Fukushima

Fukushima flies under the mainstream radar, which is exactly why it belongs on your Japow hit list. Park yourself around Mt Bandai and the Aizu basin and you’ve got a cluster of legit resorts with cold inland snow, views across Lake Inawashiro, mellow crowds, and road-trip-friendly spacing. The headliners — Nekoma Mountain (Alts Bandai + Nekoma) and Grandeco — hold quality through spring thanks to elevation and aspect, while places like Inawashiro, Minowa, and the Aizu Kogen hills (Takatsue, Daikura, Nango) round out an easy week of storm chasing.