The Kanto, Chubu and Kansai regions also have many excellent ski resorts suitable for day-trips or weekend ski trips from Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka.Although these ski resorts are not as large as Nagano or Hokkaido, they have convenient transportation and affordable prices.
🏔 Kusatsu Onsen – Gunma A ski resort in Japan’s famous hot spring town, where you can enjoy Kusatsu’s famous hot springs after skiing.
Features: Good snow quality at high altitude, hot spring town, Motoshirane cable car Kusatsu Town, Azuma County, Gunma Prefecture Business period: mid-December to late April Cable car ticket: 1-day pass costs about 4,500 yen Transportation: Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Takasaki Station, then transfer to bus for about 2 hours Snow trails: 9 (beginner 40%, intermediate 30%, advanced 30%) Recommendation: Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s three most famous hot springs, perfect for a soak after skiing.
🏔 Karuizawa Prince – Nagano One of the fastest ski resorts in Tokyo (1 hour by Shinkansen).
Features: Direct Shinkansen access, family-friendly, shopping mall connections Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture Business period: Early November to early April Cable pass: One-day pass costs about 5,000 yen Transportation: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station Snow trails: 10 (beginner 40%, intermediate 40%, advanced 20%) Recommendation: After skiing, you can visit Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (Outlet) 🏔 Marunuma Kogen – Gunma The ski resort with the highest altitude (2,000m) in the Kanto region.
Features: High altitude, good snow quality, long snow season, Nikko National Park Katahin Village, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture Business period: mid-November to early May Cable car ticket: 1-day pass costs about 4,500 yen Transportation: Take the Tobu Express from Tokyo Station to Numata Station, then transfer to a bus for about 50 minutes 🏔 Okutadami Lake Resort – Niigata The powder snow paradise around Lake Okutami is rich in snow.
Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture Business period: late December to late April Transportation: About 3.5 hours from Tokyo via the Kan-etsu Expressway Recommendation: Excellent snow quality, suitable for intermediate and advanced people 🏔 Takasu Snow Park—Gifu A representative ski resort in the Chubu region, about 2 hours from Nagoya.
Takawashi Town, Gunjo City, Gifu Prefecture Business period: mid-December to mid-April Cable car ticket: 1-day pass costs about 4,800 yen Transportation: About 2 hours by bus from Nagoya Station Recommended: Best option from Nagoya ⚠️ Precautions for skiing Equipment: Skis, boots, and poles can be rented at the ski resort (about 3,000 to 5,000 yen/day) Clothing: Ski suits can also be rented.
It is recommended to bring waterproof gloves, goggles, and hats. Insurance: It is recommended to purchase ski insurance (ケガに备えて) Weather: The weather in mountainous areas changes greatly. Check the weather forecast and snow conditions before departure.
Beginners: It is recommended to book a ski school lesson (Japanese/English possible) Cable car tickets: It’s cheaper to buy them in advance on the ski resort’s official website or Klook/KKday Transportation: Some roads are closed in winter, and snow tires or snow chains are required in snow season.