Naeba’s ski slopes have a total of 22 unique courses covering approximately 134 hectares. Beginners, intermediate skiers, and advanced players can all enjoy the slopes together.
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Introducing Mt. Naeba Ski Resort: Why Naeba?
On the eastern slope of Mount Takenoko lies one of the most popular ski resorts in Japan. Known for its accessible location and proximity to Tokyo, Naeba Ski Resort Niigata is a great favorite among many skiers who wish to explore this winter wonderland. From mid-December to early April, you can enjoy everything Naeba Ski Resort has for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Built during the Japanese economic bubble era, it may not have the historical and traditional charm present in some ski villages. However, its well-developed facilities and modern infrastructure provide all the comfort and convenience travelers could ever want. During the ski boom in the 1980s, Mt. Naeba was hugely popular and busy. Even today, it remains a popular destination for ski fans in Japan and all over the world.
Over the years, Naeba has been the home of many events for national ski and snowboard competitions, including the FIS Alpen Ski World Cup. It is also the venue for the annual Fuji Rock Festival in the summer - a three-day event featuring more than 200 Japanese and international musicians.
Naeba Ski Resort currently features 12 ski lifts, including three gondolas and four quad lifts. The resort boasts over 20 courses—the longest course is 4000 meters long, and the steepest one is at 32 degrees.
Known for its piste runs, Naeba has an even spread of terrain for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. Whatever your level, you will be able to find slopes that are easy enough for you to handle or can give you a thrilling descent. Naeba’s infrastructure attracts freestylers and families alike. It’s a fantastic place for people traveling with kids as there are areas for kids to ski in and other activities they will find interesting. If you are a first-time skier, you can take advantage of the skiing and snowboarding lessons offered at Naeba.
Naeba offers different types of tickets, depending on how long you plan to be staying.
• Mt. Naeba (1 Day) (Includes Naeba and Kagura)
- Adult: JPY 7,000
- Senior: JPY 6,200
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 5,400
• Naeba Area (1 Day)
- Adult: JPY 6,000
- Senior: JPY 5,500
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 5,000
• Naeba Area (5 Hours)
- Adult: JPY 5,400
- Senior: JPY 4,900
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 4,400
• Naeba Area (2 Hours)
- Adult: JPY 4,600
- Senior: JPY 4,100
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 3,600
• Naeba Area (Afternoon and Night)
- Adult: JPY 6,000
- Senior: JPY 5,500
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 5,000
• Naeba Area Night Ticket / Saturday, New Year Holidays
- Adult: JPY 3,300
- Senior: JPY 3,300
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 3,300
• Naeba Area Night Ticket / Weekdays and Sundays
- Adult: JPY 2,300
- Senior: JPY 2,300
- Middle and High School Students: JPY 2,300
Senior rates are for those aged 55 and over (certificate required).
1. Junior High and High School students must show their student ID to avail of the student price.
2. Children up to elementary school age may get a special ticket (free for the entire day) at the lift ticket office.
3. For the Seasons Pass that caters to Naeba, Kagura, and Hakkaisan, note that the operating period depends on each site, so you must check the schedule of the ski resorts before you go to help you plan ahead of time.
You may opt to purchase your tickets ahead of time or on the day at the lift ticket office. Note that the tickets cannot be changed, canceled, or refunded after you purchase them.
You can bring your own ski and snowboard equipment when you go to Naeba. In case you don't have any or choose not to bring them, Naeba offers a "hassle-free" skiing experience which allows you rent ski and snowboard gear from a couple of places around the resort.
• Equipment Set (Ski or Snowboard)
- 1 day
• Adult: JPY 5,500
• Child: JPY 3,500
- 5 hours
• Adult: JPY 4,500
• Child: JPY 3,000
- After 4 PM
• Adult: JPY 4,300
• Child: JPY 2,800
• Ski or Snowboard only
- 1 day
• Adult: JPY 3,000
• Child: JPY 2,000
- 5 hours
• Adult: JPY 2,800
• Child: JPY 1,800
- After 4 PM
• Adult: JPY 2,600
• Child: JPY 1,600
• Boots (Ski or Snowboard)
- 1 day
• Adult: JPY 2,500
• Child: JPY 2,000
- 5 hours
• Adult: JPY 2,200
• Child: JPY 1,800
- After 4 PM
• Adult: JPY 2,000
• Child: JPY 1,600
• Ski Wear Set (Jacket and Pants)
- 1 day
• Adult: JPY 4,000
• Child: JPY 3,000
- 5 hours
• Adult: JPY 3,500
• Child: JPY 2,500
- After 4 PM
• Adult: JPY 3,500
• Child: JPY 2,500
• Ski Wear (Jacket or Pants)
- 1 day
• Adult: JPY 2,500
• Child: JPY 2,000
• Poles
- Adult: JPY 1,000
- Child: JPY 500
• Rubber Boots
- Adult: JPY 1,000
- Child: JPY 500
• Helmet
- Adult: JPY 1,000
- Child: JPY 500
• Sled
- JPY 500
Naeba is connected to the Tashiro Area of Kagura through the Dragondola, the longest gondola lift in Japan with a distance of 5,841 meters, and the highest cable car, Tashiro Ropeway (230 meters high). Both the Dragondola and Tashiro Ropeway cable cars allow you to shuttle back and forth between Naeba and Kagura, making it convenient for skiers who have the Seasons Pass and want to explore the different slopes of the two areas.
The Dragondola and Tashiro Ropeway cable cars are easily accessible as the stations at the summit are joined by a promenade with a walking distance of about 20 to 30 minutes. At the bottom, both stations are connected by a shuttle bus.
Riding the Dragondola from Naeba to Kagura offers you some of the most magnificent views of the wintry scenery in Niigata. During the 20-minute ride, it travels over mountains and dips into ravines as it makes its way from one stop to another.
For individuals and families looking for attractions other than skiing, Naeba features many more activities for you to try. You are sure to enjoy its great terrain parks, kids’ snow park, kids’ indoor ski area, and snowcross course, among many other attractions and activities. Non-skiers can try Naeba’s Family Snowland, which offers snow rafting, snow tubing, snow trains, snowmobiles, and other fun activities.
One of the highlights of Naeba Ski Resort is the snowmobile of Kappa Snowmobile Land. While most ski resorts only allow instructors to drive the snowmobiles, you can drive them on your own at Naeba Ski Resort. A guide takes you through a 10-minute crash course before leading the way deep into the forests on trails that take you through some of the best winter scenes.
Another popular activity is snow rafting, where a guide driving a snowmobile will pull you along the snow while you sit in a raft. It is a fun activity for younger kids who want an exciting adventure while seeing scenic views whiz by.
Naeba’s ski slopes aren’t only home to thrilling descents and exciting outdoor activities. You can also check the various restaurants available in the different areas.
Next to the Dragondola Peak Station is Alm Restaurant, with its expansive glass windows. In front of Prince No. 2 Gondola Bottom Station, you can try the Canadian Dining Whistler Cafe for Canadian-style foods and drinks in a setting that is akin to a casual sports pub atmosphere.
At the bottom of the ski slopes and only a stone's throw away is Naeba Prince Hotel. This versatile resort hotel features four buildings offering over 1,200 rooms and various amenities. During the winter season, there are plenty of attractions for you to enjoy after you run the slopes.
The Naeba Prince Hotel offers Western-style hotel rooms and suites that are perfect for families. Its extensive range of facilities rivals that of any other hotel in Japan.
The Tower, located in Building No. 2, stands out above all others. It is largely used for suites, connecting rooms, and family twin rooms. Building No. 3 provides magnificent mountain views, allowing you to look down at the ski slopes and providing an elegant atmosphere where you can relax.
Building No. 4 is the perfect accommodation for groups of twos and threes as most rooms are twin rooms. There are also family twin rooms designed to accommodate four people.
The last one, Building No. 6, is a large white building with two structures—north and south. All rooms are twin-styled with four different types. With varying standards in each wing, there are rooms to suit all types of travelers, no matter the budget.
The Naeba Prince Hotel is home to various on-site facilities, including restaurants, karaoke, rentals, retail shops, hot springs, game centers, day spas, and even a mahjong room.
Adults, in turn, can enjoy the day spa after a morning of skiing. Soak away soreness in your muscles with a dip in the indoor or outdoor onsen. Naeba Prince Hotel features two hot springs: Naeba Onsen “Naeba No Yu” and Naeba Onsen “Hiuchi No Yu.”Located in Building No. 4 of Naeba Prince Hotel, Naeba Onsen “Naeba No Yu” is only available for Naeba Prince Hotel guests.
If you’re visiting Naeba for a day trip, you can still experience the hot spring after skiing. Naeba Onsen “Hiuchi No Yu” is located inside the Day-Trip Ski Center and is the perfect place to rest after a long day on the slopes. You can enjoy a good soak to help ease your aches and pains while enjoying the onsen's natural outdoor setting.
Naeba Prince Hotel also has a variety of shops, including sports shops, convenience stores, drug stores, and souvenir stores.
Skiers can enjoy various kinds of cuisine at Naeba Prince Hotel. It offers over 20 dining options, from casual food courts to fine dining rooms, from relaxing lounges to sophisticated bars. There are traditional izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), Western buffets, Chinese eateries, and more. You can also relax in the Chatelaine lounge, which provides stunning views of the beautiful slopes.
If you’re craving something hot after a long day on the slopes, try the wagyu shabu-shabu at Japanese Restaurant Matsukaze. They also feature creative Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients. Another Japanese restaurant is the Tenhachi, where you can have delicious Japanese-style set meals and rice bowl dishes for lunch and sukiyaki for dinner.
If you fancy a little fine dining, the Beaux Sejours Main Dining Room. You’ll be treated to a delightful spread of French dishes that allow you to enjoy nature through carefully selected ingredients.
Takumi-an is a hole-in-the-wall bar featuring local specialties. You can also sample their other dishes, paired with local sake and shochu (a Japanese distilled beverage made from grains and vegetables) from the Niigata region.
Takumi-an is a hole-in-the-wall bar featuring must-try local specialties. You can also sample their other dishes, paired with local sake and shochu (a Japanese distilled beverage made from grains and vegetables) from the Niigata region.
If you can't decide what to have, Naeba Prince Hotel has a spacious food court with over 300 seats. They offer various popular casual dishes, and you are sure to find anything you are craving for, including Japanese curry, donburi rice bowls, pasta, pizza, and more.
Aside from Naeba Ski Resort and the other ski parks, there are various sightseeing attractions in Yuzawa.
If you're craving the sweet taste of fresh strawberries, you can check out Yuzawa Strawberry Farm. From January until the end of June, visitors can enjoy picking strawberries from the farm's three huge greenhouses. You have the option to take the harvested strawberries home or enjoy them on the spot.
You can also try traditional Japanese craft-making in a restored old village and stop for lunch in one of the restaurants that offer delicious soba noodles.
Naeba Ski Resort and the entire Echigo-Yuzawa area are easily accessible by bullet train.
If you are coming from either Narita or Haneda, take the Joetsu Shinkansen, a high-speed bullet train run by JR East that connects Tokyo and Niigata.
If you’re flying into Japan through Narita International Airport, take Joetsu Shinkansen (3 hours) to Echigo-Yuzawa Station. At Echigo-Yuzawa Station, you can hop on the free bus for Naeba Prince Hotel guests to Naeba Ski Resort (40 minutes).
If you’re flying into Haneda Airport, take the Joetsu Shinkansen train (2 hours and 15 minutes) to Echigo-Yuzawa Station. From the station, take the bus (40 minutes) to Naeba Ski Resort.
If you’re flying to Tokyo in the winter, you may want to check out some nearby ski resorts as a side trip for a few days. Some of them are even close enough to visit as a day-trip destination.
Naeba in Niigata is one of the closest to Tokyo - with the shortest ride being approximately 80 minutes long if you take the bullet train - making it the perfect place for a fun day trip.
With its fine snow and varied slopes, Japan is one of the world’s top skiing destinations. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo this winter season, why not go on a winter adventure to see the snow-covered slopes of Naeba?
Whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with family, you’ll definitely enjoy your stay at Naeba Prince Hotel while exploring the slopes of Naeba Ski Resort. Book your packages with JAL Vacations for a hassle-free winter vacation.
Experience Japan’s premier family-friendly winter season ski resort destination, NASPA Ski Garden and NASPA New Otani Resort.
If you're looking for the perfect ski destination that is easily accessible from Tokyo, then you need to head to Niigata.
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