Winter in Yuzawa, just 80 minutes from Tokyo
No Japanese winter is complete without Niigata - a winter wonderland on the Sea of Japan's coast. Despite some of the deepest snowfall in the world and pristine powder year after year, the region remains a hidden gem of winter in Japan that is still unknown to many travelers from overseas.
In particular, the town of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture is home to many famed ski resorts and is known as one of Japan's premier ski resort areas.
The region is equally famous for its diverse food culture. It is also home to the Koshihikari variety of rice, which is irrigated with snowmelt water and celebrated throughout Japan as being among the nation's finest. This same crystal-clear water and top-tier rice is used to create world-class sake, while the nearby coast provides incredibly fresh seafood.
Yuzawa is just 80 minutes from Tokyo, making it an easy destination even as a day trip! One of the biggest draws of the Yuzawa area is how easy it is to get there. Located just an 80-minute shinkansen ride from metropolitan Tokyo, Yuzawa offers astonishingly smooth access to a true winter wonderland, unlike in Europe or North America where long trips to reach snow resorts are the norm.
The instant you step off the train at the station you are met by an extraordinary world blanketed in snow. Ski resorts, hot spring inns, and restaurants serving local delicacies are all clustered together, making it easy to plan the perfect ski trip, even if you are only staying for a short time.
The feeling of floating along Yuzawa's world-famous natural snow is an experience not to be missed.
The Yuzawa region of Niigata is characterized by heavy, consistent snowfall fueled by moisture-laden clouds from the Sea of Japan. While not as light as snow found in Niseko or Hakuba, the snow in this region has a distinct texture that allows easy control when skiing or snowboarding. It is common for the area to get over 50 centimeters of fresh snow in a single night, and during peak season (January and February) frequent snowfall creates perfect conditions for the varied terrain and tons of opportunities to hit the slopes. The more you explore the Yuzawa area, the more you will come to love the snow there.
Get the most out of your trip! Freely move between three ski resorts with the YUZAWA SNOW LINK Lift Pass.
The YUZAWA SNOW LINK Lift Pass is something you won't want to miss out on if you visit Yuzawa. With the YUZAWA SNOW LINK Lift Pass, you can move freely between three ski resorts: GALA Yuzawa, Yuzawa Kogen, and Ishiuchi Maruyama.
With a direct connection to the Shinkansen station, GALA Yuzawa is exceptionally easy to access, making it perfect for a first ski trip in Japan. Situated in the heart of the hot spring town, Yuzawa Kogen offers spectacular views from its ropeway and is also a popular spot with non-skiers. One of the largest and most impressive resorts in Niigata, Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort is a particularly good choice for those looking to enjoy skiing or snowboarding.
What is Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort?
The biggest draw of Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort is its impressive scale. The resort's expansive grounds feature 23 courses catering to everyone from beginners to experts. Visitors can enjoy wide, open runs or long runs through varied natural terrain. The resort is also home to one of Japan's largest night skiing operations, as well as a snow park. Overall, Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort offers superbly satisfying skiing and snowboarding.
Every run comes with a breathtaking view, and on clear days seeing the snow-covered plains and mountains from Ishiuchi Maruyama's courses will leave you speechless. The facilities at Ishiuchi Maruyama have been renovated over recent years, making it stand out as a ski resort that combines contemporary comfort while holding on to its roots.
Although Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort has a long and storied history spanning more than 75 years, in recent years it has rolled out several state-of-the-art facilities, reinventing itself as an all-new ski resort.
Among these, the cutting-edge Sunrise Express combination lift could be said to be the symbol of Ishiuchi Maruyama. This six-seater chairlift is equipped with hoods and seat heaters, making even cold days comfortable. It runs so quietly that it feels like riding in first class. The Sunrise Express also features 10-person gondola cabins with cushioned leather seats, allowing even those who are not used to skiing to reach the snow-covered mountains while taking in the scenery in comfort.
Situated near the summit station of the Sunrise Express gondola, The Veranda at Ishiuchi Maruyama features a spacious terrace with stunning views of the silvery white landscape, an adjoining cafe, and a variety of activities that let visitors enjoy their time on the snowy mountains even if they don't ski.
The dome tents are particularly popular, offering a private space on the snow that balances comfort with the feeling of being surrounded by nature. You can even pick something up from the Terrace Cafe and enjoy it in a dome tent.
Inspired by the image of snow-clad mountains, the colorful fruit-topped Snow Mountain Pancakes are a popular specialty at the cafe. More than a few people make their way to Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort just to try this dish.
Come to Yuzawa to experience the charm of Japan's hidden winter spot! Yuzawa combines the appeal of snow resorts with the culture of Japan's snowy regions in a new, exciting way that is different from Niseko and Hakuba.
The ease of access, ability to visit three ski resorts, and the authentic experiences in the snowy mountains that Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort offers - all of these reasons and more are why Yuzawa should be your next winter trip. Experience the undiscovered allure of winter in Japan.
- YUZAWA SNOW LINK Lift Pass - Official website
- Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort - Official website