Yuzawa Ski Resorts

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Yuzawa Niigata Japan
Yuzawa Niigata Japan
Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort
Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort
The views to the surrounding mountains are rather spectacular
The views to the surrounding mountains are rather spectacular
Yuzawa is very accessible via train
Yuzawa is very accessible via train
Naeba Ski Resort Yuzawa
Naeba Ski Resort Yuzawa
A valley with Yuzawa ski resorts on either side
A valley with Yuzawa ski resorts on either side
Yuzawa Niigata
Yuzawa Niigata
Yuzawa is renowned for its hot springs
Yuzawa is renowned for its hot springs
Yuzawa Japan
Yuzawa Japan
Sake tasting at Echigo Yuzawa train station
Sake tasting at Echigo Yuzawa train station
Sake museum at Echigo Yuzawa train station
Sake museum at Echigo Yuzawa train station
Night skiing Yuzawa
Night skiing Yuzawa
Foot Onsen Yuzawa
Foot Onsen Yuzawa
Yuzawa Japan
Yuzawa Japan
Yuzawa Japan
Yuzawa Japan
One of the many stalls at the Echigo Yuzawa train station
One of the many stalls at the Echigo Yuzawa train station
Joetsu Kogen is officially located in Minamiuonuma
Joetsu Kogen is officially located in Minamiuonuma
It
It's very quick to get to Yuzawa from Tokyo
View from Yuzawa
View from Yuzawa
Near Mt Granview Ski Resort Yuzawa
Near Mt Granview Ski Resort Yuzawa

Yuzawa Ski Resorts

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Yuzawa

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Yuzawa Town Niigata

Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture is known as “yukiguni” which translates to “snow country”. This is very apt considering the many Yuzawa ski resorts get dumped on with snow each winter. The Yuzawa skiing and snowboarding is well renowned and popular because it’s the most convenient ski region to get to from Tokyo (only 75 to 80 minutes on the bullet train to Echigo Yuzawa).

Yuzawa skiing also has a distinct advantage because lots of the Yuzawa ski resorts are within very close proximity of each other, so it’s very easy to sample multiple ski resorts on the one trip. And with the Yuzawa ski resorts, it doesn’t just need to be all about the skiing and snowboarding.

Pros and Cons of Yuzawa Japan

Pros
  • Yuzawa is the most convenient ski region to get to from Tokyo. The big Shinkansen running through the middle of town detracts from its attractiveness but it sure makes it mighty accessible.
  • Yuzawa has a high concentration of ski resorts, providing an abundant variety of slopes to choose from, and if you stay in town, it’s easy to get to lots of the resorts via bus.
  • The views across the mountains are rather spectacular.
  • The town of Yuzawa is not overrun with gaijin, so a Yuzawa snowboarding or skiing trip can provide lovely cultural immersion.
  • Staying in the town of Yuzawa provides a nice “non-resortified” Japanese experience.
  • There are lots of Yuzawa restaurants and bars to choose from, including some where you can partake in karaoke, a quintessential Japanese activity!
Cons
  • Yuzawa is an onsen town, but if you have images of a pretty little traditional town with cobble stone pathways and folks wandering round in their yukatas on the way to the onsen (like Shibu Onsen or Yudanaka), you’re thinking of the wrong town.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • Due to its accessibility, Yuzawa can get slammed with crowds on the weekends and many of the slopes become congested, particularly at the ski resorts that are the easiest to get to. Most Tokyo-ites only stay for Saturday night and accommodation availability on Saturdays can be scarce and hotels tariffs are hiked up. Conversely if you can travel mid-week, Yuzawa is a great value for money ski destination and crowds are fine.
  • Most of the Yuzawa ski resorts are ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders wanting to ride groomed runs. Only a few of the resorts are well suited to powder hounds wanting to ride off-piste.

Yuzawa Ski Resorts

There are about a dozen ski resorts within the Yuzawa town area and various ski areas in the neighbouring Minamiuonuma city.

The Yuzawa ski resort line-up ranges from little ski areas with less than a handful of lifts to interconnected mega resorts such as Naeba and Kagura. Another example of a large interconnected Yuzawa ski area is the Gala Yuzawa, Yuzawa Kogen and Ishiuchi Maruyama trio. These inter-connected ski areas of Kagura/Naeba and Gala/Yuzawa Kogen/Ishiuchi (Yuzawa Snow Link) offer cross-resort lift tickets.

Joetsu Kokusai and Iwaparra also offer a lift pass that’s valid at both ski areas, although these are not geographically co-located. Wouldn’t it be great if all the other Yuzawa ski resorts were more collaborative and offered a Yuzawa/Minami-Unonuma wide multi-day pass?! Alas, that’s not the case. 

South Yuzawa Ski Resorts

From central Yuzawa:
  • Naspa is 1.5km to the south (skiing only)
  • Kandatsu is 4.3km to the south
  • Iwappara is 3.5km to the east
  • Yuzawa Park ski area is 5.5km to the east
  • Nakazato is 6km to the southeast
  • Ludens Yuzawa ski area is 6.5km southeast (currently closed)
  • Naeba is 21km to the south
  • Mitsumata of Kagura is 7.5km to the southwest

North Yuzawa Ski Resorts

From central Yuzawa:
  • Yuzawa Kogen is 0.5km northwest of the station
  • The base of Gala Yuzawa is 3km northwest of the town
  • The Hatsuka Ishi base of Ishiuchi Maruyama is 5km north (officially in Minamiuonuma)
  • Maiko is 9km north of Yuzawa (in Minamiuonuma)
  • Mt Granview is 9km north (a little west of Maiko) in Minamiuonuma
  • Joetsu Kokusai is 14km north in Minamiuonuma
  • Chateau Shiozawa is 16km north in Minamiuonuma
  • Muikamachi Hakkaisan is 30km northeast of Yuzawa in Minamiuonuma

Where is Yuzawa?

Yuzawa is located in the Niigata Prefecture, about 200km northwest of Tokyo. Getting from Tokyo to Yuzawa on the Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train) is very fast, so even though it seems very close to Tokyo, Yuzawa feels worlds away from the buzz of the highly urbanised Tokyo.

Once in Yuzawa, it’s really easy to get to the many Yuzawa ski resorts via buses and train.

Yuzawa Hotels

If you want to sample multiple ski resorts in Yuzawa, you can stay in Yuzawa and enjoy the non-resortified experience of a Japanese town. There are lots of options for Yuzawa hotels ranging from Japanese ryokans and family run inns to western style hotels, and various budgets are covered.

Yuzawa Hotel Listings

Or if you want to stay slopeside and enjoy the convenience of ski-in ski-out accommodation, some of the ski resorts have a range of lodging options:

Yuzawa Activities

The town and region are well known for the onsen (hot springs) so it seems only fitting to have a soak to sooth your weary muscles after skiing or snowboarding. There are onsen at some of the Yuzawa hotels, at public bath houses, at many of the ski resorts, or there’s the foot bath on the main street of Yuzawa.

The area also has a lot of fireworks displays and it seems that each Yuzawa ski resort has to take it in turns to host the display.

And if you’ve got a chance, check out the Echigo-Yuzawa train station. In addition to the many market stalls where you can sample your way around all the Japanese snacks, it’s nice to visit the sake museum and learn about the art of sake making the best way; by tasting it! You can even have a sake onsen.
Tours That Include Yuzawa

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Japow Freedom Tour
CAMPER VAN TOUR
8 Nights | 7 Days Guiding
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Explore in a camper van with the support of your guide & get the maximum exponent of freedom to be in the right place at the right time. The itinerary is completely flexible depending on snow forecasts and your guide can show you the best Japow spots in lift-assisted freeriding zones
Price p/p Based on a group tour for 2024 with a group of 4 people
USD 3,229
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Yuzawa here

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Naeba Powder Guiding
DAY GUIDING | NAEBA & KAGURA
Lift Access Only or Lift + Touring or Touring Only
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Explore the powder stashes at Naeba or Kagura & get the best & safest experience with the knowledge of a local certified guide who has intimate knowledge of the terrain. Tours are for PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY of up to 5 guests per group.
Price p/p Price is per person based on a PRIVATE GROUP of 3
Base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed price might vary slightly from actual due to fluctuations in exchange rates.
USD 176
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See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Yuzawa here
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