There are a large amount of Snowboard & Skiing Resorts located nearby the Tokyo area. The winter season brings a large amount of snow to the central and northern Japanese mountains and it becomes a winter sports wonderland. These Snowboard & Skiing Resorts can be easily reached by car, buses, trains or Shinkansens (Bullet Trains). The larger resorts all have lodging, dining and shopping options. Most of the resorts also have winter activity rental equipment, ski and snowboard lessons, and child care facilities. Here is a list of Tokyo Area Snowboard & Ski Resorts.
Tokyo Area Snowboard & Ski Resorts
Mt. Fuji Area
The iconic Mt Fuji and surrounding areas have a few winter activity resorts that are close the Tokyo.
Snowtown Yeti
The Snowtown Yeti Resort is a very small resort located near Mt. Fuji and it is one of the closest places to have some fun in the snow near Tokyo. This resort is one of the first to open and it is usually open by November. This resort has a few courses for all skill levels, a snowboarding park and a snow stadium that offers tubing and sledding. Location: 2428 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka Google Maps
Fujiten Snow Resort
The Fujiten Snow Resort is located on the bottom of the Mt. Fuji. It is a very scenic resort to enjoy some winter fun with a background of Mt Fuji. It is a small resort that is most suitable for beginners and families, but it has a variety of courses for people of all skill levels. Location: Narusawa, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Google Maps
Nagano Area
The Nagano region is famous for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. The area hosts an impressive collection of massive mountain ranges and it has some of the most popular Snowboard & Skiing Resorts in Japan. It is also famous for the snow monkies that like to bathe in natural hot springs.
Madarao Kogen
The Madarao Kogen & Tangram Resorts are connected and you can ski at both of these resorts with the same lift pass. The Madarao Kogen is a unique bowl shape resort. It is best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, with some easy terrain for beginners. The Tangram area is a medium-sized ski resort but offers skiers and snowboarders a few challenging courses and it offers a few tree runs for the adventurous. Location: 11492-70 Iiyama, Nagano Google Maps
Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen Resort is a very large and well-equipped ski resort. This is one of the most popular resorts in all of Japan. The Nosawa Onsen resort has plenty of terrain with over fifty kilometers of courses for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels to explore. This resort simply has something for everyone to have a good time in the winter snow. Location: 7653 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano Google Maps
Fujimi Panorama Resort
The Fujimi Panorama Resort also known as ‘Fujipara’ is an average-sized resort with courses that are perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers. This resort claims to have a relatively large amount of clearer weather days in this region. It is famous for its snowshoe trekking and its unique slopes such as a “heart-shaped slope” which is very popular with couples. Location: 6666-703 Fujimi, Fujimi-Cho, Suwa-Gun, Nagano Google Maps
Myoko Kogen
Myoko Kogen area is made up of several ski resorts that are largely linked together by a shuttle bus. The main ski area is Myoko Akakura, which is made up of two resorts next to each other, the Akakura Kanko ski resort and Akakura Onsen. The Suginohara ski resort features super long course runs and good off course snow areas. Seki Onsen is known for steep courses, the Ikenotaira Onsen has good freestyle skiing fun and the best family-friendly slopes can be found at Kyukamura and Myoko Ski Park. There’s something for everyone across the Myoko Kogen ski resorts. Location: Taguchi, Myoko, Niigata Google Maps
Hakuba Goryu
Hukuba Goryu Ski Resort is connected to the Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park at the top of the mountain. The ski lift passes are good to use at both resorts. Hukuba Goryu is a medium-sized resort that is very good for beginners and intermediate skiers. It has recently opened up a small “Open Tree Zone” where tree skiing is permitted. Hukuba Goryu has nice children areas and is very family-friendly. Location: 22184-10 Kamishiro, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Google Maps
Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park Resort is a fairly new (by Japanese standards) resort, opened in 1990. This is a large resort where you can have all things fun in the snow including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and even snow picnics! This resort proudly offers Hakuba Valley’s longest winter season (December through to May), as most runs are north facing. There is a “Tree Riding Zone” which is full of great powder and interesting terrain for the very adventurous. There is one of the best snow terrain parks in the Hakuba Valley with its well-maintained half-pipe and various kinds of boxes, rails, bonks, jumps, waves, and other fun structures. Location: 24196-47 Kamishiro, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Google Maps
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is one of the easiest accessible resorts from the Tokyo area, as it takes about an hour by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to get there. Thanks to a large number of advanced snow-making machines, Karuizawa is one of the first ski resorts to open in Japan every year. Karuizawa provides a variety of courses geared mostly towards beginner and intermediate skiers. The ‘kids park’ and ‘kids-only school’ are great for families with small children. Location: 1016 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano Google Maps
Shirakabako Royal Hills Ski Resort
The Shirakabako Royal Hills Ski Resort is a very small resort that utilizes snow machines to keep it ready for winter activities and there are lights for night skiing. The resort is located just minutes from the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Station. This is a direct ski-in/ski-out from the resort’s own hotel and is a family and children’s winter wonderland. It is famous for its carefully childproofed equipment and the lifts are equipped with chairs to ensure children’s safety. Location: 3419-1 Chino, Nagano Google Maps
Niigata Area
Niigata is located on the west coast of Japan. This part of Japan has some very good quality snow and a lot of it. The resorts are large and very popular with ski and snowboarders all around the country.
Naeba Ski Resort
Naeba Ski Resort is connected with neighboring Kagura Ski Resort by “Dragondola”, that at 5.5 km is Japan’s longest gondola. The area is called “Mt. Naeba”. This is a massive combination of resorts that has it all in one spot. There are many kinds of winter activities that are available for people of all ski & snowboard skill levels. At night the courses in front of the hotel are lit up in illuminations for night skiing. For families, there is a number of children-friendly terrain parks, a kid’s snow park, a family snow land, and an indoor children’s ski area. Location: 202 Mikuni, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Google Maps
GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort
The GALA Yuzawa Resort is a mid-sized resort with something for everyone. It is connected to the Yuzawa Kogen resort to the south, and the Ishiuchi Maruyama resort to the north. This is the only ski resort that is directly linked to a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Station and is just 90 minutes from Tokyo Station. The gondola to the mountain leaves directly from the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Station. GALA Yuzawa is extremely popular for day-trips from Tokyo. The GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort has a large snow play area and safety nets for the children. Location: 1039-2 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Google Maps
NASPA Ski Garden
The NASPA Ski Garden is a small skiers-only resort and it is one of the few ski resorts in Japan that remains skiers-only. The NASPA Ski Garden is also a family-friendly resort and home to “Pingu” the resort mascot, the penguin character beloved by children around the world. There are numerous facilities suitable for young children such as a dedicated slope for sledding for kids, a Pingu Ski Room and a safe snow play area at the base of the resort. Location: 2117-9 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Google Maps
Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort
The Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort is a large resort that caters to beginners and intermediate ski and snowboard skill levels. This is a very family-friendly resort and the children are well taken care of with a number of young children’s activities designed with a “Spongebob Squarepants” theme throughout the resort. There is a Kid’s Paradise area, where kids can enjoy snow tubing, snow bikes, and various sledding courses. Location: Minamiuonuma, Niigata Google Maps
Fukushima Area
The Fukushima Snowboard & Skiing Resorts are mostly located around the Lake Inowashira area. These resorts have good snow quality and are less crowded than the more popular resorts in Nagoya and Niigata.
Grandeco Snow Resort
The Grandeco Snow Resort is a small resort that is usually not very busy at any time, and it is located fairly close to Tokyo. The resort is perfect for the beginners and intermediate ski and snowboard skill levels, and for people who want to ski or snowboard in a nice and relaxing environment. There is also a nice family-friendly Deco Land children’s snow play area. Location: Arasunasawayama Hibara, Kitashiobara, Yama District, Fukushima Google Maps
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai is a massive ski resort extending over three mountain ranges, the Mt. Bandai, Mt. Nekomagadake and Mt. Umaya. There are a variety of different courses and a ski lift pass will allow access to Urabandai Nekoma Ski Resort as well. Hoshino resort can be busy on weekends and holidays but weekdays are not crowded. This resort has a specially designed beginner and family area to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and playing in the snow safely. Location: Shimizudaira-6838-68 Sarashina, Bandai, Yama District, Fukushima Google Maps
Inawashiro Ski Resort
Inawashiro Ski Resort AKA “The Fukushima Slopes” is a large resort that is actually made up of two interconnected resorts that can be accessed from one ski lift pass, the Inawashiro Minero and the Chuo (Centre) area. For instance, the Inawashiro resort is perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, although there are some advanced courses. Location: 7105 Hayama, Inawashiro, Yama District, Fukushima Google Maps
Minowa Ski Resort
Minowa Ski Resort is a small resort. This resort can be fun with ski courses that are not too crowded. The mountain is quite high, therefore there is great quality powder snow here. The resort is also group-friendly with some good sledding courses above the base areas. Location: Wakamiya, Inawashiro, Yama District, Fukushima Google Maps
Tochigi Area
Hunter Mountain
The Hunter Mountain Resort is a medium-large resort that is located close to the Tokyo area. This resort is very popular and can get busy on weekends and holidays. There is a good variety of courses that skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can enjoy. This is also a children-friendly resort with kids snow play areas. Location: Nasushiobara, Tochigi Google Maps
Edelweiss Ski Resort
Located in Tochigi, the Edelweiss Ski Resort is a mid-sized ski resort that has a good collection of advanced, intermediate and beginner courses. Edelweiss is a family-oriented resort and the lower slopes are a children designated area “Bow Wow” for snow play and sledding. Location: Takahara, Kawaji Onsen, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Google Maps
Mt Jeans Ski Resort Nasu
Mt Jeans Ski Resort Nasu Resort is a small resort that is really a winter play wonderland with all kinds of winter fun activities. There are a few courses for skiers and snowboarders. This resort is very family-friendly. For example, and there are many snow oriented activities such as a large kids park with various snow play activities, snow rafting, snowshoe tours, fat bike tours and more. Location: Oshima, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi Google Maps
Gunma Area
Norn Minakami
Norn Minakami Resort is a small resort with a few courses and it is located close to Tokyo in nearby Gunma. This resort does not get as much snow as some of the other resorts, however, it does have 50 snowmaking machines to make up the needed snow if the weather is not being co-operative. Location: 479-139 Terama, Minakami, Tone District, Gunma Google Maps
Iwate Area
Appi Kogen Ski Resort
The Appi Kogan Ski Resort is a large resort in north Tohoku. The snow quality is very high and there are many courses for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. This is also a very family-friendly resort with many activities for children. In addition, this resort is self-contained and somewhat isolated with no real town. However, there are great quality hotels, restaurants and entertainment activities. This resort gets a lot of snow, and at times it can be windy and there can be blizzards. Location: 117-1 Appikogen, Hachimantai, Iwate Google Maps
Indoor Snowboard & Ski Resorts
Snova Shinyokohama Resort
Snova Shinyokohama is a small indoor ski resort that is located in Yokohama. Open all year round and its temperatures are kept at a constant 3 degrees Celsius. This indoor facility has half pipes available for snowboarders, ski jumps, lessons and is fun for the casual ski or snowboarder. Ski and Snowboard equipment is available for rent. Location: 1-chome-2-43 Kajiyama, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama Train Station: Rikkyo Shita (Tsurumiku) Station, a few min walk Google Maps
Sayama Snowboard & Ski Resort
Sayama Snowboard & Ski Resort is an indoor winter simulated resort. It is located north of Tokyo in Saitama. This resort has the longest indoor course in the Tokyo area and is open all year long and has special all night special event openings. Ski and Snowboard equipment is available for rent. Location: 2167 Kamiyamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama Train Station: Seibukyujo-Mae Station, 3 min walk Google Maps
* Due to the large-scale renovation of the MetLife Dome area and the Sayama Snowboard & Ski Resort indoor resort slopes, business operations have been suspended during the 2019-2020 season. It will reopen in fall 2020.
Snova Mizonokuchi 246
Snova Mizonokuchi 246 resort is a small indoor resort is that is located in Kawasaki. Open all year round, its temperatures are kept at a constant 3 degrees Celsius. This indoor facility has half pipes available for snowboarders, ski jumps, lessons and is fun for the casual ski or snowboarder. Ski and Snowboard equipment is available for rent. Location: 5-28-1 Shimosakunobe, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki Train Station: Tsudayama Station, 3 min walk Google Maps
Snowboard & Ski Information
These are companies that provide up to date real-time winter resort information. They can also provide winter activity packages that include everything from specialized winter activity tours, transportation options, hotels, and lodging and resort lift or snow play area tickets.
Snow Japan
SnowJapan.com is a popular resource for skiing and snowboarding in Japan. SnowJapan is updated daily throughout the year and most importantly, features daily snow and conditions reporting during the winter ski season.
Powderhounds
Powderhounds is a great winter activity resource that has a great deal of information on winter resorts in Japan. Consequently, they also provide a wide range of winter snow trip tour options for resorts in Japan.
Ski Japan
SkiJapan.com has specialized in ski and snowboard tours at Hokkaido’s best ski resorts for the past 20 years. They can customize a ski or snowboard package to suit all your needs when traveling to Hokkaido.
JTB (Japan Travel Bureau)
The Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) is one of the largest tour providers in Japan.
Thank You for visiting Tokyo Live news & entertainment. If you enjoyed our Tokyo Area Snowboard & Ski Resorts page. Please take a look at Tokyo Night Clubs, Tokyo Standing Bars (Kaku Uchi) or Tokyo Horse Racing & Boat Racing Guide pages.
