10 Japan trips for fun in the snow -- not just skiing

Japan's mountains and lakes offer plenty of winter experiences alongside skiing and snowboarding.

Here are 10 activities picked by reviewers to be memorable for solo travelers or families.

#1 Snowshoeing in the Oirase Gorge

(Towada, Aomori prefecture)

Foreston's guided snowshoe tours take about two and a half hours through a landscape of deep snow cover and ice.

The gorge is popular year-round, but there's less traffic in winter. If you listen carefully, you can hear the distant calls of wild birds and the faint sound of snow falling from branches. There is a special stillness that can be experienced only in winter.

If you're lucky, you might even encounter rabbits or the goat-like Japanese serow.

"There are also tours that allow you to see the frozen waterfalls upstream. Oirase Gorge is a unique space that has a lot of facets to show," said Osaka University of Tourism professor Kinji Onoda.

#2 Dogsledding in Minakami Kogen ski country

(Minakami, Gunma prefecture)

Pulled by a team of dogs that are a mix of Alaskan Malamute and a Siberian Husky, the sled takes about 10 minutes to cover about 2 kilometers across the snowy plains.

The sled seats two people, and you ride with a musher. "It's a special experience, where you can feel the speed and a sense of unity with the dogs," says Yuji Ogawa, chief operating officer, Activity Japan.

After dogsledding, you'll have time to give the dogs a treat as a token of appreciation.

#3 Traditional snowshoeing

(Tokamachi, Niigata prefecture)

Stroll through snow-covered rice terraces wearing traditional snowshoes known as kanjiki.

Kanjiki are made from tree branches, bamboo and rope and were once commonly worn in Niigata, part of Japan's snow country, according to Akira Ibi of Home Home Niigata, which runs the tour.

After about an hour of walking, it's tea time on the snow. Enjoy a fragrant cup of locally harvested kuromoji tea along with sweets like bamboo dumplings.

#4 Nature skiing in Norikura

(Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture)

Roam the snowy trails of the Norikura Highlands on non-slip skis that make it easy to climb up slopes, according to tour operator Little Peaks.

"You can experience a sense of speed you can't get with snowshoes and a lightness you can't get on skis," says Hiroshi Kurosu, fellow, JTB Tourism Research & Consulting.

The Norikura Highlands offer a variety of trails, from flat terrain to moderate hills with excellent snow quality.

#5 Snowmobiling on a frozen lake

(Nanae, Hokkaido prefecture)

Sightseeing boats ply Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma from spring to autumn, but in winter the water surfaces become a silver speedway for snowmobiles.

"The breathtaking views of Mount Komagatake unfold before your eyes, and the thrill of gliding across the snowy fields is extraordinary," says travel journalist Kazuko Murata.

Children under high school age can try the snowmobile-pulled sled tour.

#6 Horseback riding at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

(Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido)

Forget the sleigh and ride a horse instead at Hoshino Resort's snowy retreat in Shimukappu.

It's "like a scene from movie," says Activity Japan's Ogawa.

With help from staff members, even guests who have never ridden a horse before can enjoy the experience with ease.

The tour takes 15 to 20 minutes, including photo opportunities.

#7 Trekking in Zao

(Yamagata, Yamagata prefecture)

Mount Zao is famous for its "snow monsters," ice-covered trees that turn the mountainsides into a sculpture garden.

After taking the ropeway to the summit, you'll spend about half a day getting up close and personal with the "monsters" on snowshoes.

According to Omotenashi Yamagata, which organizes the tour, mountaineering instructors are available to let guests safely explore areas that are off-limits to skiers and snowboarders.

#8 Sunrise snowcat tour

(Shizukuishi, Iwate prefecture)

Ride up to the summit in a snowcat just in time for sunrise to take in a panoramic view of Shizukuishi Ski Resort's slopes.

Maiko Hikosaka, a public relations officer at experience booking site Asoview, says it feels like "having the magnificent snow scenery all to yourself."

You don't have to be a skier to participate, but if you're confident, you can go for an early morning downhill run afterward.

#9 Fun in igloos

(Otari, Nagano prefecture)

These cozy snow forts -- kamakura in Japanese -- can be found at at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort in the foothills of Japan's Northern Alps.

They're large enough to accommodate four to five adults. You can savor hotpot dishes inside during the day or enjoy a candlelit dinner after the sun goes down.

Reservations are required and last a maximum of three hours during the day and about an hour and a half at night. The park offers a wide variety of activities for the whole family, including snowshoeing and ice cream making.

#10 Smelt fishing on Lake Yamanaka

(Yamanakako, Yamanashi prefecture)

Fish from a warm boat while enjoying panoramic views of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Activity Japan's Ogawa says a wide selection of equipment and bait is available for rental, so guests need not bring anything.

With instruction from the captain and guides, even beginners can catch over 50 fish on some days, according to Asahigaoka Kanko, which operates the boat.

Reviewers for this ranking were Yuji Ogawa, chief operating officer, Activity Japan; Kinji Onoda, professor, Osaka University of Tourism; Lisa Obinata, editor, Stuben Magazine; Masahiko Kiji, associate professor, College of Sport and Wellness, Rikkyo University; Hiroshi Kurosu, fellow, JTB Tourism Research & Consulting; Maiko Hikosaka, public relations, Asoview; and Kazuko Murata, travel journalist.