Appi-Kogen Station
Appi-Kogen Station is the nearest train station to Appi Kogen Ski Resort. It is a small – and when mean, small – station serviced by local trains running along the Hanawa Line from Morioka Station. On this page you will find the following information:
— Train Services to / from Appi-Kogen Station
— Getting from Appi-Kogen Station to Appi Kogen Ski Resort
— Getting to the Resort Directly from Morioka Station
— Tohoku Ski Resorts: The Stats & Facts
As you can see from the images, Appi-Kogen Station is a very small, regional station serviced by a single, multi-directional track. There are no facilities at the station other than the platform, a ticket window and toilets however it is the nearest train station to Appi Kogen Ski Resort – located around 3.5KM from the resort. For this reason, winter sees some international visitors pass through the station. The following information is intended for anyone using the station enroute to the ski resort but noting that unless you have a reason to do so, heading to the resort directly from Morioka Station – a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen line – will be your best option.
TRAIN SERVICES TO / FROM APPI-KOGEN STATION
Appi-Kogen Station is a stop on the Hanawa Line running from Morioka Station to Odate in Akita Prefecture. If you’re headed to Appi-Kogen Station, it’s almost certain you’ll be starting from Morioka. The journey takes 60 minutes and costs JPY1170. Services are infrequent with only around seven trains operating each day at 05:00, 06:55, 09:31, 12:35, 16:39, 18:06 and 20:02*. Travelers returning from Appi-Kogen Station to Morioka can expect services at 06:36, 07:17, 08:39, 11:37, 12:50, 15:31, 19:39 and 21:37*. This service is covered by the Japan Rail (JR) Pass.
*Please note, these times are correct as of March 2022 but subject to change.
GETTING FROM APPI-KOGEN STATION TO APPI KOGEN SKI RESORT
A shuttle bus operates from the station to major hotels at the resort. To arrange pickup at the station, you need to contact your hotel at least three days in advance to arrange the shuttle. Alternatively, taxis can transport you from the station to your accommodation at the resort however these also need to be arranged in advance.
DO NOT arrive at the station without having already arranged your transport to the resort / your accommodation. While someone is likely to take pity on you and assist, you might have a long wait at a very cold little station while you wait for something to be arranged.
GETTING TO THE RESORT DIRECTLY FROM MORIOKA STATION
If you’re headed to Appi Kogen Ski Resort via Morioka Station, we recommend using the express bus services from Morioka directly to the resort. In winter, there are regular services throughout the day with a shorter journey time of 45 to 60 minutes to the resort and costing only JPY1150. While the bus is not covered by the Japan Rail (JR) Pass, it is a faster, more convenient and more comfortable way to reach the resort. As a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo, Morioka is a major station making the journey from the capital to the resort as fast and easy as possible. So unless you have a good reason to make the journey via Appi-Kogen Station, we always recommend heading to the ski resort directly from Morioka.
TOHOKU SKI RESORTS: THE STATS & FACTS
Though they might not be as well-known as the resorts of Nagano, Niigata and Hokkaido, the ski resorts of Tohoku offer some excellent skiing and snowboarding and a different atmosphere to the more developed and international resorts of Japan. Our ‘Tohoku Ski Resorts’ page has everything you need to know including all the stats, facts, highlights and accommodation waiting for you at Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai, Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Appi Kogen Ski Resort.
