Top Things to do in Koshinetsu
What to do and see in Koshinetsu, Chubu: The Best Ski & Snowboard Areas
Discover the best top things to do in Koshinetsu, Japan including Suginohara, Hakuba, Senjojiki Cirque, Shiga Kogen Ski Area, Norikura Kogen, Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, Kagura Ski Resort, Kurumayama Highland, Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort / Alpine Garden.
Restaurants in Koshinetsu
1. Suginohara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By dalliance47 - Tweed Heads, Australia
Mt Myoko is a much quieter ski area than nearby Hukuba. The area is better catered for families, especially where some are yet to achieve the skill needed to ski like a pro. Of the several resorts on the mountain, Suginohara excels. The wide runs offer many Green and Red (Blue elsewhere) run options. And, for families, kids under 14 ski free. Unlike other resorts nearby, nearly all the lifts are of the newer (fast) style. The only 'downer' is that the (old) access lift often opns after the rest have opened. This means that to enjoy 1st tracks, one must drive a car to the 'base' area. This access lift should open at least 15 minutes (better 30 minutes) before the Gondola. There are plenty of good food options. So, unless you are a black level skier, you will have lots of fun.
2. Hakuba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By PurdueBen500 - Sydney, Australia
Lots of great places to ski/board & very helpful staff many of which speak some English. Spectacular views across the mountains.
3. Senjojiki Cirque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By TarouC - Saitama Prefecture, Japan
After snow fall at Senjyoujiki, we can enjoy snow and ice covering tree. Our family visited here and stayed at hotel senjyojiki. We have no capability to climb snow mountain but could enjoy to walk and see senjyoiki.
4. Shiga Kogen Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 434 reviews
Reviewed By 1pixie_12 - Shenzhen, China
Amazingly large skiing area with great, fluffy powder snow. Fantastic tree runs and great pistes too. Loads of lifts with friendly staff
5. Norikura Kogen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Norikura Kogen (Highland) is a large area spreading in the east of Mt. Norikura (3,026 m), which is the 10th highest mountain and one of the younger volcanoes in Japan. You can enjoy the magnificent views from Japan's highest highway (2,700m) over Mt. Norikura. There are also many viewpoints like water falls, flower gardens, and caldera lakes. Ushidome-ike is a beautiful pond, which gives you one of the best views of the mountains especially on a breathless morning or calm sunset. You can enjoy various activities like hiking, biking, jogging, birdwatching or just a peaceful walk in nature. The annual "Tenku Marathon" and "All Japan Norikura Mountain Cycling Race" are held in June and August each year. In Winter, Mt. Norikura Ski Resort is a renowned winter destination. The snow remains year round and some skiers enjoy skiing as late as August on Mt. Norikura. After walking or skiing, you can soak in Norikura Kogen Onsen (hot springs), which are famous for their white onsen water. Norikura is also famous for delicious soba noodles and other local mountain vegetables.
6. Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 842 reviews
Reviewed By katmarks - Adelaide, Australia
Definitely a great mountain with loads of terrain, even on the weekends when it's busy there is space to spread out. The newly opened restaurant at the top of Kitaone lift is worth a visit, it was delicious.
7. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 743 reviews
Reviewed By MadamNomad
There are already lots of reviews here that wax poetic about the quality of Nozawa’s deep powder and wonderful ski resort. So instead, I’ll share a few thoughts on the village area surrounding the 3 base stations of the ski resort and ski-in/ski-out options. For hotel accommodations, each of these areas has PLUSES and MINUSES. Note: when looking at a village tourist map or the ski resort piste map, be aware that these maps are typically drawn rotated with NORTH on the left. The 3 base areas (listed from North to South): 1) HIKAGE Gondola: access by the “Yu Road” or the “Shinyu Pair Lift” At the northern end of the village is Hikage station. Hikage station is the ski resort’s hub which has a gondola, a welcome center, a large children’s snow park, shops, cafes, equipment rentals, ski school, and a zipline base station. Even if you’re not a skier/snowboarder, Hikage station is a fun place to hang out on a café balcony to sip coffee/beer and people-watch. Despite Hikage being the hub, this base station actually sits above the village, and visitors must access the station by either the “Yu Road” (an escalator-like moving walk) or by the “Shinyu Pair Lift” (a free ski lift that carries visitors to the front of the Japan Ski Museum from where it is a very short distance to ski/walk down to the Hikage gondola). HIKAGE PLUSES: The village region immediately below Hikage station is the scenic, historic heart of the village that everyone photographs. Here you will find the greatest concentration of restaurants, cafes, bars/pubs, shops, onsens, shrines, and strolling visitors, plus many lodging options. Also, on this north end of the village is where the Dosojin Fire Festival is held. HIKAGE MINUSES: Allow ~10 minutes’ travel time to ride either the “Yu Road” or “Shinyu Pair Lift” between the village and Hikage station at the start and end of your ski day. As this is the heart of the village, there is very limited parking for cars. 2) NAGASAKA Gondola On Google Maps, the Nagasaka station is designated as “Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort”. Nagasaka is situated midway between the two other base stations. Nagasaka station offers many of the ski services of Hikage, minus the kids’ fun park. NAGASAKA PLUSES: In contrast to Hikage station which requires transit by either the “Yu Road” or “Shinyu Pair Lift”, the Nagasaka Gondola station is at village level, so you can walk right up to it from your hotel. The village area surrounding Nagasaka, in addition to having many lodging accommodations, also has restaurants & pubs. From the Nagasaka gondola, it’s a 10 min walk to the village center. There is a new parking lot at this station. NAGASAKA MINUSES: The Nagasaka gondola station doesn’t have as much of the atmospheric vibe of the Hikage gondola station. 3) KARASAWA Link At the southernmost end of Nozawa Onsen village is Karasawa station which has a lift that carries skiers up the ridge from where they can ski down to the Nagasaka Gondola. KARAWAWA PLUSES: At Karasawa, like at Nagasaka, you can walk directly to the lift from your hotel. There are a few restaurants, plus a nice little supermarket at the Nakao bus stop. Lots of parking. KARASAWA MINUSES: The Karasawa base area is more distant from the heart of the village, but the distance is walkable (~15-20 min). What the hotels here lack in central location, they make up in hospitality. Many of them offer in-house dining and shuttle service to the village center. 4) SKI-IN/SKI-OUT Nozawa does have a limited number of SKI-IN/SKI-OUT accommodations. There is a cluster of hotels at the top of the “Shinyu Pair Lift” near the Japan Ski Museum, and another cluster of hotels on the Paradise ski run higher up on the mountain. Arriving hotel guests are brought to these hotels by snowmobile or snowcat. SKI-IN/SKI-OUT PLUSES: You’re right in the midst of the skiing excitement on the mountain. SKI-IN/SKI-OUT MINUSES: Depending on how high up the mountain your hotel is, you may have limited-to-no access to the après ski scene in the village after the lifts close.
8. Kagura Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
The biggest draw of Kagura is great powder snow due to its high altitude. The ski area also has easy access to the backcountry area that attracts expert riders from all over the world. Stay at Wada Goya, a mountain hut on the ski hill, and enjoy the pure first track in the morning.
Reviewed By Crazyfeline
Came here for a short spring skiing sprint. Loved it. Snow was good and very quiet. Lifts were fine, and food on the mountain was reasonable. It was our first time here but would not hesitate to come back. Plus point is it’s proximity to Tokyo and the ease to get to it.
9. Kurumayama Highland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Kurumayama-kogen Highland Visit Mount Kurumayama summit where the breathtaking views of Japan’s finest mountains awaits you, from the Yatsugatake Mountains and Mount Fuji to the Southern, Central, and Northern Alps.
10. Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort / Alpine Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 484 reviews
ABLE Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort has 3 areas of alpine skiing to enjoy. Alps-daira, Toomi and Iimori. There are 15 courses in Goryu. Alps-daira ski slope’s attractiveness is the long term seasonality which is open until the end of Golden Week. The resorts snow quality and panoramic views of the North Alps are both incredible features to enjoy. Toomi and Iimori slope is ideal for beginners, kids and families. It also has the largest night skiing area in Hakuba.
Reviewed By viviansP3405IP
Goryu is our favourite spot in Hakuba so far - purely subjective - yes! Night skiing was great too. To top up our skiing each day, we'd finish up with Yogorino - yogurt 'ice-cream' in a waffle-cone - oiiishiii!
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