How To Get To Appi Kogen

Appi Kogen is located in the Northern Honshu prefecture of Iwate. The most common airport to fly into is Haneda or Narita International Airports in Tokyo. Morioka is the capital of the Iwate prefecture and is the nearest gateway to Appi if you’re taking the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train.

The Shinkansen is the easiest way to get to Appi and you can pre-book a JR rail pass which gives you unlimited travel over a certain period, this is great if you’re planning to visit other areas of  Japan. Or alternatively you can purchase your individual tickets at the station when you arrive.

When taking the bullet train, first you’ll need to make your way to Tokyo station. If you’re landing at Narita you can take the Narita Express direct to Tokyo Station or if you’re coming from Haneda Airport you’ll need to take the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station and then take the train to Tokyo station. 

Once you arrive at Tokyo station you’ll need to get yourself a Tohoku Shinkansen ticket to Morioka. The Shinkansen will take you all the way to Morioka, covering 500kms in just over 2 hours.

From here you’ll head out the west exit to the bus terminal and get on the bus to Appi Kogen. The buses here run multiple times per day and will take you to Appi in under an hour. 

If you have any issues during your journey just ask one of the friendly transit staff at the ticket offices for assistance and they’ll point you in the right direction. 

Travelling From Other Cities

Japan is famous for its JR rail network which makes getting around the country easy. If you’re visiting Appi Kogen from other cities in Japan such as Kyoto, Osaka or Kanazawa, you can take the Shinkansen or “Bullet Train”. There are some helpful sites for planning your journey from city to city, we recommend Hyperdia or the Japan Travel App by Navitime.

Buying a JR Rail Pass is often the most cost effective option if you’re spending time in other cities before or after your ski trip. Speak to one of our Japan specialists and they’ll be able to recommend the best option for you.

Luggage Delivery Service

If you’re brining your own skis or snowboard and spending time in other cities of Japan, there is a convenient luggage delivery service. You can send your luggage ahead to the airport or accommodation and pick it up when you arrive. This is perfect if you’re wanting to spend time in Tokyo or other cities before or after your ski trip but don’t want to haul your luggage on the trains.

If you want to send your ski gear you can arrange this at the airport or your hotel reception. Luggage delivery usually takes about 1 – 3 days depending on where you send it from and costs between ¥1500-3000 depending on size and distance.

Visit Yamato Transport or “Black Cat” for more info.