Easy access from Osaka, Kobe, and Himeji. This is the best place for your first time playing in the snow and for your first time skiing and snowboarding!

• Table of Contents
• What is Oya Ski Resort?
• How to get to Oya Ski Resort
• Pay attention here! Why Oya Ski Resort is perfect for beginners
• 1. Beginner-only lessons available every day
• 2. Don't worry if you can't ride the lift. The easy belt will help you improve.
• 3. Come empty-handed. Everything is available for rental.
• 4. All the facilities are located within the ski resort. Very convenient.
• 5. Tatami and futon. Choose from a variety of room types

What is Oya Ski Resort?

Yabu city, where Ooya Ski Resort is located, is located in the north-central part of Hyogo prefecture. It is the least populated city in Hyogo prefecture, but is surrounded by magnificent and beautiful nature. To the west is Mt. Hyonose, the highest peak in Hyogo prefecture, and Wakasugi Kogen, where a lot of snow accumulates from the end of December to February. There are several ski resorts, including Ooya Ski Resort.

ooyaski official website

Oya Ski Resort, where you can enjoy quintessential Japanese snow scenery, was once ranked number one in the country by the government's Ministry of the Environment as "the place where the stars shine the brightest." You can enjoy snow activities during the day, and at night, if there are no clouds, you can enjoy a beautiful starry sky.

Let's take a look at their appeal one by one.

How to get to Oya Ski Resort

There are no direct buses, so please use a rental car. Be sure to have snow tires. 4WD is recommended.

How to get there from Osaka (rental car)

About 150 minutes from Osaka [Expressway - Public roads]

▶▶Hanshin Expressway Official Websitehttps ://www.hanshin-exp.co.jp/english/
https://search.hanshin-exp.co.jp/navien/search.php#!home
Take Hanshin Expressway Route 11 and get off at "Ikeda Interchange"

▶▶NEXCO West Japan official website: https://search.w-nexco.co.jp/en/
Take the Chugoku Expressway "Chugoku Ikeda Interchange"

Once you get on the Chugoku Expressway, there are two routes to take. The toll for either route is about 2,500 yen one way. The travel time is roughly the same. Please choose the route based on traffic congestion and snow conditions.

Suggested Route

① About 1 hour from Yamazaki Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway

→ Take National Route 29 towards Tottori for about 50 minutes

→ After passing through Hikihara Dam and Hyozaka Tunnel, turn right at Deaibashi Bridge just before Tokura Pass onto Prefectural Route 48 towards Yabu (there is a guide sign) for about 5 minutes.

②Get off at Yabu Interchange on the Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway and drive for about 40 minutes → Exit at Yabu Interchange → Turn left onto Prefectural Route 6 towards Oya

→ Turn right at Oya Market → Take Prefectural Route 48 towards Haga

Directions from Himeji Station (rental car)

Rather than departing from Kobe, we recommend traveling by train to Himeji and then departing from Himeji. It would also be a nice plan to go skiing after visiting Himeji Castle.
Access from Himeji Station is much closer. The journey takes 120 minutes, and the highway toll is about 1,500 yen one way. You can avoid the traffic jams around Osaka and Kobe, and there are many rental car companies around Himeji Station, so this is a recommended access method. Rent all your ski equipment and wear at the ski resort.

Take the Bantan Link Road at "Hanada Interchange" and head towards Wadayama. At the end of the road, "Wadayama Junction", change to the Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway and get off at "Yabu Interchange". Drive for about 40 minutes → Exit at Yabu Interchange → Turn left onto Prefectural Route 6 towards Oya → Turn right at Oya Market → Head towards Haga on Prefectural Route 48

Pick-up service from the nearest train stations, "Wadayama" and "Yoka" is currently under consideration.

Pay attention here! Why Oya Ski Resort is perfect for beginners

1. Beginner-only lessons available every day

*The prices listed below are for the 2024 season.

If you are skiing or snowboarding for the first time, we recommend the "Easy Lessons." The "Beginner's Course" teaches you how to put on your equipment, and once you get used to it, the "Let's Stop Course" and then the "Let's Turn Course" - Ooya is the only place that offers three courses for beginners according to their level.

One lesson is reasonably priced at 1,500 yen per hour. You can also take consecutive lessons. Classes are held every day and no reservations are required. Anyone over 7 years old is welcome. Families are also welcome. For children under 6 years old, please consult with the school staff.

Lessons are conducted on a gentle slope.

2. Don't worry if you can't ride the lift. The easy belt will help you improve.

It's very hard for beginners to ride the lift. But don't worry. Just stand there and the moving belt will carry you. You can also use it for sledding. The fee is only 1,000 yen for adults and children, and you can ride all day. What's more, children under 6 years old can ride for free. The deer in the photo is a ski resort patrolman in cosplay (lol).

3. Come empty-handed. Everything is available for rental.

Ski/snowboard equipment, top and bottoms, knitted hat, gloves, and goggles are included and cost 6,000 yen for adults (high school students and above) and 5,000 yen for junior high school students and below. Clothing sizes range from 90cm tall to XXL. All you need to bring is a spare undergarment, a warm shirt and fleece, and thick socks that reach below the knee!

4. All the facilities are located within the ski resort. Very convenient.

Parking, rental facilities, restaurants, lodges, hot springs, ski school reception and lesson areas are all close to each other within the ski resort, making it very easy to get around. You can also see the whole area from anywhere, so there's no need to worry about getting lost.

Fujinashi Lodge is right in front of the slopes. It is open all year round, but in winter it is surrounded by snow and has the atmosphere of a mountain hut. There is a parking lot for guests. You can also choose a Japanese style room with tatami mats and futons.

5. Tatami and futon. Choose from a variety of room types

It's also romantic at night. Be sure to enjoy the snow-capped mountains and starry sky.

Lodge Fujinashi Official Website