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The Naeba Ski Area is the flagship ski resort of the Prince Snow Resorts and is one of the top quality ski resorts in Japan. Located at the base of the Naeba Ski Area, The Naeba Prince Hotel is a premier ski-on ski-off hotel. From hotel buildings 1 through 5, each one has a different feeling and flavor. There’s a different scene for serious skiers and snowboarders, to families with children, young groups to seniors. Everyone can enjoy the Naeba Ski Resort and Prince Hotel!
Beautiful Vistas, Great Skiing at Easy Access at the Naeba Prince Hotel
The trip from central Tokyo to Naeba is a mere 110 minutes. First, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, a 70-minute ride.
Echigo-Yuzawa Station in the snow.
Then, take the free Prince Hotel Shuttle bus (free for those staying at the hotel), from the bus stop in the station parking lot right outside the East Exit. After a 40-minute ride, you will be dropped off right at the front desk of the Naeba Prince Hotel! For those who are only doing day skiing at Naeba, take a public bus or taxi from the station.
The Naeba Prince Hotel.
From there, it’s an easy check in process, and the staff can assist you in English or Japanese.
Check in Here!
Afterwards, drop off your bag in your room and get ready to ski.
Ski-on Ski-off Convenience and Great Skiing!
Make your way to the multiple ski rental areas to rent ski gear. Follow the signs to the gelande, and you’re on the slopes.
Top of Takenokoyama Mountain!
For lunch, come back down to the Naeba Prince Hotel, and sample of the many restaurants available. Here, they have everything from a pizza parlor and a food court with burgers, to a cafe serving food inspired by the Canadian ski resort, Whistler. Or, make your way over to the Restaurant Azalea. Here, they have curry rice, spaghetti, and other meals, as well as dessert. There’s something to please everyone.
Restaurant Azalea frequently has special limited menus based on seasonal specialties.
Strawberry Pancakes, a seasonal food item, at the Restaurant Azalea, Naeba Prince Hotel.
Making pancakes fresh for you while you wait at the Restaurant Azalea.
Later, come home after a long day of skiing and deposit your gear in the convenient ski gear lockers, located in the ground floor of the hotel.
Enjoy your room after a busy day: Staying at the Naeba Prince Hotel Danran ROOM Hammock In Building 2
The Danran Hammock Room at the Naeba Prince Hotel
Hallway in the recently renovated building 2.
After a long day of skiing what could be better than relaxing in a beautiful room that overlooks the ski slopes? The recently renovated Building 2 is designed to be a high quality lodge that is family friendly and comfortable for guests with their children. There are many families who enjoy skiing at Naeba, and the Danran Hammock Room was designed for them in mind. The room was renovated to make it feel like a small mountain cottage. With a cute hammock for children (and adults!) to enjoy, and a fun red, orange and brown decor, this room is friendly and comfortable for everyone. Complete with a sofa bed, TV and sitting area, this room is a place you’ll want to rest in after a skiing. Enjoy sitting and relaxing while looking out over the beautiful ski fields.
Later, if you want to relax your muscles, take advantage of the indoor and outdoor onsen hot springs available at the Naeba Prince Hotel.
Curtains at the entrance of the onsen.
Evening Entertainment at the Naeba Prince Hotel: Wonderful Food and a Beautiful Lounge
After a full day of skiing, there are many entertainment options available for you back at the hotel at any of the 21 restaurants and lounges in the hotel. If you’re interested in having some Japanese food while visiting Japan, consider the Matsukaze Restaurant. Here, you can get high quality Japanese food including shabu-shabu, a Japanese hotpot with meat and vegetables.
At Matsukaze, if you order the shabu-shabu course, you can first enjoy sashimi raw fish, and various appetizers.
Then, have fun cooking your meat and vegetables inside the delicate broth.
After, top it all off with lovely rice ice cream. Because Niigata, the prefecture that Naeba is in, is famous for rice and sake, make sure to get extra helpings of both!
After your meal, consider having drinks at the Chatelaine Cocktail Lounge. While gazing out over the illuminated ski slopes or enjoying the fireplace, enjoy a cocktail and wind down in the comfortable leather sofas. The bar has special drinks for various seasons and event.
The fireplace at the Chatelaine Cocktail Lounge.
A touch of sophistication after a long day of skiing.
The next morning, avoid the hustle and bustle of the buffet breakfast and wake up slowly with a beautiful Japanese style breakfast at Matsukaze Restaurant. This is reservation only, so make sure to book in advance.
Looking out on the morning ski slope with green tea. What could be better?
Echigo-Yuzawa Shinkansen Station, Onsen Town and the Ponshukan Shopping Center
After your trip to Naeba, make sure to leave some time at Echigo-Yuzawa Station before your shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. Here, you can wander around the onsen town (complete with onsen footbaths and cute cafes!) right outside the west exit of the station or enjoy sake tasting, buying souvenirs and going to the onsen in the Ponshukan Shopping Center. Or, sample tasty food in the many restaurants and cafes within the station.
Pay 500 yen to get five tokens at the sake tasting section of the Ponshukan. Put the tokens into the machines, press the button, and bingo! If you want, you can even heat up your sake to make it warm and toasty which is perfect for the winter time.
Warming up the sake!
Afterwards, walk around the onsen town to enjoy footbaths, cute cafes and a winter wonderland ambience. Niigata is famous for sake, rice and onsen. There are many opportunities to try those things out, even just at, or around, the station.
Snow country ambience at the Hatago Isen Inn, shop and cafe right outside Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
Enjoy an onsen footbath at Inamoto Hotel.
Finally, to end your trip to Naeba, take the Joetsu Shinkansen back to Tokyo!
For more information, take a look at the Naeba Prince Hotel homepage, and the Naeba Ski Resort homepage. In addition, Naeba Ski Resort just started Instagram! Take a look here.
