SNOWSHOE TOURS

Escape the crowds on a private snowshoe tour through two of Japan's snowiest regions. Whether you're based in Minakami's deep-powder valleys or Shiga Kogen's ancient forest and panoramic ridgelines, our guides tailor every route to your group's pace and experience — from first-timers to seasoned winter trekkers.

Canyons Japan is an official partner of the Shiga Kogen Guide Association, and every tour is led by an English-speaking guide. New to the area? Start with the Shiga Kogen Resort Guide, or add time on the slopes with Shiga Kogen Ski & Snowboard Lessons.

Based in Gunma instead? Our Minakami tours start from the Canyons base. See the Minakami Winter Resort Guide and Minakami Area Information to plan your trip.

Reference: Shiga Kogen Guide Association – Winter Season (external site)

• Locations: Shiga Kogen (Nagano) and Minakami (Gunma)

• Season: Late December to late March, depending on snow conditions

• Tour type: Private tours only, for 1–6 people

• Start times: 9:00 (morning) or 13:00 (afternoon)

• Duration and price: 3 hours from ¥33,000 (Shiga Kogen and Machigasawa); 6 hours ¥66,000 (Ichinokura)

• Minimum age: 6 years old

• Fitness: Average fitness; you should be comfortable walking for about 2 hours

• Guides: All guides speak English

• Included: Guide fee, insurance, snowshoes and poles

Japan's largest ski resort by day, Shiga Kogen hides a second world once you strap on snowshoes: ancient forest, frozen ponds, and ridgelines that see almost no foot traffic all winter.

Meet at the Shiga Kogen Guide Center or Ichinose Information Center, with hotel transfer available from the Chuo and Yakebitaiyama accommodation areas.

Shiga Kogen links 18 ski areas in Nagano Prefecture and sits within Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Snowshoe tours run from late December to late March, snow permitting.

Plan your trip: Shiga Kogen Resort Guide explains how the ski areas fit together, Where to Stay & Eat in Shiga Kogen compares the main bases, and The Ultimate Shiga Kogen Guide covers the rest. Want to ski or ride as well? See Shiga Kogen Ski & Snowboard Lessons.

Ride the gondola up, then snowshoe the short final stretch to the summit for a 360° panorama that's yours alone — Shiga Kogen's ski slopes fall away below, ringed by the northern Japan Alps. Once the views are had, the descent turns playful: sledding down open slopes and diving into some of Honshu's finest powder.

Note: this course requires a lift ticket, purchased separately.

Best for: Panoramic views and a playful powder descent.

Shiga Kogen's forest has been protected as national park land for generations, and in winter, snowshoes are the only way into its deepest, quietest corners — trails no summer hiker ever sees. Guides lead you past a frozen pond, pause for animal-track spotting, and often build in a tea break deep in the woods, where the silence of the forest becomes the whole point of the trip.

Best for: Quiet forest, a frozen pond and animal tracks. No lift ticket needed.

Private tours only — The whole day moves at your pace.

• Shiga Kogen: 3-hour private course ¥33,000; each additional hour +¥11,000

• Minakami, Machigasawa: 3 hours ¥33,000

• Minakami, Ichinokura: 6 hours ¥66,000

• Group size: 1–6 people

• Minimum age: 6 years old

• Season: Late December to late March, snow permitting

Included: Guide fee, insurance, snowshoes, poles

Not included: Lift ticket (Higashidate Yama course only) and food

Minakami is Canyons' home turf — one of Kanto's snowiest valleys, framed by the Tanigawa mountain range. Meet at the Canyons Minakami base.

Minakami is in Gunma Prefecture. Before you go, read the Minakami Winter Resort Guide and Minakami Area Information, and see Canyons Minakami Access Information for directions to the Canyons base. No lift ticket is needed for Minakami tours, and snow boots can be hired.

Halfway along the same trail that continues to Ichinokura, this shorter course follows the Yubiso River through native forest, with sweeping views of the Tanigawa mountain range opening up along the way. A great fit for families or anyone wanting the scenery without the full-day commitment.

The full trek along the Yubiso River from Doai to the Ichinokura confluence — gentle, minimal-elevation terrain that makes it a good fit for snowshoe beginners despite the full-day length. Bring a packed lunch (not included) and enjoy it at a custom-made snow table with sweeping views across the Tanigawa mountain range, capped by the sheer ~1,000m rock face of Ichinokura-sawa, one of Japan's most storied climbing walls.

Stay, Eat and Play in Minakami

Stay: Minakami Snow Glamping or Minakami Accommodation Packages.

Eat: More food ideas at Minakami Lunch.

Ski or snowboard: Hodaigi Ski School and the Minakami Winter Resort Guide cover skiing near Minakami.

More winter adventures: Backcountry ski and snowboarding tours and Snow Canyoning.

• Morning: 9:00 start

• Afternoon: 13:00 start

Shiga Kogen: Shiga Kogen Guide Center or Ichinose Information Center. Hotel transfer available from the Chuo and Yakebitaiyama accommodation areas. See the Shiga Kogen Resort Guide for access to Shiga Kogen.

Minakami: Canyons Minakami base. See Canyons Minakami Access Information for directions.

• Waterproof jacket and snow pants

• Warm winter layers, gloves, hat, and goggles

• Sturdy snow boots (snow boots can be hired for Minakami tours)

• Water and snacks

Shiga Kogen

• Shiga Kogen Resort Guide

• Where to Stay & Eat in Shiga Kogen

• The Ultimate Shiga Kogen Guide

• Shiga Kogen Ski & Snowboard Lessons

Minakami

• Minakami Winter Resort Guide

• Minakami Area Information

• Canyons Minakami Access Information

• Minakami Snow Glamping

• Minakami Accommodation Packages

• Hodaigi Ski School

More from Canyons: Canyons Snowsports School, Snowsports FAQ, Winter packages.

Questions? Please contact us and we will be happy to help.