1. Nozawa Onsen
This is an incredibly picturesque mountain and village, located at the base of the mountain and blanketed in snow for the duration of the winter season. The township itself is slightly hilly, being at the very foot of the mountain, and absolutely oozes character. There are 13 free Onsens scattered around the township where you can take a dip if you take your own towel and soaps. In addition to this there is one larger Onsen complex near the ski field and a couple more within a quick drive.
2. Myoko Kougen
Myoko has become more accessible recently now that they offer a shuttle from Nagano Station for less than 5000 yen. This is a lovely hidden area and is not frequented like some of the other areas due to the difficulty in getting there. There is still a lot of really enjoyable skiing/boarding to be done in this area and the snow is usually very good. The slopes are best suited to beginner and intermediate skiers/boarders. The Onsens are very nice with Akakura Onsen overlooking the whole snow-blanked valley at a height of 780 meters above sea level.
3. Shiga Kougen
Shiga Kougen is actually a string of separately run skifields which are all linked together. This was the site of many of the events for the Nagano Winter Olympics. Because Shiga Kougen is a bunch of mountains which are higher up than many of the ski fields in Tokyo surrounds, it often has the driest and most powdery snow. Due to the large number of ski fields there is a variety of options for boarders and skiers alike. Because it is so high up there is no village attached to Shiga Kougen and most of the accommodation and eateries tend to be hotels built before the bubble burst in 89. This is a great place to explore the terrain and will often provide reliable skiing when other slopes are getting wet snow.
4. Hakuba
Hakuba is a valley nestled in the back-country of Nagano prefecture. There is a really good choice of mountains to ski at, with Happo One and Hakuba 47 being the most popular. Tsugaike, Cortina, and Iwatake are all highly recommended. Other resorts in the area are Sun Alpina, Goryuu Tomi, and Norikura. All of these slopes are fun in their own right and are well worth checking out. You need to spend a minimum of a day’s skiing at each. The snow is usually pretty good here and there are plenty of eateries around if you explore the area. There are also a couple of good Onsens.
5. Yuzawa
Gala Yuzawa has its own bullet train station and can be reached by train from Tokyo in just over an hour. It is also quick to get there by car, taking just over two hours, which makes this slope one of the most popular (and crowded) ski resorts around. Definitely avoid this place on public holidays. Still, if you only have a day to ski, this is a good mountain which offers fantastic views on a clear day. There are onsens and plenty of facilities for the whole family.
6. Naeba/ Kagura
Naeba is located in Yuzawa along with Gala Yuzawa and Iwappara and is arguably the most famous ski resort in Japan due to its proximity to Tokyo and reputation for good powder. Naeba ski field is enhanced by its linkage to the Kagura resort by way of the “Dragondola”. Between the two resorts there is a huge variety of runs and terrain to experience. For just a short skip from Tokyo this is one of the best places to go. Beware, Naeba can get very crowded.
7. Kusatsu
Kusatsu is a resort town nestled in the mountains of Gunma. The township itself is extremely pretty and boasts a geothermal spring which steams up from the ground in the very center of the town. Kusatsu is a popular family resort and has a slightly up market feel to it. There are plenty of onsens, restaurants and souvenir shops to purchase the local delicacies. The ski field (Kusatsu Kokusai) itself is nice for beginners and intermediate levels. It can get a bit crowded during holiday periods.
8. Ontake
Ontake is a good sized mountain with plenty of lifts and slopes to board/ski. It boasts lovely views on a clear day and is a little closer to Tokyo than Hakuba. It is located on the South Western side of Nagano prefecture and is close to the Chuo Douro. There are not many Onsens but there are public baths nearby which are nice to soak in.
9. Karuizawa
Karuizawa is an affluent resort town which boasts a fairly large outlet mall, onsens, and its own ski field. The ski field is not very challenging but is great for a family. There are plenty of things for others to do if there are non-skiers in your group also. Karuizawa makes an ideal day trip from Tokyo as the ski field is very close to the station.
10. Minakami
The Minakami area is in the north of Gunma prefecture in the Tanigawa mountain ranges. This area is famous for its Onsens and there are a wealth of really picturesque spots to bathe after a day’s skiing in the snow. The area boasts 10 ski and snowboard resorts including; Minakami Houdaigi, Minakami Kougen, Minakami Kougen Fujiwara, Minakami Okutone, Norn Minakami, Ohana, Tanigawa Onsen White Valley and Tanigawadake Tenjindaira. Only 70 minutes by train from Tokyo this spot is oftern overlooked by the crowds in favor of Yuzawa and Naeba. However, this area is less crowded and far superior when you add in the beautiful Onsens. Houdaigi is highly recommended for boarders as there are some really nice runs to the left and right as you get to the top of the mountain. The valleys are shaped like big half pipes and make this a hidden gem (as the name suggests). Don’t expect the mountains to be as big as Naeba/ Yuzawa, but there are 10 fields to choose from.
Richie Johns is a long term resident of Japan who runs a number of informative sites to help people get useful, practical information on Japan. One of those sites, Eye on Japan has a list of interesting Top 10s on a wide variety of topics, from best snowboarding areas near Tokyo, best beer gardens, amusement parks, beaches, hamburger restaurants, temples, onsens, places to take kids and more…
Author: Richie Johns