Winter at Naeba Ski Resort
Rufus StarbuckNaeba ski resort is one of the most well known winter resorts on the main island of Japan. Dominated by the big Prince Hotel at its base, it has just turned 50 years old.
Naeba Ski Resort is an icon for skiing in Japan. Located in Niigata Prefecture, this giant resort is owned by the Prince Hotel group. Naeba Ski Resort is a relatively short trip from Tokyo and enjoys a longer-than-average snow season, which lends to its popularity.
Naeba Prince Hotel, at the bottom of the snow mountain, serves skiers and patrons alike with over 1,200 rooms and 20 restaurants. Various accommodations in the area also offer traditional Japanese inn-style rooms and even onsen.
The main ski resort in Naeba is also connected to the Kagura Ski Areas by way of a gondola, called the Dragondola. The gondola enjoys popularity during autumn as well for its high vantage point over the autumn leaves of the area. Naeba Ski Resort itself has two gondolas and 33 ski lifts. Skiers enjoy Naeba Ski Resort for its good-quality dry snow and high altitude.
In summer, the ski resort is home to Fuji Rock Festival which draws huge crowds to the spacious grounds. The rock festival is held around the end of July and boasts annual crowds of more than 130,000 people.
The Naeba Prince Hotel offers lodging and dining options to its visitors while also being at the base of skiing in the area.
Held annually in July or August, the Fuji Rock Festival draws in crowds of over 130,000 people.
This long gondola sky lift connects Naeba to surrounding areas. It is a great way to get around during the snowy ski season, as well as a popular attraction for autumn leaf gazing.
40 minutes by bus or taxi from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
Naeba ski resort is one of the most well known winter resorts on the main island of Japan. Dominated by the big Prince Hotel at its base, it has just turned 50 years old.
Taking a break from our usual snowboarding turf, my friend and I decided to check out Naeba Ski Resort. Just on the other side of the mountains from where I live, Naeba occupies a sleepy corner of Yuzawa in Niigata prefecture. Most of the year this area is pretty desolate and relaxed, with the occasional hiker passing through. Come winter though, it explodes in a sea of white excitement. Multiple ski resorts host thousands of skiers and Snowboarders who drive in from all sections of Japan. We had the good fortune of spending two great days riding under perfect blue skies.
Yuzawa Naeba Alpine Ski World Cup February 12, 13 & 14 2016. Men's Slalom and Men's Giant Slalom events see the best ski racers in the world battle it out on the slopes of Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa
Mid-October to mid-November is autumn color season in the mountains. The lush summer greenery gives way to a stunning display of yellows, oranges and reds. It is an amazing
The biggest outdoor music festival in Japan, Fuji Rock Festival takes places in Naeba, Niigata prefecture each summer.
Fuji Rock Festival 2017, held at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata prefecture, saw a lineup of stellar artists including Bjork, Lorde, The XX, Gorillaz, Aphex Twin, LCD Soundsystem and Major Lazer
Fuji Rock Festival 2016, had its 20th anniversary this year at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata prefecture. Headliners include Sigur Ros, Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Fuji Rock Festival is one of the best outdoor music festivals of summer in Japan. Amazing music in the mountains. This short guide gives you the basics you need to sort out your tickets, transportation and accommodation.
Fuji Rock 2018 was held at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata prefecture that saw N.E.R.D., Kendrick Lamar and Bob Dylan as headliners
Fuji Rock Festival 2016 returns for its 20th anniversary, and is held at the Naeba Ski Resort in the town of Yuzawa, Niigata prefecture
The Fuji Rock Festival started in 1997 on the slopes of Mt Fuji when the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were forced off the stage by a typhoon, and finally settled in Niigata.
The idea of big stones painted with mournful eyes and a gaze that petrifies -- to welcome and usher visitors to a rock festival venue, in my view, is a charming and an arresting idea.
Fuji Rock Festival 2019 took place at Naeba Ski Resort, from 26th to 28th July 2019.
The Naeba-Tashiro Gondola Ropeway is popularly known as 'Dragondola' and started operating in 2001. Its 5481m length makes Dragondola the longest gondola in allJapan and one of the longest in the world.
Venerable ryokan on the old main road from Kanto to Niigata, hidden away down a little track. Step back in time and take a bath in its picturesque onsen.
An onsen and art gallery just past Tashiro Ropeway but the real find is a little restaurant inside serving great Thai food.
Day two of my hike up Sennokuro-san was greeted with clear skies and calm air. My first task upon rising was to descend 100 meters down the valley to access a natural spring and collect my drinking water for the day. A quick breakfast and I'm off.
I had long wanted to try my hand at multi-day hiking in this area, but was unsure of what to expect (shelter and water wise), as most of the trail notes on my maps are in Japanese. On the first day I climbed the Niigata side of the valley, reaching an emergency shelter just before sunset.
This summer I set upon the goal of trying to hike all the parts of the Snow Country Trail, the 280 mile loop that connects the three prefectures of Gunma, Niigata and Nagano via hiking trail and access roads.