I went skiing in Japan just before COVID in Myoko Kogen and Nozawa Onsen. I loved the vibe of Nozawa but didn’t really like Myoko.
I liked how both the ski area and bars/restaurants in Nozawa were walking distance from our great ryokan with delicious breakfast. Is there anything similar in Hokkaido? I’ve never been to Niseko but I imagine it as a much more “busy”/built up kind of ski resort town.
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Furano maybe
Niseko is higher end, accommodations and food are both pretty expensive relative to other resorts. That being said, it is quite nice and has a variety of great onsens, hotels, and slopes to choose from. It’s very busy in peak season so I’d try to go earlier in December or later in March.
I freaking love the terrain at nozawa
Nozawa is pretty unique. Its pretty rare to find that kind of experience in Hokkaido. Furano is a good tip. You could also check out Otaru although it isn’t a ski town per se.
Although it is not like Nozawa, I really like Kirroro. You can stay in Otaru and take the bus up for the day. The slopeside lodging is a little $$ but a is still good value and a great experience.
We stayed at the La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring Hotel which had an amazing top-floor onsen
This won’t answer your question about Hokkaido but, there are other resorts in Nagano i.e. Hakuba and Shiga Kogen (and a bunch more).
Hakuba is really popular with international skiers, thus has a more international vibe (English speaking and more bars).
Shiga Kogen is popular with Japanese people and is one of the biggest ski resorts in Japan. It does lack options for bars and izakayas but the town also has the snow monkey park so if you stay in the valley, there a bunch of options for food and bars/izakaya.
As for outside of Nagano, Appi Kogen in Iwate Pref. is one of the biggest in Japan and has decent lodging options.
I think it’s worth checking these out.
Niseko was the least Japanese town I’ve been to. At least before covid, there were so many Australian and other international staff and visitors that I felt I had never left home.
Yamanochi outside of Nagano would be something similar to what you describe. Ryokans and onsens up and down the main strip with a couple of bars and restaurants. A short bud ride up to a Number of fields.
Following, went to Myoko which was chill. Hoping to see Nozawa. Also going to Hokkaido! Niseko sounds way to mainstream for us, heard great things about Furano and Kirrro