#80 One day skiing trip from Tokyo
If you are a ski lover, a day is all you need to experience skiing in Japan.
In Japan, the ski season has finally started in the latter half of December. The expression "global warming" is used every time, and the effects of global warming are also evident in Japan, with snowfall decreasing yearly. Ski enthusiasts are moving further north and higher elevations in search of a better environment. The Japanese ski industry has been heavily influenced by the weather (snowfall) and trends of the year. The Japanese ski market has changed dramatically since the focus of attention on foreigners from the southern hemisphere, where they have reversed seasons, such as Australia and New Zealand. Also, from China, South Korea, and other parts of Asia, the response to foreign visitors has become one of the major themes.
Aside from tourists who have skiing as their primary objective from the beginning, many foreign visitors to Japan want to ski when they visit the Tokyo area during the winter season. I often receive inquiries from my clients about how to make a one-day trip. This time, I would like to consider what options are available for short-term visitors who want to ski during their stay in Tokyo.
Skiing in Japan in the past
Japan's ski population peaked at 18 million in 1998 and has shrunk to 4.3 million by 2020. The reason for this decline is the chronic lack of snow, etc. Although there was a high expectation that foreign visitors to Japan would help revive the popularity of skiing, the spread of the new coronavirus has put a damper on this trend. In the 1990s, ski resort congestion was a significant concern, and on weekends, there were even 30-minute waits for a single lift ride. There was a concentration of ski resorts in southern Niigata Prefecture, which borders Gunma Prefecture; there was regular congestion on the Kanetsu Expressway with skiers returning to Tokyo, often for tens of kilometres. You may be surprised to hear this, but I used to leave my house in Tokyo at 3:00 in the morning, arrive at the ski resort at 7:00, ski until noon, and return home in the evening. It was to avoid the traffic congestion.
Current Situation
However, I went skiing long ago with much physical effort and hard work. Ski resorts in Japan now offer rental services for everything from ski sets to clothing, and the Shinkansen and express buses have made it possible to get to ski resorts efficiently, making skiing very accessible to beginners. The same is true for tourists visiting Tokyo during the winter season. After a few days of sightseeing in Tokyo, you can now ski in Japan for a change of scenery. Especially skiing with a view of Mt. Fuji and relaxing in a natural hot spring after skiing may require a bit of stamina, but if you like skiing, why not include it as an option? In this post, I will introduce three major areas with easy access.
【1】Mt Fuji area
There are two ski resorts nearby, Fujiten, located at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji and Yeti, at the southern foot.
Fujiten: Take a highway bus or train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko, then take a cab or shuttle bus. It is possible to stay one night in the area and tour the Fuji Five Lakes. There is a hot spring(onsen) called Fujiyama Onsen near Kawaguchiko Station.
Yeti: The tour bus from Shinjuku is convenient. A tour leaves Shinjuku at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m. The one-way trip from Shinjuku takes 2.5 hours.
Tips: You can go sightseeing Mt Fuji while skiing. However, the scale of the ski resort is small, and two ski resorts may not be enough for serious skiers.
Note: As of the 17th of December, when I posted, Fujiten didn’t announce the specific date of opening.
【2】Echigoyuzawa area(Nigata Prefecture)
Gala Yuzawa is less than 90 minutes from Tokyo Station by Joetsu Shinkansen. The station is adjacent to the ski resort and offers excellent access. There is a shuttle bus service from Echigo Yuzawa to 4 neighboring ski resorts, and day passes are available for Gala Yuzawa, Yuzawakogen, and Ishiuchi Maruyama.
In winter in this region, the monsoon, which gains a large amount of moisture from the Sea of Japan, hits the mountains over 1,000 meters high on the border between Niigata and Gunma prefectures and dumps a large amount of snow on them. Many ski resorts are over 1,000 meters above sea level, and visitors can experience high-quality powder snow depending on the conditions. However, the weather and snow quality can change quickly in March.
Tips: With abundant snow and fine powder snow, I strongly recommend this area for serious day skiing!
Note: JR East has a seasonal site called "JR SkiSki", which offers cheap packages for Gala Yuzawa and surrounding ski resorts. The cost can be less than 10,000 Yen depending on the date and package. Please use your web translation since they don't have an English site.
【3】Karuizawa(Nagano Prefecture)
This artificial ski resort is operated by the Prince Hotel in Karuizawa, a luxury resort area just over an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen. The resort has a high percentage of sunny days, a stable amount of snow with artificial snowfall machines, and is conveniently located from Tokyo. Access is mainly via the Hokuriku Shinkansen, with a shuttle bus available from Karuizawa Station to the ski resort.
Tips: If you value quick access, consistent snow, and a stylish atmosphere, this is the place to go.
Summary
If you would like to take a chance to see Mt Fuji and try skiing simultaneously, you have one choice. Go either Fujiten or Yeti. If you are a keen skier, choose the Echigoyuzawa area. You may even find a good deal from JR East. Generally, the weather in the Mt Fuji area from December to February is stable, but it will depend on how lucky you are to see the whole mountain. The earlier you go, the better your chance. I would like to hear about your one-day skiing experience in Japan. Please leave a comment.