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Ski Resorts in Kyushu: 8 Facilities with Great Slopes and Hot Springs
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This article features our recommended ski resorts in Kyushu, as well as in Yamaguchi and Hiroshima, which are easily accessible from Kyushu. Explore our list and decide where to enjoy your next winter sports adventure!
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This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
Discover Ski Resorts in Kyushu
The Kyushu area is home to very few ski resorts due to its warm climate and very little snowfall. In the past, Tenzan Ski Resort was located in Saga Prefecture, but closed in 2022.
However, there are still spots where you can enjoy grass skiing, as well as artificial ski resorts with snow created by snowmaking machines. In this article, we introduce artificial ski resorts in Kyushu and other slopes in nearby areas.
Ski Resorts in Kyushu: Fukuoka, Oita, and More
Ski Resorts with Hot Springs
1. Kuju Forest Park Skiing Ground: The Largest in Kyushu!
2. Gokase Highland Ski Resort: Reopening in 2024!
Artificial Ski Resorts in Kyushu: Easy Access to Skiing
3. Fukuoka KINGS
Nearby Ski Areas Easily Accessible from Kyushu
5. Tokusagamine Ski Area: Enjoy Camping in the Summer!
6. Megahira Ski Resort: Excellent Conditions with Snowmaking
7. Osorakan Snow Park: The Birthplace of Skiing in Hiroshima!
8. Utopia Saioto Snow Park: The First Family Rest Area with Kotatsu
Ski Resorts with Hot Springs
Ski resorts with nearby onsens are very popular, because you can have fun skiing and then relax in the hot springs to ease your soreness and fatigue. First, we’ll introduce two ski resorts in Kyushu where you can pair skiing with a visit to an onsen.
1. Kuju Forest Park Skiing Ground: The Largest in Kyushu!
Kuju Forest Park Skiing Ground in Oita Prefecture is Kyushu’s largest ski resort. Located about a two-hour drive from Fukuoka, a free shuttle bus is also provided from Kuju IC or JR Bungo-Nakamura Station. The 2024-2025 season is scheduled to open on December 13. An 8-hour ticket set, which includes a lift pass and entry ticket, costs 5,500 yen for adults.
There are five slopes, each with a different difficulty level, allowing everyone from beginners to experts to fully enjoy themselves.
If you get tired while skiing, we recommend taking a break at CAFE HILL SIDE, the newly opened mountain cafe. You can take a quick break without having to go all the way down to the Center House.
After having fun skiing, head to the nearby Sujiyu Onsen to relax and relieve your fatigue. It’s just a five-minute drive from the ski resort and is popular with skiers because the water stays warm for much longer.
Kuju Forest Park Skiing Ground
Address: Oita, Kusu, Kokonoe, Oaza Yutsubo 612-1
Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 - 17:00
Weekends and Holidays: 8:30 - 17:30
Official Website: https://www.kujyuski.co.jp/ (Japanese)
2. Gokase Highland Ski Resort: Reopening in 2024!
Gokase Highland Ski Resort, located in Miyazaki Prefecture, was closed for two seasons starting in 2022, but is set to reopen in 2024. The 2024-2025 season is scheduled to open on December 20.
There are three ski slopes, a snow park, and a family slope. It’s also known for being a place where you can ski while taking in the stunning landscapes of Aso and Kokonoe.
Kijiya, an inn operated by the ski resort and located about a 40-minute drive away, also has an onsen. We also recommend dining at the attached restaurant, which serves delicious course meals made with local ingredients.
Gokase Highland Ski Resort
Address: Miyazaki, Nishiusuki, Gokase, Oaza Kuraoka 4647-171
Hours: 8:00 - 16:30
Official Website: http://www.gokase.co.jp/ski/ (Japanese)
Artificial Ski Resorts in Kyushu: Easy Access to Skiing
Even in Kyushu, where snowfall is limited, you can enjoy winter sports regardless of the snow conditions at artificial ski resorts. Many artificial ski resorts are located in urban areas, offering the added benefit of easy access.
3. Fukuoka KINGS
Fukuoka KINGS is an all-weather outdoor leisure facility for skiing and snowboarding.
Skiing and snowboarding lessons are offered at various levels, allowing you to strive for improvement based on your skill level.
They have specialized slopes for jump and slopestyle, attracting many visitors from afar.
Fukuoka KINGS offers one-hour and two-hour tickets, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy their time casually. They also sell discounted multi-visit passes and monthly passes.
Fukuoka KINGS
Address: Fukuoka, Iizuka, Naiju 2066
Hours:
Weekdays and Saturdays: 12:00 - 22:00
Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 - 20:00
Closed: Thursdays
Official Website: https://www.fukuoka-kings.com/index.html (Japanese)
4. Sun Village Akane Ski Hill
Sun Village Akane Ski Hill is an outdoor ski area with artificial grass.
You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding to your heart’s content in this well-maintained, comfortable environment.
Skiing lessons are available, where beginners can be taught by an instructor, ensuring peace of mind.
The site also features a camping ground, barbecue area, and observatory, offering a variety of ways to enjoy the area. If you're within the prefecture, you can take advantage of the free shuttle bus for groups of 15 or more (reservation required).
Sun Village Akane Ski Hill
Address: Fukuoka, Iizuka, Yamaguchi 845-38
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: Irregular
Official Website: http://www.akane-ski-fukuoka.com/ (Japanese)
Nearby Ski Areas Easily Accessible from Kyushu!
Another option is to venture beyond Kyushu and visit nearby ski resorts. Yamaguchi and Hiroshima Prefectures, both easily accessible from Kyushu, also have great ski resorts that we recommend.
5. Tokusagamine Ski Area: Enjoy Camping in the Summer!
Tokusagamine Ski Area, located in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a resort facility situated at an elevation of 600 meters.
From the summit, you can see the small islands in the beautiful Sea of Japan. Located next to the auto campgrounds, you can also enjoy camping during the summer.
There are five slope trails: advanced, forest, intermediate, beginner, and sled. The beginner and intermediate slopes, which have a gradual incline, can be used even with minimal snowfall.
You can also enjoy sledding and playing with snow with just 10-15 centimeters of snowfall, making it popular as a playground for young children. Sleds and snow scooters are also available for rent.
Tokusagamine Ski Area
Address: Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Atokaneshimo 1505-1
Hours: 8:30 - 17:00
Official Website: http://woodpark.jp/ (Japanese)
6. Megahira Ski Resort: Excellent Conditions with Snowmaking
Megahira Ski Resort, located in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, is another ski resort easily accessible from Kyushu.
A three-minute drive from Yoshiwa IC, it has a parking lot with 1,300 spaces that is free all day.
Tour buses are also available from Hakata, providing a convenient and comfortable way to access the ski resort.
Megahira Ski Resort uses snowmaking machines and snow cannons, ensuring the slopes are always in excellent condition.
The longest slope at the resort is 2,300 meters, offering the exhilarating experience of skiing from the summit all the way to the base in one go.
The 2024-25 season is scheduled to open on December 13.
Megahira Ski Resort
Address: Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi, Yoshiwa 4301
Hours: 8:00 - 17:00
Closed: Tuesdays
Official Website: http://www.megahira.co.jp/pc/ski.html (Japanese)
7. Osorakan Snow Park: The Birthplace of Skiing in Hiroshima!
Photo by Pixta
Osorakan Snow Park is a widely-known natural ski resort in Hiroshima Prefecture.
During the season, a free shuttle bus operates daily from the Togouchi IC Bus Center (reservations required).
There are various slopes available, such as the Tateyama Slope, popular with families for its gentle descent, and Bunazaka Slope for advanced skiers. The elevation difference of the slopes is 420 meters, allowing you to look out over the Sea of Japan from the summit.
Another appealing aspect of the resort are the many great discounts available, including the season opening campaign and spring ski campaign. Visitors aged 18 to 22 can enjoy a rental set with lift pass at a discounted price.
The opening date of the season is to be determined based on snow conditions.
Osorakan Snow Park
Address: Hiroshima, Yamagata, Akiota, Oaza Yokogo 740-1
Official Website: https://osorakan.co.jp/winter/ (Japanese)
8. Utopia Saioto Snow Park: The First Family Rest Area with Kotatsu
Utopia Saioto Snow Park, located in the Geihoku area of Hiroshima Prefecture, is a ski resort equipped with snowmaking machines and cannons.
Anyone, regardless of age or skill level, can enjoy the ski resort all day with six slopes, a kids-only slope, and two parks.
There is a family rest area with kotatsu (reservations required) and a family break room, making it ideal for bringing the kids along. The resort also has lodgings, so you can stay overnight.
Utopia Saioto Snow Park
Address: Hiroshima, Yamagata, Kitahiroshima, Saioto 144
Hours: 8:00 - 17:00
Official Website: https://www.saioto.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Fully Enjoy Ski Resorts in Kyushu and Nearby Areas!
Kyushu, an island with minimal snowfall, is home to artificial ski resorts, allowing you to enjoy winter sports without worrying about snow levels.
We also recommend venturing out to ski resorts in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi, thanks to the excellent accessibility from Kyushu to the Chugoku region. How about making plans to enjoy winter sports with friends and family on your next winter vacation?
Read also
Main image courtesy of PIXTA
Written by Cakutama editorial team
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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