Hot springs, powder skiing and succulent seafood in Japan's northeast

If you have time, hit the slopes yourself with a pair of skis or a snowboard! Zao Ski Resort is the third largest ski field in Japan by area, with 12 courses, 14 slopes and 41 ropeways, cable cars and ski lifts spread over 305 hectares.

When this writer was there in mid December, it wasn't too hard to find a slope with that fresh dusting of powder that skiers love so much.