Japan’s ski towns, including Niseko, are expecting a record-setting winter of visitors. JAPAN – Japan’s appeal for skiers was already strong before the weak yen started drawing more of them – what with some of the world’s best powder, slope-side ramen shops and a bevy of hot springs to soothe sore muscles. But as snow feels increasingly iffy in other regions and the exchange rate continues to be so favourable, the country’s ski towns are expecting a record-setting number of visitors for winter.
According to Ski.com, a provider of ski vacation experiences which mainly cater to a North American clientele, bookings to Japan for the upcoming season had already grown 600 per cent year over year before summer drew to a close in late August. Though there is epic skiing to be had within three hours of Tokyo, the lion’s share of international powder-chasers head much farther north to Niseko, Japan’s most iconic ski area, in Hokkaido.
Niseko is worth the hype – and more people decided to try it out in 2023 than ever before, with visitation up 26 per cent from the previous winter. Among the 10 million people who scanned their lift tickets at the area’s four resorts, there was a noticeable uptick in the number of North Americans, according to local reports. The lion’s share of international powder-chasers head to Niseko, Japan’s most iconic ski area.
PHOTO: ST FILE Instead of considering Niseko your only option, think of it as one of several great choices. Given t.