Japan is winter’s daydream: feather-light “Japow” snow, steamy onsen, and late-night bowls of miso ramen that thaw you to your toes. Hokkaido’s mountains face the Sea of Japan and catch endless storms, delivering dry powder well into March. Pair that with Tokyo’s energy—lantern-lit alleyways, world-class street eats, and neighborhoods that feel like separate cities—and you’ve got a week that moves with purpose and delight.

Historically, Sapporo put Japan on the global winter-sports map at the 1972 Winter Olympics, and its local hills (Teine, Kokusai) are still beloved by riders. Tokyo, by contrast, is the beating heart of modern Japan: old-meets-new at Senso-ji, fashion experiments in Harajuku, and the theatrical bustle of Shibuya Crossing. This itinerary ties both into a compact, snow-forward plan.

Practical notes: winter roads can be icy, so we recommend resort buses over self-driving. Cash is still handy in smaller shops, but Suica/PayPay are widely accepted. Rent gear slopeside (or book ahead) and pack layers, low-light goggles, and a face mask—storm days are a feature, not a bug.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a mosaic of micro-neighborhoods: serene Meiji Shrine woods, retro Asakusa, and Shibuya’s digital billboards blazing into the night. It’s the perfect bookend to your snow trip—great food, quick airport access, and easy connections north.

• Top sights: Senso-ji (Asakusa), Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku’s Takeshita-dori, and panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree or Shibuya Sky.
• Eat/drink: slurp yuzu-scented ramen at Afuri, yakitori in Omoide Yokocho’s tiny alleys, and wagyu katsu sandos in department-store food halls (depachika).
• Stay: For central hubs and easy transit.

Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO): The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views, refined service), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla head and nightlife at your doorstep), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Shinjuku convenience and family rooms), or Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value, steps from JR lines). Browse more: VRBO Tokyo | Hotels.com Tokyo

Getting in: Search flights to Tokyo on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Haneda, the monorail or Keikyu lines reach the city in ~20–30 minutes; from Narita, plan ~60 minutes by express train.

Sapporo (Hokkaido)

Sapporo is a true rider’s city: great public transit, easy resort access, and a food scene built for winter—miso ramen, soup curry, and grilled “jingisukan” lamb. Powder laps by day, neon Susukino by night.

• Resorts in day-trip range: Sapporo Teine (Olympic history, sea views), Sapporo Kokusai (snowy bowls, tree runs), and Rusutsu (deep, well-spaced glades; 1.5–2 hours by bus).
• Apres/onsen: Jozankei Onsen steams in the gorge near Kokusai—perfect for post-ride soaking.
• Food highlights: ramen at Sumire, soup curry at Suage+, crab at Kani Honke, and salmon roe feasts at Hachikyo.

Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO): JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo (station-top convenience, spa views), Hotel Resol Trinity Sapporo (Odori Park, public bath), Sapporo Grand Hotel (classic Hokkaido hospitality). Browse more: VRBO Sapporo | Hotels.com Sapporo

Tokyo ⇄ Sapporo travel: Fly Haneda–New Chitose (CTS) ~1h35m; typical fares $60–$180 each way in winter. Book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. JR Rapid from CTS to Sapporo Station runs ~37 minutes.

Day 1: Arrive Tokyo, Shake Off the Jet Lag

Morning: Fly into Tokyo (HND or NRT). If you arrive early, caffeinate at GLITCH Coffee Kanda (light Nordic roasts) or The Roastery by Nozy in Harajuku (single-origin espresso).

Afternoon: Check in at your hotel in Shinjuku or Ginza. Stretch your legs at Meiji Shrine’s forested paths, then stroll Takeshita-dori to see Harajuku’s playful fashion.

Evening: Hit Shibuya Crossing at dusk when the billboards flare on; it’s been a symbol of Tokyo’s kinetic pace since the 20th century. Dinner ideas: yakitori at Toriyoshi Shoten (charcoal-grilled skewers and crisp beer), conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya for quick fun, or a cozy izakaya in Nonbei Yokocho for grilled mackerel and sake. Nightcap: Bar Benfiddich (herbal, apothecary-style cocktails).

Day 2: Tokyo to Sapporo, Gear Up and Go Neon

Morning: Fly Tokyo Haneda → Sapporo (CTS) ~1h35m. Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From CTS, take the JR Rapid to Sapporo Station (~37 min).

Afternoon: Drop bags at your hotel. Sort rentals: slopeside shops at Teine/Kokusai or city outfitters can set you up (board + boots typically ¥5,500–8,500/day). For lunch, try Sapporo Ramen Republic (at ESTA) for a quick tour of regional miso styles.

Evening: Explore Susukino’s neon. Dinner options: soup curry at Suage+ (crispy chicken leg, Hokkaido veggies) or “jingisukan” lamb at Daruma Main Shop—thin slices seared on a dome grill. Dessert: Hokkaido milk soft-serve at Milk Mura.

Day 3: Sapporo Teine – Olympic Views and Fast Laps

Morning: Coffee and a croissant at Morihiko (retro-cool café). JR from Sapporo to Teine Station (~10 min), then ski bus/taxi to the Highland Zone (~25–35 min total). Grab a day pass (typically ¥6,500–7,500). Warm up on Shiroi Koibito runs, then hunt wind-loaded stashes off the ridge. Beginners can cruise the Olympia side where 1972 Olympic events were held.

Afternoon: Keep lapping; on storm days, tree lines stay playful. Hill canteens do hearty katsu curry and butter-corn ramen—perfect fuel. If you need tunes or wax, slope shops have Wintersteiger stations.

Evening: Soothe the legs at Teine Honoka or a downtown sento. Dinner: Hachikyo (famous for salmon-roe don where the staff chant as they heap ikura) or Kani Honke for a crab feast (kani miso, legs, hot pot). Night stroll through Odori Park if the snow is falling.

Option for non-skiers or rest-day food lovers (lunch): Book the following culinary experience north of the city:
Origin of Ishikari Nabe: Course Lunch (7 Dishes)

Day 4: Sapporo Kokusai + Jozankei Onsen (Pow + Soak)

Morning: Jotetsu Bus from Sapporo Station to Sapporo Kokusai (~75–90 min; check seasonal timetables). Day pass typically ¥5,800–6,800. Kokusai’s bowls collect snow; stick to marked trees and heed patrol—Hokkaido powder is deep but terrain traps are real.

Afternoon: Ride until last chair, then head 30 minutes to Jozankei Onsen. Many ryokan offer day-use baths; that first plunge into a riverside rotenburo might be the trip’s quiet highlight. Try the Indian curry canteen at Hoheikyo Onsen or café sweets in town.

Evening: Back in Sapporo, graze at Nijo Market area izakaya for grilled hokke (Atka mackerel) and sake. If you fancy a tour, the Sapporo Beer Museum pairs nicely with a jingisukan set dinner.

Alternative morning for a non-ski rest day: Try ice fishing on a frozen lake with a local guide:
Sapporo Private Tour: Smelt Fishing & Nanporo Lunch

Day 5: Rusutsu Day Trip – Deep, Playful Glades

Morning: Catch the Hokkaido Resort Liner bus (winter-only; ~1.5–2 hours from Sapporo; about ¥3,500–4,500 one-way). Rusutsu day pass runs roughly ¥8,800–9,800. Start on East/Isola zones; the well-spaced larch glades are a powder rider’s playground.

Afternoon: Keep chasing stashes off Isola; if the gondola’s moving, lap it. On-mountain eats: butter corn ramen, tonkatsu curry, and flakey Hokkaido milk soft-serve. If winds rise, tree lines stay sheltered.

Evening: Bus back to Sapporo. Celebrate with soup curry at GARAKU (long-simmered broth; Hokkaido veg is the star) or a late miso ramen at Sumire Susukino. Pack for tomorrow’s flight.

Day 6: Fly to Tokyo, Asakusa + Shibuya Photos and a Night Food Tour

Morning: CTS → HND flight (~1h35m). Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drop bags at your Tokyo hotel.

Afternoon: Wander Asakusa’s Senso-ji and Nakamise shopping street for ningyo-yaki cakes and senbei rice crackers. Then head to Shibuya for a quick pro photo session at the world’s busiest crosswalk:
Private Photoshoot at Shibuya Crossing Tokyo

Evening: Eat like a local on a guided tasting through alleyway gems in Shinjuku—13 dishes across 4 spots (think yakitori, karaage, regional oden, and more):
Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

Day 7: Tokyo Mornings and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Little Nap in Yoyogi Park, then a peaceful loop to Meiji Shrine’s cypress forest. If you want one last bite, Asakusa’s Daikokuya does Edo-style tendon (tempura over rice) before the airport.

Afternoon: Depart from HND/NRT. If you prefer rail to the airport, check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains. Safe travels!

Snowboarding logistics at a glance:

• Lift passes (typical 2024–2025): Teine ¥6,500–7,500; Kokusai ¥5,800–6,800; Rusutsu ¥8,800–9,800.
• Rental gear: board + boots usually ¥5,500–8,500/day; helmets and powder boards are widely available.
• Transport to hills: Teine via JR + bus/taxi (~35–45 min from Sapporo Station). Kokusai via Jotetsu Bus (~75–90 min). Rusutsu via winter bus (~1.5–2 hours).
• Safety: Tree riding is common; obey ropes and patrollers. Carry low-light goggles, neck gaiter, and spare gloves—Hokkaido storms can be blissfully intense.

Tokyo hotel picks (quick links): The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo | Aman Tokyo | Hilton Tokyo Bay

Book intercity transport: Compare Japan domestic flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; for trains within Japan, see Trip.com Trains.

In a week, you’ll ride Hokkaido’s famed powder, bathe in mountain hot springs, and sink your teeth into Tokyo’s late-night feasts. This Japan snowboarding itinerary blends slope time with culture so each day feels full, not frantic—just the way a great winter trip should.