Akita Tazawako Snow Resort

All of the slopes at the Akita Tazawako Snow Resort have a view of Tazawako Lake, the deepest lake in Japan, so visitors will be able gaze out at both the mountains and the water while skiing or snowboarding. There are a variety of courses that offer fun for beginners, experts, as well as those in between. Night skiing is also available, so the slopes can be enjoyed well into the evening. In particular, the National Sports Festival (Kokutai) Course comes highly recommended: the course starts at the Komagatake Eighth Station, which has an elevation of 1,200 meters, and runs all the way down to an elevation of 700 meters. It’s a great course for anyone who is used to skiing but wants a bit of a challenge. There is also a kids’ area on the grounds, so the whole family can have fun. In addition to the slopes is the restaurant Shirakaba, which serves inaniwa udon noodles, yokote yakisoba noodles, local beer, and all sorts of other local treats at its food court. After a tiring day of skiing or snowboarding, visitors can relax inside the warm building and indulge in regional cuisine.