Commemorating the introduction of skiing in Japan

On this day, January 12th, in 1911, Austrian army officer Theodor Edler von Lerch introduced skiing to Japan when he taught the skill to soldiers in Takada, Niigata. An area that would later become one of Japan’s major snow‑sport regions. And so the spark was lit, so to speak, that would transform Japan into one of the world’s most beloved ski destinations.

Although the Japan Anniversary Association no longer lists it as an active registered anniversary, Ski Day remains a relatively well known anniversary. Moreover, it is a reminder of how skiing, once a foreign curiosity, grew into a defining part of winter culture in regions like Niigata, Nagano (pictured), and Hokkaido.

Today, Ski Day offers a perfect excuse to appreciate Japan’s snowy landscapes, revisit the sport’s origins, and maybe even plan your next trip to the slopes. Do you typically go skiing in winter? Have you been yet this year?