To get to ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen from Tokyo Station, ride the Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka Station (approx. 2 hrs 10 min). At Morioka Station, transfer to the JR Hanawa Line and ride to Appi Kogen Station (approx. 1 hr). There's also the Morioka Station - Appi Kogen Fixed Route Bus (Adults: 1,150 yen, one way), which operates during the winter. By car, it takes 20 minutes from the Tohoku Expressway Matsuo-Hachimantai IC.

ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen offers a variety of exciting activities on the vast ski slopes of Appi Kogen. The Kids Park is sectioned off from the regular slopes with a net, making it safe for kids to play there.

The gentle slopes are perfect for first-time skiers and snowboarders, and there's also a sledding area, fully equipped with plastic rental sleds and a new kind of sled called 'Zipfy.' We also recommend snow rafting, a thrilling snow experience you can enjoy with the entire family!

For little ones who are too young to ride, there's a snowy play area complete with all kinds of snow toys, such as plastic shovels, buckets, snowball machines, and slides. Parents will love watching their little ones' faces glow with excitement as they experience playtime in the cold, fluffy snow!

For dinner, we recommend the buffet plan, where you can indulge in delicious dishes to your heart's content. A win-win for adults and children alike!

There are 16 types of guest rooms. For families, we recommend the Japanese Maisonette. This 4-person room comes in two types. The second-floor rooms have two beds, while those on the first floor include two extra beds. There's also an open-air bath on the second floor, where you can enjoy a relaxing, private soak with your family.

Multilingual support
ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen also supports English and Chinese, so you can still rest easy even if you don't know Japanese.

Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is right next to Shizukuishi Ski Resort and about 40 minutes by bus from Morioka Station. In the winter, guests can ride the free shuttle bus from Morioka Station (reservations are required at least two days in advance). By car, it's about 30 minutes from the Morioka IC.

One of the best things about Shizukuishi Ski Resort is that elementary school kids can get lift tickets for free! This fantastic service is perfect for families with young children coming to experience the slopes for the first time.

But don't worry if your kids aren't interested in skiing or snowboarding. There's something to enjoy for everyone in the snowy play area, Shizukuishi Snowland (admission fee required). Here you'll find sledding, tubing, and snow striders. Rentals are also available, so don't worry about lugging around your own gear. There's also a snow escalator, which makes it much easier to go up the slope.

Guest rooms face either the slopes or Mt. Iwate, each boasting its own spectacular snowy views. The Standard Twin Room is popular with families, includes an extra bed, and can accommodate up to three guests.

Multilingual support
Website is available in English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), and Korean. Pamphlets are also available in English, making it easier for foreign tourists to enjoy their stay.

Geto Kogen is located closest to Kitakami Station and is about 2 hours and 55 minutes away from Tokyo Station via the Tohoku Shinkansen. During the winter, guests can ride the free shuttle from Kitakami Station (around 50 min., reservations are not required). For those coming by car, we recommend parking at Kitakami Station and taking the shuttle bus to the hotel.

Snow Rafting is a thrilling experience in which riders (ages 3 and up) are pulled along at the speed of the snowmobile on a rafting board (10 min, 800 yen per person). There's also a Snowmobile Family Tour, which challenges adults to try driving their family around themselves! (Prices start at 2,000 yen for 20 min.) Feel the exhilaration of dashing through the vast fields of snow!

There's also a permanent Kids Slope, where children can sled down a hill, and the indoor Kids Area, which includes a trampoline and playground equipment. Even kids who are too small to spend time on the slopes will find much to do here. Say bye-bye to boredom!

Geto Kogen has three types of accommodations. The 'Premium Stay -Go-' room is your typical hotel-type room, available in capacities of 4-6 guests. There are also 4-6 bed dormitory-style rooms, and 88 'Skiers' Beds,' all available at an affordable price.

Multilingual support
This hotel is quite popular with visitors from abroad. As one previous guest comments, "The staff members were kind, and some even spoke English. I'd love to come back again next year!"

Urabandai Lake Resort is located in Bandai-Asahi National Park in Fukushima Prefecture. From Tokyo Station, hop on the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station (approx. 1 hr 30 min), then transfer to the Ban'etsu West Line to Inawashiro Station (approx. 35 min). From there, it's a 30-min ride via local bus or the free shuttle. If coming by car, it'll take approx. 25 minutes to get to Urabandai Lake Resort from the Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC.

In the snowshoe trekking experience, you'll strap on a pair of Western-style snowshoes and head out for an excursion through the lakes and marshes of Goshikinuma and the surrounding forest area.

Even kids as young as five can enjoy this outing! A professional tour guide will lead participants, so you can rest at ease that your outdoor adventure will be fun and safe.

The tour is conducted in Japanese only, but don't let that deter you if you don't speak the language. Visitors from all over can still enjoy the excitement of a winter excursion, regardless of the language you speak!

At Lake Hibara, try your hand at fishing with the Smelt Fishing Experience. Rent your own fishing hut on the ice, and give it a go! All necessary tools are available for rent. Please note, however, that the Smelt Fishing Experience instructions on how to feed the fish are currently not available in foreign languages, so for this activity, you may find it easier to do if you have someone in your group who understands Japanese.

The Deluxe Twin Room is a penthouse-style accommodation on the top floor with its own front parlor. It can accommodate up to 4 guests. Make it a special night with an incredible view of Urabandai's natural scenic landscape!

Multilingual support
English-speaking staff are available at Urabandai Lake Resort, so foreign tourists can enjoy their stay with peace of mind.

Hotel Listel Inawashiro Wing Tower is located near Lake Inawashiro in central Fukushima Prefecture. Hotel guests can catch a free shuttle from Inawashiro Station (advanced reservations are required by 5:00 p.m. on the previous day). By car, it's about 10 minutes from the Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC.

The ski resort Listel Ski Fantasia is right outside the hotel. It even offers ski lessons specially designed for children ages 4-12 and perfect for first-timers. Don't worry if you or your kids don't speak Japanese. Everyone is welcome to join! While the staff members generally do not speak foreign languages, they will be more than happy to help using simple English and body language.

Before you hit the slopes, check out Snow Play Land, where you can enjoy activities such as snow striders and sledding. There's also an original event in the works called 'Sori-yabusame (Sled Archery),' in which riders can hop in a sled and shoot targets with a bow and arrow!

If your energetic kids still aren't tired after returning to the hotel, there's an indoor pool for even more fun!

Can't decide which room to choose? Check out the Chibippu Room, especially designed with families and young children in mind. This room emphasizes safety and hygiene for young children and babies and can accommodate up to 5 guests (max 2 adults). With low, spacious beds that the whole family can stretch out on, and soft, cushioned rugs, this room guarantees a stay full of fun and comfort for the entire family.

Multilingual support
Hotel pamphlets are available in English inside the facility, and some staff members can also speak English. So if you have any questions during your trip to Japan, don't hesitate to ask!

For some outdoor winter fun everyone can enjoy, why not book a stay in a Tohoku resort hotel? Each activity is unlike anything you'd find in the city, and guarantees a vacation of fun, excitement, and comfort that'll bring joy to the entire family!

Text by: Shoepress Co., Ltd.
*Information in article as of November 2022. Please see official websites for the latest updates & information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki