Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan’s most renowned ski destinations, boasting around 70-80 ski resorts. Often compared to Hokkaido, Nagano offers a wide range of ski slopes, thanks to its abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow. As the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano continues to attract ski enthusiasts from all over the world. Its easy accessibility—just over an hour from Tokyo by train—makes it a popular winter getaway for both domestic and international travelers.
With so many options, deciding which resort to visit can be overwhelming. Here, we’ve curated a guide to the four most popular ski areas in Nagano: Shiga Kogen, Hakuba, Karuizawa, and Nozawa Onsen. Each region offers unique features and diverse ski slopes, so let's explore them and find the perfect spot for your next ski trip!
Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
Features of Shiga Kogen
Located in Yamanouchi Town, Shiga Kogen is the largest ski resort area in Nagano and one of the largest in Japan. This vast area comprises 18 ski resorts, all situated above 2,000 meters, with a combined total of 48 lifts spanning 80 kilometers of terrain. The best part? A single pass gives you access to all the slopes, allowing you to explore Shiga Kogen’s diverse offerings.
Each ski resort in Shiga Kogen varies in size, slope difficulty, and amenities, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. One of the standout resorts is Okushiga Kogen, known for its wide variety of runs and high-quality powder snow. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced skier, there's a perfect slope for you.
For families and beginners, Maruike Ski Resort is a great choice, with gentle slopes and a children’s snow park. Meanwhile, Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Resort, connected to the Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel, offers a wide range of ski runs, including Olympic-level slopes.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Aside from skiing, Shiga Kogen is close to popular attractions like Shibu Onsen, Yudanaka Onsen, and the famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where you can watch wild Japanese macaques soaking in natural hot springs—a truly unique experience!
Getting to Shiga Kogen
From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, then transfer to the Shiga Kogen Express Bus, which takes about 70 minutes to reach the resort.
Hakuba Ski Resort
Nagano Skiing｜Hakuba Ski Resort
Features of Hakuba
Located in northwestern Nagano, Hakuba is one of the most famous ski destinations in the region. Surrounded by the towering Japanese Alps, Hakuba boasts stunning scenery and world-class skiing. The area receives abundant dry, fluffy powder snow, making it ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Hakuba features over ten ski resorts, with Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, and Hakuba Happo-One being the most popular. Hakuba Goryu is renowned for its excellent facilities and offers a thrilling 5,000-meter-long run for those seeking adventure. For advanced skiers, Hakuba 47 is a must-visit, known for its challenging runs and top-notch terrain parks.
Hakuba is also home to the famous Happo-One Ski Resort, which has hosted numerous international competitions and features several Olympic-level runs. If you’re not into skiing, there are plenty of other winter activities to enjoy, such as ice sculpture exhibits, hot air balloon rides, and ice fishing.
Getting to Hakuba
To reach Hakuba from Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, and then transfer to a bus bound for Hakuba. Various shuttle buses are available, connecting Hakuba’s major resorts and airports, including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and Tokyo’s main hubs.
Karuizawa Ski Resort
Nagano Skiing | Karuizawa Ski Resort
Features of Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a well-known year-round resort area located on the border of Nagano and Gunma prefectures. During winter, Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort becomes a popular destination for skiers, thanks to its convenient location just one hour from Tokyo by train. From Karuizawa Station, it’s only a 10-minute walk or a short bus ride to the resort.
The resort offers 16 well-maintained ski runs, with a total length of 8,356 meters and the longest run stretching 1,519 meters. There are slopes for everyone, from easy beginner trails to more challenging intermediate runs with 30-degree inclines. For families, the resort has a snow park featuring fun activities like sledding and tubing.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Aside from skiing, Karuizawa is also home to Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, a massive outlet mall with over 200 shops, perfect for some post-ski retail therapy. Other nearby attractions include hot springs, spas, and bowling alleys, making Karuizawa a fantastic spot for a well-rounded vacation
Getting to Karuizawa
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is easily accessible from Karuizawa Station, just a 10-minute walk away. From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and you’ll arrive in just one hour. It's also a quick 30-minute train ride from Nagano.
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
Image source: Nozawa Onsen Sokoro fan page
Features of Nozawa Onsen
Nestled in the mountains of northeastern Nagano, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort combines world-class skiing with the charm of a traditional hot spring village. The entire village feels like a massive resort, with the ski slopes, hot springs, accommodations, and restaurants all within close proximity. Whether you're skiing on the mountain or soaking in the onsen, Nozawa offers a truly immersive winter experience.
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort spans 300 hectares, making it one of Japan’s largest ski areas. The resort features over 40 ski trails, with 40% for beginners, 30% for intermediates, and 30% for advanced skiers. One of the longest trails, the Skyline Course, offers a scenic 10-kilometer run.
Apart from skiing, Nozawa has a variety of winter activities, such as snowshoeing tours, snowmobile rides, and scenic ropeway rides. The village itself boasts numerous public baths, many of which are free, making it easy to relax after a day on the slopes.
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort｜Features
Getting to Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is about a 50-minute drive from Nagano City. The closest train station is Iiyama Station, which is about 25 minutes from the resort. From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama, and hop on a shuttle bus to Nozawa Onsen
Conclusion
Nagano is home to some of Japan’s best ski resorts, offering diverse slopes and plenty of snow activities to enjoy. Whether you're an experienced skier looking for challenging runs or a family seeking a fun winter vacation, there’s something for everyone. From the massive ski area of Shiga Kogen to the scenic charm of Nozawa Onsen, you’re sure to have an unforgettable ski trip. So, book your trip and get ready to explore the best ski resorts Nagano has to offer!
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