The best nightlife near ski resorts in Japan
Looking for a ski resort or ski town in Japan where you can stay out late? Here's our judgement call on the best nightlife near the slopes. For a proper local scene, hundreds of izakaya where you're the only foreigner in the room, head for a real city such as Asahikawa, Morioka or Hirosaki. To stay by the mountain and mix with other tourists, Hirafu in Niseko and Echoland in Hakuba are built for exactly that, and both actually stay open later than most cities here. Take the order below as a guide, not a verdict.
Asahikawa area
A nightlife district of its own, Sanroku-jo and Nijo, a few blocks from the station: bars, izakaya and the city's own ramen shops, busy on any night of the week.
Read the Asahikawa area guide
Morioka area
Izakaya packed in around Odori and Sakurayama Shrine, with some, such as Nikkatei, open until 3am.
Read the Morioka area guide
Hirafu, Niseko United
Hotels, rental shops, restaurants and bars packed tight below the runs, typically open to 1am or 2am and later on the busiest nights.
Read the Hirafu, Niseko United guide
Hakuba village, Echoland
Hakuba Valley's own bar strip, at the foot of Happo-One, open to midnight on weeknights and 1am to 2am at weekends.
Read the Hakuba village, Echoland guide
Hirosaki area
Kajimachi, a district of small, old-school bars, plus the Kadare Yokocho izakaya hub; most close by 11pm, a handful running to 2am.
Read the Hirosaki area guide
Otaru area
Bars and izakaya along the old canal, in a city built on herring money a century ago; most shut by 11pm to midnight.
Read the Otaru area guide
Aizuwakamatsu area
The city runs its own bar-hopping ticket scheme, Hashigo Sake, across dozens of izakaya; most close by 11pm.
Read the Aizuwakamatsu area guideKutchan area
Bars running from quiet to properly loud, plus karaoke at Utaya, generally closing around midnight.
Read the Kutchan area guide
Yuzawa area
A cluster of izakaya a few minutes from the Shinkansen platform, though the town quietens down early, some shutting as early as 6pm.
Read the Yuzawa area guide
Omachi area
Around two dozen ordinary izakaya, nothing built for tourists.
Read the Omachi area guide
Iiyama area
One short street of bars in Minamimachi; Bar End, a small European-style room with a real wine list, is the pick.
Read the Iiyama area guide
Yamanouchi area
A handful of izakaya and a small brewery alongside the yukata-circuit bathhouses; kitchens close by 9 to 9.30pm.
Read the Yamanouchi area guide
Akakura area
A few sedate bars around the onsen, in one of the oldest onsen towns in the Myoko Kogen cluster.
Read the Akakura area guide