Travel to Tazawako with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Located in the east of Akita prefecture, north of Tokyo, Tazawako ski resort is a beautiful place to ski and snowboard, with its gentle slopes and fantastic views of Lake Tazawako. The slopes at Tazawako are predominantly narrow and suitable for less experienced skiers, while plenty of powder can be found off-piste between the runs.

Facilities at Tazawako ski resort are fairly comprehensive, with a ski school and ski and snowboard rentals as well as a children’s play area and childcare services. There are more than 20 hotels at the resort; these are reasonably priced and offer good food and wine at their restaurants.

Tazawako ski resort boasts 15 well-groomed pistes which cater mainly to beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders; the longest slope is a respectable 1.86 miles. Twelve ski lifts provide slope access to the pisted runs and off-piste, while snowboarders have a snowboard park and half-pipe to play with.

For alternative skiing, Hachimantai has altogether tougher slopes than those at Tazawako and great out-of-bounds terrain, while Appi Kogen is one of Japan’s best ski resorts, with loads of slopes and good après-ski. Away from the slopes, there are several hot springs and outdoor baths in the area around Tazawako. The best of these is Tsuronoyu, one of Japan’s oldest, while Ganiba is also well known.

The ski season at Tazawako ski resort runs from early December to late April and the best snow conditions can be found here in February, with cheaper deals on weekdays and at the end of the season. The most convenient travel option is to fly to Tokyo and take the bullet train via Morioka, from where buses leave for the resort.

Skiing in Tazawako

Tazawako is a laid-back ski destination in the north of Honshu with easy slopes and some interesting off-piste runs. The trails here are well maintained and the snow is good, while the views from the slopes of Lake Tazawako are amazing.

There are 15 slopes at Tazawako ski resort, with the greatest percentage aimed at beginners and intermediates, while expert skiers and snowboarders can take on the off-piste powder and jumps. A dozen ski lifts feed the slopes and snowboarders also have a snowboard park with a half-pipe.

Tazawako ski resort is not overloaded with alternative winter activities and facilities, but there is snow trekking and cross-country skiing as well as torch-lit descents. The hotels provide wellness facilities including heated swimming pools, saunas and gyms as well as après-ski entertainment at many of the hotel bars and restaurants.

Ski and snowboard facilities at the base of Tazawako ski resort include ski and snowboard rentals and a ski school, while children have a play area. Accommodation is offered at numerous hotels in the resort village, where prices are quite reasonable in relation to other resorts in the region.

You will find the best ski and snowboard conditions in February during the December to April ski season, while cheaper rates are available in April and on weekdays. Taking the high-speed bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka and then onto Tazawako, from where buses run to the resort and back, is the most practical way to get here.

Transportation to Tazawako

Tazawako ski resort is located in eastern Akita, north of Tokyo and west of Morioka, and is directly accessible by road only. Options for getting here include flying to Tokyo and driving or taking a train/bus combination transfer involving high-speed trains to Tazawako and then a bus to the resort.

Getting to Tazawako by car is straightforward as the major Tohoku expressway runs all the way to Morioka, from where highway 46 goes west to Tazawako. The route from Tazawako goes northwest along highway 341 to Tazawako ski resort, a 20 to 30-minute drive.

By train, the Tohoku Shinkansen train runs from Tokyo to Morioka in less than 3 hours, from where frequent train services run to Tazawako along the Tazawako line. Buses meet trains at Tazawako Station for the 30 to 40-minute journey to Tazawako ski resort.

For those who prefer even more convenience, there are regular flights from Osaka to Hanamaki Airport, about 70 miles southeast of Tazawako ski resort by road. The flight is less than 1 hour, 30 minutes and the drive from the airport to the resort is an additional 2 hours. Alternatively, trains run from Hanamaki to Morioka and onto Tazawako, from where buses run to the resort.

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