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Go Tours Travel offers you a comprehensive range of ski vacation packages and services to the best ski resorts within Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen and Hokkaido, Japan. Our team of dedicated staff are here to provide you with a full range of accommodation packages carefully selected to suit all budgets and tastes.
We have taken the hassle out of all the organization and planning that needs to be done so you can spend all your time skiing the "best Japan has to offer"
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Hakuba
 Hakuba is arguably the most popular winter sports region in Honshu and is home to a number of snow resorts set against an impressive mountain backdrop. There are a number of resorts lined up along a 30km stretch of mountains. Resorts within the Hakuba village area include Happo-one, Iwatake, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu and there also are further resorts nearby. The men's downhill and super giant slalom as well as the ski jump and nordic combined events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics all took place in Hakuba.
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Skiing & Snowboarding
All mountains allow skiing and snowboarding on all slopes.
Night Skiing
Night skiing is available at four of the resorts in Hakuba, usually from the end of December to the end of March. Courses are fairly limited in Hakuba compared to Niseko, the latter offering superb night skiing in the world's largest night skiing area.
 Lifts
There are 7 ski resorts in the Hakuba valley and 3 interlinked resorts in Niseko. All resorts operate a main Gondola lift that is fully enclosed, seating between 6 and 10 people, providing access to the main slopes. Express quad lifts are also common, and provide fast access to runs. Double chairs are widely utilised, especially for providing access to the more advanced slopes. Most resorts are operating new and modern lift facilities, supported by professional grooming and snowmaking services.
Lift Tickets
All of the ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley and Niseko use an electronic lift pass system. The pass is a re-programmable computer chip encased in a small plastic covering. Placed into customer's ski clothing or gloves, it allows guests to pass through the electronic gates at each lift. When a lift pass is purchased, or a lift exchange pass redeemed, a 1000 yen deposit is required. The 1000 yen is refunded when the pass is put into an automatic exchange machine located near the ticket selling booths.
 Ski Rentals and Ski Lessons
Most hotels have a limited stock of mid range ski and snowboard rental equipment. For the latest range of performance equipment and full range of sizes the specialist ski rentals shops offer a far superior service. The largest ski and snowboard boot sizes available in Japan for rental are 32cm or US 13.
English language ski and snowboard instruction can be organized for customers. Lessons that are taught in English must be pre-booked as private lessons. Group lessons are also available but are not given in English, they are only taught in Japanese.
On Mountain Restaurants
There are ample rest stations on the mountains where food can be purchased, although it is mostly of the fast-food variety. Meals such as fried rice, noodles, and curry are well priced, and are usually large and filling. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are widely available.
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Nozawa
 Nozawa is about an hour from Nagano City, and another of the more popular Japanese snow resorts. Nozawa is a great place to go if you want the feel of an old-time Japanese village, while experiencing one of the best single resorts in Japan. The resort is owned by the tiny village that takes great care in maintaining the resort as well as welcoming visitors.
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 Nozawa, although a large resort in its own right, has somehow retained a friendly atmosphere that visitors really enjoy.
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Myoko Kogen
 Myoko Kogen is one of the oldest established ski areas in the world and boasts more than 13 metres of snow annually. Less than an hour north of Nagano, and with interesting cultural side trips available, this is the ideal location to enjoy the Japanese ski experience. With three distinctive areas spread across the base of beautiful Mt Myoko, Myoko Kogen has something for every skier, whether an adventurous individual, a couple looking for a romantic getaway, or a family who need to satisfy many different needs including on the hill day care facilities for young children. Myoko Kogen is consistently rated as one of the most beautiful ski areas on Japan. This stunning natural setting in the heat of Joshinetsu National Park, offers excellent accommodation and uncrowded access to endless snow.
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Niseko
Boasting a great village atmosphere to rival any European resort, Niseko provides a great skiing option for the northern winter. Skiing at Niseko is like visiting the last unspoiled frontier. It is an adventure in powder snow, and an adventure in culture. Whether you are looking for a deluxe international hotel or a traditional Japanese-style inn (ryokan), a mid-price business hotel or a Youth Hostel, Sapporo offers an excellent choice of accommodation
The skiing is uncrowded, mainly because Niseko is undiscovered by Westerners and only visited occasionally by the Japanese who have just one week annual leave each year.
Niseko is a high-tech ski area consisting of three ski resorts spread over 48 km of runs and serviced by 38 lifts all with one common lift pass. It offers 1,000 vertical metres of immaculately groomed runs, and some of the best resort powder skiing on the planet. There are no surface tows in Niseko, only chairlifts, and most have protective weather hoods.
A 4-person express gondola leaves from the resort centre and lifts you 500 vertical metres in under 10 minutes. On a clear day the views from Niseko are absolutely breathtaking, snow as far as the eye can see, all the way to the ocean's edge.
Lifts are open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. offering incredible value including night skiing.
Niseko is regarded by the Japanese as their premier ski destination.
Season: December to May
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Sapporo city is the capital of Hokkaido prefecture, and the population is about 1.75 million. It is located in the south of Hokkaido island. Only ten and a half hours by air, Hokkaido is one of the closest ski/board destinations to Australia in the northern winter.
 Covered by vast national parks, the island has maintained its natural, pristine beauty through the responsible protection and management of its natural assets.
The beauty of Hokkaido in every season is beyond description. In winter, cold winds blow down from Siberia across Russia, picking up moisture over the Sea of Japan, and drop it as snow when they strike the coast of Hokkaido.
The snow season is from December to late April, during which time Hokkaido is entirely covered in a blanket of pure white snow, creating a unique and visually beautiful winter paradise.
In January, February and March Hokkaido produces some of the most reliable and consistent snow falls in the world.
 The easiest way to get to Sapporo is by air. The New Chitose International Airport offers numerous domestic flights, serving most of Japan's big cities including Tokyo and Osaka. The JR (Japan Railways) Airport Shuttle Express runs between the airport and the JR Sapporo Station every 15 minutes. The journey takes about 35 minutes.
An airport bus service also operates. Departures are frequent and the journey to central Sapporo takes about 1 hour. By road or rail, the Niseko Ski Area is two and a half hours south west of Sapporo City.
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| TOURS AROUND NAGANO PREFECTURE |
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There are many intriguing ways to enjoy yourself in Nagano. Nagano Prefecture is situated in the heart of Japan surrounded by the majestic 3000 metre high mountains nicknamed the roof of Japan. This beautifully preserved natural environment offers magnificent natural scenery along with historical and cultural heritage allowing visitors to experience a truly unforgettable holiday. Nagano city is approximately 1 hr from either Hakuba, Shiga Kogen , Nozawa or Myoko Kogen and was the host city for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. |
Zenkoji Temple designated a National Treasure in Japan and one of the largest Buddhist temples still active in the country. With a history of over 1400 years, it houses the first image of Buddha brought to Japan in the 7th Century. The streets of Chou-dori surrounding the temple are lined with lantern lit shops and tiered roof stalls and galleries that compliment the temple. |
The city of Matsumoto lies south of Nagano and is where the older castle structures existing in Japan is located – Matsumoto Castle (one of 4 designated National Treasures) built at the end of the 16 th century. The five-storied donjon is one of the major castles of the Samurai era to survive in its original form. |
Another sightseeing spot is Togakushi Village which is 30 minutes north of Nagano city. This beautiful mountain village is known for its traditional woven crafts, delicious soba noodles, Ninja history and ancient mountain shrines. Togakushi origins are centered around the original mythical creation stories of Japan and Shinto legend. Visit a local sob noodle restaurant where people can make their own noodles using locally produced buckwheat flour. |
The renowned Jigokudani Monkey Hot Springs are a hit with the adults and children alike. The famous snow monkey hot-springs are situated near Kambayashi Onsen at the base of Shiga Kogen . Home to over 200 wild monkeys they spend their days soaking in the natural hot springs keeping warm from the harsh winter. With their thick fur coats, almost human-like faces and their deep soulful eyes the snow monkeys are sure to win your heart. |
SKI AND SEE JAPAN PACKAGES ALSO AVAILABLE!
Why not combine a visit to the exciting metropolis of Tokyo. We can tailor packages including a trip to the snow, and then Tokyo accommodation, tours and sightseeing for example:
- Disneyland Tickets
- Sumo Tickets
- Shopping Experiences
- Dining Experiences
- Day or Half Day Tours
- Zen Experience – Kamakura
- Kyoto Tour
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| * Prices are subject to Japan Public Holiday supplements and supplements may also apply to certain dates within the season. Single, triple and quad room rates are available upon request. Child prices available upon request. Packages can be tailored to suit varying lengths of stay. Package prices exclude airfares and taxes. Classic Snow Meet and Greet services available – extra costs apply. Prices are a guide only and subject to change at any time without notice. |
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