Hachimantai Shimokura

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Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Resort
Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Resort
Shimokura Hachimantai Resort
Shimokura Hachimantai Resort
The lower third consists of beginner runs
The lower third consists of beginner runs
Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Resort
Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Resort
Hachimantai snow is usually sublime
Hachimantai snow is usually sublime
The lift infrastructure is very no frills
The lift infrastructure is very no frills
Shimokura has opened up a few designated tree areas
Shimokura has opened up a few designated tree areas
One of the kosher tree areas at Hachimantai Shimokura
One of the kosher tree areas at Hachimantai Shimokura
The building covers the basics for amenities
The building covers the basics for amenities
Hachimantai snowboarding fun
Hachimantai snowboarding fun
Hachimantai Ski Resort Shimokura
Hachimantai Ski Resort Shimokura
Upstairs in the base building is a large cafeteria
Upstairs in the base building is a large cafeteria
Prices are very reasonable
Prices are very reasonable
Cafeteria at Hachimantai Shimokura
Cafeteria at Hachimantai Shimokura
Hachimantai overall provides pretty good value for money
Hachimantai overall provides pretty good value for money
Shimokura Ski Resort
Shimokura Ski Resort
Nearby Matsukawa Onsen
Nearby Matsukawa Onsen
Hachimantai Cat Skiing is close by
Hachimantai Cat Skiing is close by
Hachimantai offers some backcountry ski touring opportunities
Hachimantai offers some backcountry ski touring opportunities
Hachimantai Mountain Hotel is at the base of nearby Panorama Ski Resort
Hachimantai Mountain Hotel is at the base of nearby Panorama Ski Resort

Hachimantai Shimokura

Readers Ratings

Hachimantai Shimokura

Hachimantai Shimokura3.5/52
Hachimantai Shimokura3.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
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Myoko Kogen Powder Packages
Hachimantai Shimokura is worthwhile for powder hounds to hit up for a day of fresh powder lines, as an adjunct to visiting the various other Hachimantai and Iwate ski resorts. Hachimantai Resort is made up of two ski areas of which Shimokura is one, and it shares a common lift ticket with the other ski area, Panorama. The two Hachimantai ski resorts are not interconnected via the slopes, but are linked via a 10-minute free shuttle bus service.

Pros and Cons of Hachimantai Japan

Pros 
  • The Hachimantai Shimokura snow quality is often divine, in part due to the slopes having a favourable aspect.
  • This Hachimantai ski resort is well and truly off the beaten path of Japanese ski resorts that foreigners usually visit, so cultural experiences are high on the agenda, and there are only trifling gaijin to steal your fresh powder.
  • The Shimokura ski resort is often uninhabited, especially on weekdays, and the few locals and army dudes aren’t likely to head into the trees.
  • Hachimantai Shimokura is close to various other Iwate ski resorts that have plentiful offerings for powder hounds.
  • When the westerly storms blow big time and close the lifts at nearby ski resorts such as Appi, Shimokura is the place to be due to the easterly orientation of the lifts.
  • The region has lots of great onsen for a soak after a big day of pow.
  • You can go snowcat skiing with nearby Hachimantai Cat Skiing.
  • The Hachimantai ski resorts are on the Indy Pass.
Cons
  • The terrain size is small and with the exception of beginner terrain, it’s really only good for a one hour visit if you stay on-piste or one day if you head off-piste.
  • Hachimantai doesn’t cater well for your average English-speaking beginner.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • There are no ski-in ski-out accommodation options, day spas, or shops selling bling bling gear (if that’s your thing!).
  • You’ll want to have a set of wheels to visit Shimokura and other nearby ski resorts, either a rental car or private transport as part of a multi-day guided tour.
  • The Hachimantai Resort is starting to come around to the notion of tree skiing and has opened up a few kosher tree areas, but they’re still very conservative regarding whether the runs are officially open.

Hachimantai Ski Resort - Shimokura

The Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Resort is rather small with only 6 courses (marked trails), 550 metres of vertical, and 3 lifts; 1 triple chair and 2 double chairs.

Despite the trail stats being 30% beginner, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced, intermediate and advanced riders mostly frequent the Shimokura ski resort. A few small tree run areas have been designated, and off-piste riding is permitted with a self-responsibility clause and submission of climbing registration, so long as the runs are deemed “open”.

On weekdays you might only have to share the ski resort with a handful of army dudes, and generally you don’t have to share the off-piste with many folks except for your powder buddies.

Where is Hachimantai Ski Resort?

The Hachimantai Resort Shimokura sits on the flanks of the imposing Mt Iwate (which shows off on fine days), and is 15km west of the town of Hachimantai in the Iwate Prefecture and only 3km from the Hachimantai Panorama Ski Resort.

Hachimantai Hotels

There is no on-mountain accommodation at Shimokura but there are various Hachimantai hotels nearby such as the Hachimantai Mountain Hotel at the base of the Panorama Ski Resort. Alternatively you can stay at Appi accommodation, a Morioka hotel, or other Iwate ski accommodation options.

Hachimantai Hotel Listings

Ski Resort Facilities

The Shimokura ski resort has one building at the base that houses the amenities for skiers and snowboarders. These include basic ski and snowboard rentals and a few fat skis, a simple retail shop, lockers, and a little café that sells Canadian style cinnamon buns – the aroma lures you in! Upstairs is a spacious cafeteria that serves up pretty typical Japanese ski resort fare at reasonable prices.

Hachimantai Onsen

The region has plenty of great onsen to choose from for an après ski soak. As a starting point, the Hachimantai Mountain Hotel has a decent onsen with indoor and outdoor baths. The little village of Matsukawa Onsen is about 6km from Hachimantai Shimokura Resort. It has a small collection of ryokan with onsen that non-guests can utilise for a small fee. The onsen waters are renowned for the cloudy blue appearance and a few of the onsen are quite traditional with outdoor konyoku onsen (mixed gender bathing).
Tours That May Include Hachimantai

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 2,807
View Details
 
Tohoku Indy Trip
HOSTED (UNGUIDED) SAFARI - TOHOKU
8/10 Days | 7/9 Nights | 5/6 Ski Areas
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Venture away from the masses on this 8 or 10 day hosted (unguided) powder trip in northern Tohoku. The package includes all lift passes however if you have an Indy Pass the price is discounted. All accommodation, most meals & private ground transport are taken care of.
Price p/p
USD 1,936
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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 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,399
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Hachimantai Shimokura here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Central Iwate looking at Amihari & Iwate Kogen from Shizukuishi
TOHOKU GUIDED TOURS
PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
These PRIVATE guided trips will maximise your Northern Tohoku powder experience. Minimum 3 nights/3 days guiding. Options of in-resort powder hunting, lift-access sidecountry & backcountry touring options. Resorts include Shizukuishi, Geto Kogen, Tazawako, Ani, Hachimantai, Amihari & Appi.
Price p/p Rate per person for private group of 5 for 3 night 3 day trip
Base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
*Displayed price may vary slightly due to currency fluctuations
USD 844
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Morioka Freeride Tour
GUIDED FREERIDE TOUR
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Days Riding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Stay in the city of Morioka in Northern Tohoku & explore restaurants & bars by night. By day get guided to powder stashes at nearby ski areas within the off-piste and lift-accessed backcountry zones.
Price p/p
USD 2,150
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Hachimantai Shimokura here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

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 2024.
Base/invoice currency is in Japanese yen inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,049
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Hachimantai Shimokura here
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