A lovely wintery wonderland, Yuzawa is a town in the Japanese alps that is popular for its ski resorts and hot springs. If you’re into skiing and snowboarding, this is the town for you, with its numerous ski resorts with powdery white snow and different courses perfect for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Aside from the resorts, there are a plethora of sight-seeing opportunities and lots of fun things to do around Yuzawa. For instance, a must-visit attraction here is Ponshukan. It is a sake museum that features a sake bath and a tasting room. In case you’re still looking for a ski resort and accommodation for your next trip to Yuzawa, read on and discover our list of the top ski resorts in Yuzawa, Japan for your guide.
1. Yuzawa New Otani (from USD 99)
A large part of making sure you’ll have a memorable skiing trip in Yuzawa, Japan, is booking a nice accommodation, and this option can certainly offer you that and a whole lot more! Yuzawa New Otani features two types of guest rooms—a Western-style room and a Japanese-style room. All guest rooms have fine furnishings and designs, not to mention nice amenities like a flat-screen TV, a fridge, an en-suite bathroom, and free WiFi access to ensure a cozy stay.
Yuzawa New Otani
Address: Yuzawa 330
Accommodates: 4
Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities 24-hour front desk Sauna Non-smoking rooms Fishing
2. GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort
A well-known ski and snowboard resort in Japan, GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is the only Yuzawa accommodation that has its own Shinkansen bullet train station, which makes it accessible and convenient to many people. The train and the lifts go all the way to the main courses. The resort has four main parts, the southern, central, and northern areas, and the downhill course, which is perfect for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Another good thing about this resort is that it is situated in an area that experiences the long winter season and some of the best snow conditions.
If you’re looking for a place to stay that is near the resort, then NASPA New Otani is the perfect accommodation for you. Each room here is air-conditioned and contains a fridge and coffee/tea facilities, as well as a private bathroom.
GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort
Address: 1039-2 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan
Website: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 4,600 JPY or 42.54 USD
3. Naeba Prince Hotel
One of the top hotels in the area and often fully booked, Naeba Prince Hotel is a must-book accommodation in Yuzawa. It is a ski and hot spring resort with many facilities and amenities to enjoy. It features numerous dining options, shops, saunas, a spa, and ski lessons for beginners and advanced students. Each room here is air-conditioned and contains a flat-screen LCD television, small fridge, and a window with a view of the outside. Also, you’ll find some rooms here that have great views of the slopes. To top it all off, you’ll also find free toiletries and green tea inside your room.
Naeba Prince Hotel
Address: Mikuni 202
Parking Restaurant 24-hour front desk Non-smoking rooms Skiing Family rooms Free parking Internet services
4. Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Ipponsugi Ski
Photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Located in the center of Onsen Street in Yuzawa, Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Ipponsugi Ski is a family-friendly ski hill resort. It features many amenities and services like a lift, ski lessons, gear rentals, play area with sledding, and an in-house restaurant, in case you get hungry. This ski resort is strictly for skiing only and where snowboarding is not allowed. Moreover, the resort is kid-friendly as they have a special area for kids that has an igloo and where they can sled, slide, and play in the snow.
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Ipponsugi Ski
Address: 2521 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan
Website: Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Ipponsugi Ski
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 4,200 or 38.84 USD
5. Kagura Snow Resorts
Every skier dreams of powdery white snow. Kagura’s high altitude will make this dream come true. If you’re particular about the quality of the snow, you better visit the resort from December to March, but you can still ski from late November to early May. Make sure you visit this resort for its untouched splendor and beautiful views of the Niigata’s Mountains.
If you want to indulge yourself with Japanese culture, during your stay, then why not book a room at Kaikake Onsen, which is a traditional Japanese inn. Each room here is traditionally furnished and contains a kettle.
Kagura Snow Resorts
Address: 742 Mitsumata, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6211, Japan
Website: Kagura Snow Resorts
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 4,700 JPY or 43.47 USD
6. Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort
Poised just above the town of Yuzawa, Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort is perfect for people who are just learning how to ski. The slopes here are very easy and will give you lots of chances for snow play. In case you want more challenging trails, the resort has easy access to the interconnected ski resorts of Gala Yuzawa and Ishiuchi Maruyama, where you can choose from a wide range of slopes. Another good thing about this resort is it is less crowded, most especially at the upper ski slopes during weekends. You’ll also be mesmerized by the spectacular view from the highest part of the ski area.
If you want to feel a local on a touristy spot in Japan, then why not get a room at the Yuzawa Toei Hotel. The hotel features Japanese style rooms with tatami flooring and Japanese futon bedding.
Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort
Address: 490 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan
Website: Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort
Opening hours: 8:40am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 4,200 JPY or 38.84 USD
7. Iwappara Ski Resort
The first-ever large resort to open in town, Iwappara Ski Resort features a wide-open main slope that is perfect for all level of skier. Whether you are just learning or want to practice your skills, the resort has a trail made for you. Also, don’t forget to journey to the highest point of the resort and see the glorious view of the valley and Tanigawadake. But aside from the 20 courses that range from beginner- to advance-level difficulty, the resort has other amenities, such as restaurants, lifts, snow park, parking, and more. If you’re looking for a hotel near the ski resort, you don’t have to look far for Hotel Sierra Resort Yuzawa is just in front of the property. It features air-conditioned rooms with large windows, giving you spectacular view of the Mount Tanigatake.
Iwappara Ski Resort
Address: 731-79 Tsuchidaru, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6103, Japan
Website: Iwappara Ski Resort
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 4,000 JPY or 36.99 USD
8. NASPA Ski Garden
Photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Situated near the heart of Yuzawa Town, NASPA Ski Garden is a popular ski resort for the whole family for its children-friendly facilities and slopes. It is also one of the remaining ski resorts in the area that is strictly for skiing only. Another unique feature of the resort is its Pingu theme, after a famous penguin character in Japan, which also make a special visit to the resort once in a while. Next to the resort is the NASPA New Otani Hotel, which features rooms with air conditioning and contains a fridge and coffee/tea facilities, as well as a private bathroom. Other facilities you can enjoy include hot spring baths, an indoor swimming pool, and numerous dining options.
NASPA Ski Garden
Address: 2117-9 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan
Website: NASPA Ski Garden
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 4,200 JPY or 38.84 USD
9. Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
With a train station at its base, Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort is very accessible and family-friendly. It features 16 different courses, each with a unique characteristic, challenging the skills of skiers and boarders at every level. They also have many amenities for the kids like Smile Kids Park, Jet Train Park, and the Smile Kids Room. Located 15 minutes’ drive away from the Echigo-Yuzawa Station, Hotel Angel Grandia Echigo Nakazato has ski-to-door access to Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort, making it the ideal accommodation for you. Each room here features tatami flooring, an air purifier, flat-screen TV, electric kettle, and refrigerator.
Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Address: 5044-1 Tsuchidaru, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6103, Japan
Website: Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Price: 4,200 JPY or 38.84 USD
10. Nakazato Snow Wood
Photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Located in the southeast of central Yuzawa town, Nakazato Snow Wood is a small ski hill resort next to the Yuzawa Nakazato resort. But these two resorts are not connected and don’t share the same ski lift. Also, this ski resort does not offer any school to give you a lesson about skiing or snowboarding but there are available ski and snowboarding equipment rentals. If you’re still looking for a place to stay that is near the resort, then you have to book Asahikan Yuzawa. It is located at the heart of Yuzawa. This establishment is a traditional Japanese inn that features comfortable accommodation for the whole family. It is also a family-owned business so expect a warm welcome from them.
Nakazato Snow Wood
Address: 4731-2 Tsuchidaru, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6103, Japan
Website: Nakazato Snow Wood
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 2,300 JPY or 21.27 USD
Explore ski resorts in Yuzawa
With its many ski resorts, you’ll surely won’t run out of slopes to explore while you’re in Yuzawa. Make sure to also visit other attractions while you’re here like the Snow Country Museum and the sake museum. Also, don’t forget to check out our list of the best ski resorts in Yuzawa, Japan.
Frequently asked questions about ski resorts in Yuzawa, Japan
1. Which ski resorts in Yuzawa offer ski lessons?
If you’ve never tried skiing before and you want to learn, you can book your stay at Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Ipponsugi Ski and Naeba Prince Hotel as they offer ski lessons.
2. Which ski resorts in Yuzawa have WiFi?
If you just can’t do without an internet connection, you’ll be glad to know that most of the options included in this article offer WiFi access, including Naeba Prince Hotel and Yuzawa New Otani.
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