​The Tohoku Storm Chaser
​The Guided and Hosted Ski and Snowboard Trip Operating in the Tohoku region

​8-days, 7 nights, 6 ski days, 2 bases, 1-to-4 client ratio, two days of tram-accessed backcountry riding at the legendary Hakkoda Ropeway in Aomori

Best for Advanced level riders/skiers (more on rider ability level here)

An avalanche safety kit (beacon, shovel, probe) is required for this trip. If you don't have your own, you can rent one during the checkout process!

This trip includes a half-day of Cat skiing at our own dedicated powder zone

Touring gear is required for this trip! While lift-access powder is the goal, we'll put in some work to get those freshies if we need to. Touring rigs (AT skis/split boards) can be rented during the checkout process. Ability level note: guests need to have logged 10 days on AT equipment before showing up!

View trip Dates

2026 Trips

JANUARY DATES

• 8 - 15
• 13 - 20
• 18 - 25
• 23 - 30
• 28 - February 4​​

FEBRUARY DATES

• 2 - 9
• 7 - 14
• 12 - 19
• 17 - 24
• 22 - March 1

View pricing

Group trip pricing

Early-bird price until August 31: ¥599,000 (≈US$3,990) per person​
Price from September 1: ¥639,000 (≈US$4,290) per person​

• Secure your spot with a 50% deposit; the remaining balance is due on December 1 (October 1 for private trips)
• All prices include 13% taxes and fees
• What's included in this price? A lot! Check out all inclusions here
  

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Private trip pricing (to book the trip out exclusively with you and your buddies)

Reserve as a group of:	Early-bird price per person (JPY)	Early-bird price per person (≈USD)
8	¥599,000	$3,990
7	¥643,000	$4,280
6	¥702,000	$4,680
5	¥785,000	$5,230
4	¥909,000	$6,060

*final deposits are due on October 1 for private trips

cancellation policy

• Up to 4 months before your trip date: 25% cancellation fee of entire trip price
• 2-4 months before your trip date: 50% cancellation fee of entire trip price
• Less than 2 months before your trip date: Cancellations made with less than two months of advanced notice will not be refunded. Unfortunately, due to the time-sensitive nature of our business, and the difficulty in re-booking a trip close to the departure date, we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

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RESERVE A PRIVATE TRIP, JUST FOR YOU AND YOUR BUDDIES HERE
DATES DON'T LINE UP? SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TRIPS BY DATE HERE

The Deets

Tohoku is the most recent discovery in the Japan ski scene. Reminiscent of now famous resort areas like Niseko 15 years ago, the Tohoku region has lots of pow and no lines. Japan Ski Tours went out and found the most untracked, uncrowded and unknown ski hills in the Tohoku region and put them on a platter right here, on the 8-day Tohoku Storm Chaser.

​We ski 6 different hills and base out of two main cities in the snowy frontier of Tohoku, Japan. Where we ski each day depends on where has the best snow. While lift-access powder is the goal, we'll put in some work to get those freshies if we need to.

​Could it get any better? Yes, because we've also thrown in a half-day of Cat skiing into the mix for the most epic ski trip cocktail you could get. 

Staying true to our mission of incorporating cultural experiences, authentic restaurants, and trip-hosting by capable staff, this is the next level tour for finding that hidden side of Japow you know exists, but can't seem to find.

• Itinerary
• Inclusions
• Lodging
• Logistics
• Food

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VIEW DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Meet and Greet
There are two options to meet the group:
​

1. Meet at Morioka Station South Exit by 2:45pm on day-one of your tour
2. Meet in the lobby of the Hachimantai Mountain Hotel (near Appi Kogen) at 4:00pm

​Day 2-5: Storm Chase the Hachimantai (Appi Kogen) Area

We spend 4 ski-days storm chasing in this region. Depending on the conditions, we choose from the powder buffet of Geto Kogen, Tazawako, Hachimantai Panorama, Shizukuishi, Appi Kogen or one of the smaller Shimokura, Amihari or Iwate Snowpark ski hills. On day 5 we'll transfer bases from Hachimantai to Aomori, which is about a 2.5 hour drive.

Our aim is to ski the best, easiest access powder. If conditions warrant, we'll switch into touring mode and tour here and there to access the best possible powder.

Day 6-8: Ride the slack-country gem of Hakkoda

Hakkoda is one of best undiscovered gems left to be found in the Japow universe. Hakkoda is a single tram that opens up incredible backcountry terrain. Our Hakkoda experience is "slack-country" or "side-country", that means that, while the tram takes care of 90% of elevation gain, we'll still be hiking anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes per run on terrain that varies from flat traverses to moderate climbs. Since we'll be doing 2 runs per day, that means we'll be touring for between 1-2 hours per day. 

Don't have touring gear? No problem, we've got rental options for both AT skis and Splitboards during the checkout process. Ability level note: guests need to have logged 10 days on AT equipment before showing up!
​
Day 8: Drop off day

On the final day of this tour, guests are dropped off at the local bullet train station where most of our guests take a 3.5 hour high-speed train back to Tokyo. 

VIEW DETAILED ITINERARY

VIEW DETAILED INCLUSIONS

Included

All lodging. Our lodging is based on shared twin rooms

Daily breakfasts featuring western and Japanese cuisine

All seven dinners are included in the price of this trip! Dinners are a special part of this trip--check out full details on what's on the menu here!

All lift tickets at 6 resorts for each of the 6 ski days

Our English speaking guides will navigate you to the best off-piste/side-country powder possible every day

Half day of Cat Skiing. We hire out a Cat and ski down an abandoned ski hill!. Cat skiing in Japan is different from North America--check out what to expect here. 

All transportation beginning with a pickup at Morioka station and drop off at Shin Aomori station. 

VIEW DETAILED INCLUSIONS

MORE ON LODGING

On the Tohoku Storm Chaser you'll have the chance to experience two different types of Japanese style accommodation. For the first part of your trip you'll stay in a secluded mountain-side hot-springs hotel nestled at the base of Mt. Iwate; the local volcano.

For the second part of the trip, you'll stay in a centrally located hotel which is walking distance to downtown amenities. This makes a quick nightcap on the town or a local karaoke session a breeze.

For both of these accommodations, the daily buffet style breakfasts feature some local specialties with both Japanese and western options. 

• Pricing and occupancy are based on shared twin rooms 
• If you'd prefer to have your own room, please select this option during checkout Single rooms are subject to availability and an additional cost of ¥100,000 (≈ US$660) per person for all seven nights
• NOTE: If we can't find you someone of the same gender to room with by December 1, you will be notified, charged the single supplement fee and put in a single room.​
• Each room has its own private toilet and shower 
• Our hotels offer both Japanese and western options for breakfast every morning in a buffet style and also feature a lounge for a laid back après-ski

MORE ON LODGING

VIEW DETAILED LOGISTICS

Getting there
There are two options to meet the group:
​

1. Meet at Morioka Station South Exit at 2:45pm on day-one of your trip
2. Meet in the lobby of the Hachimantai Mountain Hotel (near Appi Kogen) at 4:00pm

​Getting back
On the last day of the trip, drop off is at Shin Aomori train station at 10:00am. 

​There is a 10:39 bullet train bound for Tokyo with a connection to NRT airport, arriving there by 15:27. Note that this return journey is not included in this trip. 

Rental skis
AT skis and spliboards are available to rent for this trip. See all rental options here.

VIEW DETAILED LOGISTICS

MORE ON FOOD

At Japan Ski Tours, we think that skiing is about more than just skiing--especially when you're in a country famous for its culinary delights.  As a company operated by guides who have years of experience living in Japan, we're excited to guide you to the best possible food in the evenings. 

Some details on the food you'll experience on this trip:

• Large daily buffet breakfasts featuring Tohoku specialties with both Japanese and western options available.
  
• All seven incredible dinners are included in the trip! Note that drinks are not included in the trip price.
• We choose restaurants based on what food is regionally famous in the area and personally tested for authenticity by locals and our guides.
• The Tohoku region is famous throughout Japan for its local music and dance. We’ve incorporated two restaurants which include traditional musical performances at the end of the trip!

The culinary highlights of the trip are Yakiniku (grilled Japanese BBQ) and high quality sushi in the port-side town of Aomori. For an exact description and pictures of each meal type, as well as a note on dietary restrictions, see our food page above.

BOOK NOW

RESERVE A PRIVATE TRIP, JUST FOR YOU AND YOUR BUDDIES HERE
DATES DON'T LINE UP? SEE OUR FULL LIST OF TRIPS BY DATE HERE

JAPAN SKI TOURS IS FEATURED IN

​Unofficial Networks | July 6, 2023

Conde Nest Traveler | March 29, 2023

Vail Daily | February 2, 2023

Ski Asia Magazine | April, 2024

TOHOKU STORM CHASER IN PHOTOS