We’re fast approaching the New Year and it’s looking festive all around Japan’s great resorts. It’s not all DJ’s and shandies at your favourite bar, though (although there’re plenty of those!) If you’d like to experience your local resort’s annual celebrations then look no further than our New Years Eve in Japow guide below. Enjoy the first snow of 2018 with a fresh head this year!
NISEKO
20:30 – 23:00 Free night skiing!
23:45 Torch light skiing begins on the Grand Hirafu slopes. Watch from the village as hundreds of participants illuminate the slopes on their descent, followed by a stunning fireworks display.
Midnight – 02:00 “Hatsumoude” – the first Shinto shrine visit of the new year. Visit Yamada Shrine and join the locals in this traditional practice of praying for happiness in the coming year along with free sake and on-site food stalls
RUSUTSU
19:45 ~ Enjoy complimentary hot drinks at the West Mt. before a torchlight parade and fireworks display
23:00 ~ Head to the Cricket Bar for drinks, Bingo and NYE countdown
KIRORO
22:45 – 00:15 Traditional New Year’s soba noodles (Toshikoshi), sake, raffles, and countdown fireworks display at the Tribute Portfolio Hotel
23:00~ Live DJ and sake barrel opening ceremony at Ice Star Bar
TOMAMU
16:00 – 18:00 Toshikoshi soba & Japanese sake service at the Tower Hotel lounge
19:00 – 21:00 Welcome Party and mini concert with free drink at Risonare Hotel
20:00 – 22:00 Free Toshikoshi soba
24:00 Fireworks display at Ice Village
FURANO
20:00~ Live concert by a Japanese artist in the Chapel of the New Furano Prince Hotel
22:00~ Traditional food stalls, games, music and demonstrations at the base of Furano ski area along with NYE countdown and fireworks display
SAHORO
13:30~ ‘Mochi’ Rice Cake Making
17:30 & 19:30 Restaurant Concert at Sahoro Garden. Bookings necessary.
22:00 – 23:00 Free Toshikoshi Soba
23:30 – 00:30 Countdown Party
HAKUBA
22:00~ Free Night skiing at Happo One Ski Resort, Nakiyama Slope. Hot calpis & sake barrel opening ceremony, costume contests, prizes and fireworks. Complimentary rice wine and Nagano apple for the first 500 people
NOZAWA ONSEN
23:30 Night skiing extended until 23:30. Complimentary mulled wine and sake while enjoying fireworks display
SHIGA KOGEN
22:00 – 23:30 Torch light skiing at Mt Yakebi No.3 high-Speed lift. Pre-booking required. shiga-rsv@princehotels.co.jp (English OK).
