Hakkoda, Japan's Deep Powder Paradise

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Aomori-shi, Aomori
Hakkoda, Japan's Deep Powder Paradise

page for Hakkoda located in Aomori prefecture, run in cooperation with the Aomori Prefecture More info: visit http://hakkoda-ski.com/

This is a page for Hakkoda, Japan’s deep powder paradise located in Aomori prefecture, run in cooperation with the Aomori Prefecture, Tourism and International Affairs Strategy Bureau. Hakkoda is a renowned backcountry powder ski and snowboard mecca in Japan. Known among skiers and riders as a place for those looking for a challenge! Come and drop into the deep powder and breath-taking vistas, whilst immersing yourself in the rich culture and tradition unique to the surrounding Aomori region!

28/10/2026

If the perfect example exists of the transition between two of the best seasons in Aomori, it’s this! ⛷️➠🌸

From deep snow to peak sakura - the perfect powder that winter brings only finds its equal as spring arrives and the incredible beauty of Aomori’s cherry blossom season emerges.

There aren’t many places (not just in Japan, but on earth) that have one of the highest snowfalls of high-quality powder *and* that are among the leading cherry blossom destinations.

Aomori Prefecture really is a place like no other! 🥰

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21/10/2026

One of the many highlights in the Aomori Prefecture events calendar is the Nebuta festivals in towns across the region. These massive, days-long parades are an enchanting and enriching cultural experience - but they only happen in the summer. 🥳😎

The fix: the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse in the heart of Aomori City, just a one-minute walk from Aomori Station!

This museum tells the fascinating story of the prefecture’s most important festival, which features towering, hand-made paper sculptures of ancient battle scenes and mythical creatures.

These floats, which reach up to 9 metres wide, 7 metres deep and 5 metres high, are carried by participants through the city streets to the sound of traditional songs, chants and taiko drums. 🥁

Aomori’s Nebuta Museum has several of the floats from past festivals in the Nebuta Hall, and there are all kinds of displays and demonstrations on construction and history.

The museum is also right next door to A-FACTORY, a food market, cider-making facility and souvenir shop.

Together, these two destinations are a stylish showcase for Aomori's local produce and food culture, but also offer a great all-weather option if your winter holiday to Japan finds a rainy day! ☔️

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16/10/2026

High in the Hakkoda Mountains, about an hour south of Aomori City, Jigoku-numa Pond steams mysteriously all year round. 😶‍🌫️

This pond sits in a volcanic crater that was formed hundreds of years ago. The sight of the steam and volcanic gas collecting on the emerald waters and the mountains rising dramatically around it is almost other-worldly.

In winter, when the mountains are topped with snow, and when autumn foliage paints gold and red colours across the landscape, the views become even more striking.

But tempting as it might look, this isn’t the best place for a dip. Highly acidic and - in places - up to 90°C, Jigoku-numa is not for swimming.

However, your aquatic urges can easily be satisfied on the same trip: Sukayu Onsen is just five minutes down the road. ♨️

The perfect place for a soak, this historic onsen inn has been around for at least 300 years, with some tales of it going back to the 1600s. You can even stay overnight in Sukayu Onsen Ryokan and make the most of your time in the mountains.

Find out more here: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_16.html

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30/09/2026

Aomori Prefecture is famous for its incredible powder and backcountry skiing that challenges the most adventurous powder hound. ❄️🤪

But there’s also some amazing options for beginner skiers here too. 😌

Right in the heart of the prefecture, not far from beautiful Lake Towada, is Oirase Keiryu Onsen Ski Resort, only 5mins from Oirase Keiryu, where there are plenty of ryokan and onsen hotels.

This old-school, local ski resort has a range of beginner- and intermediate-friendly slopes perfect for those starting out and for families who want to experience Aomori powder without the hectic terrain of black runs.

Guests staying at the Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel even have access to the free shuttle bus that takes you straight to the lifts. Not a bad option if you want to go straight from skiing to a hot spring onsen bath back at your hotel!

And because the ski resort is open until 10pm, you can even try your hand at night skiing here too!

Click here for more info on Oirase Keiryu Onsen Ski Resort: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_1454.html

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©十和田奥入瀬観光機構

23/09/2026

When it comes to local food and drink, there’s something wonderful about tasting something from its source, but Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya, near the beautiful beach city of Hachinohe, takes it a step further!

Guests at this luxurious resort can help themselves to apple juice straight from the tree. 🌳💦 Literally!

In Jawamegu Square, the lively central area of the hotel, Aomoriya have installed a real Aomori apple tree with a faucet that pours fresh Aomori apple juice! It’s apple juice on tap! 🍏🚰🍎

Aomori Prefecture’s apples are famous throughout Japan and around the world for their quality. To celebrate this cultural icon of the prefecture, Aomoriya hosts a number of apple-themed activities during apple season (~September-November). The apple tap is in the resort all year round.

Click here for more information on the beautiful Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_8028.html

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18/09/2026

What do you usually do when your ski legs need a day off? ⛷️🛌

How about a quick daytrip to Aomori Museum of Art! Only about 15 minutes from Aomori Airport and under 40mins from Hakkoda Ski’s incredible powder, this is just the taste of culture your winter trip to Japan needs!

As well as some insightful, fascinating, fun art - especially Yosh*tomo Nara’s Aomori Ken, an 8.5-metre tall dog that seems to emerge from the snow - the building itself is really something to see.

Designed by architect Jun Aoki, Aomori Museum of Art is a masterpiece in itself - in particular, the magnificent Aleko Hall and its almost 20-metre high ceilings. Even the grandest artworks here seem to recede to normal size against the giant walls.

But best of all, it’s warm and dry in here — and you’re not expected to move very fast! 🥰

Find out more here: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_1664.html

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30/08/2026

When people think of Japan in winter, their minds usually go straight to exceptional skiing and snowboarding experiences, right? ⛷️💎🏂

But in Aomori Prefecture, there’s so much more to the season than that!

Cultural highlights of northern Honshu’s winter can be found in Goshogawara, a city about 20km west of the prefecture’s capital, that will create memories your family will talk about for years to come.

1. Tsugaru Stove Train 🚂🪵

With deep links to the local winter culture, the Tsugaru Stove Train is a 45min ride through the Aomori countryside. The carriages are heated by a pot-belly stove in the middle of the train.

The stove tender also grills local cuttlefish and squid for passengers to nibble on as they gather close round the fire and share this unique experience.

You can read more about this seasonal train journey here: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/event/detail_1768.html

2. Tachineputa Museum

With roots going back to ancient harvest festivals, the Tachineputa Parade features gigantic lantern floats that roll through the streets of Goshogawara.

And when we say gigantic, we mean it! Each float is 6 storeys tall 🏢 and weighs more than 3 adult African elephants! 🐘🐘🐘

The purpose-built Tachineputa Museum houses some of these floats so that visitors can get a feeling for the August festival any time of year no matter the weather. Each floor has a different theme, and its viewing balcony looking out over sections of these huge floats.

You can find out more about this amazing museum here: https://bit.ly/TachineputaMuseum

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16/08/2026

Carving turns down perfect groomers is a lot of fun, but one of our favourite parts of a trip to the snow is après-ski!

And if you want to relax in true Japanese style, you have to come to Ajigasawa!

On the northwestern coast of Aomori Prefecture, not far from Aomori Spring’s ski fields, the town of Ajigasawa is famous for its incredible seafood and onsen hot springs.

Winter is the perfect season to experience Ajigasawa’s legendary Hirame no Zuke Don. Hirame—a local flounder—is at its best during the colder months, with rich flavour and a buttery texture. Carefully marinated and served over vinegared rice, it’s a dish you won’t forget. 🐟🍚🤩

You can find Hirame no Zuke Don at many restaurants around Ajigasawa (here’s a list: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/gourmet/detail_3970.html).

After your meal, unwind at one of Ajigasawa’s famous hot springs. Suigun no Yado offers day-use hot spring bathing from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, featuring its unique 300,000-year-old fossil seawater onsen, renowned for its high mineral content and soothing warmth after a day on the slopes.

You can also enjoy a day-use onsen at Hotel Grand Mer Sankaiso. Please note that day-use availability varies by date, so we recommend checking in advance before your visit.

So after you've finished exploring the stunning slopes of Aomori Spring Ski Resort, head north for an unforgettable après-ski experience combining fresh local seafood and relaxing hot springs.

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04/08/2026

Japan’s secret for being a world-class ski destination has been out in the open for quite some time now. But what most visitors miss is what’s hiding in northern Honshu!

With its wide, impeccably groomed uncrowded pistes, ideal for long, flowing carved turns, and its unbelievable views, Aomori Spring ski resort is a gem hidden under deep powder! ❄️💎

With so much space (Aomori Spring is one of northern Japan’s largest ski resorts) and fewer skiers than the busy sites in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata, there’s more opportunity for uninterrupted fresh corduroy runs down the resort’s 22 courses. ⛷️⛷️⛷️

Even of the long cruise of Aomori Spring’s signature 3.5km Main Line-Skyline run is relatively unpopulated, so you can float all the way to the runout without dodging crowds or stopping.

The only thing that might halt your run is the astounding vista!

Aomori Spring looks out over the perfect symmetry of Mount Iwaki - known as the Mt Fuji of the North - and the expanse of the Tsugaru Plain all the way down to the glinting Sea of Japan.

You can find out more about this perfect ski destination here: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_8021.html

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24/07/2026

With over 300 years of history, Sukayu Onsen is a national treasure. Tucked into the Hakkoda Mountains, this bathhouse, fed by a naturally-heated ancient mountain spring, is a piece of Japanese history that you can experience firsthand.

Not far from Hakkoda’s ski fields, it makes sense that this onsen is popular with the powder hounds, but there’s plenty of space. One of its baths (built entirely out of Aomori hiba wood btw) is known as Sennin Buro - the Bath of a Thousand Bathers.

It’s not quite that big, but you get the idea!

There are two other onsen baths here and they’re all under the roof of the Hakkoda area’s oldest timber building, which adds to the beauty, history and authenticity of this fascinating place.

You’ll also find a traditional ryokan-style inn here if you want to stay the night, and a little restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine like sukayu soba noodles and ginger miso bamboo oden (Japanese style stewed vegetables and dumplings).

Perfect comfort food when it’s snowing outside.

Learn more about this historic onsen here: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_16.html

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