Japan Specific Snow Brands

The Snowiest Ski Resorts in Japan

NZ 2024 - A Pie Eating, Snowboarding South Island Road Trip

Solo Snow Trip Hokkaido Part 2 - Moiwa

Where to Buy Ski & Snowboard Gear in Sapporo

Solo Snow Trip Hokkaido Part 1 - Hakodate

Where to Buy Ski & Snowboard Gear in Tokyo

The Best Japanese Ski Resorts for Absolute Beginners

Hokkaido's Famous Soup Curry

Snow Trip Japan Tips

Ski Japan: Hokkaido Road Trip Part 2

Japanese Craft Beers from the Snow Country

Best Japanese Ski Resorts for Kids Who Rip

MOSS : A Legacy of Japanese Snow Surfing

Vector Glide Family in Hokkaido

Ski Japan: Hokkaido Road Trip Part 1

Hokkaido's Best Ramen

Rusutsu Supernatural Terrain Park with the Salomon Crew

Where to stay in Morioka for skiers and snowboarders.

Ski Hotels Morioka | Snow Explorers - SKI + SNOWBOARD + TRAVEL

Ski Hotels Morioka

Ski Hotels Morioka  | Snow Explorers - SKI + SNOWBOARD + TRAVEL

Hotel Route Inn Morioka Station

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Morioka Ekimae

Hachimantai Ski Resort

Iwate Kogen Snow Park

Appi Kogen Ski Resort

Tazawako Ski Resort

Dormy Inn Morioka

Geto Kogen Ski Resort

Okunakayama Kogen Ski Area

Amihari Onsen Ski Resort

Shizukuishi Ski Resort

Morioka

Iwate Backcountry Guides are your guys for exploring the off piste areas in Appi and Hachimantai. They have in resort guiding, backcountry tours, and also offer Cat Skiing at Daikokumori.
At Tazawako, you can engage with Tazawako Camp &amp; Tour Guide for backcountry tours.
You can organize backcountry and tree riding tours from the reception at Geto Kogen.

Iwate Backcountry Guides

Tazawako Outdoor Tours

Lodge Clubman

With Mt Iwate in the background, the city of Morioka barely registers on the radar of most tourists to Japan. For skiers and snowboarders however Morioka is a hidden gem. A short drive gives you access to the Hachimantai ranges where you can ski the famous Aspirin pow, the lightest and driest powder snow in Japan. On deep days it can feel like free falling as your skis and board struggle to find a base. Further west, Tazawako is a still undiscovered powder paradise in Akita. In the South, on the border with Niigata lies Geto Kogen the King of Powder and a mecca for tree skiing. Morioka is well connected to the rest of Japan as it is on the Tohoku Shinkansen line which runs from Tokyo to Aomori in Northernmost Tohoku.

<h2>Skiing in Morioka</h2>
The largest resort in the area is Appi Kogen where people locals and internationals come to savour the &ldquo;Appi Pow&rdquo;. There are good facilities for skiers of all levels and lately Appi Kogen has been opening up tree run areas for advance skiers. The resort is attracting more international tour groups with new ski in ski out hotels, English and Chinese ski schools. Hachimantai ski resort has 2 parts - Panorama and Shimokura which are connected by a shuttle bus. The 2 areas are quite distinct with the Panorama side suited for families and cruisers while Shimokura is for intermediate plus with ungroomed trails and tree run areas to make the most of the powder snow. Shizukuishi ski resort&nbsp; is run by Prince resorts with a ski in ski out hotel at the base and opportunities for fast track and cat ski runs. Iwate Kogen is a smaller resort and one of the closest to Morioka city. A short 40 min drive or you can get the free shuttle from the station. The longest gondola in the area keeps you comfortable in between powder runs. Geto the King of Pow is a resort that has been spreading the tao of tree skiing. It is leading the way in making skiing off piste safer for everyone. They have the most tree run areas of any resort with each run ranked by difficulty. An off piste mapping initiative makes it easy to locate out of bounders in case something goes wrong. Tazawako in Semboku is slightly harder to get to and off the beaten track for ski tourists, but it gets its fair share of powder days and chances are you will not have to share much of it.&nbsp; Further North near Iwate town is Okunakayama Kogen, while not as well known still gets that magical North Tohoku powder without the crowds.

<h2>Morioka Ski &amp; Snowboard Shops</h2>
There are a couple of ski &amp; snowboard shops in Morioka city where you should be able to find any gear you need. If you want to rent it would be easiest to od it at the ski resorts.

<h2>Getting around Morioka</h2>
Driving will give you the most flexibility when it comes to deciding which resort to hit. Using public transport is also viable. There are shuttle buses from town to Appi Kogen, Shizukuishi, Hachimantai Panorama and Geto operates a shuttle bus from Kitakami which is a short train ride from Morioka.
Within the city, there is a convenient and cheap loop bus service called Denden Mushi - the snail bus which takes you to several points of interest.

Unique in the way it is served, Wanko soba is served in small bowls with dipping sauce. You can eat as many bowls as you want, so pile them up high. 

Wanko Soba 

The locals have their own version of this Chinese dish where noodles are served with a minced meat sauce.

Jya Jya Men 

Korean inspired noodles in cold beef broth.The spicy and tangy flavours are a hit with locals.

Reimen 

Every city has their localised ramen, and Morioka has Kimchi Natto ramen made famous by Yanagiya which deserves to be the 4th great noodle of Morioka,

Kimchi Natto Ramen

The wagyu of Iwate prefecture is said to be one of the best in Japan. You can try it at yakiniku and steak restaurants in Morioka. 

Maezawa Beef 

Morioka is well known for it’s local coffee shops each with their own unique personalities and approach to brewing. 

Craft Coffee Shops 

<h2>What to Eat in Morioka</h2>
The famous 3 Great Noodles of Morioka - Wanko Soba, Jya jya men and Reimen should be on every travelers list of food to try.

Where the first Morioka style Jajamen was made. At Pairon, when you are almost finished with your noodle you mix it with eggs and make chitantan to enjoy like soup noodles.

Pairon

A Korean BBQ restaurant where you can enjoy grilled meat and Reimen.

Pyon Pyon Sha

Take on the Wanko soba challenge. Slurp your way through 100 bowls (~7 normal bowls) to receive a Tegata wooden badge symbolizing your eating prowess.

Azumaya

Ramen restaurant with unique flavours - the Hayabusa with stir fried pork, bean sprouts and chives,  the Komachi dan dan style and the most popular Natto Miso ramen with a topping of rare cheese.


Yanagiya

Teppanyaki restaurant serving Kuroge Wagyu and Tankaku beef from Iwate farms. Unlike the now internationally recognised Wagyu, Tankaku is leaner but still has lots of umami.

Wakana 

Pyonpyonsha Morioka

Pairon Ekimae 

Wakana

Ramen Yanagiya

Hot JaJa

Seiroukaku

This winter festival takes place at Koiwai Farm and has night time light displays, fireworks, snowtubing, sledding. There are yatai food stalls selling Japanese street food and beer. 

Iwate Winter Festival 

On a rest day, Koiwai farm is a nice side trip the kids would enjoy. There are farm animals, activities for the little ones, dairy produce and a restaurant serving food from the farm.

Koiwai Farm Makiba Park

This pond near the top of Mt Hachimantai resembling a large turquoise Dragon’s eye is the most famous tourist attraction in the area. Perhaps not as amazing in Winter as the usually clear eye is blanketed by snow.

Dragon Eye Lake 

<h2>Things to do in Morioka</h2>
Get into the laid back vibe. Just wander and enjoy the Japanese way of life outside of the mega city.&nbsp;

<h2>Where to stay in Morioka</h2>
Morioka is one of Tohoku's main transport hubs and has a good range of accommodation. There are affordable business hotels near the train station. where there are various eateries and izakayas. Another option is to stay near Odori, the main shopping street. This is where you will find the most restaurants, shop and at nightlife.

Located on Morioka's shopping street, Ishii Sports is a ski specialist shop with knowledgable staff and a wide range of ski gear and outdoor equipment.
Narrows is an independent ski and snowboard shop a short drive from the station. They have a good selection of international and local brands. For pow surfers, the shop has a range of Moss Snowsticks. Check this place for local Japanese apparel and accessories. &nbsp;
In Winter, Hub Rideshop has a range of snowboard gear for sale. Check out their indoor skate ramp.
For backcountry skiers &amp; boarders, Lodge Clubman is a base for local guiding services. They also carry a range of skiing and backcountry gear and offer tuning services.
Along the highway to Shizukuishi, Swallow rental station has basic ski and snowboard gear and apparel for hire. Suitable for beginners if you would like to save some yen.
If you are heading to Geto, Hot Jaja is an awesome retailer of boutique powder boards. They also have rentals if you would like to test some out in Geto powder.

Ski Hotels Morioka

ski resorts

accommodation

Related Stories