【Perfect Guide】One day Ski Trip from Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa!
Echigo-Yuzawa is the nearest heavy snowfall area to Tokyo. It is only 90 minutes from Tokyo by Jo-etsu super express!
After passing through the tunnel, you will arrive at a snow country. During winter time, over two-meter snow packed the town. That’s why there are over ten ski fields.
Ski season starts from mid of December, and most of the area closes in April.
But some places are open even in May.
Not only that, it is famous for hot springs and Sake.
You can heal yourself after skiing.
This video shows you the plan for a one-day ski trip from Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa.
If you have never seen snow, you can’t miss this area.
Whether you ski or not, it is worth visiting in wintertime in japan.
I hope you find it helpful.
How to get to Echigo Yuzawa
It is very easy to get there.
Just take Jo-etsu Super express from Tokyo station.
It is almost 90 minute ride.
How much it cost ?
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Train fare | 12,520 yen |
| Lift ticket ( It varies by location) | 4500 - 6000 yen |
| Rental Ski (1 day) | approx. 5000 yen |
| Rental wear(1 day) | approx. 5000 yen |
| Total | 27,020 - 28,520 yen |
JR TOKYO WIDE PASS Recommended
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Train fare ( JR TOKYO WIDE PASS) | 10,180 yen |
| Lift ticket ( It varies by location) | 4500 - 6000 yen |
| Rental Ski (1 day) | approx. 5000 yen |
| Rental wear(1 day) | approx. 5000 yen |
| Total | 27,020 - 28,520 yen |
But if you have JR TOKYO WIDE PASS, you don’t have to pay for the train fare.
Tokyo-wide pass is three days of unlimited travel on trains and Super express in the area covered!
You can go to Echigo Yuzawa with this ticket!
Don’t miss it!
itinerary
| TIME | |
|---|---|
| 7:04 -> 8:137:48 -> 9:078:04 -> 9:348:24 -> 9:43 | TOKYO Station => Echigo Yuzawa |
| 10 - 11 AM | Start Skiing |
| 5 PM | Finish Skiing |
| 6 PM | Echigo Yuzawa => Tokyo Station |
Ideal plan is to arrive at Echigo yuzawa station by 10 am.
There are four choices for super express.
You need one more hour to go to your destination and preparation for skiing.
So you can start skiing around 11 am.
Most ski resorts will close by 5 pm.
You need to enjoy it until the very end of the service!
It will take 1 hour for cleanup and back to the station.
Should we have dinner at Echigo Yuzawa? It is up to you.
There are many izakaya restaurants and souvenir shops nearby and inside the station.
But it tends to be busy on the weekend.
So I recommend having a light meal and beer on the train and going for dinner around Tokyo.
Don’t miss the Ponshu-kan
Don’t miss the Ponshu-kan.
It is a Japanese sake amusement area inside the station.
You can choose and taste five types of sake from 129 varieties of sake for just 500 yen.
Ski Resorts in Echigo Yuzawa
Let’s check out the ski resorts in Echigo Yuzawa!
I selected the ski area for the very beginner, and that provides the English ski lesson.
And I will mention the pros and cons of each.
Ippon Sugi Ski Resort
It is a perfect place for snow newbies and children.
If you don’t want to ski but want to play with snow, you can enjoy sled, making a snowman, or snow fighting.
If you want to try skiing, you can rent!
The price is much more reasonable compared with other resorts.
Lift Ticket
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | 4200Yen |
| Half Day | 3200 Yen |
Rental Ski
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 2500 Yen |
| Kid | 1500 Yen |
Rental wear
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 2500 Yen |
| Kid | 1500 Yen |
Pros.
- This ski resort is within walking distance from Echigo Yuzawa station.
- Snowboarding is not allowed in this area. Perfect place for kids and snow beginners.
Cons.
- This place is very tiny.You might get bored.
Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort
English and Chinese ski lessons are available.
If you want to try skiing or snowboarding, this must be a good place.
There are seven courses. The longest course is 5km.
It is big enough to enjoy for beginners!
Lift Ticket
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | 5300Yen |
Rental Ski and wear
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 9000 Yen |
Pros.
-
This ski resort is within walking distance from Echigo yuzawa station.
-
You can have a ski lesson in English or Chinese. Good place if you are trying to ski for the first time.
Cons.
- This resort is not big in size. So some people might feel dull.
GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort
Because it has a station, super express can arrive directly.
When you get off the train, you are at the snow resort!
You can have ski school in English.
Gala yuzawa has 16 courses. So it is a big size ski resort. You can enjoy it all day.
Lift Ticket
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | 6000 Yen |
| Discount with TOKYO WIDE PASS | Weekday : 4800 Yen |
| Holiday / Weekend : 5400 Yen |
Rental Ski
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 6000 Yen |
Rental wear
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5000 Yen |
Pros.
-
Gala yuzawa has direct access from Tokyo. You will never get lost.
-
TOKYO Wide pass gives you a discount!
-
You can rent a new Salomon ski model.
-
You can have ski school in English.
Cons.
- Gala yuzawa tends to be crowded because of its convenience.
NASPA Ski Garden
Because snowboarding is not allowed, this is a ski paradise! This area is owned by the famous hotel " NEW Ohtani." So a very lovely and cozy place.
You can have ski school in English.
Lift Ticket
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | 5000Yen |
Rental Ski
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5000 Yen |
Rental wear
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5000 Yen |
Pros.
-
You can have Ski school in English.
-
There are no snowboarders! It is perfect for skiers and families with kids!
Cons.
- This is not a big ski resort. So some people might feel unexciting.
Naeba
It is a giant ski resort with 22 courses.
Because of its altitude, you can have high-quality powder snow!
This is a super exciting ski resort.
English ski school is available.
Lift Ticket
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | 6000Yen |
Rental Ski
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5500 Yen |
Rental wear
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4000 Yen |
Pros.
-
You can enjoy powder snow with a wide variety of courses.
-
You can want a hot spring after skiing.
Cons.
- You must ride a bus for 45 minutes to get there from Echigo Yuzawa station.
Iwappara Ski Resort
It has 20 courses.
And more, there is a very long sled course with 623 meters!
You will never get bored.
Lift Ticket
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1 Day (includes night ski) | 4500Yen |
| 6 hours | 3500 Yen |
Rental Ski and wear
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 7000 Yen |
Pros.
-
Because of its vast and long course, it is suitable for beginners to intermediate.
-
The price is reasonable compared with other resorts.
-
Kids park, especially the long sled course, is very attractive.
Cons.
- Engish ski school is not available.
Thank you for reading !
Snow season will begin soon!
If you have never seen snow, let’s go Echigo Yuzawa!