Powder Family Japan

26/04/2026

✈️ Anyone else out there researching Japan flights for 2027?

Feels like prices are creeping up… so I’m planning to lock ours in before the end of April.

A few things we’ve learnt over the years:

🔎 Use Google Flights or Skyscanner — set alerts and watch the trends
🛫 Don’t rule out stopovers — they can actually be a fun part of the trip
🇦🇺 Check other Australian cities — sometimes the savings are worth the extra hop
🗾 Mix your airports — into Osaka, out of Tokyo (or vice versa). Domestic travel in Japan is easy and relatively cheap
🎟️ Look at one-way fares — mixing airlines can sometimes unlock better value
💳 Don’t write off points — even in peak ski season. I’ve stumbled across a few good redemptions over the years
🎿 Always plan to do your exploring first — we always front-load any non-ski plans… after skiing, everyone just wants the most direct route home

For us, it’s always flights first…

Then comes the million-dollar question:
👉 Where do we ski in 2027?

Anyone else locking flights in already? Where are you thinking?

17/02/2026

And now… we explore.

It’s always a little sad leaving Shiga Kogen — especially when the sun is out or the snow is falling. But you didn’t think we’d come all the way to Japan and not discover something new to share, did you?

Remember last year’s epic road trip to Morioka? That one changed everything.

So here we go again. New roads, new slopes, new stories.

Stay tuned to see what we find 👀🎿

14/02/2026

✈️ Have you set your price alert for 2027 yet?

If Japan skiing is even remotely on your radar, it’s not too early.

It’s simple:
1️⃣ Jump over to Skyscanner
2️⃣ Search your travel dates
3️⃣ Hit “Set Price Alert”

You’ll get notifications when prices move — plus a handy weekly update.

We always set alerts early. It costs nothing, takes two minutes, and means you’re ready to move when a good fare pops up.

Are you team “book early” or team “watch and wait”? 👇

14/02/2026

Shiga Kogen wins our ♥️ again on this sunny Valentine’s Day. 奥志賀高原スキー場　　　－Okushiga kogen－

14/02/2026

☕️ Runners up in the coffee stakes? Grand Phenix Hotel, Oku Shiga.

If you don’t feel like schlepping across to the other end of Shiga Kogen (see earlier post about The Crumpet Cafe) just duck into Phenix for a proper espresso and a slice of cake.

Easy. Civilised. No three slow chairs required.

ホテルグランフェニックス奥志賀

12/02/2026

☕️ Calling it: Best coffee in Shiga Kogen.

Yesterday’s adventure took us to the summit of Yokoteyama — and waiting at the top - The Crumpet Café.

✨ Cosy atmosphere
👀 Spectacular views
☕️ Excellent coffee
🧇 Delicious crumpets

We loved everything about this spot. Worth every one of the three slow chairlifts to get there — especially if you’re craving a proper coffee.

Highly recommend adding to your ski day itinerary.

12/02/2026

So why do we keep coming back to Shiga Kogen?

It’s a question we get a lot — especially after exploring new regions like Tohoku last season.

Shiga doesn’t have the flashiest village or buzzy après scene. But it does have soul.

From crowd-free slopes to ski-in ski-out hotels, easy access to Tokyo, and that nostalgic feeling of “we’re back”… Shiga Kogen has become our comfort zone in the best possible way.

We’ve now skied it more times than we can count — and still, we’re not done.

👉 Read more about why we keep coming back to 志賀高原リゾート開発株式会社.
https://powderfamilyjapan.com/shiga-kogen-biggest-ski-resort-japan/

Planning a Japan ski trip with kids? Discover why the biggest ski resort in Japan, Shiga Kogen, keeps our family coming back year after year.

11/02/2026

We’re back in Shiga Kogen!

After much debate (and a few family votes), we’ve returned to our old favourite. Shiga Kogen has been part of our ski story for over 20 years — and while we’ve noticed the odd lift line and a few price hikes, not much else has changed. And that’s exactly what we love about it.

But… we haven’t forgotten about Tohoku.

Last year’s road trip through Northern Honshu completely won us over — quiet slopes, deep snow, and incredible value. Conversations have already started about a Tohoku return in 2027.

New discoveries and old favourites — both have their place.

Which kind of trip are you craving next season?

08/02/2026

What’s in my ski bag?
The black bag is my ski gear — and it’ll be sent ahead to our ski destination when we land in Tokyo (see last post for how that works). The colourful backpack is my carryon andTokyo setup. It’s 10kgs, already wish it was 8kg.

🧳 Ski bag weight: 14.2kg

Here’s what’s inside:
✔️ Ski boots
✔️ Helmet + goggles
✔️ Jacket + pants
✔️ 2 base layers
✔️ 1 mid layer (the other’s in my hand for Tokyo)
✔️ 2 pairs of ski socks
✔️ 2 neck warmers
✔️ Gloves + inners
✔️ Snacks — nuts + Lindt chocolate 🍫
✔️ 1kg of coffee ☕ (non-negotiable)
✔️ Long North Face jacket — I’ll wear this in Tokyo before the bag gets shipped

It’s a system we’ve perfected over the years to stay as light as you can!

Follow along to see if forgot anything !

06/02/2026

Landing in Tokyo or Osaka with ski bags? Time to lighten the load!

One of our favourite Japan travel hacks is luggage forwarding. As soon as you land, head to the Black Cat (Yamato) counter at the airport. You’ll spot the logo 🐈‍⬛ — and the whole process is refreshingly smooth.

🧾 Grab a form
🏨 Have your hotel’s address in English ready
📏 Fill in what you can — they’ll help with weight & measurements
💴 Pay the fee (always feels like a bargain for what you get)
🚶‍♀️ Then travel light and explore Japan hands-free until ski time!

We always forward our gear straight to the ski hotel — it usually arrives the next day but best to allow 48-72 hours. Easy, efficient, and very Japanese.

Would you try this on your next trip?