Nagano's best kept secret! A powder sanctuary hidden in the northernmost reaches of Shiga Kogen, Okushiga Kogen is a rewarding trip for all riders. The resort's terrain park is designed and managed by internationally renowned High Cascade company, and its Shiga International Ski School, the only 1… Read More
princehotels.com/en/ski/shigakogen | Yakebitaiyama, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun | 2+81-269-34-3111 | Days 8:30-16:00, Nights (Sat only) 18:00-20:00 | Travelling times to Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort Tokyo: 4 hrs (car), Osaka: 5 hrs 30 min (car) SHIGA KOGEN'S BIGGEST Yakebit… Read More
www.princehotels.com/en/ski/naeba.html | 202 Mikuni, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun | 2+81-25-789-2211 | Days 8:00-17:00, Nights 16:00-20:30 (Sat & Select nights 16:00-21:00) GIANT-SIZED FUN FOR ALL From families with small children to die-hard skiers, Naeba Ski Resor… Read More
www.shigakogen.co.jp | 7149 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun | 2+81-269-34-2231 | Days 8:30-16:30 | Tokyo: 3hrs 30 min (car), Osaka 6 hrs (car) QUALITY FROM THE TOP DOWN From the 2,000-metre summit of Mt Higashidate, the heart of the Higashidateyama Ski Area, the … Read More
The enormous heart of the Shiga Kogen resort area The closest of the Shiga Kogen resort areas to the snow monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park, the Shiga Kogen central area offers variety and quality that will turn any skier into a kid at Christmas. Its 13 ski fields are situated in the heart of t… Read More
There's always fresh winter powder at Japan's biggest resort area It's become common knowledge that Japan has a number of impressive powder resorts, all vying for attention with their huge snowfalls, relaxing hot springs, and exceptionally good local cuisine. There's only one though, that come… Read More
Steaming mineral-rich pools of health and happiness are found everywhere in Yamagata, from the prefecture's coastline to its mountainous interior. Its hot spring bathing culture dates back over 1,900 years, when a wounded warrior is said to have stumbled upon one of its most legendary spring-he… Read More
Night cruising in the domain of the snow monsters The historic hot spring town of Zao Onsen lies within the Zao mountain range, an impressive cluster of stratovolcanoes 40 minutes from Yamagata City. Legend has it that a wounded warrior stumbled upon the first spring-head in the area after a b… Read More
www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/index.html | Zao Onsen, Yamagata-shi | 2+81-23-694-9328 | Open 8:15-21:00 | Travelling Times to Zao Onsen Ski Resort Tokyo: 3 hrs (train), Osaka: 5 hrs (train) SNOW MONSTER COUNTRY Zao Onsen Ski Resort is one of Japan's vintage snow resorts, fam… Read More
The neighbouring town to the snow monkey park, full of charm and tradition Shibu Onsen is a quaint hot spring town in Nagano Prefecture that opens up behind a curtain of steam, revealing traditions and architecture of years passed, still standing tall and proud. The town's original spring-h… Read More
Welcoming hot spring town with retro charm Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen carved itself a place on Japan's hot spring destination map just over 120 years ago in 1893. Times were tough, and to revive the local economy, the head of the town implemented a plan to dig for hot springs. Since the waters beg… Read More
www.togakusi.com/english-information | 3682 Togakushi, Nagan | 2+81-(0)26-254-2106 | Days 8:30-16:45 | Travelling times to Togakushi Ski Area: Tokyo: 2 hrs 30 min (Hokuriku Shinkansen, bus); Nagano: 1 hr/45 min (bus/taxi) ANCIENT NINJA STRONGHOLD Togakushi Ski Area has … Read More
Capital of an outdoor paradise with deep Buddhist roots Zenkō-ji, a 1,400 year-old Buddhist temple, is the traditional soul of Nagano. A highland capital in the Japan Alps, the city grew up around this sacred storehouse of the Ikkō Sanzon Amida Nyorai, a Buddhist image believed to be the first… Read More
Enjoy the finer things in a hot spring town on Hakuba’s doorstep Traditional hot spring inns with revitalising baths; glassy lakes reflecting the jagged lines of snow-capped mountains. These are the classic hallmarks of a secluded Japanese alpine retreat, and Omachi has them in abundance. T… Read More
http://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0326ens.htm | 458 Kamishiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun | 2+81-261-75-2452 | Open 8:00 - 16:30 SCENIC POWDER CRUISING Overlooking the beautiful Lake Aoki, Hakuba Sanosaka Ski Resort is set within a fairytale-like landscape, and offers a… Read More
www.hgp.co.jp/cortina/ski/index.html | Chikuniotsu 12860-1, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun | 2+81-261-82-2236 | Sun-Fri 8:30-20:00, Sat 8:30-21:00 | Travelling times to Hakuba Cortina Tokyo: 2 hrs 30 min (train), Osaka: 4 hrs 40 min (train) NATURAL BOWL Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort… Read More
www.hakuba.jp/iwatake/en | Hokujo Iwatake, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun | 2+81-261-72-2780 | Open 8:00-17:00 | Travelling times to Iwatake Snow Field Tokyo: 3 hrs (train & bus) , Osaka: 4 hrs 40 min (train) PANORAMIC PLEASURE Enjoying a 360º panorama of the Northern Alps … Read More
www.hakuba-alps.co.jp/e-ski | Hakuba-norikura-kogen, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun | 2+81-261-82-2811 | Open 8:30-16:30 | Travelling times to Hakuba Norikura Tokyo: 3 hrs (train), Osaka: 5 hrs 30 min (car) BUILT TO SATISFY Secluded amidst rugged alpine scenery in the north of th… Read More
www.tsugaike.gr.jp/english | Tsugaike Kogen, Otari-mura, Kitaazumi-gun | 2+81-261-83-2515 | Days 8:00-17:00, Nights 18:00-21:00 | Travelling times to Tsugaike Kogen Tokyo: 3 hrs 10 min (train & bus), Osaka: 5 hrs (train) VAST POWDER PLAYGROUND Tsugaike Kogen is one … Read More
Let the pros lead you into the world of split-boarding By James A. Robb, Guide/Instructor, Evergreen Outdoor Center, Hakuba Whether you are new to the backcountry touring game or an experienced boarder looking to venture further afield, once you make the split you'll never go back! … Read More
