One of the best things about living in Tokyo is how easy it is to get to the snow. There are loads of ski resorts near Tokyo, and skiing and snowboarding here are really accessible. You don’t necessarily need a car or a huge budget. The lift tickets cost a fraction of what you’d pay in the US. A day ticket at every resort in this guide costs under ¥8,000, compared with up to $356 for a peak-day ticket at Vail or around €76 for an average day pass in Austria.
For more options across the country, see our guide to the best ski resorts in Japan.
| Resort | Prefecture | Best for | Fastest way from Tokyo | Day ticket | # of courses |
| GALA Yuzawa | Niigata | First-timers and big views | Shinkansen straight to the resort (about 80 minutes) | ¥8,000 | 16 |
| Joetsu Kokusai | Niigata | Long runs and night skiing | Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa, then a 13-minute local train (about 90 minutes) | ¥5,800 | 22 |
| Kawaba | Gunma | Long runs and quieter slopes | About 2 hours by car | ¥8,000 | 10 |
| Kurumayama Kogen | Nagano | Easy runs and big views | Direct bus from Ueno (about 3 hours) or by car (about 2.5 hours) | ¥5,500 | 8 |
| Sugadaira Kogen | Nagano | Variety and powder | Shinkansen to Ueda, then bus to the mountain (about 2.5 hours) | ¥6,200 | 60 |
| Hakuba Kashimayari | Nagano | A cheaper way to ski Hakuba and trick parks | Shinkansen to Nagano, then bus via Hakuba. (3.5 hours) | ¥6,200 | 12 |
Ski resorts near Tokyo for an easy day trip
1. GALA Yuzawa (Niigata)
GALA Yuzawa is about as low-effort as skiing gets in terms of getting there. The Joetsu Shinkansen runs right into the resort, the gondola leaves from inside the station building, and the whole trip from Tokyo Station takes around 80 minutes. My favourite part, though, is the view from the top, where on a clear day the mountains just keep going until they fade into the horizon.
The three ski areas fan out from the top gondola station at around 800 metres, and there’s a rental centre in the station building, so you don’t need to haul your own skis or board up from Tokyo.
- Location: Yuzawa, Niigata
- Size and layout: 16 courses and 11 lifts, with 823 m of vertical drop and a longest run of 2.5 km; 35% beginner, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced
- Season: 19 December 2026 – 5 May 2027
- Lift tickets: ¥7,500 – ¥8,000. Buy them at the ticket window or on Webket
- Website: gala.co.jp
- Rentals: Ski, snowboard, and clothing rentals available on-site
- English lessons: Japanese lessons available; English lessons are not officially provided by the resort, but independent tour operators like Canyons offer lessons in English, Chinese, or Thai
How to get to GALA Yuzawa from Tokyo:
- Take the Joetsu Shinkansen (Toki or Tanigawa) from Tokyo or Ueno Station to GALA Yuzawa Station. It takes about 80 minutes.
- Walk through the ticket gates straight into the ski centre.
- Pick up your rental gear and lift ticket, then ride the gondola up the mountain.
2. Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort (Niigata)
Joetsu Kokusai has its own station too, Joetsu-Kokusai-Skijo-mae, and the name translates to “in front of the ski resort”, which is exactly where you’ll be standing when you get off the train. In my experience, it gets pretty snowy, and windy up top, so bring a neck warmer. One stop up the line, Shiozawa is really cute too, especially Bokushi-dori, an old post-town street of gabled roofs and covered gangi walkways, about a five-minute walk from Shiozawa Station. The resort itself is split into four zones, with night skiing included in your day ticket until 21:00.
- Location: Minamiuonuma, Niigata
- Size and layout: 22 courses and 19 lifts across four zones, with 817 m of vertical drop and a longest run of 6 km; 30% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced
- Season: 12 December, 2026 – 4 April, 2027 with night skiing from 17:00 to 21:00
- Lift tickets: ¥5,800 for adults, including night skiing, buy them at the ticket windows at the resort or on Asoview
- Website: jkokusai.co.jp
- Rentals: Ski, snowboard, and clothing rentals available on-site
- English lessons: Japanese lessons available; English lessons are not officially provided by the resort
How to get to Joetsu Kokusai from Tokyo
- Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (about 80 minutes).
- Change to the local JR Joetsu Line and ride to Joetsu-Kokusai-Skijo-mae Station (about 13 minutes).
- The slopes are right outside the station.
3. Kawaba Ski Resort (Gunma)
Kawaba is my personal favourite, and I’m a little surprised it doesn’t get talked about more. Gunma tends to get overlooked next to Niigata and Nagano, but in my experience the snow here is just as good, and the slopes are noticeably quieter. Although there are only 10 runs, they are very long, so the area feels much bigger than it is, and the base facilities feel new. At 1,870 metres, it’s also the highest ski resort in the Minakami area, and from the summit you can see Mount Asama, plus Mount Fuji if the weather’s on your side. This season, Kawaba is adding a new terrain park produced by snowboarder Reira Iwabuchi, expanding its Freeride World Tour-certified area, and renovating Kawaba City, the base building.
The catch is getting there. A car makes it much easier, but the bus and train options below work too, they just take a bit more planning.
- Location: Kawaba village, Gunma
- Size and layout: 10 courses, 640m of vertical drop (1,230m to 1,870m), and a longest run of 3.3km, plus five gated OFF THE PISTE powder areas
- Season: The official site notes that they will release more information at the end of October, so check the official site for updates.
- Lift Tickets: In 2025, tickets were around ¥8,000, expect around the same or a little higher
- Website: kawaba.co.jp
- Rentals: Ski, snowboard, and clothing rentals available on-site
- Lessons: Lessons available in English and Japanese
How to get to Kawaba Ski Resort from Tokyo
By car:
- Take the Kan-Etsu Expressway to the Numata exit. It’s about 2 hours from Nerima.
- Drive about 25 minutes from the exit to the resort.
- Park in Kawaba City, the multi-storey car park right next to the slopes. It’s free on weekdays and ¥1,500 at weekends and on holidays.
- If you’re worried about driving on the snowy mountain roads, park at Roadside Station Kawaba Den-en Plaza (car park 4) and take the free shuttle bus up.
By train and bus:
- Book Kawaba’s “shinkansen + station bus” plan through the Big Holiday website.
- Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Jomo-Kogen Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
- Ride the shuttle bus to the resort (about 1 hour).
4. Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK (Nagano)
Kurumayama is smaller and gentler than the others here, which makes it a good pick for beginners, families, or anyone who wants a low-pressure day. The slopes are wide open, with no trees blocking the view, so from the top at 1,925 metres you can see across to Yatsugatake and the Southern Alps, and on a clear day, Mount Fuji from the summit terrace. The kids’ park at the base has sledging and snow tubing for family-friendly fun between runs. It’s also known for sunny weather, so don’t forget sunscreen.
This season, a new direct bus from Ueno Station makes it much easier to get there without a car. No train goes all the way to the resort, so the bus is the simplest way there.
- Location: Chino City, Nagano
- Size and layout: 8 courses, with 365 m of vertical drop and a longest run of 2 km (the Panorama course); 40% beginner, 40% intermediate, 20% advanced
- Season: opens 12 December 2026 – late March
- Lift tickets: ¥5,500 at the resort on the official site
- Website: kurumayama.com/english
- Rentals: Ski, snowboard, and clothing rentals available on-site
- English Lessons: Japanese lessons available; English lessons are not officially provided by the resort
How to get to Kurumayama from Tokyo
By direct bus (3.5 hours there, 2.5 hours back):
- Book a seat on the Ueno-Kurumayama direct bus run by Miyaura Kanko Bus. Bookings open on 1 October 2026. A round-trip ticket costs ¥7,700 for adults and ¥3,850 for elementary school students and younger.
- Board at the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station at 07:00.
- Arrive at Kurumayama Kogen at 10:50, right by the Skypark Hotel.
- The bus back leaves at 16:00 and gets into Ueno at 20:20.
There’s only one bus each way per day, and it doesn’t run every day, so check the operating calendar on the resort’s website first.
Ski resorts near Tokyo worth a weekend trip
5. Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort (Nagano)
Sugadaira is big enough that a day trip doesn’t really do it justice. There are 60 courses, the second-highest number of any ski resort in Japan, spread across three areas, Davos, Taro, and Pine Beak, so even on a busy day there’s room to spread out. The snow is consistently good and the grooming is excellent, which is why I’d recommend it to just about anyone.
Getting there is a bit of a hassle. From Ueda Station, the local bus takes around an hour, and in my experience it’s extremely crowded, so expect to stand for most of the ride, while holding your skis and luggage.
- Location: Ueda City, Nagano
- Size and layout: 60 courses across 11 slopes in three areas (Davos, Taro, and Pine Beak), with 400 m of vertical drop (1,250 m to 1,650 m)
- Season: Late November 2026 to mid-April 2027
- Day ticket: ¥6,200, purchase at the ticket counter or on the official site
- Website: sugadaira-snowresort.com
- Rentals: Ski, snowboard, and clothing rentals in each area
- English lessons: Japanese lessons available; English lessons are not officially provided by the resort
How to get to Sugadaira Kogen from Tokyo
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Ueda Station (about 90 minutes). The fastest Kagayaki trains don’t stop at Ueda, so check your train stops there before you book.
- From Ueda Station, take the Ueda Bus Sugadaira line (about 50 to 55 minutes).
- On weekends and on holidays, there’s also a direct bus from the Onsen Exit of Ueda Station to the resort.
- Once you’re in Sugadaira, the local bus between the ski areas costs ¥100 a ride (cash only).
6. Hakuba Kashimayari (Nagano)
Hakuba has more ski resorts than you could get through in a single trip, but Kashimayari is the one I keep picking. It’s the southernmost resort in the Hakuba Valley, so it’s the closest to Tokyo, and the day tickets are cheaper than at the bigger names nearby. There’s enough variety for a day or two, and the setting is beautiful, with Mount Kashimayari and Mount Jiigatake right above you and Lake Nakatsuna just below. Last season, it also added DSP (Downhill Shred Park), a freeride park on the Ippon Buna Downhill course with about 14 features, produced by pro snowboarder Naoyuki “Sha” Shiramoto. Since it’s further from Tokyo than the others on this list, I’d book at least one night.
- Location: Omachi City, Nagano
- Size and layout: 12 courses and 5 lifts; 33% beginner, 50% intermediate, 17% advanced
- Season: 12 December 2026 – 22 March 2027
- Lift tickets: ¥6,200 in 2025, 2026-27 ticket prices TBA
- Website: kashimayari.net/snow
- Rentals: Ski, snowboard, and clothing rentals available on-site
- English lessons: Lessons available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese with Gran Paradiso Snow Academy
How to get to Hakuba Kashimayari
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano Station (about 1 hour 40 minutes).
- From Nagano Station’s East Exit, take the Alpico express bus to the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal (about 70 minutes).
- Change to the HV-1 “Omachi-go” bus to Kashimayari (about 25 minutes). It’s ¥800 one way, and you don’t need to book.
How to book a ski day trip from Tokyo
Depending on how much you want to plan yourself, there are three ways to do a ski day trip from Tokyo.
1. Reserve a train and lift ticket package or ski bus tour
JR East sells day-trip plans that bundle a return shinkansen ticket with a lift ticket for the Echigo-Yuzawa area, which covers GALA Yuzawa. It’s the simplest option if you’re going by train. Companies like Orion Tour and Travel Road run early-morning buses from central Tokyo straight to the slopes, and you’ll usually arrive between 10:00 and 12:00. Booking for these tours is generally only available in Japanese.
2. Let Flip Japan plan it for you
If you’d rather skip the planning, our travel planners can put together a custom winter itinerary around whichever resort suits you, including trains, buses, and rentals. Start planning now!
3. Plan it yourself
Book your train or bus, then buy your lift ticket online from the resort’s website. Most of the resorts in this guide sell online tickets, and they’re often a little cheaper than at the window.
FAQs about skiing near Tokyo
What’s the closest ski resort to Tokyo by train?
Of the resorts in this guide, GALA Yuzawa is the quickest, at about 80 minutes by shinkansen with no transfers. Karuizawa Prince Snow Resort is even closer, at about an hour, but it’s a much smaller hill. Link to Tokyo Winter Day Trips.
Can I go skiing from Tokyo without a car?
Yes. GALA Yuzawa and Joetsu Kokusai both have their own train stations, Kurumayama has a new direct bus from Ueno, and Kawaba and Sugadaira can be reached by shinkansen and bus.
When is ski season near Tokyo?
Most of the ski resorts near Tokyo open between late November and mid-December, and close between late March and April. Of the six, Sugadaira and GALA Yuzawa had the longest seasons last winter, with Sugadaira open from late November and GALA’s central area open until 6 May.
How much does a ski day trip from Tokyo cost?
At all six resorts in this guide, an adult day ticket costs under ¥8,000. On top of that, you’ll need transport, like the ¥7,700 return bus to Kurumayama, and rentals if you don’t have your own gear (a full ski set at GALA Yuzawa was ¥6,500 last season).
