Japan Scenic Trains #3: Winter Landscapes from Aomori and Morioka

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Traveling by Shinkansen is often associated with speed and efficiency. In this five-part series, we focus on a different perspective—traveling with GranClass, the highest seating class available on selected JR East Shinkansen services, and how it can shape the overall journey.

This series explores how GranClass transforms travel time into a calm and comfortable experience, from the moments before departure to time spent onboard. At the same time, it looks beyond the train itself, introducing destinations and travel ideas that can be reached by Shinkansen.

Through GranClass experiences and destination-based stories, we share ideas for enjoying Japan at a more relaxed pace, where the journey and the destination are closely connected by rail travel.

From Aomori and Morioka, winter travel opens into a landscape shaped by snow, mountains, and a quiet sense of space.
The skiing found in this region does not follow a single pattern. Some places invite direct engagement with untamed nature, while others offer carefully designed environments where rhythm and calm take priority.

From Aomori, Hakkoda stands out as one of the region’s most distinctive ski environments. Deep snowfall and vast forested terrain create a setting where skiing is guided less by infrastructure and more by awareness—of weather, snow conditions, and the land itself. It is a place that rewards patience, restraint, and an unhurried approach.

Beneath the elegant silhouette of Mt. Iwaki, Aomori Spring presents a different expression of winter. Long, flowing slopes unfold at a measured pace, allowing skiing and scenery to move together. Here, time on snow feels steady rather than rushed, shaped as much by the landscape as by the act of skiing.

From Morioka, the tone shifts once again. Iwate’s ski resorts offer a refined approach to winter travel. Wide, uncrowded slopes and long, graceful runs define these areas, rewarding skiers who value space, rhythm, and consistency over spectacle.

Beyond the resorts, the mountains surrounding Morioka also provide access to respected backcountry terrain. Wide lines, fewer voices, and an environment that demands focus and preparation shape the experience. Here, skiing is not about conquering nature, but about moving within it—attentive, deliberate, and aware.

Across these varied snow environments, one idea remains constant: how you arrive matters. Traveling north by Shinkansen—and choosing GranClass—helps establish the right tone from the beginning. The calm cabin, generous space, and gradual shift in scenery allow the body and mind to settle before reaching the mountains.

In Aomori and Morioka, skiing rarely begins with the first turn.
It begins earlier—with the journey north, the quiet focus that builds along the way, and the understanding that winter travel is shaped as much by movement as by destination.

For skiers drawn to nature, thoughtful design, and time spent well, northern Japan offers a winter experience where the journey and the terrain are closely connected.

For more moments from this journey, you can also find short videos and photos on our Instagram.