Tiny Resorts

Nestled in the mountains of Akita, Akita Hachimantai Ski Resort is usually one of the first ski areas to open in Tohoku. By mid-November, enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders are eager …
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Riding the Tohoku Shinkansen north from Tokyo in winter is like watching a landscape transform in fast-forward. As the train speeds through the countryside, the snow deepens, blanketing rice fields, …
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While bigger resorts keep expanding, many medium-sized and smaller resorts are downsizing. Owani Onsen Ski Resort is one of these places that, in its heyday, must have been a great …
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Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Yamagata Prefecture, right on the border with Miyagi Prefecture, you’ll find Yamagata Akakura Onsen Ski Resort – often referred to simply as Akakura …
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Ani Ski Resort, with its minimalist approach and focus on adventure, is a haven for powder skiing. It’s not flashy or commercialized, but it offers some of the best powder …
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Okunakayama Kogen is a modestly sized ski area nestled in Ichinohe, Iwate Prefecture. Surrounded by larger and more commercialized ski areas, it stands out as a gem for those seeking …
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Tucked away in the southern mountains of Akita Prefecture, Jeunesse Kurikoma is a small ski area that charms visitors with natural beauty, minimal lift lines, and little foreign influence. This …
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There’s sometimes an obsession with size when it comes to ski resorts: more lifts, more runs, more vertical (yes, we’re guilty too) … more, more, more. No one wants to …
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