Guests
Planning a Japan ski trip with the family but worried about the younger members of your group? Japan is one of the best winter destinations in the world for families. The snow is consistent, the resort towns are safe and easy to navigate, and the level of service makes everything simple from the moment you arrive. Two of Japan’s most internationally-renowned ski resorts, Niseko and Hakuba, have plenty to offer family travellers.
Family-Friendly Accommodation
The single biggest factor in a successful family ski trip is the accommodation. Chalets and apartment-style accommodation with full kitchens, washing machines and ski storage work far better for families than standard hotel rooms. Self-catering means you can keep the kids fed on their own schedule, and laundry facilities are essential when you’ve got snow gear getting wet every day.
Proximity to the slopes matters too. Properties within walking distance of lifts, or with reliable shuttle services, save time and stress every morning. Browse our Niseko accommodation and Hakuba accommodation sections for the full range of family-friendly options, or check out our Niseko ski-in ski-out and Hakuba ski-in ski-out selections.
For travellers with very young children, cots and high chairs can usually be arranged for delivery to your accommodation. Our team handles these requests as part of the booking process.
Child Care and Ski School
Both Niseko and Hakuba have great childcare options including part-day, full-day and in-room babysitting services. These book up early so we’d recommend organising childcare at the same time as your accommodation.
Ski school programmes in Niseko and Hakuba cater specifically to children, with English-speaking instructors and dedicated kids’ learning areas. Group lessons are a great way for children to make friends, and private lessons are available for families wanting one-on-one tuition.
Family-Friendly Restaurants
Both Niseko and Hakuba have a wide range of restaurants that welcome families. Many accommodation options also have in-house restaurants which can be a lifesaver after a long day on the mountain if you don’t feel like heading back out in the evening.
For dining ideas, see our Niseko restaurant guide and Hakuba restaurant guide.
Non-Ski Activities
There are not many children who have the stamina for full days on the slopes, and we know that happy children make for happy, rested parents. Niseko and Hakuba both offer plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep the family entertained.
In Niseko, snowmobile tours, snowshoe walks, Hanazono tube park and winter horseback riding are all popular family activities. Check out the play area at Niseko Adventure Centre or Hanazono Galaxy of Kidz for younger children needing indoor playtime.
In Hakuba, the Sakka Kids Park at Happo-One, the kids area at Hakuba Goryu, and the Kids Room at Hakuba 47 are good rest day options. Snowshoeing and snowmobile tours are also available throughout the valley. A day trip to see the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of the standout experiences. Tours depart twice daily and tickets can be booked in advance.
Save Money
Both Niseko and Hakuba offer significant child discounts on airport transfers, lift passes, ski school and equipment rental. Children under 6 generally ski free, and travelling in March and April can unlock additional savings on lessons and rentals, often with kids’ equipment or lift passes free with an adult booking.
Some hotels also offer child discounts on accommodation and meals. Our team can identify the best family deals available for your dates.
There are also certain hotels such as Hakuba Tokyu Hotel which offer child discounts on accommodation and meals when staying with parents.
For help planning your family ski trip in Japan, get in touch with our team for tailored advice on accommodation, services and activities for kids of all ages.
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