Seeing snow in Japan

My family and I plan to travel up to Tokyo last week of Nov this year. Where would b a good place to see snow and perhaps do a bit of skiing or skating?

I would suggest going to Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture. Although I have never been there when there was snow. But it looked really good in the autumn too.

It's not that far from Tokyo and according to the article on japan-guide it's really good.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6090.html

Hi,

You'll probably find the following page useful.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2265.html

Most of the sites state the period as early Dec. But we are traveling end Nov. I m worried there might not be any snow then or not enough .

I really doubt many places have snow in late November. I was in Hokkaido in late Dec last year and it was barely enough snow to ski.

There is a very low chance that there will be natural snow in the Tokyo area by the end of November. If you really want to see snow on your trip then I would suggest heading to Karuizawa (about 1.5 hours from Tokyo by train) which has the Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort that opens in early November (albeit with manmade snow). They have a few runs open for snow sports, and a children's play area with sledding and general snow play that doesn't require that you purchase a lift ticket to enter.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6030.html

It has also been exceptionally warm this summer in Tokyo, reducing the chance for early snow even more.

Hakuba is very unlikely to have snow to ski on in late November. For example, last season, there was no snow to ski on (down the bottom) at Happo (at Hakuba) as late as 16th December. The previous season was the same situation, but even later at around 22nd December.

Karuizawa is even LESS likely to have snow, as Karuizawa is not high, and doesn't actually get a lot of natural snow.

Unfortunately, your best bet is Hokkaido.

One possible chance: The Pacific climate system is currently in a "La Nina", which often causes hot summers, but cold winters.

In this case, the JMA is predicting a colder than average December 2010.

Karuizawa is even LESS likely to have snow, as Karuizawa is not high, and doesn't actually get a lot of natural snow.

Just to clarify, Karuizawa is pretty warm throughout the winter and doesn't get much natural snowfall. Instead they rely on snow machines to produce most of their snow, and they pride themselves on being one of the earliest resorts to open. They are scheduled to open on October 29th this year, so you are pretty much guaranteed to see snow there in late November. Its artificially created snow, but there isn't much difference from the real stuff especially if you are coming from a snowless country and just want the experience of snow.

http://ski.princehotels.co.jp/karuizawa/

There will be no snow in late Nov in Tokyo. Once or twice every ten years you may find it in Nagano or Niigata around that time. There are some suggestions on this map: http://maps.google.com.my/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=my&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&ms...

Otherwise you should go to Hokkaido - but no guarantee there either. I suggest you book either Shibu Onsen or Nozawa Onsen. If you get snow, great! If not, you still have a nice cultural experience.

Thanx. Looks like Karuizawa it shall be. Any comments on the Kasatsu Onsen? Thought it would b closer to karuizawa than Snow Monkeys' Shibu Onsen

Maybe you would like to check out this place call Appi Kogen.My family went there last year Mid of Dec and the whole place is cover with very thick snow. BTW they have live cam for you to check the place out.
http://www.appi.co.jp/foreign_country/english/

Just visited Karuizawa. Not bad. Nice log cabins near the ski resort. Can be a pretty nice romantic getaway for honeymooning couples, and also married couples who just want a quiet getaway from kids, to relive the romance!!

Back to the snow thing, I haven't seen real snow. Neither my kids. So, I don't really know if it is better or not but anyway, it was a nice experience to run in the snow and make a couple of snowballs to throw. But man, do your fingers get frostbitten after a few digs in the snow without proper gloves!