Renting gear in Japan

Renting in Japan is straightforward and high quality — boot fit matters more than board brand. Book ahead for peak weeks (late December through February, especially around New Year).

• Resort shops: convenient for swaps mid-week; slightly pricier but save morning walks with boots.
• Town shops: often better boot fitting and English support in tourist areas like Hakuba and Nozawa.
• What to rent: boots + board or skis for most travelers; helmets increasingly common and worth adding.
• Sizing: bring your street shoe size in cm; mention foot width and old injuries — Japanese shop staff excel at adjustments.

Pick up gear the afternoon you arrive so you are not in the rental queue during first-lift rush.