Last year there was great excitement when it was announced that Alts Bandai and neighbouring Nekoma Snow Park & Resort would finally be connected by an 810m lift from the 2023-24 season onwards. After hearing this news, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to check out a resort that’s been on the radar for a while. We duly booked a week at the Hoshino Bandaisan Onsen Hotel, the 4-star hotel situated within the resort complex.

So, what did we think?

If you’re not concerned about known brands, this is where the real bargains can be had. As recently as three weeks ago, we saw adult beginner snowboard sets on sale in Tokyo for ¥29,900 (around AU$310) for a snowboard, set of bindings AND boots!!)

A few highlights from The Snow Concierge’s month on the ground in Japan.

The snow engines are firing up and while some resorts have been affected by a bit of rain this week, this weekend promises to be the start of a sustained period of snow across most regions.

It’s not quite summer yet in Australia, which means it’s still autumn in Japan but that hasn’t stopped snow from falling!

Heading to Japan? Here are just a few of The Snow Concierge’s favourite Japan travel hacks.

You’ve heard all about the phenomenal snow, the incredible cultural experience and pretty much everyone you’ve ever met has told you it’s one of the best snow destinations on the planet but you’re not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with some tips that will help make your Japan snow trip dream a reality – everything from when to go, to choosing the right resort.

At The Snow Concierge, the only thing we want you to have to think about is which chairlift to ride and what time to stop for lunch.

From the moment you arrive in Nozawa Onsen and wander the snow-covered streets, you will see what the hype is about. The village, with its narrow lanes and traditional wooden buildings, feels like a page from a history book. But this magical setting is only the backdrop to what is to come.

What’s The Snow Concierge doing in Japan in Summer you may ask? Well one of the ‘toughest’ parts of our job is making sure we’ve tried and tested all the places in Japan that our clients want to visit, not just the ski resorts.

Great news for Japan bound travellers with Qantas today announcing a doubling of flights from Australia to Tokyo.

Today marks the start of Golden Week in Japan, basically a week where several public holidays align. Sounds pretty awesome, right!?

Ok, we might be a teensy bit biased, but we think there’s no such thing as a ‘bad time’ to visit Japan…that said, if you’re after some of that incredible powder that Japan is famous for, then there are definitely times when the winter months are more likely to deliver optimal conditions.

Here’s a breakdown of what we love about the five most popular resorts on the Japanese mainland of Honshu

Hakuba is perfect for families, with heaps of skiable terrain and no end of things to keep you occupied on rest days.

If you’ve travelled anywhere in Japan by train, then you’ve probably noticed the difference between locals and tourists when it comes to how much luggage they have with them. In most cases, it’s likely the Japanese aren’t travelling with luggage at all.

If you’re looking for the perfect winter getaway, it’s hard to go past Japan. It’s an awesome opportunity to experience a country steeped in culture, while also enjoying some of the finest skiing and snowboarding in the world. It’s a fantastic destination for a snow holiday - whether you’re a first timer or an experienced pro.

Greetings from Appi Kogen! We’ve been champing at the bit to get back to Appi after our last visit for a couple of reasons. First up we needed to confirm it really was as good as we’d remembered (spoiler alert: it is!!)