Skiing in AOMORI Prefecture

Skiing in AOMORI Prefecture

Tenjindaira Backcountry Tours
Wagner Custome Skis

Aomori Prefecture

The Aomori Prefecture is the most northern prefecture on the main island (Honshu) of Japan in the Tohoku region. The Aomori ski resorts boast some big snowfalls due to their proximity to the Sea of Japan. Even the City of Aomori receives huge amounts of snow and snow removal is almost a full time job for the locals during winter.

Aomori Ski Resorts

The Aomori Prefecture skiing consists of about a dozen ski areas that are mostly visited by the locals, so like many of the other Tohoku ski resorts, the Aomori ski resorts have very little skier traffic.

The famed Hakkoda is mostly known for its backcountry skiing terrain, which is partly serviced by a ropeway (cable car), and some routes drop onto the road, so access to a vehicle opens up a lot of low-effort lines. Big storms buffet Hakkoda, so in the peak of winter there are times that the ropeway is closed.

Hakkoda Accommodation

Aomori Spring Ski Resort (formerly Naqua Shirakami) is a relatively unknown powder gem that has fantastic sidecountry trees, great beginner terrain, and exceptional terrain parks and half pipes (which are rare in Japan). Mt Iwaki (the Mt Fuji of Tsugaru) also provides some spectacular backcountry touring when weather permits. The ski-in ski-out Rockwood Hotel at the base of Aomori Spring Ski Resort is a deluxe hotel which has a lovely onsen.

Aomori Spring Accommodation

Near Hirosaki, Iwaki Hyakuzawa Ski Area is very close to Aomori Spring as the crow flies. It's just over the back of Iwaki-san (Mt Iwaki) on its south eastern flank. The ski area's elevation is reasonable, but it's best visited when temperatures are frigid considering its sunny aspect.

The small Owani Onsen Ski Resort is also best visited when the snow is primo considering its top elevation is only 533m. At least it has some reasonable pitch by Japanese standards.

The other Aomori ski resorts have moderate to low elevation and may not be that exciting for powder chasing fiends.

You could use the little onsen village on the fringes of Kuroishi as a base for a few days. It's close to Hakkoda and also in close proximity to Aomori Spring and Owani Onsen.

Hirosaki is another option for a city to base yourself.

Travel to Aomori

Aomori Airport receives flights from Sapporo New Chitose, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka-Itami as well as Seoul-Incheon (Korea) and Tianjin Binhai (China). You can search for flights here.

It’s also really easy to get to the Aomori Prefecture via bullet train, with a trip from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori station taking just over 3 hours. The Shin-Aomori train station is also connected to Hokkaido (via undersea tunnel) and the train trip to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto takes one hour. The trip onto Sapporo takes another 3-3.5 hours, which will reduce over time as the Hokkaido Shinkansen further develops.

Whether you’re on a guided multi-day tour or a DIY road trip (you can rent a car at Shin-Aomori train station), some of the Aomori ski resorts can be combined with time at the Iwate ski resorts. Appi Kogen is 134km south of Hakkoda and from there, many of the other Iwate ski areas are pretty close.
Tours In/Near Aomori Prefecture

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Tohoku Storm Chaser
GUIDED SAFARI - NORTHERN HONSHU
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Areas + Cat Skiing
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Get away from the crowds & the tracked out snow, and also experience Japanese culture, food & unlimited powder on this Tohoku tour. Chase the best snow on the day in the far northern parts of Honshu, using the lifts as well as touring gear at times
Price p/p
USD 3,801
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Northern Powder Odyssey
GUIDED SAFARI - NORTHERN TOHOKU
7 Nights | 6 Days Guided Skiing
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Get off-the-beaten track in Northern Tohoku where there are abundant lines of fresh powder and negligible foreigners! Visit Northern Tohoku ski areas you've probably never heard of before and immerse yourself in the Japanese culture.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share option for 2025 season.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,688
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Tohoku Powder Tour
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ROAD TRIP
10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Tohoku skiing & snowboarding is all about heading to ski resorts that most people have never heard of, where there are freshies galore in the off-piste areas. Head to Geto Kogen, ski areas near Morioka & the mighty Hakkoda & Aomori Spring.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share last mixed-group tour for 2025.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,012
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit AOMORI Prefecture here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Outback Tohoku
GUIDED RESORT ROAD TRIP
Customisable, Private Groups Only
Ability: Intermediate to Advanced
This private road tripping tour heads to the lesser known ski resorts in Tohoku in Akita, Aomori & Yamagata Prefecture. You will be guided & hosted by local English speaking Japanese guides who will provide an authentic cultural experience.
Price p/p Sample price is based on 7-night package for 2025 assuming 4 in group.
Base/invoice currency is JPY
Displayed price might vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 3,386
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Tohoku Backcountry Tour
LIFTS + TOURING BACKCOUNTRY
8 Nights | 7 Days Skiing/Riding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Head to Northern Tohoku on this lift accessed backcountry tour where you'll use the lifts as well as touring gear to score the best powder. This region provides an authentic Japanese cultural experience & lots of historic onsen.
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share mixed-group tour for 2025.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,046
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit AOMORI Prefecture here