(Source: Agoda International Japan K.K.)
Agoda Company Pte. Ltd., the operator of the digital travel platform “Agoda,” has announced the “2025 Ranking of Japan’s Top Ski Destinations,” reflecting the latest ski travel trends. This ranking is based on accommodation search data from Agoda and analyzes the most popular ski destinations among both Japanese travelers and inbound tourists.
(Image Source: Pakutaso)
In the ranking of ski destinations for domestic travelers, Iwate Prefecture, including Hachimantai, took the top spot. Hachimantai is considered popular due to the combination of skiing and hot springs. Nagano Prefecture, including Hakuba, and Niigata Prefecture, including Yuzawa, also continue to attract strong interest, with many skiers and snowboarders favoring these areas due to the convenience of reaching them in about an hour and a half from the city center via the Joetsu Shinkansen.
In the ranking of ski destinations for international travelers, Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture saw the highest increase in searches, with a 63% year-over-year growth. The success of international promotions and the enhancement of multilingual support have solidified its position as one of Japan’s top ski resorts. Hakuba offers a variety of courses suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers, attracting many ski enthusiasts. Following Hakuba, Myoko in Niigata Prefecture saw a 48% increase, while Yuzawa experienced a 21% rise. Myoko, in particular, is popular among visitors from Hong Kong and mainland China, while Yuzawa is most favored by travelers from Taiwan.
(Image Source: Pakutaso)
The main countries of origin for inbound skiers include Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore. According to Agoda’s data, accommodation searches for winter travel destinations in Japan have increased significantly, especially from markets such as Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea. Hakuba is the most popular ski destination for travelers from Thailand, while Myoko is a top choice for visitors from Hong Kong and mainland China.
The Managing Director of Agoda International Japan commented that it is gratifying to see Japan recognized as the most popular ski destination in Asia. Domestic and international travelers have different priorities, with overseas visitors placing importance on language support, diverse courses, and high-quality snow, while domestic travelers tend to focus on accessibility and hot springs. As demand for ski travel continues to grow, Agoda aims to continue providing outstanding experiences to travelers worldwide.