For a New Winter Destination, Try a Snowshoe Escape in Japan's Rugged Interior

For better or for worse, Japan is now a globally recognized destination. That comes with benefits for visitors, such as better English-language signage, more English-speaking staff, great hotel options, and guides/agencies offering a variety of activities. Tourism obviously has its drawbacks, too, such as overcrowding, when 70% of travelers visit only 3 cities. There are also rising hotel prices, occasional unwelcoming locals, and inflation on basic goods. However, tourism is here to stay. 

Japan's next challenge is finding ways to make tourism sustainable. That means enjoyable for the tourists and beneficial for regular Japanese people.

One solution is for visitors to spread out to more remote areas of Japan, where they will be welcomed with open arms. Japan's regions are the ones suffering most from economic stagnation, unemployment, and depopulation. They also have the best food, the most beautiful scenery, and the friendliest people. 

These are the areas where you can get into conversation with locals, whether you speak Japanese or not. Or find rice farming villages that still plant and harvest by hand. One can discover wilderness areas by hiking all day without seeing another soul. 

In short, the regions outside of the cities are the best parts of Japan, and there is endless room for discovery. I have lived in Japan most of my life and still have much to learn. My mission has always been to help visitors discover ー and fall in love with ー these areas. 

Winter Sports Beyond the Famous Spots

When you think of winter sports in Japan, you probably imagine ski resorts such as Niseko, Hakuba, and Nozawa Onsen. While ski resorts are fantastic and popular for a reason, I am always struck by how little land they occupy. What about all the undiscovered land and fresh powder snow beyond the ski resorts? 

While at a resort, you might be in the middle of a stunning national park. But the hour-long gondola line is akin to being stuck on the Tokyo metro during rush hour. Who wants to "get away" to incredibly beautiful nature, only to be surrounded by a crowd? 

That is where snowshoeing comes in. If you cannot ski, need a rest day, or want to get away from people, and, like me, you hate waiting in lines, snowshoeing is for you. And because the bears are hibernating under a huge layer of snow, that's one less problem to deal with.

What is Snowshoeing?

Snowshoeing is essentially walking on the snow. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. And because all of the trails are covered in snow, you can basically go wherever you want. 

People think snowshoeing involves treading on a racket-shaped object like Eskimos. However, the pastime has evolved significantly since those days. Now, the equipment is modern, easy to use, and comfortable.

How to Find Snowshoe Spots

I am a snowshoe guide and love to explore new destinations every year. While there are some established snowshoeing trails, the best thing about snowshoeing is that you are not limited to a certain area. Anywhere with snow that is not private land or too steep is a potential course. 

Here are some of the best ways to find places to snowshoe.

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails covered in snow are among the best places for snowshoeing. There are signs, trail maps, and sometimes pink ribbons tied to trees to help you along. 

My favorite is Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture. Togakushi is a large forested area within a national park that houses ancient shrines, cedar-lined avenues, a frozen lake, and sculpted mountains. Because it is popular with snowshoers and cross-country skiers, a network of easy-to-follow snow trails pops up in the winter. 

Even if you have hiked a trail in summer, winter transforms the landscape entirely. The hiking app I recommend for Japan is YAMAP, a combination of the words yama (mountain) and map. International apps like AllTrails work for many trails, too.

Unplowed Roads

Many mountain roads in Japan are too difficult to maintain during heavy winter snowfalls. Consequently, they make great snowshoeing spots because the ground is level, well-marked, and easy to follow. Sometimes, you can even snowshoe from one village to another following the road. 

My favorite is the Shiga Kogen to Manza Onsen route. This is a popular 8 km road (the highest highway in Japan) where backcountry skiers and snowshoers congregate. The views are stunning. It's also a rare chance in Japan to look around 360 degrees and see almost no signs of civilization. 

Mountain weather changes quickly, though, so make sure to go on a sunny day or with a guide.

Rice Paddies, Fields, or Meadows

In Yamagata, there are terraced rice paddies near the sleepy onsen village of Hijiori Onsen. There, the rice paddies are covered with over 2 meters of snow, making it an excellent spot for snowshoeing. You are free to explore anywhere that is open ground, wondering how all that snow can possibly melt, and how people survive in such a harsh environment. 

After the cold weather and deep snow, a slow soak in the hot spring is incredible. 

Similarly, I snowshoe outside of my Airbnb in Nagano over forests and rice paddies. There is no trail, which is exhilarating, but it also means you need to remember how to return.

The Side of a Ski Resort

Many ski resorts offer lift-accessible snowshoeing on the sides of runs where skiers cannot venture. The benefit of snowshoeing this way is that all of the climbing is eliminated by the chairlift. All you have to do is walk (or slide) down the mountain. 

Again, I recommend Shiga Kogen's Yokoteyama ski resort for this type of adventure. Take a lift up Japan's highest elevation chairlift, before winding your way 4 kilometers or so to the bottom of the resort. 

Some ski resorts do not allow snowshoeing, though, so check in advance.

Tips for Staying Safe

Bring Extra Layers

Surprisingly, it's pretty hot when snowshoeing. However, when you stop or when it's snowing, the temperature drops rapidly.And sweat can make you feel colder. Bring layers to adjust as you go.

Bring Water

Because it's cold and there is snow all around, it doesn't feel like you need to drink water. However, your body is still losing water, so hydrate frequently.

Start Early, Leave Early

Japan is notorious for its early sunsets. You do not want to be caught out in the dark, so leave as early as possible to return well before nightfall.

When in Doubt, Return

Snowy forests can all start looking the same, and it's easy to lose a sense of direction. Conveniently, walking in the snow always leaves a trail, so when in doubt, follow the trail back to the starting point.

Hire a Guide

While you can explore all of these areas on your own, the safest, most enjoyable, and educational way to snowshoe is by hiring a guide. They know the best local spots and provide insight into the customs, culinary scene, history, and traditions. And they're happy to share, or they wouldn't be in the business.

Tour Companies

Tour companies like Walk Japan also offer multi-day snowshoe packages. For a fully guided experience without the stress of planning or worrying, consider joining a tour.

Essential Gear

There are a few snowshoeing essentials. They include snowshoes, poles with snow baskets, boots, waterproof pants, a jacket, layers underneath, long underwear, gloves, warm socks, a hat, sunglasses, and a backpack. 

Many ski resorts and mountain areas now offer snowshoe rentals and poles, so you don't have to bring everything. If you plan to continue snowshoeing in the future, though, I highly recommend buying your own MSR snowshoes.

To check out more scenes of Japan's snow country and what snowshoeing looks like, watch my show on Journeys in Japan.

RELATED:

• Camping Beyond the Highest Point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Hidden Wonders | A Bridge in Hokkaido that Appears in Winter
• Yamagata: Exploring the Other Side of the Mountain

Author: Daniel Moore

Learn more about the wild side of Japan through Daniel's essays.