“Unbelievably good” ski deals for the 22/23 season in Japan, thanks to the weak yen and early bird specials.
How about $35 accommodation at one of Japan’s top ski resorts? Or rentals at $12/day? The combination of very hot early bird specials and a heavily weakened yen has created some incredibly good deals for the 2022/23 ski season in Japan, and we’ve worked hard to identify the best of them below.
Of course, the early bird deals won’t last, and there’s no guarantee on the value of the yen. Which means now might be the best time to book your next ski trip to Japan.
That said, we’ll do our best to keep this list relevant as we head into winter, which means we’ll update it as new deals come to light and remove any that don’t. expire. So if you’re waiting for Japan’s borders to open, bookmark this page and come back when you’re ready.
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30% off all room types with Active Life Group
Resort: Madarao
Book before: April 30
This one expires on April 30, so you’ll need to act fast! Active Life Group is offering 30% off all room types at any of its three hotels in Madarao: Xplore by Active Life, Hakken by Active Life and Active Life Madarao.
Prices start from just ¥4,550 (~US$35) per person, making it a tempting option for skiers on a budget – even more so when you realize the reservation includes free ski lessons and free access to a shuttle which takes guests to one of 12 nearby resorts (Monday to Friday). For skiers who like to explore, it’s a no-brainer.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel at any time for a full refund, as long as the cancellation occurs at least 30 days before arrival.
Note: Always check the terms of your reservation with your accommodation provider to ensure you have up-to-date and accurate information.
Save 30% with Club Med Tomamu Early Bird Special
Resort: Tomamu
Book before: May 31st
A 7-night stay at Club Med Tomamu will set you back at least AU$3,040 (~US$2,518), with January dates starting at AU$4,220 (~US$2,996).
Starting at around US$360 per night per person, the value for money is huge when you factor in accommodations, all meals, an open bar, lift tickets, group ski or snowboard lessons, a kids’ club and daily entertainment. There’s a reason the brand has an army of loyal followers across the world!
Besides fantastic ski slopes, Tomamu is home to Japan’s largest wave pool and a spectacular ice village (open all winter).
Cancellation policy: Read Club Med’s Peace of Mind policy here.
Niseko Central’s Early Bird offer combined with Stay and Save (save up to 50%)
Resort: Niseko
Book before: July 31, 2022
This is truly one of the best deals you’ll find at Japan’s most popular resort, and it combines Niseko Central’s 30% off Early Bird Promotion with their Stay and Save Offer, which offers guests up to four free nights. And yes, they can be used together!
The result is that customers can save up to 50% with the right selection of dates and a long enough stay. For example, a 14-night stay at the 3-bedroom Hirafu House from January 29 to February 12 will cost you ¥532,000 (~$4,066), a 50% savings off the original price of ¥1,064,000 (~ $8,132). Split between six, that comes to ¥6,333/night per person (~US$48), which seems almost unthinkable for Niseko for much of the season.
Perhaps what we love most about this offer is the transparency of which dates are eligible for each discount tier, which makes finding great deals a lot easier (other accommodation providers considered!). Even better, much of January is on offer at 30% off. Powder someone?
Cancellation policy: Read Niseko Central’s Fully Flexible Booking Conditions here.
5 nights at Alts Bandai for just US$496 (includes lift pass and breakfast)
For those looking to get off the beaten path, this Aizu ski deal, courtesy of Japan Holidays, is an absolute gem. For five nights, you will stay at the Hoshino Resort Bandaisan Onsen hotel with daily breakfast and a ski lift pass. With ski-to-door access, Alts Bandai is an obvious choice, but we also recommend heading to the nearby Nekoma Snow Park & Resort, best known for powder and tree skiing.
At AU$699 (~US$496) for the full 5-night stay, this is serious value, especially with the inclusion of lift tickets and breakfast.
Aizu’s ski resorts are generally much less crowded than some of the more well-known international favorites (i.e. Niseko and Hakuba), so this could be a great option if the forecast for Japan’s tourism boom turns up. concretized.
Cancellation policy: Not clear. Contact Holidays in Japan.
20% off rentals with Rhythm Japan’s Early Bird Special
Book before: July 31
Planning to ski in Niseko, Hakuba or Furano and rent your equipment? Rhythm Japan is offering 20% off ski and snowboard rentals at its stores in these three resorts, as long as you book by July 31 (reservations can be made in line).
Prices depend on the number of rental days (the longer the cheaper) and with the discount, they range from ¥3,600 (~27.50 USD) per day for a standard set of boots, skis and poles at only ¥1,574/day (~US$12) if you rent for 30 days or more.
Rhythm Japan now also offers lessons and guides from its base in Niseko, which also benefits from the 20% Early Bird discount.
Cancellation policy: Subject to the Rhythm Japan standard terms and conditions.
Epic Australia Pass for just $999
Book before: May 31st
This one is for Australian skiers planning to train in the Southern Hemisphere winter before heading out to ski deep in Japan in the 2022/23 season!
The pass, which until May 31 sells for just AU$999 (~US$712), gives skiers unlimited access and a slew of in-resort discounts to Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham in 2022, plus five days in the Hakuba Valley in Japan. and the resorts of Rusutsu (two of the best in the country).
It’s hard to get an idea of the value of this deal, but here are some numbers that might help:
5-Day Perisher Pass (from June 25 to September 12, 2021): AU$805 (~ AU$574)
5-Day Hakuba Valley Pass (2021): ¥31,000 (~$US237)
5 Day Rusutsu Pass (2021): ¥31,000 (~$US237)
In short: if you plan to ski in both Australia and Japan within the next year, you will likely find value in this product.