Japan’s Champagne Powder on a Beer Budget: How to Ski Hokkaido Affordably
We were surprised (and stoked) to find out just how affordable skiing in Hokkaido, Japan, can be. This is everything we learned about skiing Hokkaido on a Budget.
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Over the last few winters, we’ve been extremely spoiled skiing in some of the world’s most affordable winter destinations.
In 2025, we decided to change course and head to Japan for the winter. Specifically, exploring the ski resorts on the northern island of Hokkaido.
Although we knew skiing wouldn’t be as cheap in Japan as it was in Georgia, Kazakhstan, or Bulgaria we were still determined to keep things as affordable as possible and discover how to enjoy Japan’s mellow, tree-lined slopes without breaking the bank.
We skied smaller resorts near Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, and Niseko, looking for a balance of authentic Japanese culture, the region’s famous powder, and affordability.
The Verdict: Can Skiing in Hokkaido be Affordable?
Yes! While it may not be the cheapest skiing in the world, you can enjoy Japan’s slopes without breaking the bank… if you play your cards right.
How Cheap Can Skiing in Hokkaido Be?
If you reeeally wanted to pinch pennies, five days of Skiing in Hokkaido could be as cheap as $400 USD plus flights and ground transport. This is assuming you visit in the shoulder season, bring your own skis, don’t need lessons, stay in hostel accommodation, cook your own meals (or take advantage of the surprisingly good ready-to-eat meals at the convenience stores), and stick to the smaller local resorts.
If you wanted to ski Hokkaido as cheaply as possible, you could expect to pay:
- Hostel in Otaru: $30 USD per night
- Public transport: $5 USD per day
- Lift ticket at Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort : $30 USD per day
- Basic food budget: $15 USD per day
If you don’t have your own ski gear, you’ll need to factor in around $45 USD per day for ski rental.
Of course, if you are looking to explore some of the more famous resorts, sample some of Hokkaido’s incredible cuisine, or enjoy more premium accommodations, you can expect to pay more.
But you don’t have to miss out on comfy accommodation or the best resorts to enjoy an affordable ski trip in Hokkaido. No matter your ambitions for your Hokkaido winter experience, there are plenty of ways to save a buck.
How to Ski Hokkaido on the Cheap
There are heaps of ways to make a Hokkaido ski trip a little lighter on the wallet.
How to Save on Accommodation
Go the First Week of March
Right on the edge of the high season, you should still get plenty of snow, more sunny days, fewer people to share the mountain with, significantly lower accommodation prices, and more availability. The trade-off here is that you lower your chance of getting lots of fresh snow.
Book Hotels in Early
Major hubs and tourist hotspots like Sapporo and Niseko book up early. As a popular holiday destination for Japanese nationals and visitors from other parts of Asia, North America, and Australia, decent, affordable accommodation goes fast. The best way to get the best accommodation for the cheapest price is to start looking early.
How early? Well, every hotel, lodge, or villa will release their availability at different times, but with each season, reservations and bookings seem to be happening earlier and earlier. So, it doesn’t hurt to start looking as early as 6 months out. By 3 months out, a lot of the accommodation in popular areas will be booked out.
Don’t Stay on the Mountain
If you want to keep prices low, consider staying ‘off-mountain’ and commuting to the ski fields.
Staying in hubs like Otaru, Sapporo, Asahikawa, or Kutchan will allow you to access the surrounding ski resorts easily with public or private transport. These cities offer cheaper accommodation and dining, PLUS a local cultural and urban experience you won’t find in the ski resorts of Hokkaido.
Similarly, small towns, villages, and remote guest houses outside the ski resorts can offer far cheaper accommodation. However, you may need a rental car to reach the ski fields as public transport can be less reliable outside of major towns.
Use Lodges and Hostels
Whether you stay in resort towns or off-mountain, hotel accommodations, and self-contained apartments and villas can be expensive in Japan. An economical way to stay is to find an affordable lodge, pension, or hostel instead.
Ideally, you want a lodge with a kitchen or kitchenette in the room or a shared kitchen to help cut down on eating-out costs.
If you will be relying on public transport to get around, make sure the accommodation is convenient to a central train or bus line.
Budget Accommodation Around Hokkaido
Tabist Kaihorow – Otaru – Offers large comfortable hotel rooms in downtown Otaru, driving distance from Kiroro and Sapporo Kokusei and local resorts with public transport.
Annupuri Lodge – Niseko – If you’re looking to ski Niseko on a budget, Annupuri Lodge is a short (free) shuttle ride from the slopes and offers a range of comfortable accommodation options from shared hostel-style beds to private room.
PINN-N4E2Ⅱ – Sapporo – Like most hotels in Sapporo, the rooms at PINN are on the small side, however they are well-equipped and even have a small kitchenette.
TKD House – Asahikawa – This comfortable and self-contained accommodation offers access to more than 10 ski areas, including resorts like Furano and backcountry havens like Asahidake.
Consider a Campervan
For the adventurous, there are a number of camper van rental companies that operate in Hokkaido. Having a campervan will allow you to save on accomodation and transport costs AND give you the opportunity to explore the various resorts as you like. You can wake up check the forecast and head to the hill with the most snow EVERY day!
Be aware that most foreigners in Japan require an international driving permit.
Camper rental companies in Hokkaido primarily operate out of Sapporo or the Chitose airport.
Popular companies include:
Depending on the camper, van rental could cost anywhere from $100 – $400 a night, but larger vans can sleep up to 7 people, making it far and away the most economical way to stay and ski Hokkaido!
There are many free and paid campsites throughout Hokkaido, including ones around Niseko, Rusutsu, Sapporo, and Asahikawa (only some of them are open in winter).
Additionally, there are many “Michi no Eki”—roadside stations that offer free 24-hour parking and amenities like toilets and showers.
Map of Free Campsites in Hokkaido
Check out this interactive map of FREE Hokkaido campsites published by James Oda from the Wild Camping Japan Facebook Group.
How to Save on Food and Drink While Skiing Niseko
One of the highlights of visiting Japan is the incredible food, and it would be a shame to miss out just because you’re on a stricter budget.
The good news is that food isn’t generally super expensive in Japan. Even dining out, delicious and filling Japanese meals are available for around $10 USD.
Nevertheless, that expense can quickly add up if you plan to eat out every meal.
Moreover, restaurant prices in ski resorts are often inflated by 50% – 100% (especially on the mountain).
If you plan to ski Hokkaido on a budget, there are a few ways to reduce food costs.
Choose Accommodation With a Kitchen
If you want to hit Hokkaido on a shoestring budget, eating out every meal probably isn’t the best idea.
Save money by eating breakfast at home, cooking some of your meals, and/or taking a packed lunch on the mountain.
Do a Grocery Run
Supermarkets in Japan are not as ubiquitous as in other countries, so local convenience stores fill the gap—though with a more limited selection and slightly higher prices.
Some resorts and ski villages won’t have a local full-sized supermarket at all, and you’ll need to travel to the closest town. Even in big towns and cities, the closest supermarket may be a bus ride away.
It can be economical to plan and execute a grocery run to save money on essentials.
Take Advantage of the Konbini
While the selection of everyday groceries might be limited in Japan’s vast network of convenience stores (known locally as Konbini), the selection of ready-made meals is outstanding.
Ready to grab and go you’ll find Japanese sandos (the egg sandwhiches being something of an institution), onigiri rice balls, salads and hot food like fried chicken and steamed buns. You can easily fill the pockets of your ski jacket with lunch and snacks from the Konbini for under $5 USD.
Pre-made soup noodles, such as ramen, soba, or udon, curries, rice, chicken, and other bowls, can be heated in the store microwave and eaten on the spot, or they can be taken home and refrigerated for later.
Additionally, bags of frozen edamame, gyoza, fried rice, meat, and vegetarian dishes make a surprisingly tasty meal in the microwave at home.
Of course, a variety of hot and cold drinks, including local beer, sake, and Japanese whiskey, are available alongside familiar snacks like Pringles and impossibly foreign snacks like “It’s Painful Mountain Wasabi Squid Heaven.”
We found Lawson’s konbini to have the best selection and quality of ready-made or heat-and-eat meals.
Dine Out Carefully
When you dine out (and you should because Japanese hospitality is second to none and the food is delicious), take some time to choose your restaurant carefully.
While restaurants can be very economical, prices can also vary widely from one restaurant to the next. Research menus and ratings online and mark some affordable restaurants near your accommodation.
Japanese classics like ramen, yakitori, katsudon, and rich Japanese curries can often be found for less than $10 USD a serve.
Don’t miss Hokkaido specialties like soup curry, Ghengis Khan BBQ, and soft-serve ice cream made from the region’s famed dairies.
Keep in mind you will get the best bang for your buck in towns and cities, not in ski villages or resorts, so if possible, plan to do most of your eating out there!
Make Restaurant Reservations Early
Just like the best budget accommodation, the best affordable restaurants fill up quickly, and there is often a line out the door in high season. Thankfully, some restaurants take bookings, which you can use to skip the queues and secure your seat. Reservations for the winter season often open as early as October, and it’s not unusual for sought-after places to book out weeks in advance in popular tourist areas.
Japan is known for its small, traditional izakayas cozy local pubs serving up food like sushi, dumplings, grilled yakitori, edamame and more. Izakayas represent informal dining and often don’t take reservations, though with limited seating (sometimes as few as 6 seats) you may need to queue.
How to Save Money on Transport
Use Public Transport
Japan is renowned for its efficient and reliable public transport network. For most international visitors, the cheapest way to reach Hokkaido is to fly to Sapporo (often via Tokyo) and take a train or bus from Sapporo to your final destination in Hokkaido.
If you are staying off-mountain, check the public transport options in advance to ensure you can easily travel to and from the resort.
Pro-Tip: Japan has incredible luggage forwarding services that will forward your bulky luggage (including skis and snowboards) to your hotel. This can be a great option, allowing you to travel light. This service is very common in Japan and surprisingly affordable. See Yamato for more details.
Consider Getting a Rental Car
Not only will this allow you to choose from cheaper and often better accommodation further afield, but it will also allow you the flexibility to come and go from the mountain whenever you want (hello first tracks) and choose to explore surrounding resorts based on weather forecasts.
Rental cars start from around $100 a day in Japan and usually come with winter tires (double-check you have them). The cost of the rental car can be offset by cheaper accommodation and saving money on public transport and transfers.
Be aware that driving in Japan as a foreigner usually requires an International Driver’s Permit (specifically a 1949 Geneva Convention format IDP). Also, keep in mind that winter driving conditions can be treacherous in snowy Hokkaido.
How to Save Money on Skiing and Snowboarding in Hokkaido
When it comes to the actual business of skiing and snowboarding in Japan, prices here are, in general, lower than in North America and Western Europe. Nevertheless, lift tickets, ski rentals and extras like lessons or touring guides can very quickly add up. Here are a few ways to save money skiing in Hokkaido.
By Lift Tickets Online
This is a super-easy hack to save money on a lift ticket and avoid queuing for lift tickets.
Most resorts in Hokkaido allow online ticket purchases, which you can pick up from a kiosk at the resort. These tickets are usually between 5% and 20% cheaper than buying lift tickets over the counter.
Plus, while other skiers are waiting for the ticket desk to open, you’ll already be in line for the first chair up the mountain!
Pro-Tip: Wait until you are at the resort or 100% positive you are headed there (and the lifts are all operating) before buying your ticket online. If you change your mind and decide to head to a different resort, the ticket is non-refundable!
Bring Your Own Skis and Snowboards
Japan ski rental is usually high-quality in most resorts, but it also comes with a high price tag. Expect to spend between $30 USD and $70 USD a day on ski or snowboard rental.
If you do bring your own gear, you can use the aforementioned luggage forwarding services like Yamato to send your skis directly from the airport to your accommodation, so you don’t have to lug them around!
Buy Ski Gear in Sapporo
If you don’t have your own gear but are staying a while, it can make sense to buy equipment in Sapporo upon your arrival (outside of Sapporo, options for buying second-hand gear will be much more limited). Sapporo has a range of snow sports stores, including a great second-hand outdoor store called 2nd Street Outdoor, where you can pick up cheap pre-loved gear. However, there are some caveats.
Beware, there may not be a huge selection if you need larger size shoes or skis!
Also, take note that if you do go this route, you will not be able to resell the gear back to a second-hand store without a resident’s permit, so plan to take it with you!
Consider Skiing Some of the Smaller Ski Resorts
With over one hundred ski resorts in Hokkaido, there are plenty to choose from. Many offer a range of terrain and the premium powder snow Japan has become famous for.
Get off the beaten path and explore some of the smaller resorts. For as little as $25 USD a day, you can find resorts that are less crowded and offer a more authentic experience.
Some examples of smaller resorts with affordable 1-day lift tickets include:
- Asarigawaonsen $27 USD
- Kamui $35 USD
- Sapporo Kokusai $38 USD
- Furano $46 USD
- Sapporo Tiene $46 USD
- Kiroro $53 USD
Other Ways to Save Money Skiing Hokkaido
Ski Hokkaido as a Group
Traveling with a group can be a great way to spread out costs and an economical way to explore what Hokkaido has to offer.
If you are travelling with a family or a group of friends, renting a car can save you money on transport. It’s also a great option if you want to move around a lot and explore different resorts.
As a group, it can also be economical to choose larger self-contained accommodations with kitchen facilities, which are often found in the areas around the ski fields. These can be cheaper and more enjoyable than staying in a hotel room, which are often very compact in Japan. Plus, you can save money cooking for yourself.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Low-Cost Airfares
Japan has really opened up to budget travellers in recent years with a variety of low cost airlines flying from Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas.
Keep an eye out for deals starting about 8 months out from your trip, and use Google Flights to track prices.
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Skiing Japan’s famous powder in Hokkaido doesn’t need to break the bank! Hopefully, some of these tips will help you save big on your next ski trip. If you have a question or another money-saving tip, please let us know in the comments below!