Nestled amongst the snowy mountains of Niigata, Yazawa is Tokyo’s most accessible ski resort. The town boasts one of the highest annual snowfalls in Japan and combines glorious mountain scenery with sake breweries and traditional hot springs.
Things to do in Yuzawa
Ski over 30 pistes at Mt. Naeba, the largest and most remote ski resort in Yuzawa known for its modern facilities, night skiing and four-kilometer-long downhill run. If you’re here late in the season, take Japan’s longest gondola from Mt. Naeba to Kagura Ski Resort, which boasts the longest ski season.
Explore the natural scenery of the 1,977-metre-tall Mount Tanigawa, a magnificent place for hiking between July and November. Skilled mountain climbers can tackle the tricky slopes, while casual hikers can follow recreational trails or take the cable car to Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort for spectacular views over the Japanese Alps.
Tour Shirataki Sake Brewery to learn about the traditional art of making sake and taste their famous Shirataki Sake. If one brewery isn’t enough, head to Ponshukan Sake Museum to sample over 115 varieties of sake, salt and miso.
Need to rest your legs? Spend a day recovering in Takahan Ryokan, an 800-year-old natural spring where alkaline water gushes from the fountainhead at 43 degrees Celsius. Relax in the healing waters while relishing the surrounding mountain scenery.
Getting around Yuzawa
Yuzawa is easily accessed by train, bus and car. The Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train departs regularly from Tokyo Station and arrives in Yazawa within 1.5 hours. From Niigata Airport, you can reach Yuzawa in two hours by bus or train. Once in Yuzawa, local buses and chair lifts provide reliable transport.