Appi Kogen is another Japanese ski resort dominated by large hotels that in themselves offer some excellent accommodation, but overall the resort lacks the range of hotels, guesthouses and self-contained options you’d find in Europe or North America. Most notably when you arrive Appi Kogen, the golden tower of Hotel Appi Grand cannot go unnoticed given its location at the base of the resort. Despite its gaudy appearance, the hotel offers guests unmatched convenience in terms of ski in/out access, well-appointed Western-style rooms, in-house bars and restaurants, a public ‘onsen’ (hot spring), a day spa, indoor swimming pool and many other facilities and options.

Holiday Resort Inn sits 5-minutes walk from the ski fields offers both Western and Japanese-style rooms, an in-house restaurant, public onsen and more. ANA Crowne Plaza is another large hotel offering Western-style rooms, multiple restaurants, hot springs and plenty of other facilities and services. Rooms are also available with attached private hot springs. The hotels typically offer free shuttle services to and from nearby Appi-Kogen Station or the more distant Morioka Station – a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. While not connected, Appi Kogen has a small village around one kilometre from the ski resort in which you’ll find small lodges and guesthouses. Though less convenient than staying in the large hotels at the resort, some visitors might prefer to stay in the village where you can enjoy a more ‘Japanese’ atmosphere and away from the large tour groups that are often staying at the resort hotels.