Enjoy a winter trip with snow activities, scenery, onsen, and much more!
There are many attractive places where you can fully enjoy the best part of winter in the Tohoku area and the Nagano/Niigata area, including skiing, snowboarding, playing in the snow, great scenery, and onsen. Visit these areas using JR EAST PASS!
* Allows unlimited rides on JR Bus Kanto and JR Bus Tohoku within the designated area (except for some highway buses and some route buses)
On clear days, you can see the Tsugaru Peninsula and Hokkaido as you ski. In January and February, you can see beautiful soft rime at its peak during skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoe hiking.
[Season] Late November to mid-May
| Access | 80 min. by JR Bus from Aomori Station (you must show JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area) to get on the bus for free) |
One of the biggest ski resorts in Tohoku, with 21 ski runs. Various activities are available, including snowshoe hiking, snowmobile touring, and snow rafting, guaranteeing you a fun day even without skiing or snowboarding.
[Season] Early December to early May
| Access | 60 min. by bus from Morioka Station (bus fare applies) |
Alpine World Ski Championships 1993. A tour to go to the mountain top by snowmobile to see the sunrise is recommended, along with an open-air onsen (bath) with a wonderful snow view Mid-December to late March
[Season] 20 min. by free shuttle bus from
| Access | Shizukuishi Station (reservation required) |
This onsen area has traditional-style wooden accommodation facilities on both sides of the river. In winter, snow covers everything, creating a magical atmosphere. Have fun immersing yourself in an open-air bath while looking at the snowscape and enjoy eating while strolling through the area.
[Season] Year-round
| Access | 40 min. by bus from Oishida Station (bus fare applies) |
*Allows unlimited rides on JR Bus Kanto within the designated area (except for some highway buses and some route buses)
You can enjoy very high-quality powder snow for an extended period of time. In addition to skiing, various other winter activities are offered, including snow rafting and snowmobiling where you run on the course through a spray of snow, and snowshoe hiking.
[Season] Late November to May 6, 2019
| Access | 10 min. by free shuttle bus from Hakuba Station |
This resort has a huge ski area along with other kinds of activities, including a zip-line to go speeding down a slope on a cable for about 1.5 km and snow tubing to go downhill on a tube. There is also an open-air bath facility.
[Season] December 15 to May 19, 2019
| Access | 30 min. by free shuttle bus from Joetsumyoko Station (reservation required) |
A park where you can observe wild Japanese monkeys. On cold snowy days, you may be able to see them warming up in the onsen. When you visit this park, you should also enjoy playing in the snow at Shiga Highlands Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen.
[Season] Year-round
| Access | 40 min. by bus from Nagano Station and 30 min. on foot (bus fare applies) |
This snow resort is directly connected to a Shinkansen station. A snow hiking tour wearing “kanjiki,” traditional snow footwear of this “snow country,” as well as a sled-only area and other activities are offered at the “Snow Enjoyment Park.” After playing in the snow, warm yourself up in Spa Gala-no-yu.
[Season] December 15 to May 6, 2019
| Access | Directly connected to GALA Yuzawa Station |
Validity: Flexible for 5 days (any 5 days within 14 days of issuance)
Prices: Outside Japan: Adults 19,000 yen, Children 9,500 yen / Within Japan: Adults 20,000 yen, Children 10,000 yen
Sales locations: JR EAST Travel Service Center (Narita Airport Terminal 1 / 2·3, Haneda Airport International Terminal, Tōkyō, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Hamamatsuchō, Sendai sta.) and other ticket counter
| URL | http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_t/ |
Validity: Flexible for 5 days (any 5 days within 14 days of issuance)
Prices: Outside Japan: Adults 17,000 yen, Children 8,500 yen / Within Japan: Adults 18,000 yen, Children 9,000 yen
Sales locations: JR EAST Travel Service Center (Narita Airport Terminal 1 / 2·3, Haneda Airport International Terminal, Tōkyō, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Hamamatsuchō sta.) and other ticket counter
| URL | http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_n/ |
You can reserve seats of JR East Shinkansen bullet trains and major limited express via “JR-EAST Train Reservation” website.
*Business days and hours may be changed due to weather or other reasons.
*Make sure to visit these areas with full protection against the cold.
