Iwate

Iwate is where Japow still feels like a local secret. Cold Siberian air crosses the Sea of Japan, dumps on the Ou Mountains, and leaves Iwate with dry, chalky snow that stacks deep — then sticks around because the temps stay properly frigid. The terrain vibe is “honest and varied”: wide groomers for morning arcs, sheltered beech glades for storm days, and a few zones that’ll get the quads humming when it clears. It’s less flashy than Hokkaido and way less crowded than Nagano — which is exactly the point.

Bases are simple and strategic. Morioka is your main hub — shinkansen, rentals, great food (wanko soba, reimen, jajamen), and easy day-trip range to multiple hills. Appi Kogen area is a purpose-built resort base with ski-in/ski-out, quick lifts, and consistent snow. Shizukuishi and Hachimantai give you onsen-side lodgings and an old-school feel with sneaky-good tree zones. For storm chasers, Geto Kogen is the magnet — when it’s nuking, it’s on.

Culture here is mellow and genuine. Expect friendly lifties, quiet lift lines, and steaming rotenburo under falling snow. Post-ride, it’s all about humble izakaya plates and a long soak. You’ll move slower, ski more, and wonder why you didn’t come up to Tohoku sooner.

Insider tip: Rent a car in Morioka and keep plans flexible — chase storms between Appi and Geto, and slot Shizukuishi or Hachimantai on high-wind days.