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

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.

The Snow Concierge was one of the first international visitors to realise Hakuba’s huge potential while working for a US television network during the Nagano Winter Olympic games, and it has been a fast favourite ever since. 

You’ve probably heard about the amazing culture, the delicious food, and the incredible sights which are reason enough to visit Japan. When you add in the abundance and quality of the snow, amazing infrastructure, and excellent and varied accommodation options, Japan really stacks up as a great option for your next ski vacation.

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.