Enjoy a winter trip, various snow activities, gorgeous views, onsen, and more!
Magazine
UpdateDecember 10, 2017
ReleaseDecember 10, 2017
There are many attractive places where you can fully enjoy the best part of winter in the Tohoku area and Nagano-Niigata area as well as other areas surrounding Tokyo. We will introduce you to places where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, playing in the snow, great views, onsen, and many more activities.
[Tohoku area]
APPI / Iwate Prefecture
APPI is famous for its outstanding snow quality. There is a run with uncompressed snow where you can enjoy powder snow. Offering various tours, including back-country skiing and snowshoe hiking, this snow resort is a perfect place for everyone, from families to advanced skiers.Season: Early Dec. to early May
Access: 60 min by bus from JR Morioka Station
Tazawako Ski Area / Akita Prefecture
Season: Mid-Dec. to early April
Access: 30 min by bus from JR Tazawako Station
Zao Onsen Ski Resort / Yamagata Prefecture
Enjoy playing in the high-quality powder snow as well as relaxing in onsen. During Juhyo Matsuri Festival, large juhyo (trees covered with snow and ice) are illuminated, creating a mysterious and overwhelming scene.Season: Dec. 23, 2017 to Mar. 4, 2018 (Juhyo Matsuri Festival)
Access: 45 min by bus from JR Yamagata Station
Alts Snow Park & Resort/ Fukushima Prefecture
This is one of the top-class snow resorts in Tohoku, commanding splendid views of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro. Fun activities, such as snow rafting, sledding, and snowshoeing are also available, so it is great for both children and adults.Season: Dec. 23, 2017 to Mar. 25, 2018
Access: 100 min by shuttle bus from JR Koriyama Station (1,000 yen for one-way/reservation required)
[Nagano, Niigata area]
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort / Niigata Prefecture
Season: Dec.16, 2017 to May 6, 2018
Access: Directly connected to JR GALA Yuzawa Station
Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort / Nagano Prefecture
This resort is one of nine facilities of HAKUBA VALLEY. Goryu and 47 (yon nana) are popular areas where powder snow is enjoyable for an extended period of the year. The resort is also home to shops, restaurants, and onsen. Skiing is available at Goryu at nighttime, too.Season: Late Nov. to May 6, 2018
Access: 60 min by bus from JR Nagano Station
[TOKYO Wide Pass area]
Minakami Kogen Ski Resort / Gunma Prefecture
Season: Dec. 20, 2017 to Apr. 8, 2018
Access: 60 min by shuttle bus from JR Jomo-Kogen Station (reservation required)
About “JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)”
Validity: Flexible for 5 days (any 5 days within 14 days of issuance)
Prices: From overseas: Adults 19,000 yen, Children 9,500 yen /
Within Japan: Adults 20,000 yen, Children 10,000 yen
*JR EAST PASS is available in the JR TOKYO Wide Pass area. Except for some lines.
www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_t/
About “JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)”
Validity: Flexible for 5 days (any 5 days within 14 days of issuance)
Prices: From overseas: Adults 17,000 yen, Children 8,500 yen /
Within Japan: Adults 18,000 yen, Children 9,000 yen
*JR EAST PASS is available in the JR TOKYO Wide Pass area. Except for some lines.
www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_n/
About “JR TOKYO Wide Pass”
Validity: Three consecutive days Prices: Adults 10,000 yen, Children 5,000 yenwww.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/
JR-EAST Train Reservation
You can reserve seats of JR East Shinkansen bullet trains and major limited express via “JR-EAST Train Reservation” website.※The business days are subject to change due to snow and weather conditions. The above information is based on data from November 2017.
