Yamagata

Yamagata is the quiet achiever of Japow. Think frigid storms rolling in off the Sea of Japan, beech forests spaced just right, and steamy onsen towns where your legs thaw out between powder days. If Hokkaido is the headliner, Yamagata is the deep-cut album you brag about later.

Zao Onsen is the marquee name — an expansive mountain with those famous juhyō “snow monsters,” long cruisers, sneaky side hits, and a real-deal hot spring village at the base. South of there, Tengendai Kogen keeps it simple: compact, steeper pitches, and storm days that reward the faithful. Come spring, Gassan flips the script and opens when most of Japan winds down — corn one day, boot-top refills the next if a late squall hits.

Base yourself in Zao Onsen for walkable lifts, ramen within a snowball’s throw, and night tours to the illuminated monsters. Kaminoyama Onsen is a handy, lower-key hub on the shinkansen line, with quick access to Zao. Yonezawa sets you up for Tengendai and quieter backcountry missions. Feeling romantic? Ginzan Onsen is straight out of a postcard — ideal for a rest day and a soak.

Insider tip: Rent a car. Storms can park over one valley and skip the next; wheels let you hop between Zao, Tengendai, and (in spring) Gassan for the best snow on the day.