Best Ski Resorts Near Tokyo

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Best Ski Resorts Near Tokyo

| 17, August, 2023

Categories: Japan Travel

IN TOKYO THIS WINTER? CHECK OUT THESE SKI RESORTS!

Are you planning a trip to Tokyo this Winter? Whilst there are numerous activities to make your Tokyo visit a memorable one, from seeing the illuminations to counting down to the New Year at a shrine or temple, you can elevate your winter holiday to a new height with a trip to one of the nearby ski resorts. After all, Japan is home to nearly 500 ski areas, and with the arctic winds from Siberia, many of them are blessed with abundant snowfall and unimaginably soft and fluffy powder snow. So come along as we explore the best ski resorts near Tokyo, ranging from day trips to multiple-day stopovers!

Day Trips

The closest resort to Tokyo is Sayama Snow Resort in Saitama, only 40 minutes away from Ikebukuro. It is an indoor resort so it might only be worth a visit if you are learning your first turns or looking for a quick refresher. Other ski resorts close to Tokyo include Kamui Misaka and Fujiten Snow Resort in the neighbouring Yamanashi Prefecture, each with about 200m of vertical ski runs and 4 lifts and can be reached within 90 minutes from Tokyo’s centre.

Slope view from Gala Yuzawa, ski resort near Tokyo

2 – 3 Days

If you want to experience real skiing in Japan, you should head slightly further afield to the area of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture, otherwise known as “snow country”. Luckily, thanks to the superb Japanese bullet train system, this area is extremely accessible and is by far the best option for a day or two of skiing and snowboarding away from Tokyo. The Joetsu Shinkansen line connects Tokyo with Yuzawa in just over an hour on the Tanigawa Express. Right outside the station sits Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort, making it the closest major ski resort to Tokyo. Due to its convenient location and accessibility, Gala is very popular with Tokyo dwellers and tends to be more crowded than other Yuzawa resorts.

Besides the Tanigawa Express, the Joetsu Shinkansen line also offers the Toki Express to Echigo Yuzawa. The journey is just as short as the Tanigawa Express, and links to some of the best ski resorts near Tokyo. Ishiuchi Maruyama provides a fantastic alternative to Gala with far fewer crowds and it is only a 10-minute taxi ride from Echigo Yuzawa Station. If you have your own transportation, Naeba and Kagura Ski Resort are sublime options. Both are within 30 minutes from Yuzawa town and offer a vast terrain, breathtaking scenery and terrific snow conditions.

ski terrain at hakuba, nagano ski resort, japan

3+ Days

If you have a few nights to spare, head over to Hakuba Valley in northern Nagano. The main station, Hakuba Station, is conveniently connected to Tokyo via multiple train and bus lines. Hakuba is a great addition to either the beginning or end of your Tokyo trip as there are several direct buses a day connecting the resort with Haneda and Narita Airport. Considering that Hakuba offers some of the most expansive terrains and arguably the most reliable snow conditions of any ski area on mainland Japan, it is, without a doubt, one of the best ski resorts near Tokyo.

On top of that, Hakuba showcases a perfect blend of traditional and modern Japanese ski resort – you can find all types of accommodation, from wooden lodges to stunning modern condominiums (ski-in ski-out accommodation anyone?), and there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Many businesses also have English-speaking staff, making it a breeze to navigate the resort and other necessary services while on your ski holiday.

INTERESTED IN BOOKING HAKUBA?

If Hakuba has stolen your heart like it does ours, get in touch with our team of local specialists for the best deals on accommodation, including the latest early bird discount, as well as let us take off the burden of holiday planning with our personal assistance in arranging resort services.

We look forward to receiving your enquiry and helping you plan your perfect Japan’s ski holiday!

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