The reason why skiers and snowboarders from all over the world turn their attention to Japan in winter is the "powder snow"—light, dry snow with little moisture. Among the Tohoku region’s northern prefectures—Aomori, Akita, and Iwate— are especially notable areas where you can experience this exceptional snow quality.
Located in Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is one such ski resort blessed with top-quality snow. Here, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe trekking, and even the culture of "après-ski," which is popular at European ski resorts.
This time, hotel writer Nana Iwai, who stays at over 100 hotels a year, spent one night and two days at Shizukuishi Prince Hotel to experience winter-exclusive snow activities. This luxurious time, created by the clear air and snow of northern Tohoku, is recommended not only for skiers but also for those who don't ski. We will also introduce the hotel's facilities in detail, including guest rooms and amenities.
*If you purchase or book products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
※Notice: This article contains images featuring skin exposure to help explain Japanese bathing culture.
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Shizukuishi Prince Hotel: A Ski Resort Just 3 Hours from Tokyo Station
It takes about 2 hours from Tokyo to Morioka Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen. After arriving at Morioka Station, transfer to a dedicated shuttle bus for about 50 minutes to reach "Shizukuishi Prince Hotel" in Shizukuishi Town.
The hotel is celebrating its 35th anniversary, while the adjacent Shizukuishi Ski Resort marks its 45th winter season, making it a historic resort. This area is also known as the only place in Asia to have ever hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships.
What is Shizukuishi Prince Hotel? A Stay-Type Ski Resort
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is a stay-type ski resort offering a full range of experiences including accommodation, hot springs, and restaurants, all set in an environment with a magnificent view of Mt. Iwate. You can spend a relaxing time while feeling the changing nature throughout the four seasons.
On clear nights, the sky is filled with countless stars, creating a view that feels just like being in a planetarium—one of the hotel's many attractions. Shizukuishi is also known as a place where rainbows are often seen, so you may encounter magical scenery created by the weather and nature.
Another feature is the proposal of a new winter experience: enjoying the culture of "après-ski," which is popular at European ski resorts, in a uniquely Japanese way.
Après-ski refers to spending a relaxing time with food, drinks, and music after enjoying skiing or snowboarding. It is a style of stay that values the time after skiing just as much as the time spent on the slopes.
What Is the Shizukuishi Area? Close to Morioka City!
Located in the central-western part of Iwate Prefecture and close to Morioka City, Shizukuishi Town is a nature-rich area with a stunning view of Mt. Iwate, also known as "Nanbu Katafuji." With Koiwai Farm, founded in 1891, as a starting point, the town has developed its tourism and food industries alongside its dairy and forestry businesses. There are also many hot spring resorts with a variety of spring qualities, making it one of the leading tourist areas in northeastern Tohoku.
In spring 2026, a new tourist hub called "AZUMA FARM KOIWAI" is scheduled to open in the area adjacent to Koiwai Farm. As a place where you can enjoy rich nature, food, and new tourism experiences, it is currently attracting a lot of attention.
Recommended Winter Highlights at Shizukuishi Prince Hotel
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel offers a wide range of activities that allow you to enjoy winter even if you don't ski.
Taking advantage of Shizukuishi's high-quality snow, known as "Shizu-pow," the hotel offers a variety of programs besides skiing and snowboarding, such as snowshoe trekking, CAT tours aboard snowcats, and dining experiences inside dome-shaped kamakura (snow huts) made of snow.
Whether you ski or not, you can fully enjoy the winter charms of Shizukuishi in your own style—this is the unique appeal of Shizukuishi Prince Hotel.
A Ski Resort with 20 Varied courses
Shizukuishi Ski Resort boasts a vast ski area of approximately 869 hectares, featuring 20 diverse courses. With a maximum slope of 33 degrees, the resort offers everything from gentle slopes for beginners to steep slopes for advanced skiers. It even hosts International Ski Federation (FIS) certified competitions, making its course specifications world-class. There is also a snow park, ensuring fun for both children and adults.
Snow-viewing Onsen
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel features a roofed open-air hot spring bath, using water from the Shizukuishi Takakura Onsen. It gently soothes your body after skiing or winter activities. This special spot is also popular for allowing guests to bathe while enjoying the beauty of nature in every season.
Gourmet Cuisine, Fireworks, Tent Sauna, and More Activities
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is full of seasonal charm, but the winter season is especially packed with unique hotel activities and gourmet experiences that can only be enjoyed at this time of year.
Additionally, special fireworks events that light up the winter night sky are held on select dates, so it’s a great idea to plan your visit to coincide with these events. This year, tent saunas and dinners in a kamakura (snow dome) restaurant have also been introduced, allowing you to fully enjoy extraordinary experiences in the snowy landscape.
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel Accommodation Review
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel offers a variety of guest rooms where you can relax and unwind after enjoying snow activities.
On the upper floors (8th and 9th), there are "Superior Corner Twin" rooms located at the corners, offering views of Mt. Iwate. On the 8th floor, "Superior Twin" rooms, which can accommodate up to three guests and offer views of Mt. Iwate and the ski slopes, are available.
There are also "Connecting Rooms," where adjacent rooms are joined by an internal connecting door, making them suitable for groups of four or more. This makes the hotel a great choice for family trips or stays with friends.
Room Size and Interior: A Report on the Guest Rooms!
Spacious "Superior Twin Room"
The "Superior Twin Room," furnished with two single beds, features an impressive gold-themed interior. The room exudes a calm atmosphere, with a perfect balance of warmth and the refined quality typical of a hotel.
A table and sofa are also provided by the window, so you can enjoy light meals or tea time in your room.
In addition to a coffee machine and bottled mineral water, teabags for sencha and a Nambu Tekki iron kettle are also provided, which is a nice touch.
Nambu Tekki ironware is a traditional craft representing Iwate Prefecture, passed down in areas such as Morioka City and Oshu City (Mizusawa). With a history of over 400 years, it is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad for its practicality and beauty.
The washbasin and toilet are both clean and well-maintained. Next to the washbasin, there is a closet where you can hang your skiwear and prepare for the next day.
The loungewear features embroidery of a Nambu Tekki iron teapot and skis. This subtle hospitality unique to Shizukuishi Prince Hotel brings a sense of comfort and relaxation.
You can walk around the facility in your loungewear and slippers, making it convenient to visit the hot spring or shop without having to change out of your loungewear.
Amenities with Skincare Products
The amenities at the washstand include basic items such as toothbrushes, cotton swabs, razors, and combs, as well as skincare products like lotion, emulsion (moisturizer), and cleansing oil. It's a great point that you can stay without having to bring your own skincare products.
The bathroom is equipped with a shower and a bathtub, and shampoo and body soap are also provided.
Breakfast & Lunch at Shizukuishi Prince Hotel: Enjoy Local Specialty Dishes!
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel offers a variety of dining options, including the Prince Room for breakfast, the Main Dining Room Kobushi for creative course meals, and several spots on the slopes where you can enjoy a meal.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the "Prince Room" on the second floor of the hotel. You can enjoy a rich buffet featuring local ingredients and Iwate's specialty dishes. The open location with a view of the snowy landscape makes for a refreshing and uplifting morning experience.
The buffet offers a wide variety of Japanese and Western dishes, such as stir-fried "Shizukuishi Taishi Moyashi" (thick, crisp bean sprouts from Shizukuishi), "Iburigakko" (smoked pickles), steamed local vegetables, and rice balls with your choice of fillings. The extensive selection ensures you won't get bored, even if you stay for several nights.
There are also hearty morning curries with a rich flavor like beef stew, and Iwate's local specialty "Senbei-jiru" (rice cracker soup), offering a variety of dishes that will wake you up and leave you fully satisfied. The food was so delicious, I couldn't help but eat a little too much.
Lunch on the Slopes
Take the "Shizukuishi Galaxy Ropeway" gondola, which departs every 15 minutes from in front of the hotel, and have lunch at the slope-side restaurant "Alyeska" located within Shizukuishi Ski Resort.
The slopes, surrounded by snow in every direction, are filled with skiers and snowboarders, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.
The popular menu item, omelette rice (omurice), comes with soup for 1,600 yen. Despite its reasonable price, it is generously portioned and sure to satisfy your appetite. The inside is ketchup-flavored rice, and when combined with the demi-glace sauce, it gives you a burst of energy that makes you want to hit the slopes again.
The "Steak Curry" (3,200 yen) is an impressive dish topped with two large steaks. It is especially recommended for those who want to focus on stamina.
In addition to Western-style dishes such as hamburg steak and pasta, there are also a variety of drinks perfect for a break, including coffee and hot chocolate.
Direct Access from the Hotel! Shizukuishi Ski Resort for All Levels
One of the must-try activities at Shizukuishi Ski Resort is experiencing skiing or snowboarding on Shizukuishi's powder snow, known as Shizu-Pow. With a total of 20 diverse courses, the slopes are designed so you can choose according to your skill level. Lessons are also available, so even beginners or those returning after a long time can feel comfortable giving it a try.
Equipment such as skiwear, boots, and skis are available for rent. Skiwear is available in sizes from 95cm for children up to adult men's sizes. Rental for skis (or snowboard), poles, and boots is 6,500 yen per day for junior high school students and above, and 5,000 yen for elementary school students and younger. Wear, helmets, and sleds are also available for rent.
While knit hats, goggles, and gloves are not available for rent, they can be purchased at the shop. There are also changing rooms and large lockers, providing a convenient environment for getting ready.
Experience Japan’s Four Seasons in a Natural Hot Spring: Snow-view Onsen in Winter
The large public bath and covered open-air bath, which use Shizukuishi Takakura Onsen, are available in the evening and morning, and are a must-try facility during your stay. Especially in the open-air bath, you can enjoy bathing while feeling the changing nature of the four seasons, and in winter, you can experience the unique atmosphere of a snow-view onsen. The scenery, where the snowy landscape and the quiet water surface overlap, offers an extraordinary sense of tranquility.
Another unique feature is that koi swim right next to the open-air bath, allowing you to admire their graceful movements. Soaking in the bath, you can enjoy a peaceful and luxurious moment, as if you are seeing the scenery from the same perspective as the koi.
Enjoy More Than Just Skiing! A Wide Variety of Hotel Activities
At Shizukuishi Prince Hotel, in addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can enjoy unique experiences such as walking through the snow-covered golf course and forest with snowshoes, or indulging in gourmet cuisine inside a kamakura (snow hut). This season, a brand-new snowcat (CAT) tour has also started. We’ll report on the appeal of these activities through firsthand experiences!
Snowshoe Trekking Tour
The Snowshoe Trekking Tour: A Winter Adventure Walking Through a Silver World is an activity where you put on snowshoes and stroll across the golf course, now blanketed in white, together with a guide.
Step by step, as you get the hang of walking on snow, your focus naturally turns inward. Before your eyes stretches a tranquil, silvery landscape—a scene so extraordinary, it feels completely removed from everyday life.
There’s also a route that takes you through the forest, where the scenery gradually changes as you go, adding to the charm. On clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Iwate.
Snowshoes and poles are available for rent, so even beginners can join with confidence.
Snowshoe Trekking Tour Overview
- Dates: Every Sunday and Wednesday from January 4–March 8, 2026
- Time: 10:00–11:30
- Fee: 3,000 yen per person / 2,800 yen for Seibu Prince Global Rewards members
- Capacity: Minimum 3, maximum 20 participants
*Advance reservation required (please book by 17:00 the day before use)
*Snowshoes, poles, etc. available for rent (additional fee applies)
*May be canceled due to weather conditions
Spectacular Experience: Sunrise CAT Tour to Watch the Sunrise from a Snowcat
The “Sunrise CAT Tour: Spectacular Sunrise Views from the Snowfields” is a special tour where you ride a snowcat (CAT) to the mountaintop in the early morning before sunrise, and welcome the dawn in the crisp winter air. With small groups and advance reservations required, it’s gaining popularity as a deeper snow mountain experience.
Skis are loaded onto the snowcat’s external racks, and off you go. The snowcat climbs steep slopes with power—you can feel the incline, but the ride is stable and comfortable. The views from the windows and ceiling are also impressive.
On this day, we couldn’t see the sunrise due to the weather, but we took a commemorative photo with the snowcat at the summit. It became one of the most memorable experiences of our stay.
After the tour, enjoy skiing on the slopes first thing in the morning.
You can savor a special moment that feels different from the usual. This is an activity highly recommended for those who find the typical ski experience not quite enough.
Overview of the Sunrise CAT Tour
- Dates: Sunday, January 11, 2026 / Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Time: 5:00–7:00 / Price: 17,000 yen per person / Seibu Prince Global Rewards members: 16,000 yen
- Capacity: Limited to 15 people per day
*Advance reservation required (reservation must be made by 17:00 the day before use)
*May be canceled depending on weather conditions
Gourmet Experience: Magical Kamakura Restaurant & Historic Log House Hidden Bar
Kamakura Restaurant
For dinner, be sure to visit the "Kamakura Experience Plaza," where you can enjoy a classic Japanese winter tradition. During the day, you are free to explore and take photos, but at night, the area transforms into a special, private restaurant called "Kamakura Shokudo."
This reservation-only restaurant lets you enjoy a hot pot meal while sitting in a kotatsu, surrounded by the magical glow inside a kamakura (snow dome).
The shabu-shabu hot pot featuring "Tochu Tea Pork," raised with the pure water and air at the foot of Mt. Iwate, starts from 7,000 yen per person. There is also a yakiniku set (12,000 yen) featuring Iwate beef sirloin and Tochu Tea Pork belly.
The shabu-shabu made with Iwate Wagyu, a black-haired Japanese cattle breed from Iwate Prefecture, is notable for its fine texture and beautiful marbling. Once you taste it, the refined sweetness of the fat and rich umami spread in your mouth.
We enjoyed it together with "Baeren Beer (Classic)," a craft beer brewed by Baeren Brewery in Morioka City using traditional German methods and equipment over 100 years old. It paired perfectly with the meal.
There is no heating inside the kamakura, only the warmth of the kotatsu at your feet. Even so, you hardly feel the cold during the meal and can enjoy it comfortably throughout. Dining while watching the snow fall quietly at close range is peaceful and romantic. This is a special night you can only experience in winter in Shizukuishi, and is highly recommended for those seeking something unique.
- Dates: Every Monday and Friday from Monday, January 5, 2026 to Friday, March 6, 2026
- Location: Shizukuishi Snowland Special Venue
- Time:
① Daytime: Free exploration
② Night: Kamakura Shokudo 18:00–20:30 (last order 20:00)
*Advance reservation required (reservation must be made by 17:00 the day before use)
*Operating period, schedule, and attractions may change depending on weather and snow conditions
Hidden Bar
After your meal, enjoy bar time at the "Night Lodge BAR – Austria House," located right next to the kamakura (snow hut). This building is a historic log house that was actually used by the Austrian team during the 1993 Alpine Ski World Championships and has been preserved to this day.
This historic building was constructed using timber directly imported from Austria and built by Austrian craftsmen. Today, it operates as a night bar on select dates.
The "Tankaku Beef Cecina," a type of prosciutto made from the rare Iwate-bred pasture-raised Tankaku beef, is a must-try dish. It offers a rich aroma and deep umami flavor that spreads in your mouth. Pairing it with vegetables and Camembert cheese enhances each ingredient’s deliciousness, creating an exquisite plate.
The menu features a variety of options, including the "Iwate Tankaku Beef Tasting Set," alcoholic beverages such as hot wine, and even gelato, so you’re sure to find your favorite. After enjoying skiing or snowboarding, be sure to experience the après-ski culture by relaxing with delicious food and drinks.
- Dates: Every Monday and Friday from December 26, 2025 (Fri) to March 6, 2026 (Fri)
- Hours: 16:30–22:30 (Last order 22:00)
Special Sauna Experience: Tent Sauna
New this season is the "Tent Sauna – The Ultimate Relaxation with Snow and Sauna." You can experience warming up from the core of your body in a special tent sauna surrounded by snow.
The contrast between the cold outside air and the heat of the sauna is pleasantly refreshing, rejuvenating both body and mind. Spending time relaxing in the great outdoors is a special winter experience.
- Dates: January 10, 2026 (Sat) – February 28, 2026 (Sat)
- Hours: ①13:00–14:00 / ②14:30–15:30
- Fee: From 10,000 yen per person
- Location: Special venue at the Ski Center (Reception at Ski Center)
*Advance reservation required (by 17:00 the day before use)
*May be canceled depending on weather conditions
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is a ski resort hotel easily accessible from Tokyo Station in about three hours by Shinkansen and bus. In addition to a variety of winter activities such as skiing, you can fully enjoy the unique charms of northern Tohoku in winter, including hot springs and gourmet cuisine. With a wide range of rental items available, why not challenge yourself to a slightly different experience with full equipment when you visit?
Overview of Shizukuishi Prince Hotel
- Address: Takakura Onsen, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
- Access: About 30 minutes by dedicated shuttle bus from Morioka Station
- Check-in: From 15:00 (standard)
- Check-out: Until 11:00 (standard)
- Breakfast: 7:00–9:00 (Last order 8:30)
- Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/shizukuishi/
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