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GALA YUZAWA - A Classic Ski Slope 90 Minutes From Tokyo!
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Skiing is one of the major snow activities to enjoy during a snowy Japanese winter. There are several ways to enjoy GALA YUZAWA in Niigata: beginner ski lessons and even a snowshoe tour for those experiencing snow for the first time.
Experience Snow Activities in Japan at GALA YUZAWA, Niigata
You can enjoy a snow landscape all around you once it becomes winter in the northern regions and mountains of Japan. Many people every year come to Japan, looking forward to skiing and snowboarding in the northern regions of the nation.
GALA YUZAWA is a ski slope that can be easily accessed in roughly 90 minutes from Tokyo Station via the JR Shinkansen Tanigawa. In this article, we’ll introduce our recommend list of things to do at GALA YUZAWA.
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This Is GALA YUZAWA!
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
GALA YUZAWA is located in Yuzawa, Niigata. Niigata is an area famous for its high annual snowfall, resulting in many ski slopes scattered throughout the prefecture.
Among these ski slopes, GALA YUZAWA is famed for its great quality in snow. The snow is dry and powdery, making it possible for even beginners to feel at ease while skiing.
Skiing Activities For Beginners!
Skiing for the First Time? Ski Lessons For Visitors!
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
Ski lessons geared towards overseas visitors are taught at GALA YUZAWA. “I have never gone to a ski resort before, but I want to try skiing.” “I couldn’t ski well last time, so I want someone to teach me how to ski.” Do you feel the same? Then how about booking a ski lesson?
Lessons are available in three languages: English, Chinese, and Thai. You will be thoroughly taught how to put on ski boots, how to walk in them, and a simple way to slide. Those that participate are often those that are also seeing snow for the first time, so beginners can also be at ease.
Bookings for lessons take place at the school counter inside the ski center. The ski center is right outside the shinkansen ticket gates, so you should be able to find it without a problem. Lessons in Chinese and Thai can be booked on the day itself from 8:30 – 10:30 and 11:30 – 13:30. Lessons take place for approximately two hours twice a day from 10:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 15:30.
The lesson will begin after you have changed into your sportswear in the locker rooms and gather at the designated meeting place. The price for just the lesson is 5500 yen plus tax.
The package price includes ski equipment rentals and is 12,900 yen plus tax. It includes a half day lesson, a ticket for the afternoon lift, and the fee for rental equipment.
For English lessons, please check the official website.
A Simulation of Life in a Snow Country! The Kanjiki Tour!
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
Have you ever heard of the word kanjiki? The word refers to a circular tool that is used when walking on snow - also known as a snowshoe.
When trying to walk on snow that has fallen and piled on the ground, there are times when your feet will be swallowed by the snow and it will almost be impossible to walk. In the snowy northern regions of Japan, we prevent our feet from being swallowed by the snow by wearing kanjiki shoes.
At GALA YUZAWA, a tour where you walk on the snow using actual kanjiki shoes is conducted. The tour guide will be Japanese, but the tour also comes with interpretation in English and Chinese, so you don’t have to worry even if you don’t understand Japanese. This tour can be booked on the day itself.
The tour takes place from 10:30, 13:00, and 14:30. You will return from the tour in about one to one and a half hours. The price of the tour is set at a bargain price of 2000 yen plus tax.
Kanjiki shoes are indispensable to life in a snow country like Japan. How about taking this opportunity to try it out?
How to Rent Ski Equipment!
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
If you want to privately enjoy skiing, then let’s try renting ski equipment by ourselves. Rentals can be booked online beforehand or on the day itself.
Bookings can be done beforehand on the official website (Japanese) or same-day rental procedures can be done at the ski or snowboard rental counters. Once you arrive at Gala Yuzawa Station, rent your ski equipment at the counter, then change into your sportswear in the locker rooms and head out to the ski slopes.
To go to the rental counter, please continue straight on the right-hand side of the information and ticket counters, go past the escalators, then turn left. You will be able to see the rental counter in front of you. English-speaking and Chinese-speaking staff are also available to assist visitors, so please feel free to ask them anything.
The price for the three-piece ski set (skis, boots, and poles) is 4900 yen for adults and 2500 yen for children. If you will be renting sportswear, then a complete set is 3000 yen. Both sets include tax.
Sleds are also available as a rental product. Sleds are a plaything that can slide across the snow and are popular with visitors because of their maneuverable. The sleds are just 800 yen (plus tax) to rent for the whole day, so it might be a great idea to play with the sleds if you’re still uncertain about skiing.
Other Fun Features Outside Of Snow Activities!
Hot Spring Facility: SPA GALA-NO-YU
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
There is also a hot spring near GALA YUZAWA. It would be great to warm up your body in a hot spring after enjoying activities like skiing or sledding in the cold snowy mountains.
Adults can enter the hot springs for 1300 yen plus tax while elementary school students and under can enter for 800 yen plus tax. SPA GALA-NO-YU is located on the third floor of Gala Yuzawa Station. Go down the escalators and continue along the righthand side, then turn right again at IRORI Café Omusubi-dokoro Yuta. Continue past the bathrooms and locker rooms and you will arrive at the entrance to SPA GALA-NO-YU.
Aside from the hot springs, the spa also offers a fitness pool, open-air jacuzzi, and children’s pool. Being able to enjoy the spa to your preferences is one of its great features. IRORI Lounge, a free resting area, is also located next to the spa. Here at the longue, you can catch your breath after being in the hot springs.
Souvenir Shop Jour de GALA
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
Yuzawa can also be said to be the entrance to Niigata. Since you’ve come all the way to Niigata, how about taking a look at Niigata souvenirs? Senbei (rice crackers) that are unique to the rice-producing region of Niigata and local sakes are also assembled by the dozens at Jour de GALA.
Niigata Chips are a senbei that can only be purchased in Niigata. It has a texture that is between that of a common rice cracker and potato chips. As it is a product made from rice, it doesn’t have the greasiness of potato chips and is a product that you might find it hard to stop from snacking on.
Various flavors are available from stand light-salt and black pepper flavors to a Camembert cheese flavor. Definitely please try comparing the different flavors.
A sake-tasting of locally produced sakes is also held every weekend starting from the middle of January. This is an opportunity for you to be able to taste local sakes from various areas in the prefecture. Please definitely try out this event if you love Japanese sake.
Restaurants Unique to Niigata
One thing to look forward to when going skiing is the food at the ski slopes! There is a total of six restaurants for you to enjoy your meal at GALA YUZAWA. We will introduce two out of the six restaurants where you can experience Niigata and Japan.
1. Restaurant Seranbi Yama-no-Yuta (Cheers 2F)
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
The koshihikari (*1) produced in Minami-Uonuma, Niigata has the highest quality among brands of Japanese rice. The rich soil and plentiful snow in Minami-Uonuma are what grows this high-quality rice.
Minami-Uonuma produced koshihikari along with a menu of Japanese cuisine that compliments the rice is offered at Restaurant Seranbi Yama-no-Yuta.
When thinking of donburi dishes in Niigata, Tare Katsudon (1450 yen plus tax) comes to mind right away. This is a dish of tonkatsu dipped in a salty and sweet soy sauce-based glaze that is then placed on top of rice.
The taste of the juicy meat and salty-sweet soy sauce will immediately spread throughout your mouth when you take one bite of the tonkatsu. The flavor of the rice is deepened when eaten together with the strong taste of the tonkatsu.
*1 Koshihikari: a type of Japanese rice characterized by its moderate stickiness and sweetness.
2. IRORI CAFÉ OMUSUBI-DOKORO YUTA
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
This restaurant is located inside IRORI Lounge, a resting area next to SPA GALA-NO-YU. You can enjoy a light meal of musubi (220 yen~ plus tax) made using Minami-Uonuma produced koshihikari or kenchin-jiru (Japanese tofu and vegetable chowder; 500 yen plus tax) here.
Experience Your First Japanese Winter at GALA YUZAWA
Photo courtesy of: GALA Yuzawa Corporation
There are various activities at GALA YUZAWA. The slope doesn’t only have skiing, but is also complete with a hot spring and restaurants, making this a place where you can enjoy yourself throughout the day.
GALA YUZAWA is where you can enjoy a classic ski slope approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo Station. How about fully enjoying the snow of your first Japanese winter at the beginner-friendly GALA YUZAWA?
Made in cooperation with: Gala Yuzawa Corporation
Hotels near GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort
Read Also:
Visiting Japan In Winter 2017-2018: Temperatures, Clothing, Travel Tips
Japan’s Essential Winter Events: December-February 2017-2018
Japan In Winter: 10 Must See Japanese Snow Festivals! 2018 Edition
Find accommodation in Yuzawa on Booking.com
Find accommodation in Yuzawa on Agoda
新潟生まれ。日本文化と古い建物が好きな社会人。日本を、地方を好きになってもらえるような記事を綴っていきたいです。
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