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    Tohoku, Japan

    Tazawako

    608m vertical, 11m annual snowfall, FIS World Cup venue. Uncrowded powder above Japan's deepest lake in Akita Prefecture.

    Season 2025-2026
    Opens
    5 Dec 2025
    Closes
    29 Mar 2026
    Days open
    114
    Annual snow
    11m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Tazawako spans 100 hectares across 13 runs on Mount Kuromori in Akita Prefecture, with 608 metres of vertical drop from a 1,186-metre summit to a 578-metre base. The terrain splits evenly across ability levels, with 30 per cent each for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers, plus 10 per cent expert terrain. The resort receives 11 metres of annual snowfall and averages around 8 to 9 metres per season, benefiting from its inland Tohoku location where reduced moisture produces dry, light powder.

    The largest ski area in Akita Prefecture operates as a locals' mountain with minimal international traffic, particularly midweek when lift queues disappear entirely. The 1,600-metre Shirakaba Course offers the longest top-to-bottom intermediate run, whilst advanced terrain centres on the Kuromoriyama Champion Course and Mizusawa Champion Course, both featuring gradients between 32 and 38 degrees. FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup mogul events have been held here regularly since the 2014/15 season, with competitions running through 2020.

    The compact ski area overlooks Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake at 423 metres, which remains unfrozen throughout winter. Six lifts include two covered quad chairs that provide shelter during storms, alongside four double chairs that access tree runs and ungroomed powder zones. The Ginrei mid-mountain restaurant offers lake views from 882 metres elevation. Base facilities cluster around the Shirakaba day lodge, with rental shops, ski school, cafeteria and a small terrain park.

    Tazawako operates independently without pass affiliations, typically running from early December through early April depending on conditions. The resort suits powder hunters willing to explore off-piste trees, intermediate cruisers seeking uncrowded groomers, and families requiring manageable terrain with gentle learning zones. Access via Akita Shinkansen reaches Tazawako Station in under three hours from Tokyo, followed by a 30-minute bus ride to the slopes.

    608m
    Vertical
    13
    Runs
    74 acres
    Skiable
    11m
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    13 runs across 74 acres skiable

    Tazawako spreads 13 runs across 74 acres skiable of terrain. It leans beginner at 30%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 5 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    13
    runs
    13 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner4 runs · 30%
    Intermediate4 runs · 30%
    Advanced4 runs · 30%
    Expert1 run · 10%
    Time it right

    When to visit Tazawako

    The 2025-2026 season runs from 5 December 2025 through 29 March 2026, delivering approximately 16 weeks of operations subject to snowfall patterns. Typical season lengths extend from early December into early April, with opening and closing dates shifting by one to two weeks depending on annual conditions. Historical opening dates have ranged from mid-December to 20 December, whilst spring closures land between late March and early April.

    Akita Prefecture's inland position produces 8 to 9 metres of average annual snowfall, with Tazawako recording 11 metres in stronger seasons and benefiting from reduced moisture content that creates dry, fluffy snow. The base elevation of 578 metres provides moderate snow security, supplemented by the resort's heavy snowfall zone designation. Snowmaking infrastructure appears limited, with operations relying primarily on natural accumulation. Peak snowfall occurs during January and February, when weekly totals of 50 to 60 centimetres are common.

    January through February offers optimal powder conditions, with inland storm patterns delivering consistent snowfall and cold temperatures preserving snow quality through midwinter. Early December and late March see spring-like conditions at base elevations, though upper mountain terrain typically holds coverage through closure. Weekdays remain quieter than weekends, when local traffic increases from nearby cities including Morioka, Akita and Semboku.

    The resort hosts no major event calendar beyond its history of FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup mogul competitions, which ran regularly from 2015 through 2020 but have since relocated. Night skiing does not operate. Guided backcountry tours and cat skiing to Mount Akita-Komagatake run from early February through mid-April, accessing terrain above the resort boundary at extra cost.

    Season 2025-2026
    5 Dec 2025
    Opens
    29 Mar 2026
    Closes
    114
    Days open
    11 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Tazawako, and where to stay

    Tazawako sits in eastern Akita Prefecture within Semboku City, straddling the border between Akita and Iwate prefectures on northern Honshu. The resort occupies the western flank of Mount Kuromori, approximately 7.5 kilometres northeast of Lake Tazawa's shoreline and 11 kilometres northeast of Semboku's city centre. Mount Akita-Komagatake rises to the east at 1,637 metres, whilst Mount Hachimantai defines the northern horizon. The base village sits at 578 metres elevation in the Mizusawa Onsen area.

    Semboku City has 24,000 residents and serves as the nearest population centre, located 11 kilometres southwest via Route 194. Kakunodate, a historic samurai town, lies 19 kilometres south and connects via the Akita Shinkansen. Morioka sits 44 kilometres east in Iwate Prefecture, whilst Akita City is positioned 70 kilometres west. The resort operates 9 minutes' drive from Tazawako Station, which connects to the shinkansen network. Nyuto Onsen, a collection of traditional hot spring inns, lies 7 kilometres west and dates back over 300 years.

    Road access from Tokyo follows the Tohoku Expressway north to Morioka Interchange, then Route 46 west towards Akita before turning onto Route 341 south and Route 194 east, totalling 49 kilometres and approximately 60 minutes from the motorway exit. The full drive from Tokyo spans roughly 600 kilometres and 7 to 8 hours. Local roads receive heavy snow throughout winter, requiring snow tyres or chains. Rental cars are available at major stations and airports.

    Akita Airport sits 70 kilometres west with 90-minute drive times, offering domestic connections to Tokyo Haneda plus seasonal routes. The Akita Airport Liner provides shared taxi service directly to Tazawako and surrounding onsen areas via advance booking. Iwate Hanamaki Airport lies approximately 80 kilometres east. The Akita Shinkansen reaches Tazawako Station from Tokyo Station in under 3 hours, with onward bus connections operating on a 30-minute schedule to the resort base.

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    Tazawako Snow Report

    Snow Report
    Awaiting live data
    1186m
    summit
    +0cm
    new snow · last 24 hours
    -°C / -°C · - -
    Snowfall
    24 hours
    0cm
    48 hours
    0cm
    7 days
    0cm
    Base depth
    -
    Season total
    -
    Total lifts6

    Live open status isn’t available right now.

    5 Dec 2025 - 29 Mar 2026

    Hour by Hour

    Next 42 hours· Updated Aug 31, 2026 at 5:02 PM
    Mon11pTueNow1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p6p7p8p9p10p11pWed12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p
    Conditions
    Temp°C · feels
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    1819
    2020
    2021
    2021
    2122
    2224
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    2123
    2122
    2022
    2021
    2021
    2021
    2021
    1920
    1921
    1921
    1921
    1921
    2022
    1922
    2022
    2022
    2124
    2225
    2327
    2428
    2428
    2529
    2428
    2428
    2328
    2328
    Snowfallcm
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    Precip chance%
    8%
    8%
    11%
    17%
    22%
    28%
    34%
    39%
    42%
    43%
    47%
    55%
    66%
    75%
    81%
    85%
    88%
    89%
    88%
    86%
    84%
    80%
    76%
    70%
    62%
    55%
    48%
    41%
    37%
    36%
    38%
    43%
    52%
    64%
    75%
    84%
    92%
    96%
    96%
    92%
    88%
    84%
    Precipmm000000000.10.2000.20.10000000000000.40.500.90.60000.10.20.30.62.75.06.05.5
    Wind / gustkm/h
    11G20
    10G21
    11G22
    11G22
    10G23
    10G24
    11G24
    12G24
    11G27
    11G34
    11G36
    10G40
    12G41
    11G40
    11G39
    10G35
    10G35
    10G30
    11G27
    11G27
    12G25
    12G24
    11G21
    11G18
    10G17
    9G17
    8G16
    8G15
    8G14
    6G13
    7G13
    7G12
    6G11
    5G18
    2G14
    5G18
    6G26
    6G24
    6G25
    8G25
    7G25
    7G22

    Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo

    7-Day Outlook

    1,186 mUpdated Aug 31, 2026 at 5:02 PMOpen-Meteo

    Days 1–7

    0.0cm

    Days 8–14

    0.0cm

    Unlock days 8–14

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    Mon, Aug 31

    Partly Cloudy
    Temp23° / 18°°C
    Snow0.0cm(49%)
    Wind12 km/h E

    Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.

    Understanding the Tazawako snow report

    See what's happening on the mountain at Tazawako right now — snowfall, snow depth, and weather data to help you plan your day in Tohoku.

    Snow measurements

    Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 578m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 608m higher at 1186m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.

    Weather conditions

    Current weather conditions affect snow quality. Cold temperatures with low wind typically preserve snow quality, while warm temperatures or rain can impact conditions negatively — something worth watching closely at Tazawako's 578m base elevation, where temperatures run milder than the summit.

    Data sources

    We pull Tazawako's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 6 lifts, including 2 quad chairlifts.

    When to check

    Snow reports are typically updated early morning and late afternoon. For the most current conditions, check back regularly, especially if a winter storm is approaching.