Enjoy Skiing at Naeba, One of Japan’s Top Ski Resorts

Sponsored by Seibu Holdings Inc.

The Naeba Ski Resort is one of Japan’s top class ski resorts, and also one of the most convenient ski resorts to central Tokyo. The ski resort and hotel is great fun for all ages. In addition, Naeba has hosted the Alpine Ski World Cup three times, among other international events, so the snow is top notch. Enjoy skiing at Naeba!

Enjoy Top Quality Skiing With the Upmost Convenience at the Naeba Prince Hotel

To get to Naeba, first, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, which takes a mere 70 minutes.

Then a free Prince Hotel shuttle bus, available only to those staying the night and not day skiing, will pick you up from the East Exit of the station, and take you right to the front desk of the Naeba Prince Hotel, a short 40-minute ride. For those day skiing at Naeba, take a local public bus or taxi.

Check in at the Front Desk, where staff members can assist you in Japanese and English.

While skiing at Naeba, we recommend you take advantage of the high-quality rental ski gear available at the Naeba Prince Hotel. You can rent everything from ski and snowboard boots, skis and snowboards to ski wear.

Just remember that if you want to rent ski wear, you must bring your own googles, hat/helmet, shirt and gloves. But don’t worry! If you forgot anything, you can easily purchase it at the multiple ski wear stores located conveniently within the hotel.

After you are geared up, you can walk out on the ski slope right from the hotel. From there, purchase your ski lift ticket, or exchange your ski lift ticket voucher for a lift pass. Then, you’re ready enjoy the slopes!

Skiing at Naeba Ski Resort

Naeba Ski Resort features ski runs of many different levels, making it accessible for everyone. Take any of the many gondolas and high-speed lifts to explore the whole mountain.

For example, you can take the Prince Gondola No.2 or Prince Gondola No.1 then the Takenokoyama Pair Lift to go all the way to the top of Takenokoyama Mountain. After enjoying the view from the top of the mountain, make your way down to the base of the mountain via the many possible routes. Please note: the top of the mountain is only accessible to intermediate or advanced skiers. For beginners who want to go high up, take the Prince Gondola No.1, and ski down from there.

For those who can’t ski, or for those who are interested in a variety of snow sports, the Naeba ski resort has options for you as well. You can enjoy snow mobiles and ski rafting at the Kappa Club Land.

You can ride snow mobiles through a ten-minute course or go with an instructor on a one-hour trip in the forested mountains surrounding the resort.

Snow-rafting is another fun way to enjoy the snow without skiing or snowboarding.

You can also enjoy night skiing at Naeba ski resort. Run availability depends on the day, but they tend to stay open until around 8:30pm. For those who just can’t get off the slopes, this is for you!

After you finish skiing or boarding for the day, make your way to your ski locker, which will have been assigned to you at check in. Store your gear here, ready for the next day. You can see the ski lifts from the locker rooms, so you know you really are at a ski-on, ski-off resort!

Sake, Onsen and Regional Specialties at Echigo-Yuzawa Shinkansen Station

Once you finish your snow adventure at Naeba Ski Resort, make sure to leave enough time at Echigo-Yuzawa Station before you board the Joetsu Shinkansen back to Tokyo to pick up souvenirs and look around the station.

Try the 500 yen sake tasting at the Ponshukan Store, where you use tokens to get sake out of little vending machines.

Niigata Prefecture is famous for sake and rice, so take advantage while you are visiting. Or, pick up some sake, rice or other specialties at the Ponshukan store while you are in the station.

At the back of the Ponshukan is an onsen, if you want to ease your tired muscles after skiing. Afterwards, brighten up with some onsen coffee, coffee made from hot spring water, or cake, at the café.

After warming up, take a walk in the onsen town outside to discover local shops. There are even free foot baths filled with onsen water!

You can see the snowy mountains, and snow on the roofs, as you wonder around the town. This really is snow country!

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.