Togakushi Ski Resort
The Togakushi Ski Resort feels a bit like a private ski area for just you and your powder ninja friends. Togakushi means “hiding door” and on weekdays it feels like a hidden spot. Even though a few Japanese turn up on the weekends, the off-piste areas remain barren and there is minimal competition for the powder.
The base area of Togakushi Ski Resort is rather quaint, although the buildings appear somewhat run-down. Considering there are so few people that visit, you can’t help but wonder if this is yet another Japanese ski resort on the cusp of ceasing operation.
Whilst the skiing is relatively unknown at Togakushi, the area is very famous for its amazing soba noodles (buckwheat noodles), ninjia, and the Togakushi Shrine.
Pros and Cons of Togakushi
Pros
- Whilst many other Nagano ski resorts are highly trafficked, Togakushi is a quiet paradise for greedy powder hounds who want all the powder to themselves.
- Togakushi is also ideal for intermediate powder seekers on a powder day considering there is little competition for fresh lines on the piste.
- The elevation is higher than Myoko Kogen and some other Nagano ski resorts, so the snow quality is generally very good.
- The soba noodles are supremo!
- The ski area offers lovely views across to Hakuba and you might see Mt Fuji on fine days.
Cons
- Like many non-westernised Japanese ski resorts, there is inadequate terrain for more than 1 to 2 days of riding.
- Unless you have a car or are on a multi-day tour, it can be a little difficult to get there from nearby destinations resorts (which helps to keep the crowds away).
Pro or Con Depending on Your Perspective
- The little tree runs are plenty of fun for advanced riders but you’ll need to be discrete.
- Togakushi is delightfully devoid of western influence, so particularly if you had a multi-day stay you’d get a nice Japanese experience. Not much English is spoken, and the resort doesn’t cater for families looking for kids group lessons or childcare with English speaking staff.
- There’s certainly no bling bling. Everything is pleasantly simple at Togakushi, albeit a fraction ramshackle in places.
- Togakushi Ski Resort is now on the US based Indy Pass, which might increase the powder hunting numbers a little but it may help with the financial viability of the ski area.
Togakushi Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Like many other Japanese ski resorts, Togakushi is not large. It has 58 hectares of piste and 19 courses, of which 4 are beginner, 8 are intermediate, and 7 classified as advanced. Togakushi Ski Resort has 548 metres of vertical (1,200 - 1,748 metres) which can’t be skied in one continuous hit.
The Togakushi ski resort has two peaks. The lower one has an elevation of 1,549 metres and is the start of the majority of the runs. The terrain separates into two parts that descend to the main base hub and a smaller base area. The upper peak (Mt Menou – 1,748m) offers a smaller amount of terrain.
The terrain includes good beginner and intermediate trails, and a couple of steep-ish groomers. There are also a few black trails down the front side that are north facing and aptly rated as advanced. There are also a couple of terrain parks that are OK by Japanese standards, along with kids’ park tunnels and features.
As is typical of non-westernised Honshu ski resorts, off-piste skiing is officially banned but possible with some care. One of the pros of the tree skiing at Togakushi is that it’s reasonably easy to remain invisible, and the obvious advantage is that not many people ski off-piste. The off-piste tree runs are typically short but very sweet, and some require some negotiation around creek lines depending on the snow cover. Togakushi also has a little sidecountry with very easy access and egress, especially on the weekends and holidays when the Chusha lift is operating.
Togakushi Ski Resort has 7 chair lifts consisting of 2 quad chairs, 2 detachable doubles, and 3 slow double chairs.
Togakushi Snow
Whilst Togakushi doesn’t receive as much snowfall as some other high profile
Nagano ski resorts (about 7.6 metres on average per season), the quality of the powder is typically very good. The front face of Togakushi Ski Resort is mostly north facing, and whilst other parts have varied aspects, the top elevation of the resort at 1,748 metres is higher than many other neighbouring ski resorts (see
Nagano ski resort snow stats).
Where is Togakushi Ski Resort?
Togakushi Ski Area is located about 24km northwest of
Nagano City, 42km east of
Hakuba, and 30km southwest of
Myoko Kogen (about a 45 minute drive).
Togakushi Accommodation
The main base area of Togakushi has a quasi-village with just a hotel and a handful of pensions, so it’s very very quiet. The Togakushi accommodation is simple and inexpensive.
Togakushi- Kogen Minshuku Rindo is located on the outskirts of the ski area in a ski-in location (and 1 minute walk out).
Togakushi Accommodation Listings
Facilities
The base area offers simple amenities for skiers and snowboarders including equipment rentals, a small convenience shop, inexpensive child care for infants 18 months+ on the weekends, and ski school (no English). The main base area has a kids play park that’s serviced by a magic carpet.
There are also a few eateries. The main cafeteria has the usual ski resort fare, although it seems apt to order some soba noodles. There is also a coffee shop that serves “God’s coffee” that doesn’t quite deserve that status. The highlight of the dining is the French restaurant at the base of the top quad chair where they serve up lots of decadent cuisine.
Activities
Togakushi Village is thought by some to be the birthplace of ninjutsu, and close to the ski resort is a ninja museum and training ground (open April to November only).
The Togakushi Shrine is rich in mythical Japanese history and is made up of a few main shrines as well as smaller ones. You can see the orange torii gates of the lower shrine, or hike along the avenue of hundreds of massive ancient cryptomeria cedar trees on the way to the okusha (upper or inner shrine).
Whilst in the Togakushi village you might want to sample some of the famous soba noodles.