. If you are an advanced-level skier, there is a non-compressed zone where you can experience the finest snow quality, in addition to a stress-free compressed zone. ""APPI Quest Park"", one of the largest snow parks in Asia, as well as tree-run zones, are also available, so it will surely be a great skiing and snowboarding experience even for a stay of a few days.

New Rental Items at Any Time! Rentals at Appi Kogen Ski Resort

The vast ski resort has several rental counters. The rental items are usually replaced every three years, so you can always find new items to rent. The selection of items ranges from beginner models to high-end and new models. There is also a service that allows you to exchange items within a certain time period, unique to this large snow resort.

Full of Indoor and Outdoor Activities!

Appi Kogen Ski Resort is full of fun activities in addition to the ski experience it offers. You can enjoy a variety of snow activities, such as sledding, tubing, air-boarding, and ski/snowboarding at “Appi Snow Playland”, a snowshoe tour where you will walk through the snowy forest, and the “Hachimantai CAT Tour” where you can experience the nature of Hachimantai. Accessory making experiences, a heated swimming pool, and a gym are also available. For a limited time only, you can try soba (buckwheat) noodle making with Appi's fragrant soba. It is a great place for both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts.

Restaurants at Appi Kogen Ski Resort

There are several places to take a rest and eat at Appi Kogen Ski Resort, including ""Appi Plaza Food Court"" in the central area, and restaurants located at the summit and mid-slope. At Appi Plaza Food Court, you can find a variety of restaurants that each specialize in ramen, curry, Italian cuisine, and Iwate's local cuisine. The bakery that opened in front of the central slope is also popular.

A Variety of Events

There are many seasonal events and activities at Appi Kogen Ski Resort. On New Year's weekends in January, there are rice cake throwing events where participants wish for good health and well-being for the year. On Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, you can wear a Santa Claus costume and get a free lift pass. Special dinners, buffets, and shows are also planned during the Christmas season. However, it is recommended to check what events are happening before you go to the ski resort, as they are subject to change.

Access to Appi Kogen Ski Resort from Morioka Station and Iwate Hanamaki Airport

You can get to Appi Kogen Ski Resort with a direct bus (available only during winter) from Morioka Station or Iwate Hanamaki Station. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Iwate Hanamaki Airport, and 1 hour from Morioka Station. From Morioka Station, you can also take a train on the JR Hanawa Line and get to Appi Kogen Station, the nearest station from the ski resort. It also takes about 1 hour. When there is no direct bus, it is recommended to contact the hotel or the travel agency as a chartered bus can be reserved.

Appi Kogen Access Information

Go On A Ski Trip Safely! Coronavirus Measures on Site

Hachimantai Resort and Appi Kogen Ski Resort are implementing strict measures to prevent coronavirus infections. In addition to disinfectant booths, ventilation of the facilities, and necessitating the use of masks and gloves for the employees, the ski resorts are maximizing efforts by conducting body temperature checks and disinfecting when entering facilities, restricting the lift and gondola rides, and limiting the number of people at a time in the facilities. Though outdoor activities may pose fewer risks, it is important to be careful at all times. Please make sure to wear masks and neck warmers in the ski resort, and enjoy your ski trip safely!

Extra Tip: Relax and Warm Your Body and Soul in A Hot Spring Bath after Skiing! Day-Trip Hot Spring Facilities around the Hachimantai Area

You can relax in a hot spring bath in the Hachimantai area after enjoying snow activities and sightseeing. As Hachimantai is located in a volcanic area, there are a lot of unique hot springs. The natural hot spring facilities in the hotels, adjacent to the Hachimantai Resort or Appi Kogen Ski Resort, which you can drop by right after skiing, are especially convenient. Please note that it is recommended to check the schedule in advance, as they may be closed for coronavirus infection prevention.

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Have a Relaxing Stay and Enjoy Powder Snow in the Hachimantai Area!

The Hachimantai area, with one of the finest powder snow qualities in Japan, offers you a great variety of activities and facilities that will keep you entertained for days and more, including playing in the snow, ski/snowboarding, snowshoe trekking, and hot springs. Come and stay in Hachimantai to experience every attraction that its nature has to offer.

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【Note】Pricing information and schedule is correct at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website before your trip.