Home Destinations

SKIING IN JAPAN: 5 things that will convince you to hit the white powder

It doesn’t take much to convince an Aussie to take a ski holiday in Japan, because according to the country’s tourism leaders, it’s already high on the bucket list. Speaking […]

It doesn’t take much to convince an Aussie to take a ski holiday in Japan, because according to the country’s tourism leaders, it’s already high on the bucket list.

Speaking to KARRYON at a Japan Ski & Snow event in Sydney, Japan National Tourism Organisation Director, Maiko Zenki said the recent winters have seen a sharp increase in the number of Aussies booking snow getaways to the country.

For example, Japan welcomed a large increase of 24 percent in Australian visitors between December 2014 and February 2015. In January 2016 this climbed up 30 percent year-on-year.

So while, Australians may be visiting on their own accord, there are still a few that might need a little nudge to book.

Here are five things that’ll convince you to get packing:

 

1. Value for money

Japan ski 3

Image: Jung Hsuan/Shutterstock.com

The Aussie dollar is strong against the Japanese yen at the moment, making it a great value for money destination right now.

The Australian dollar has fallen against major currencies but against the yen it is still strong, so there’s no better time to book.

 

2. Quality of the snow

ski in Japan

KARRYON asked two operators and the director of Japan’s tourist bureau in Australia why Aussie should book Japan for a ski holiday and the answer was unanimous – the quality of the snow.

They all said there’s no place that produces the same quality of powder.

 

3. No jet-lag

ski in Japan

First, Japan is a quick nine to ten hour flight away – so it’s closer than other popular destinations in Europe and North America.

Additionally, there’s minimal jetlag because at the moment there is only a one hour time difference between Australia and Japan.

#Winning

 

4. Where else can you enjoy Japanese hot springs like this

Screen Shot 2018 06 04 at 9.41.33 amThere’s nothing quite like stepping out of the freezing cold and into a warm, relaxing hot spring.

And no other destination does a hot spring quite like the Japanese.

 

5. Japanese culture

ski in Japan

This one is a given.

Culturally, Japan is very different from Australia and to many it is quite fascinating.

Zenki says there’s something special about the Japanese people and their hospitality is second to none.

 

READ: FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: How Japanese people defy ageing

READ: SAMURAI: 6 astounding facts about Japan’s medieval military nobility

What other reasons would you give an Australian to visit Japan?