Ski Nagano

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Nagano Japan
Nagano Japan
Zenko-ji Temple Area Nagano
Zenko-ji Temple Area Nagano
Nagano City is a fun place to explore
Nagano City is a fun place to explore
So many Nagano restaurants
So many Nagano restaurants
Nagano train station is the hub of transport to ski areas
Nagano train station is the hub of transport to ski areas
Nagano City is a great base to explore various ski areas
Nagano City is a great base to explore various ski areas
So many laneways to explore
So many laneways to explore
Nagano is a great spot to experience culture away from the ski resorts
Nagano is a great spot to experience culture away from the ski resorts
Nagano train station
Nagano train station
Zenko-ji Temple Area
Zenko-ji Temple Area
Zenko-ji Temple Nagano
Zenko-ji Temple Nagano
Zenko-ji Temple Nagano Japan
Zenko-ji Temple Nagano Japan
Zenko-ji Temple Area
Zenko-ji Temple Area

Ski Nagano

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Nagano

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Myoko Kogen Powder Packages

Nagano Hotels Near Station

Hotel Abest Nagano Ekimae ($-$$)
Hotel Metropolitan ($$$)
Nagano Plaza Hotel ($$)

Other Hotels

Smile Hotel Nagano ($-$$)

Nagano Ski Resorts

West of Nagano
Hakuba

East of Nagano
Shiga Kogen
Yamaboku

Northeast of Nagano
Kijimadaira
Nozawa Onsen
Madarao
Ryuoo Ski Park
Tangram
Togari Onsen

North of Nagano
Myoko Kogen
Kurohime

Northwest of Nagano
Togakushi

Nagano Japan

Nagano is a modern Japanese city and a popular gateway to a variety of sightseeing activities, with Nagano skiing being a major attraction during the winter months. Nagano Japan is also well known for the 1998 Winter Olympics, with some of the Nagano ski resorts playing host to many of the events. 

Where is Nagano?

Nagano city is located about 233km northwest of Tokyo in the northern part of the Nagano Prefecture, near the Alps and some of the highest mountains in Japan. See the Nagano travel page for information on getting to Nagano and then getting to the Nagano ski resorts.

Nagano Ski Resort Access

Nagano city is the gateway to various ski resorts, most within the Nagano Prefecture. Here are some of the major Nagano ski resorts.

Hakuba is a group of ski resorts that are popular with locals and westerners alike. The Hakuba ski areas provide a large expanse of terrain, a degree of nightlife, and a family friendly approach. Hakuba is located 44km west of Nagano and can be accessed via bus (one hour).

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Nagano" subcategory="Resort Buses"]

Shiga Kogen is another large Nagano ski resort which is renowned for the long groomed runs, great tree skiing, and good snow quality considering the high elevation. Shiga Kogen is 50km northeast of Nagano city and accessed via a 70 minute bus trip.

Nozawa Onsen ski resort sits above the town of Nozawa Onsen, which provides lots of Japanese historic charm and an abundance of hot springs. Nozawa Onsen is 46km northeast of Nagano city, a 1:20 hour bus ride from Nagano train station.

Myoko Kogen is a group of ski resorts that provide delightful opportunities for powder hounds, whilst the little ski town of Akakura Onsen provides a little Japanese culture. Myoko Kogen is located one hour north of Nagano city in the Niigata prefecture.

Madarao Mountain Resort is growing in popularity and is located between Nozawa Onsen and Myoko Kogen. Its slopes are interconnected with those of Tangram. 

A great way to easily sample multiple Nagano ski resorts and to also get some great cultural experiences, is to join one of the multi-resort tours below.

The closest ski resort to Nagano City is the little Iizuna Resort.

Nagano Hotels

Whether you’re just staying for one night in Nagano or doing a stop-over for a few days to take in the Nagano attractions, there are plenty of Nagano hotels and accommodation options to choose from. For the ultimate convenience, Nagano hotels near the train station include Hotel Metropolitan ($$$), Sotetsu Fresh Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi ($$), and Hotel Abest Nagano Ekimae ($$). See the Nagano accommodation page for more information.

Alternatively you can use the towns of Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen as a base to visit many of the Nagano ski resorts. This area features traditional Japanese architecture with cute ryokans and public onsens, and is about as “Japanese” as you can get!

Nagano Activities

Nagano and the surrounding areas offer various activities, many of which highlight the historical richness of Japan. Nagano things to do include a visit to the Zenko-ji Temple or the former castle town of Matsushiro. The nearby town of Matsumoto features the impressive Matsumoto Castle, and a visit to the Japanese snow monkeys and the traditional onsen village of Shibu are quintessential activities whilst on a Nagano skiing holiday. See the Nagano activities page for more information.

Why Ski Nagano?

Nagano is easily accessible from Tokyo, and with the Nagano ski resorts, it doesn’t just need to be all about the skiing and snowboarding. A ski Japan holiday can also provide cultural immersion and an opportunity to partake in some great sightseeing activities around Nagano. Nagano skiing also has the distinct advantage that there are lots of high quality ski resorts within close proximity of each other, so it’s possible to sample multiple Japan ski resorts in the one holiday. 

Other Nagano Prefecture Ski Resorts

There is an abundance of other ski resorts in the Nagano Prefecture that aren't particularly close to the city of Nagano.  Examples include:
Tours In The Nagano Area

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

The Legendary Roadie
HOSTED & GUIDED ROAD TRIP
11 Days | 10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Experience Japan powder like no other on this legendary road trip where you will visit up to 8 resorts in 3 prefectures; Nagano, Gunma & Niigata! Join a tour as a solo traveler, couple or small group. Max 6 spots per tour so get in quickly!
Price p/p From price based on twin-share at Hotel Omodaka & Tenjin Lodge for 2025 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,665
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Nagano here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Nagano Powder Chaser
HOSTED & GUIDED SKI & CULTURE PACKAGES
3, 4, 5 & 6 Nights | 2, 3, 4 & 5 Days Skiing/Boarding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Don't let a lack of time, budget or resort knowledge hold you back from a ski/snowboard trip in Nagano this winter. Experience many of Nagano's best ski areas with guides who have an intimate knowledge; based in the culturally rich town of Yudanaka. Tours can be CUSTOMISED for 3 nights or more. Share
Price p/p From price per person based on 3-night stay with 2 days skiing/boarding in a twin share Japanese room with private bathroom at Omodaka. 24/25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,217
View Details
 March Madness. 5% off tours booked in the month of March 2025
Nagano Ski/Board Progression
SKI / SNOWBOARD GUIDED INSTRUCTION
10 Days | 9 Nights | 8 Skiing | Up to 8 Ski Areas
Ability: Intermediate to Strong Intermediate
Learn to ski and ride deep powder with more confidence or improve your on-piste technique whilst checking out some of Nagano's fabulous ski areas away from the masses of foreigners. In addition to the skiing and snowboarding, experience an area rich in culture and history. Share
Price p/p From price based on per person twin-share room at Omodaka for 2024/25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,189
View Details
 March Madness. 5% off tours booked in the month of March 2025
Nagano Ski Buffet
GUIDED SKI ADVENTURE (SKIERS ONLY)
10 Days | 9 Nights | 8 Skiing | Up to 8 Ski Areas
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Combine deep untracked powder skiing where few foreigners go, with a rich Japanese cultural experience, traditional Japanese accommodation and authentic Japanese food, and you have the perfect Japanese ski adventure!
Price p/p From price based on twin-share Japanese room with bathroom at Omodaka
Base/invoice currency in JPY
Displayed prices may vary slightly to actual due exchange rate fluctuations
Base/invoice currency in JPY
Displayed prices may vary slightly to actual due exchange rate fluctuations
USD 3,189
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Nagano here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Shiga Guided Powder Tours
SHIGA KOGEN & SURROUNDING RESORTS
Single & Multi-Day Guiding
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Explore the off-piste and sidecountry at the massive ski area of Shiga Kogen or another nearby ski area. Guiding is for private groups or group tours are available some days.
Price p/p *based on per person in a private group of 5 for a 5 hour tour for 2024/25 season.
base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed rates might vary to actual due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 84
View Details
 
See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Nagano here
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