Appi Kogen (安比高原), or just Appi (安比), is a ski resort in Hachimantai, Iwate, Japan.
Understand
[edit]One of Japan's largest ski resorts, Appi brands itself as an upscale "all-season resort" with golf, sports, hot springs and more. Opened in 1981, it's a Bubble-era creation and hasn't been discovered by international tourists in the same way that places like Niseko, at least in part due to its somewhat awkward location 500 km north of Tokyo with no major airports nearby. Skiing is still the main draw, with 16 lifts and 45 km of trails, and there's been a large wave of investment since 2021.
Climate
[edit]The ski season in Appi usually runs from December to the beginning of May.
Tourist information
[edit]Appi has two official sites:
Both are operated by the Appi Resort and do not cover any facilities in the village outside the resort grounds.
Get in
[edit]
The nearest major city is Morioka, 2.5 hours north of Tokyo by Shinkansen. See Morioka#Get in for details.
By train
[edit]From Morioka, Appi is served by 1 Appi Kogen station 
on the JR Hanawa Line, with 7 services per day (60 min from Morioka, 2.5 hrs from Odate), but you'll need to take a shuttle or taxi to get from the station to the resort area. Also beware that trains from Morioka pass through private Iwate Galaxy Railway tracks, meaning that the Japan Rail and Seishun 18 passes are not valid. (The JR East Pass, however, is.)
By bus
[edit]During the winter season only, Iwate Kenpoku Bus operates buses from Morioka station directly to Appi Kogen, no booking required.
Appi Resort also operates direct shuttle bus services for IHG hotel guests only. The main one runs from Morioka station to Appi Kogen three times per day (70 min, ¥2000/1000 adult/child). In season, there are also once-daily airport shuttle buses directly from Hanamaki, Odate and Sendai airports. Advance reservations tied to a confirmed hotel booking are required for all of these.
By car
[edit]Take the Tohoku Expressway to Matsuo-Hachimantai IC (松尾八幡平), then Route 282 to Appi Kogen (35 min).
Get around
[edit]Appi is spread out and the only form of public transport is the Appi Area Shuttle Bus (安比エリアシャトルバス), which runs between the station and the hotels roughly hourly.
Basically all hotels offer a free pickup/dropoff service at the train station. This must be arranged in advance: there are no taxis waiting at the station!
See
[edit]Do
[edit]- 1 Shirakaba no Yu (白樺の湯), 605-365 Appikogen. Spa complex featuring the largest outdoor spa bath (rotenburo) in Tohoku, indoor pool and sauna. Directly connected to the Holiday Inn, free shuttle service for other IHG guests. ¥1,200/800 adult/child.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
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Accommodations at Appi are divided into two distinct groups: the three Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) operated megahotels, integrated into the ski resort with ski-in/ski-out convenience and price tags to match, and a ragtag bunch of smaller lodgings at least 1 km away from the resort. (They all offer shuttle bus services though.)
All prices listed here are for the high (ski) season. Rates drop dramatically out of season, and even in season are often cheaper on weekdays than weekends.
Mid-range
[edit]- 1 Life is Beautiful, 605-126 Appikogen (Free shuttle from Appi Kogen stn (reservation required)). Eclectic inn spread across three themed buildings: the original Honkan, the retro-styled "Earth Color", and the colorful "Arts Color" annex (a few blocks away). Both Western and Japanese rooms offered. Shared cooking facilities. From ¥6000/person.
Splurge
[edit]- 2 ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort, 117-46 Appi Kogen, ☏ +81 195-68-7550. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Opened 2022, this is an understated low-rise 5-star resort. Offers refined service and spacious rooms. Features multiple restaurants and bars, onsen, spa, sauna, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. A premium option for a high-end stay. ¥200,000+.
- 3 ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen (Appi Grand Hotel), 117-17 Appi Kogen, ☏ +81 195-73-5011. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Huge Bubble-era resort hotel in two canary yellow buildings including the "iconic" (hideous) 78 m Hotel Tower, with a wide range of dining options, indoor pool, gym, karaoke, amusement facilities, and a large public onsen. Some rooms have private tubs. Well-suited for longer stays. ¥90,000.
- 4 ANA Holiday Inn Resort Appi Kogen, 605-227 Appi Kogen, ☏ +81 195-73-6011. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The most affordable of the IHG trip, this enormous 6-building, 677-room resort complex is split into two parts: the canary yellow "onsen building" (former Appi Kogen Onsen Hotel), directly connected to the Shirakaba-no-Yu spa complex (see #Do), and the brown "hills" buildings (formerly Appi Hills Shirakaba no Mori) down the road. Closed for renovations as of 2025.
There is also one luxury hotel outside the IHG group.
- 5 Appi Kogen Mori no Hotel (安比高原 森のホテル), 605-30 Appikogen (Free shuttle from Appi Kogen stn (reservation required)), ☏ +81 195-73-5301. Check-in: 15:00-22:00, check-out: 10:00. Japanese-style ryokan hotel with 28 guest rooms. Indoor and outdoor baths and a sauna. Some rooms come with private tubs.
Connect
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