Yuzawa · ph. Alan JiangWhere the lifts are
Prince Hotel mega-resort and World Cup venue, linked to Kagura by the 5.5 km Dragondola to form the giant Mt Naeba area.
High-altitude three-zone mountain with one of Japan's longest seasons — late November to late May — and a famed backcountry gate.
The only resort in Japan with its own Shinkansen station — the international day-trip, linked by ticket to Yuzawa Kogen and Ishiuchi.
Skiing since 1949, modern chondola lifts, tree zones, and one of the largest night-skiing operations in the country.
One of Japan's largest resorts by area — four linked zones built for families, hiding a 38-degree steep at Osawa.
Gondola-served three-zone cruiser whose Okusoechi back bowl holds reliable powder stashes on storm days.
Open since 1931 — a vast, gentle single face that remains the classic first-timer and family hill of the Yuzawa valley.
Reopened by Lotte in 2017 with 84% of its terrain ungroomed — Japan's premier in-bounds freeride mountain.
Myoko's original 1937 onsen-town resort — lifts rise straight from the ryokan streets, now the area's international hub.
Course-connected with Akakura Onsen for thirty-two shared runs, crowned by the historic 1937 Kanko Hotel.
Japan's longest run — 8.5 km — and 1,124 m of vertical on mostly friendly pitch under Mt Myoko.
Long, mellow slopes with celebrated larch and beech tree zones — the quiet alternative to neighbouring Akakura.
Renewed in 2020 with a stylish base lodge — weekend all-night skiing to 2 a.m., plus ungroomed and mogul zones.
A giant 166-person ropeway rises 500 m from Yuzawa's main street; shares the 48-course Snow Link pass with GALA and Ishiuchi.
One of Japan's few remaining skiers-only mountains — snowboards banned — attached to the NASPA New Otani hotel.
Expert mountain on sacred Mt Hakkaisan — an 81-person ropeway serving 800-metre laps of sustained 25–35 degree pitch.
Rebranded in 2017 around its base onsen hotel — varied short courses with ungroomed lines above the Uonuma basin.
Cult coastal powder hill that deliberately leaves 65% of its terrain ungroomed and skis into early May.
A family-run two-lift area recording some of the deepest snowpacks in Japan — a pilgrimage, not a resort.
The local hill of one of Japan's three great medicinal onsen, in an extreme-snowfall village at the heart of our akiya coverage.
The closest ski area to Niigata city — a compact family and park hill with Friday-Saturday night sessions.
The gear desks
Independently verified, no placement fees. Rows open the shop’s own site. EN marks meaningful English service.
The tables
Curated to the towns we cover, independently verified, no placement fees. ¥ casual · ¥¥ mid · ¥¥¥ splurge. Rows open the restaurant’s page.
The daily run
The relocation layer — where residents actually shop. Hours change seasonally; rows open each store’s page.
One season at a time
Late November through early April, wettest snow in Japan.
Rice-paddy reflections in May.
Echigo-Tsumari art triennale reprises every three years.
Late September through mid-November koyo, warm-toned oaks.
The green seasons
The other three seasons — independently verified against operators and tourism boards, no placement fees. Rows open each operator’s page. EN marks meaningful English service.
The year, by month
Timing shown as typical recurrence — exact dates drift year to year, and we don’t publish dates we can’t keep fresh. Confirm on the official page a row opens before you travel.