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5 Ski Resorts for a Day Trip From Tokyo 2023-2024

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Skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports are some of the greatest charms of winter in Japan. We introduce five ski resorts close to Tokyo in areas known for high-quality snow like Nagano, Gunma, and Shizuoka.

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Skiing and Winter Sports Near Tokyo - Enjoy the Snowy Season!

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in Japan. If you visit Japan in the winter and have at least one or two days at your disposal to travel to a ski resort, we highly recommend you go skiing, snowboarding, and playing in Japan's mountainous areas.

We introduce here seasonal information and five ski resorts great for day trips from Tokyo. Located in Niigata, Nagano, and other nearby prefectures, all boast high-quality snow and easy access from the city.

Ski Resorts near Tokyo

1. GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort in Niigata
2. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area in Nagano
3. Fujimi Panorama Resort in Nagano
4. Snow Town Yeti in Shizuoka
5. Norn Minakami Ski Resort in Gunma

1. GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort in Niigata Prefecture

5 Ski Resorts for a Day Trip From Tokyo 2023-2024

Photo by Pixta

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort is located right near a Shinkansen (bullet train) station, so it is a really convenient ski resort to go to. If you take the bullet train called Max Tanigawa which brings you directly to Gala-Yuzawa Station from Tokyo Station, you can reach it in only 75 minutes. At the exit from the ticket gate at the train station, a ticket counter of the ski resort will welcome you. You can change into your ski clothes and take a ski lift up to the top of the mountain right there.

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort has courses for all ability levels and a total of 17 ski trails are available. Gondolas for going down the mountain can become really crowded when people head home. It is possible to ski down the mountain but some of the paths might be difficult for beginners. If you are planning to ride a gondola on your way back, it is better to estimate that it would take a longer time than it usually takes.

2023 - 2024 Season: December 16, 2023 - May 7, 2024
Official website: https://gala.co.jp/winter/english/

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2. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area in Nagano Prefecture

5 Ski Resorts For A Day Trip From Tokyo 2019-2020

Photo by Pixta

A one-hour bullet train ride brings you from Tokyo to Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area or "KaruSki" for short. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area offers free lift ticket service for kids as well as a snow stadium where you can try sledding and snow tubing. These features make Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area a very child-friendly ski resort.

Above is a preview of some of the courses you can try at the resort. The East High-speed Lift also runs as a sightseeing lift and even for night tours, allowing visitors to ride the lift even if they don't ski at all.

2023 - 2024 Season: *November 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024
Official website: https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/karuizawa/

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3. Fujimi Panorama Resort in Nagano Prefecture

5 Ski Resorts For A Day Trip From Tokyo 2019-2020

Photo by Pixta

Fujimi Panorama Resort is located in Nagano, two hours and 15 minutes away from Shinjuku if you take the limited express train Azusa. This resort is best known for its unique slopes such as a "heart-shaped slope" which is very popular with couples.

There is a saying that if you go to the Yatsugatake observation deck or to a fashionable restaurant on the top of the mountain and then ski down the heart slope, you will live happily ever after.

The closest station to the resort is Fujimi. It is around a 10-minute bus ride to reach Fujimi Panorama Resort from the station.

2023 - 2024 Season: December 15, 2023 to April 6, 2024
Facility information: https://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/nagano/fujimi/fujimi-panorama-resort

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4. Snow Town Yeti in Shizuoka Prefecture

Snow Town Yeti is located two hours and 40 minutes away from Shinjuku by bus. In fact, direct buses from Tokyo to Snow Town Yeti are operated from 18 stations in total such as Hachioji, Shinagawa, Machida, Yokohama Station, and others. You can get on a bus at a station close to your place and you will soon be at the ski resort, which is really convenient, isn't it?

Snow Town Yeti is the only place where you can ski with Mount Fuji in the background. Snow Town Yeti opens the earliest in Japan because it uses devices for making artificial snow. You can ski here even during the fall foliage season.

2023 - 2024 Season: October 20, 2023 to March 31, 2024
Official website: https://www.yeti-resort.com/en/

For those taking the train, it is about a 56-minute bus ride from JR Gotemba Station or a 5-minute bus ride from JR Susono Station to the resort.

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5. Norn Minakami Ski Resort in Gunma Prefecture

5 Ski Resorts For A Day Trip From Tokyo 2019-2020

Photo by Pixta

Norn Minakami Ski Resort can be accessed in one and a half hours from Tokyo by the Jōetsu bullet train. Norn Minakami Ski Resort is open until 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Various types of discounted tickets are available depending on which time of the day you ski, such as the early morning pass, twilight pass, and night pass. Norn Minakami Ski Resort has pretty steep slopes which are ideal for intermediate-level skiers and above.

2023 - 2024 Season: December 18, 2023 to March 24, 2024
Official website: https://www.norn.co.jp/winter/english_ski_information/

It takes around 20 minutes by free shuttle from Minakami Station.

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Enjoy a Day of Skiing Near Tokyo!

How do you like the ski resorts we introduced here? Getting out of Tokyo and going to ski on a day trip is a fun and relaxing activity. The mountains in Japan offer an amazing landscape in the winter. We hope you enjoy skiing and winter sports.


Main image by Pixta

Written by

The MATCHA 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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