Here are our Top Recommended 2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo. Great for families, offers lessons for kids and easily accessible. We will be adding more in the coming weeks. Do you have one to add? Please let us know in the comments section below. * Please check each website for open hours as schedule may change due to snow conditions.
1) Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort is one of the most convenient snow resorts to visit with little ones outside Tokyo. It`s a 75-min shinkansen ride (Max-Tanigawa or the Tanigawa) from Tokyo station and the train drops you off right inside the base of the GALA Yuzawa Resort making it ultra convenient if traveling with small kids. Read about our visit here.
■ Lift fee
| Regular rates December 14-March 31 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child | Senior | Release time | Utilization time |
| 1-day ticket | ¥ 5,000 | ¥ 2,500 | ¥ 4,200 | 7: 40 ～ | |
| 2 day ticket | ¥ 7,800 | ¥ 3,900 | ¥ 6,600 | 7: 40 ～ | |
| Morning ticket | ¥ 4,000 | ¥ 2,000 | ¥ 3,400 | 7: 40 ～ | Until 13:00 |
| Afternoon ticket | ¥ 4,000 | ¥ 2,000 | ¥ 3,400 | 11: 45- | From 12:00 |
| 3 PM ticket | ¥ 2,000 | ¥ 1,000 | ¥ 1,800 | 14: 45- | From 15:00 |
| Gondola free ticket | ¥ 1,800 | ¥ 900 | ¥ 1,800 | 7: 40 ～ | |
GALA Yuzawa, Niigata Details:
Season: Saturday, December 14, 2019 – May 6, 2020
Hours: Winter Time 08:00 – 17:00; Spring Time 08:00 – 16:30; *April 1-26 M-F 08:00 – 16:00 *Business hours may change depending on the condition of the weather. Please check the website for updates.
Access: At Tokyo station, follow the signs for the Joetsu Shinkansen [Platforms 20-23] and take the train named Max-Tanigawa or Tanigawa. The fastest Joetsu shinkansen will get you there in just 77 mins.
Website: https://gala.co.jp/winter/
*** Top 2019-2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo ***
2) NASPA Ski Garden is a skiers-only ski resort suitable for families and beginners as well as intermediate skiers looking for some ungroomed snow and mogul challenges. Along with the adjacent NASPA New Otani Hotel, NASPA is perfect for a family vacation, for learning to ski for the first time, for improving skills and enjoying the fun of skiing – and playing in the snow.
Naspa Ski Resort has a Kid’s Garden where small children can play in the snow in a safe and fun environment. Just buy a ticket to enter the Kids Garden at the Ticket Center and have fun. They also offer Ski Lessons from 4 years in both English and Japanese.
Lift Tickets Charges
| Ticket type | Valid times | Adult | Child | 55+ |
| 1 lift ride | 450 | 350 | 400 | |
| Morning | 8:30am-1pm | 3,300 | 2,200 | 2,700 |
| Afternoon | 12:30pm-5pm | 3,300 | 2,200 | 2,700 |
| 5 hour | Valid 5 hours | 3,600 | 2,700 | 3,100 |
| PA.M | 12: 30-17: 00 OR 8: 30-13: 00 the next day | 4,900 | 3,900 | 4,400 |
| 1 day | 8:30am-5pm | 4,300 | 3,300 | 3,800 |
| 2 days | 8:30am-5pm | 6,800 | 5,100 | 6,000 |
| Thanks Ticket | 5pm-6pm | 500 | 500 | 500 |
NASPA Ski Garden, Niigata Details:
Season: December 21, 2019 – April 1, 2020
Hours: 9:30 until 16:00 daily during the season
Access: From Tokyo (about 80 minutes). Take the Joetsu Shinansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo Yuzawa Station.
Website: http://naspa.co.jp/ski/
*** Top 2019-2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo ***
3) Mt. Naeba Kagura Ski Resort, Niigata Details:
Skiers and snow boarders love the powder snow due to this high altitude resort. The ski area also has easy access to the backcountry area that attracts expert riders from all over the world. Kagura Ski Resort is connected to the Naeba Ski Resort via the world’s longest gondola, the Dragondola, and resort area shuttle buses.
Kagura Only Lift Ticket (includes Kagura, Mitsumata, Tashiro)
| Ticket | Validity | Type | Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | SEIBU PRINCE CLUB emi Members |
|||
| 1 Day Lift Ticket | Open – 5:00P.M. | Adult | ¥4,900 | ¥4,400 |
| Senior | ¥4,400 | ¥3,900 | ||
| Student | ¥4,000 | ¥3,500 | ||
| Child | Free | Free | ||
| 2 Day Lift Ticket | Open – 5:00P.M. of 2nd Day | Adult | ¥9,000 | – |
| Senior | ¥8,000 | – | ||
| Student | ¥7,200 | – | ||
| Child | Free | Free | ||
| Half Day Lift Ticket | Open – 1:00P.M. or 11:45A.M. – 5:00P.M. | Adult | ¥3,600 | – |
| Senior | ¥3,100 | – | ||
| Student | ¥2,700 | – | ||
| Seasons Pass (Kagura only) | Nov. 23, 2019 – May 24, 2020 | Adult | ¥79,000 | – |
| Senior | ¥64,000 | – | ||
| Student | ¥51,000 | – | ||
●Kagura Ski Resort Gondola Ticket (valid for 1 person on day of purchase)
| Lift | Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Lift | One Ride | ¥500 | Free |
| Kagura Gondola | Round Trip | ¥2,100 | Free |
| One-way | ¥1,400 | Free | |
| Mitsumata Ropeway (Tram) | Round Trip | ¥1,300 | Free |
| One-way | ¥800 | Free | |
| Tashiro Ropeway (Tram) | Round Trip | ¥1,800 | Free |
| One-way | ¥1,200 | Free |
Season: Kagura and Mitsumata Area: November 23, 2019 to May 24, 2020
Tashiro Area: December 14, 2019 to May 6, 2020
Hours: 8:00 until 17:00 daily during the season
Access: From Tokyo (about 80 minutes). Take the Joetsu Shinansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo Yuzawa Station. Then 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
Website: https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/kagura/index.html
*** Top 2019-2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo ***
4) Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is one of the easiest accessible resorts from Tokyo. The ski resort offers beginner and intermediate trails as well as snow parks and the ski season starts early from November. A huge resort area lies at the bottom of the ski resort including Prince Hotels and a large shopping complex. Visit our things to do in Karuizawa with Kids post.
Karuizawa has ski schools with private lessons in English. Lessons are available twice a day at 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. Advance bookings are highly recommended.
| Ticket Type | Visitor / Member | Adult | Middle and high school students, senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-hour ticket | General | ¥ 5,200 | ¥ 4,200 |
| SEIBU PRINCE CLUB members | ¥ 4,700 | ¥ 3,700 | |
| 1-day ticket | General | ¥ 5,700 | ¥ 4,700 |
| SEIBU PRINCE CLUB members | ¥ 5,200 | ¥ 4,200 | |
| 2-day ticket | ― | ¥ 10,900 | ¥ 8,900 |
| 3-day ticket | ― | ¥ 15,800 | ¥ 12,800 |
Prince Hotel Resort Karuizawa, Nagano Details:
Season: December 21, 2019 – March 22, 2020
Hours: 8:00 – 17:00 Daily.
Access: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (via Nagano) to Karuizawa Station (1 hr 10 min). The Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area is 1 min by taxi or 10 min on foot from the South Exit. There is a free Shuttle Bus between the Ski Area and Karuizawa Station. Daily service from Saturday, December 8th to Sunday, March 31, 2019
Website: http://princehotels.co.jp/ski/karuizawa/
*** Top 2019-2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo ***
5) Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort ranks among the very top in Japan in terms of size, its history and snow quality. Their 100% natural, high-quality powder snow allows you to enjoy skiing well into early May. The unlimited variety of slopes and courses, including the exciting Snow Park, guarantees satisfaction to snow lovers of all levels from the advanced to beginners as well as families, providing all with the ideal playground to enjoy the ultimate in skiing, snowboarding or whatever on-snow fun delights you.
Lift ＆ Gondola Charge
| Type of ticket | Adult | Child(under 15) | Senior(over 60) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 5,200yen | 2,900yen | 4,200yen |
| 2 day | 9,600yen | 5,400yen | 7,700yen |
| 3 day | 14,000yen | 7,900yen | 11,200yen |
| 4 hours | 4,400yen | 2,500yen | 3,500yen |
| 1 lift ticket（point ticket） | 500yen | 300yen | − |
| Nagasaka Gondola | 2,000yen | 1,200yen | − |
| Higake Gondola | 1,500yen | 900yen | − |
| Night skiing | 1,900yen | 1,050yen | − |
| Season ticket | 67,500yen | 37,500yen | 54,500yen |
| After March season pass | 36,500yen | 20,500yen | 29,500yen |
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, Nagano Details:
Season: December 14, 2019 – March 29, 2020
Hours: 8:30 – 16:30 Daily.
Access: 1 hour 40 min from Tokyo station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen to IIyama Station then 25 min to Nozawa onsen on the Nozawaonsen Liner.
Website: http://www.nozawaski.com/en/
*** Top 2019-2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo ***
6) The Fujiten Snow Resort is situated in an outstanding location, overlooking the majestic Mt. Fuji. The 4 lifts and 7 courses are rich in variety. Kids can enjoy skiing and playing the snow safely at ‘Chibikko (kids) Island’, which has one of the largest sledging slopes in the Kanto Region. Discounted tickets offered via the internet
Ski Set Rental – Adult
One day ￥4,500
Half day ￥3,000
※Lift is not included in the price.
Ski Set Rental – Junior
One day ￥3,000
Half day ￥2,000
※Lift is not included in the price.
Snowboard Set Rental – Adult & Junior
One day ￥4,500
Half day ￥3,000
Chibikko Island Kids Park
Adult & Kids entrance charge 800 yen/per person
One day lift ticket purchasers are for free
Rental sled 500 yen (One day)
1-day Lift Tickets Adults
Mon-Fri 4000 JPY
Sat, Sun & Holidays 4,500 JPY
1-day Lift Tickets 4 years ~ elementary school
Mon-Fri 3000 JPY
Sat, Sun & Holidays 3,500 JPY
under 3 years free
Fujiten Snow Resort Details:
Season: December 21, 2019 – March 22, 2020
Hours: Weekdays 8:30 to 17:00; Weekends and Holidays 9:00 to 17:00; Night Skiing 16:00 to 22:00
Access: By Car Take the Chuo Expressway Shinjuku IC to the Kawaguchiko IC then to the Fujiten Snow Resort (90min); By Train from Shinjuku Statio to Kawaguchiko Station(2hr). Then take a 20 min Taxi to Fujiten Snow Resort.
Website: http://www.fujiten.net/pc/
*** Top 2019-2020 Ski / Snowboard Day Trips from Tokyo ***
********
Check out our other posts about skiing in Japan
Junior Ski Camp (Shiga Kogen, Nagano) – Weekend Sleepover Ski Camp for Kinder to Teens
Niseko Kids Ski Schools – English Language Children Ski Programs
Katashina Kogen Ski Resort, Gunma – Ski lessons from Age 4, Day Care from Age 2
GALA Yuzawa Resort, Niigata – Ski & Snowboard Lessons from Age 4
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I would also suggest Yuzawa Kogen. It is accessible by a free shuttle bus (or an 8-minute walk) from echigo yuzawa station.
They have 2 snowlands that is very enjoyable for young kids.
http://www.yuzawakogen.com