Nagano Ski Resorts 長野 スキー場

World famous after hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano's deep snow and location in the Japanese Alps has made it the skiing and snowboarding heartland of the nation.

Nagano's location northeast of Tokyo makes it easily accessible from major urban centers.

From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen goes directly from JR Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, the hub for most of the region's major resorts and ski areas. The same train stops at Iiyama Station as well.

From Tokyo's airports, the Nagano Snow Shuttle connects directly to Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, and Shiga Kogen; it also runs between the three resorts. (Buses have been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic)

Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are most easily reached via Nagano City, and Nozawa Onsen via Iiyama. Direct buses to the resorts are also available from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.

Nagano is home to 80 ski resorts, from the sprawling Shiga Kogen to the compact and family-friendly Fujimi Panorama Resort . Depending on local conditions, slopes start opening in late November and run until mid-April or even later at the higher elevations. Regardless of the resort, January and February is peak season; the year-end holidays are particularly busy, as is the Chinese New Year.

This world-class resort area in Nagano's Northern Alps welcomes powder enthusiasts from around the globe. The 1998 Winter Olympics put Hakuba on the map when it hosted ski jump, downhill and slalom events.

It boasts 10 resorts, 92 lifts, and 137 runs that stretch over 30 kilometers along the Hakuba Valley. With over 11 meters of annual snowfall, some of the nation's best powder and superb views, Hakuba is one of Japan's most popular winter sports areas.

Ten of Hakuba Valley's resorts have teamed up to offer a Hakuba Valley lift ticket available for single or multiple day use. The expansive Happo-one is closest to the village. Along with adjacent Echoland, it has the best nightlife in the area. The sister resorts of Able Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort and Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park have runs open as late as May. Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort in Otari Village is legendary for deep powder and off-piste tree riding.

This huge ski area in the mountain town of Yamanouchi is the second highest ski area in the country. Its 19 resorts, nearly 70 lifts, and over 80 kilometers of trails place it among Japan's largest. Trails weave between the resorts throughout the area, and a single lift pass covers them all.

The Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort is one of Shiga Kogen's most popular. Its facilities are geared toward international travelers. It offers back-country tours and allows off-piste skiing, which is prohibited in much of the resort.

Shiga Kogen is close to Shibu Onsen , Yudanaka Onsen , and the famed Snow Monkey Park , where Japanese macaques come down from the snowy hills to warm up in the baths.

This tiny hot spring enclave has become an internationally famous ski resort that's just as popular for its village atmosphere as for its slopes. It can get up to ten meters of snow each season, making it a Nagano favorite for powder enthusiasts. Nineteen lifts, new gondolas and 50 kilometers of courses provide a winter paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

Nothing beats a hot spring soak after a long day on the slopes and for this, Nozawa is the best. Free public onsen are run by the neighborhood associations throughout the village.

At night, the village center bustles with visitors heading to dinner or milling about shopping and soaking up the mixed traditional Japanese and European ski village atmosphere.

If you're here in mid-January, don't miss the Nozawa Fire Festival , one of the wildest traditional Shinto displays in the land.

Along with the three famous areas, many smaller resorts operate throughout the prefecture. While they have fewer facilities, they also tend to be less crowded. Some of these are listed below. See the corresponding area pages for details and access.

Fujimi Panorama Resort occupies a stretch of the Yatsugatake Mountains . Combine skiing here with a stay at Kamisuwa Onsen while exploring the Suwa area .

Mt. Norikura Snow Resort is in the southernmost reaches of the Northern Alps. This is the best resort if you're staying at nearby Shirahone Onsen.

Togakushi Ski Resort is about an hour northwest of Nagano City. It's perfect for combining with a visit to Togakushi's ancient shrine and slurping up a bowl of its famed buckwheat soba noodles.

Karuizawa Prince Snow Resort is just minutes from Karuizawa Station. After you come down from the slopes, head to Kyu-Karuizawa for some great restaurants and a handful of bars.

Mt. Ontake in southwestern Nagano has several ski resorts in Kaida Kogen, Kiso , and Otaki Village. These resorts are great for a break from exploring the Kiso Valley's old Nakasendo post towns .