Best Time to Snowboard in Japan (and What to Expect in 2026–27)
When Japan’s powder is actually best, explained with weather data, the science behind JaPow and what forecasters say about this El Niño winter.
Ikon vs Epic Pass for Japan: Which One Should You Get? (2026–27)
Which Japan resorts are on the Ikon and Epic passes, how they work at the lift, and what I’d buy again after riding Niseko on my Ikon Base and paying day rates at Rusutsu and Hakuba.
How to Get to Niseko From Sapporo and New Chitose Airport: Bus, Train, Taxi or Car
Every way to get to Niseko from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, with times, costs and which is easiest, cheapest and best with a group.
How Much Does a Snowboard Trip to Japan Cost? (My Real 3-Week Budget)
Every receipt from three weeks of snowboarding in Japan: flights, board fees, lodging, lift tickets, food and the $30 grapes. Here’s what it really cost.
Japan Culture Differences (and Common Japanese Phrases With Pronunciation)
The biggest culture shocks from three weeks in Japan, from no trash cans to naked onsens, plus the Japanese phrases we actually used and how to pronounce them.
Tokyo in 2 Days: Rooftop Onsen, Shimokitazawa Vintage and Ramen
Two days in Tokyo: where to stay in Shinjuku, getting around (and the Suica mistake I made), ramen, dessert and the best vintage shops in Shimokitazawa.
Kyoto in 2 Days: Temple Markets, Shrine Stamps and a Ryokan Stay
Two days in Kyoto between snowboard stops: shrine stamp books, a huge temple market, kimonos and a traditional ryokan.
Traveling Japan With a Snowboard: Trains, Baggage Fees and Shipping Your Luggage
How we got around Japan with snowboards, the domestic flight fees that got me, shipping bags with Yamato, and the packing mistakes I won’t make again.
Snowboarding in Hakuba: Riding the Dam Run at Hakuba Cortina
Four nights near Hakuba: where we stayed in Otari, riding the famous dam run at Hakuba Cortina, and how to get there from Tokyo.
Backcountry Snowboarding in Hokkaido: An Abandoned Resort, Plum Whiskey and an Icy Bust
My best and worst backcountry days in Hokkaido: 3,000 vertical feet at an abandoned resort near Iwanai, and a $310 guided day that got iced out.
Niseko Guide: Where to Eat, Drink and Stay (From Someone Who Rode It for 2 Weeks)
Where to eat, drink, stay and soak in Niseko, plus night riding, food trucks and the $30 grapes I’m still thinking about.
Snowboarding in Japan: 3 Weeks in Niseko, Hakuba and Beyond
Powder in Hokkaido, a $30 day at Rusutsu, Hakuba, Kyoto shrines and Tokyo vintage shops, plus everything I learned the hard way, from overweight bags to getting sick in week two.
