What to Pack for Niseko: My Top 5 Japow Ski Essentials

December 29, 2025
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Planning a trip to Niseko to ski/snowboard some of the famous Japow but aren’t sure what to pack? Here are my top 5 essentials after spending two seasons working and living in Niseko. From the usual gear to the Japan specific, this will include all the key things you’ll need for your trip!

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Table of Contents

How to get to Niseko:

The closest airport to Niseko is New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Sapporo. I would highly recommend flying into this airport as from there it is only about 2-3 hours to the resort.

There are three options to get to the resort – private shuttle, bus or train:

🚅 Train is the cheapest option and does not need to be pre-booked, but you will need to change trains 2-3- times so not ideal if you have a lot of luggage. You can search for your journey here.

🚍 Bus is the happy medium and how I got to Niseko. It is a little more expensive (around $35) and you need to pre-book in advance. I would recommend the Hokkaido Resort Liner which you can book here, but there are also the Hokkaido Chūō Bus and the White Liner.

There are also a bunch of direct shuttle buses which are more expensive but will often even drop you right by your hotel. Some hotels even have their own private ones. Options are NDS, Sky Express and NGS.

👉 Related article: How to Get From New Chitose Airport to Niseko on a Budget

Where to stay in Niseko:

From budget to luxury, Niseko has something for every type of ski trip. Here are some of my favourites:

$ – Pension Locomotion, Pensione Uno, Ramat and Snowgum Ski Lodge Niseko

$$ – Always Niseko, Midtown Niseko, MUSE Niseko

$$$ (ski-in, ski-out) – Yumoto Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafutei, Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, Ki Niseko

5 Packing Essentials for your Niseko Ski Holiday

1. Layers on layers

The weather in Niseko is pretty unpredictable and it can get VERY cold. Wind chill is serious here and can drop temperatures at the top of the mountain by more than 10°C.

That means pack layers and good ones. I personally like Merino Wool blends, though also have completely synthetic base layers that work fine (here’s some great options). I’m also a big ODLO fan for my base layers.

On a cold day in Niseko, I usually wear 1-2 base layers, a mid-layer (like a fleece – you can find these second-hand), a good down-jacket (sometimes one with sleeves AND a vest one) and a shell.

For bottoms, I wear a pair of base layer leggings and then some down-padded pants under my ski pants.

2. Magnetic Goggles (Or at least low-light ones)

A huge mistake a lot of my students make (I teach snowboarding in Niseko, you can e-mail me to book a lesson) is not bringing low-light lenses. Niseko gets a lot of snow but that comes with frequent snow storms and white-out conditions. You will not be able to see much in your normal ski goggles.

I personally love magnetic goggles as they take up less space in my luggage and are so easy to switch out. On days where I know the weather will change, I will even bring the extra lens up with me. I have worn this pair from Amazon for a year now and really like it for the price.

3. Waterproof Ski Jacket and Pants

Japow isn’t kidding around and the snow can sometimes reach up to your chest, so your jacket and pants need a HIGH waterproof rating. I’d recommend 15k and above.

I recently got a Stoic Ski Jacket and it has held up really well in the weather, other good brands are Arc’teryx, Patagonia, 686, Spyder.

4. Moisturiser

This may seem basic, but bring good moisturiser! For your face and body. The air inside the houses in Japan is super dry and your skin will feel super dehydrated.

It’s also crucial to keep moisturised on the slopes, especially the parts of your face that are subject to the wind and cold. I actually love Nivea soft for that, but also the S.Nature moisturiser.

5. International Driver’s Permit

I am adding this because I have forgotten it before and so many people don’t know about it. If you are planning to drive in Japan, you need an International Driver’s Permit on top of your driver’s license!! Apply for this well in advance and make sure you bring it with you.

When should you come to Niseko for the best snow?

It’s impossible to predict the exact time that you will experience the best snow. It changes slightly every year. In general, mid-December to late February is when Niseko gets consistent snow and lots of powder days.

Usually January is known for some of the best snow, though this season it didn’t snow for almost three weeks in January but instead dumped snow in December and February. The snow was good even till Mid-March.

The year before, January was the best month and December and February a bit slow. So there is a little luck involved. I’d say end of December is a good bet as well as beginning of February, but be wary of how busy it gets during holiday periods such as Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Other resorts near Niseko to explore:

Other resorts around Niseko can also be super beginner-friendly and are fun to explore. Some of the best resorts near Niseko are:

Moiwa – really close to Niseko and reachable by bus, this is one of my favourite resorts. The snow here is unbeatable and it is usually a little quieter than Niseko. They have great beginner slopes.
Rusutsu – This resort is a great day trip from Niseko. The resort is pretty big and varied with great options for any ski/snowboard level.
Kiroro – another smaller resort with fantastic snow, this is worth keeping an eye on for those powder days.

Moiwa and Rusutsu are reachable by public transport from Niseko, though it’s even easier if you have a car. Kiroro is best reachable by car. Check rental options here.

How many days do you need in Niseko?

How many days to spend in Niseko really depends on what your are looking to do as well as your level of ski/snowboard. I would highly recommend a minimum of 4-5 days for anyone looking to hit the slopes (even beginners as it takes around 3 days to start to feel comfortable outside of the beginner hill), more for those with snow sports experience and looking to explore the full four resorts in Niseko as well as other ski hills in Hokkaido. In that case, you will want at least a week, even two if you have the time.

Tours and activities around Niseko:

Niseko has lots of other things to offer outside of skiing/snowboarding. Check out my full guide on the 7 best ones here , including snow shoeing, the incredible Japanese Onsen (hot mineral baths) and nightlife.

Is Sapporo worth visiting?

Yes, if you have the time I recommend planning in one day to see Sapporo. The city has lots to offer. I’d especially recommend visiting during the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival (usually in the beginning of February) – the ice sculptures are incredible.