photo by Skippy Dance
It is already late in November. Autumn is about to go and there is a hint of winter in the air. When it comes to Japanese winter, onsen or winter gourmets might be the first thing pops up in your mind. But don’t forget winter sports, skiing and snowboarding. Japan has many great ski and snowboard area including Hokkaido and Nagano which held the winter Olympic Games in the past. It is a great fun, of course, to spend a few days in a ski resort and enjoy skiing or snowboarding as much as you want. But don’t you sometimes just want to have a quick one on the weekend for one day? If yes, this column is for you to find handy snow fields around Tokyo.
Sayama Ski & Snowboard (Saitama)
Sayama Ski & Snowboard is a handy place for a quick test run before the season. It has an indoor ski slope of 300m long and 30m wide. Easy access from the center of Tokyo, less than an hour by train. Manmade snow is used here as this is an indoor facility, but this place opens as early as late October every year so that visitors can enjoy skiing or snowboarding even before the season starts. Also a variety of ski and snowboard lessons are available from novice to advanced level. If you are a frequent visitor, get a membership to have discounts on ski lift tickets, lessons and other services. No need to bring your own ski plates, snowboard or even ski suit as these are all available from the rental shop on site. This place is popular among people who want to enjoy handy and quick skiing and snowboarding.
Access
Take Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro. Change train to Seibu Sayama Line at Nishi-Tokotozawa and get off at Seibu-Kyujo-mae. (Travel time: 40minutes)
Opening Schedule
Saturday, 29th October 2016 ～
Opening hours vary by date, please inquire.
Rates
One day pass: Adult JPY4,100, High school & Junior high school JPY3,300, Senior JPY3,300. Many more plans are available.
Sayama Ski & Snowboard (Japanese only)
Prince Snow Resort (Karuizawa, Nagano)
Karuizawa is well known as one of the best summer resorts in Japan. During winter, though, it becomes busy with many skiers and snowboarders longing for superb-conditioned snow fields. Nagano is one of the best winter sports destinations of Japan where the winter Olympic Games were held in 1998. Among all other attractive snow resorts under the same prefecture, Prince Snow Resort is the most popular for easy train access from Tokyo. It takes only 70minutes from Tokyo to Karuizawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen. Then another minutes by shuttle bus or 10-minutes’ walking from the bullet train station to the ski field. A great variety of courses in different levels from beginner to advanced level. In addition to standard services such as rental shop or ski and snow board lessons, many other convenient services are available including online lift tickets, courier and baggage service. As symbolized by the great view of snow topped Mt. Asama, this place outstands in so many areas.
Access
Take Hokuriku Shinkansen via Nagano from Tokyo to Karuizawa. Get on a free shuttle bus from the south exit of Karuizawa station for 1-minute, or 10-minutes on foot (Travel time: 70minutes).
※Free shuttle buses ran from 3rd December to 2nd April everyday
Opening Schedule
Thursday, 3rd November 2016 ～ Sunday, 2nd April 2017
Rates
One day pass: Adult JPY5,300, High school & junior high school JPY4,300, Senior JPY4,300. Many more plans are available.
Ski Resort Norn Minakami (Gunma)
Norn Minakami is very handy to visit by car from Tokyo. It is located just 3km away from the nearest highway exit, Minakami Exit, so no need to warry about getting lost. Also, it is just 1-hour from Tokyo to Jomo-Kogen, the nearest railway station, then 20-minutes by free shuttle bus from the station to the ski field. There are several courses in three different levels as well as a little area to play in the snow including sleighing. Ski and snowboard lessons, rental shop, gift shop, restaurant and café are all available on site. What is more, they offer a child minding service up to 10 children per day by prior booking for to let families with little children fully enjoy their day at Norn Minakami. The surrounding area is called Minakami-Onsen, one of the main hot-spring areas of the country. There are many places you can drop by after skiing that cooperate with Norn Minakami to offer special deals. Some onsen-facilities offer discounted rate for presenting a lift ticket and there are hotels that offer deals include lift tickets.
Access
Take Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Jomo-Kogen. Get on a shuttle bus from Jomo-Kogen station to the ski field (20minutes).
※Shuttle bus requires prior booking. (Total travel time: 1hour 30minutes)
Opening Schedule
Saturday, 17th December 2016 ～ Friday, 31st March 2017
Thursday, 5th January 2017 ～ Sunday, 19th March 2017 (Night skiing and snowboarding)
Rates
One day pass: Adult JPY4,500, Child JPY3,600, Senior JPY4,000. Many more plans are available.
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort (Niigata)
Niigata prefecture, one of the widely known heavy snowfall area in Japan, has many popular ski fields. Among other places, GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort has the best access from Tokyo. Traveling between Tokyo and GALA Yuzawa station takes just 1hour and 40minutes by Joetsu Shinkansen. The ski center, the main entrance of the snow resort, is directly connected to the bullet train station. Visitors can purchase lift tickets, hire equipment and go straight out to the snow field. There also are relaxation facilities including lounge area and hot spring bathes as well as restaurants, so that visitors can have a good rest after skiing and snowboarding. Ski and snowboard lessons are available day to day. They also offer lessons in English held by native English speaking instructors for visitors who don’t understand Japanese. In addition, they offer a special deal ticket “3 Mountain Pass” which allows a visitor to use neibouring Ishiuchi-Maruyama ski field and Yuzawa-Kogen ski field.
Access
Take Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to GALA Yuzawa station. (Travel time: 1hour 40minutes)
Opening schedule
Saturday, 17th December 20161 ～ Sunday, 7th May 2017
Opening hours: 8:00 ～ 17:00 ※Opening hours vary depending on weather)
Rates
One day pass: Adult JPY4,600, Child JPY2,300, Senior JPY3,700. Many more plans are available including seasonal pass.
Snow Town Yeti (Shizuoka)
This snow resort is famous for a great view of the highest peak of Japan, Mt, Fuji. At the foot of the country’s greatest mountain, Snow Town Yeti opened part of its courses earlier than any other places on 21st October this year. There are four courses in different levels from beginner to advanced level in addition to kid’s area for sleighing and playing with snow. A rental shop, ski and snowboard lessons are all available. This ski resorts an easy access from Tokyo, just 90minutes drive. Also during mid-season, special direct buses are operated between Yeti and major railway station in metropolitan area. There is no need to drive or other public transports with heavy bags after spending all day on the snow field. You can even have a quick nap on the bus while traveling back to Tokyo. Direct buses between Shinjuku station and Yeti have already started running since 19th November this year. Total travel time from Shinjuku is 2hours 15minutes.
Access
Take a direct bus from Shinjuku. (Travel time: 2hours 15minutes)
※Direct bus operation commenced on 19th November
Opening schedule
Friday, 21st October 2016 ～ Sunday, 9th April 2017
Mon-Fri 9:00～22:00、Weekends & Public holidays 8:00 ～ 22:00、All night skiing 16:00 ～ 8:00
Rates
One day pass: Adult JPY3,500, Child & Senior JPY2,500. Many more plans are available.
Ski fast!
The winter is almost there. The most exciting season for all skiing and snowboarding lovers are just about to begin! In this column, we have had a look at the best access ski resorts around Tokyo for first skiing or snowboarding in this winter. All these ski resorts have their own services in addition to great ski and snowboard courses. If you can’t make up your mind which one to go, just think which service suites you best.
Related Article:
2018-2019 snow season has started! 5 easy access ski resorts around Osaka
