How to get there
Where is Appi Kogen?
The ski resort is situated on Mt Maemori and Mt Nishimori in the Hachimantai National Park. Appi is located at latitude 40 degrees north in the western part of the Iwate Prefecture of the Tohoku region of Japan. This is the northern part of Honshu, about 580km north of Tokyo.
Appi Kogen is 50km northwest of the city of Morioka, the capital city of the Iwate Prefecture.
Flying to Appi Kogen
The gateway airport for Appi is Iwate Hanamaki with flights originating from Sapporo (55 minute flight) or Osaka Itami (1:25 hour flight). For the Itami flight that arrives at 9:05am, there’s a connecting Appi Airport Liner shuttle that leaves the airport at 9:35am and arrives at Appi at 10:50am. A one way shuttle trip costs ¥2,200 (2011 rate). Otherwise it’s possible to get a taxi or limousine from the airport to Appi.
Train to Morioka
From Tokyo the easiest way to travel to Appi is via train. From March 2011 the Tohoku Shinkansen Express bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka Station will take only 2 hours! Check
Hyperdia for train timetables as well as fares, although in most cases the JR Rail Pass will be the most economical option.
Getting from Morioka to Appi
From Morioka train station there’s a bus to Appi Kogen that takes about 50 -60 minutes. The bus costs ¥1,100 one way (2011 rate) and leaves from the west exit bus terminal (no. 26). There are 5 schedules per day and 7 per day on weekends and holidays. Email
appi_english@ihr.co.jp for the latest bus schedules.
The other option is to catch a train from Morioka to Appi Kogen station on the JR Hanawa Line, which takes about one hour.
The train costs ¥1,100 one way or ¥630 if you have a JR Pass. The train has only about 9 services a day. Check timetables at Hyperdia. From Appi Kogen station there’s a connecting shuttle bus that takes 10 minutes and costs 200 yen.
If you want the flexibility to travel around you could hire a car in Morioka.
Toyoto car have an outlet adjacent to Morioka station, and thankfully they have rental cars with navigation systems in English.
Getting Around Appi Kogen
There is a very regular resort shuttle bus that travels between the Appi Grand Hotel, the Resort Centre, the onsen patio, and the villas.
If you’re staying in the pension village, the walk to the ski resort takes about 15 minutes. However most pension owners will provide transport to and from the ski resort.
Other Ski Resorts Nearby
Hachimantai Ski Resort is a half hour drive away and is made up of two zones; Panorama ski area and Shomokura ski area. The ski resort has high speed lifts servicing mainly beginner and intermediate slopes.
The Hachimantai Ski Resort shouldn’t be confused with the nearby Hachimantai Ski Field which is well known for the steep and deep freeriding and the amazing off-piste terrain. Unfortunately the ski field is closed for financial reasons, so unless you’re Shaun White and can get a helicopter to take you up the slopes, you’ll have to wait until an investor is prepared to buy the ski field.
Geto Kogen is a 1.5 hour drive from Appi.
Hakkoda, the amazing backcountry-type ski area, is a fraction further afield.