From First Snow to First Tracks

First-time Snow

Your First Snow Starts Here

Late-Nov snow play – rare in Japan.

Before most ski areas are open, 8 Peaks at 1,500 m lets you enjoy your very first snow — a rare treat in Japan. With full snowmaking and crisp alpine air, a dedicated snow‑play zone on part of the slope lets you touch real snow, try sledding with the kids, and laugh through friendly snowball fights. No skis required — just warm gloves and a sense of fun. It’s an easy 4D3N side trip from Tokyo and a perfect way for families to begin their Japan holiday.

Snow play takes place in a dedicated area on part of the slope;schedule may vary with weather.

Set at 1,500 metres in Nagano, 8 Peaks Resort reveals Japan’s beauty in every season. From Tokyo, it’s about 3 hours in total—Shinkansen to Sakudaira (70 min), then roughly 60 min by shuttle. From this highland base you can even look down on a morning sea of clouds.

Add a 4D3N stay to your Japan trip and let us customise the two full days to your interests—gentle mountain activities, lakes and ropeways, castle towns and hands‑on culture, all within about 90 minutes of our highland base. As an alliance that operates local ski areas and hotels, we curate trusted stays and seamless transfers—your travel concierge for families and small groups.

Recommended hotels for snow-play experiences from late November to mid-December.
Shirakabakogen Hotel
A hotel with the snow‑play area right outside. Enjoy sledding and friendly snowball fights, then take a break in your room—head back out whenever you like and play at your own pace. Rooms range from Western‑style bedrooms to traditional tatami rooms. Our onsen (hot‑spring) and open‑air baths refresh body and mind in the cold season.

Bit into Japan’s Pop Culture!

Our top recommendation. Shirakabakogen hotel Dinner is a buffet featuring 45 dishes, including anime‑style bone‑in meat, a matcha‑and‑chocolate checker cake and melonpan, plus street‑food favourites such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki and karaage. Dishes without pork, lard or alcohol are also available. In addition to the room type shown in the photo, traditional Japanese tatami rooms are also offered.

Reference price for two adults: from ¥138,500 per person. (4D3N half board—breakfast & dinner—plus activity fees and tour charges. Shinkansen tickets not included.) Hotel‑only: from ¥52,800 per person

More ways to Play

Late December brings plenty of snow — perfect for skiing and snowboarding.

After that first snowy touch, explore more at your own pace. Ride the ropeway to 2,237 m through rime‑iced forests for sweeping alpine panoramas. Float across soft snow on a quiet, photo‑worthy snowshoe walk, or try a safe “snow‑dive” in our designated soft‑snow zone. Ready to ski? Patient, English‑speaking instructors and mostly beginner–intermediate runs make 8 Peaks a confidence‑building place to start; on groomed pistes, the light, dry snow throws up a crisp spray at every turn—smooth, satisfying and easy to control.

The best season for snowshoeing is from late January to mid-February.

Not only winter-8 Peaks Resort is a delight in every season.

In spring, enjoy cherry-blossom viewing; in summer, gaze at vast mountain landscapes and lakes; in autumn, be captivated by brilliant red and gold leaves; and in winter, step into a silver-white world. At 1,500 m, the highland scenery changes beautifully with each season.

If you are planning a trip to Japan, you will likely stay in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. We’d love you to spend four days of that trip with us at 8 Peaks Resort. Discover the difference of a highland escape, and experience the local culture and flavours that set our region apart from the big cities.

Customise Your 4D3N Two Days, Your Way

Basic 4D3N: we tailor the two full days to your interests.

Beyond your arrival and departure, we design the two middle days around how you like to travel. Spend one Free & Easy day by the lakes and highlands, then another exploring foothill towns, culture and local flavours. Prefer the outdoors Hike Mt Tateshina (2,531 m), take it slow with onsen time, go strawberry picking, or visit historic castle towns. Every experience is within about 90 minutes of our highland base. Tell us who you’re coming with—family, two couples or two families—and we’ll customise the pace, route and dining to suit the season.