Gunma
Season endedMarunuma Kogen
A high-elevation resort in Gunma, reachable from Tokyo. A ropeway climbs to 2,000 m, with long runs, light snow, and a season that lasts into spring.
My recommendation
Marunuma sits deep in the Gunma mountains, and the reward for the drive is rolling terrain and some of the best powder in the prefecture. It is one of the few Gunma resorts with a lift to the very top — a ropeway to about 2,000 m — so you ride one long run from the summit instead of stitching together short chairs. The upper half, from the summit down to mid-mountain, is natural banked terrain that advanced riders love, but the runs up there are narrow, so keep your speed in check. For families, my recommendation is the lower mountain off the chairlifts: wide, gentle and easy to manage. The one hard rule is transport. Getting here without a car is very difficult, so book a rental with winter tyres and treat Marunuma as a drive-in resort.
TakFounder · Japow GuidesBased on local data and reviews
About the Resort
Marunuma Kogen is a high-elevation ski resort in Gunma, within reach of Tokyo. A ropeway carries skiers to the summit at about 2,000 m, and from there the longest run is about 4 km. The base sits at around 1,400 m, giving a vertical drop of about 600 m across 13 courses and 8 lifts. About 40% of the courses are for beginners and 50% for intermediates, so most of the mountain suits families and improving skiers.
Because the resort is high, the snow stays cold and light, and the season is long, usually running from early December to early May. Spring skiing is a strong point, with good snow remaining when many lower resorts have closed. There is a beginner area and a kids park for first-time skiers and small children.
The base Center Station has a natural hot spring, Zazen Onsen, along with a cafe and shops, so a hot bath is an easy way to end the day without leaving the resort. By car it is about 50 minutes from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway. A direct bus, the Katashina Snow Express, runs from Busta Shinjuku in Tokyo, and day-trip bus tours are also common in winter.
Official website: Marunuma Kogen
Getting There
The answer first — details on the full access guide.
Busta ShinjukuKan-etsu Kotsu 'Katashina Snow Express' (reserve via WILLER)
Michi-no-Eki Oze Katashinafree connecting shuttle
Marunuma Kogen= the slopes
Roughly 4–4.5 hours from Tokyo, arriving around 11:45 — realistic only with a night nearby. The direct bus runs one round trip a day (2025-26: 20 Dec–22 Mar) and must be reserved. By train (Jomo-Kogen, then bus to Kamata) the last stretch to the resort is by taxi.
Location & Access
By Car
About 50 min from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway, via Route 120 toward Oze and Nikko. Mountain roads have snow in winter; snow tires or chains are required.
Parking
Parking is available at the base. Check the official site for current fees.
By Train
There is no station at the resort. The simplest public-transport option is a direct bus (Katashina Snow Express) from Busta Shinjuku in Tokyo. Day-trip bus tours from Tokyo are also common in winter.
Where to Stay
Add your dates to see live prices for Marunuma Kogen.
Terrain & Slopes
The numbers that matter for a family day.
13
Courses
8
Lifts
4km
Longest run
40%
Beginner-friendly
Beginner40%
Intermediate50%
Advanced10%
Snowboard ParkNot Available
Back CountryNot Available
Tickets & Pricing
Current Prices2025–26 season prices, for reference
1-Day Lift TicketAdultSee official site (multiple ticket types)
1-Day Lift TicketChildSee official site
1-Day Lift TicketSeniorSee official site
Lessons
Lesson in Japanese JA
Ski Lesson : N/A
Snowboard Lesson : N/A
Why You'll Love Marunuma Kogen
A 2,000 m summit and a long 4 km run
A ropeway to the top, then a long ride down
A ropeway carries you to the summit at about 2,000 m. From there, the longest run is about 4 km, so you can ride for a long time on one descent. About 40% of the courses are for beginners and 50% for intermediates, so most of the mountain suits families and improving skiers.
Light, high-elevation snow and a long season
Good snow quality for a resort near Tokyo
Because the resort is high, the snow stays cold and light. The season is long and usually runs from early December to early May, so families can still ski here in spring when lower resorts have closed. This is one of the main reasons people travel to Marunuma.
A kids park and a hot spring at the base
Snow play and an onsen in one place
There is a kids park and a beginner area for first-time skiers and small children. The base Center Station has a natural hot spring, Zazen Onsen, plus a cafe and shops. After skiing, a hot bath is an easy way to end the day without leaving the resort.
Travel Tips
The small moves that save an hour of queuing with children.
🚌 Getting There
There is no station at the resort. The simplest public-transport option is a direct bus (Katashina Snow Express) from Busta Shinjuku in Tokyo. Day-trip bus tours from Tokyo are also common in winter.
Shuttle runs every 30 minutes during peak season
🎿 Equipment Rental
Full rental sets available on-site. Reserve in advance during peak season.
Ski set: —/day • Snowboard set: —/day
💳 Payment Methods
Credit cards accepted at ticket counters and restaurants.
Cash preferred at some smaller vendors
🌨️ Best Time to Visit
January to February for the best powder conditions.
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Latest News from Marunuma Kogen
Openings, closings and conditions — translated from official sources.
No news available at the moment.
Planning your trip?
See our step-by-step timeline for booking a Japan ski trip, from choosing a resort to arrival day.
View the planning timelineFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you asked us about Marunuma Kogen.
Yes. About 40% of the courses are for beginners and 50% for intermediates. There is a beginner area and a kids park for small children. Families can spend most of their time on the easier lower and middle slopes.
There is a ski school at the resort. English support is limited compared with large international resorts, so it is best to book a lesson ahead of time and confirm English directly with the school before you travel.
The easiest option is a direct bus. A direct bus called the Katashina Snow Express runs from Busta Shinjuku in Tokyo to the Katashina area. Day-trip bus tours from Tokyo are also common in winter. By car, it is about 50 minutes from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway.
The season is long because of the high elevation. It usually runs from early December to early May. Spring skiing is a strong point here, with good snow remaining when many lower resorts have closed.
Yes. The base Center Station has a natural hot spring with day-trip bathing, a cafe with sweets, and shops. There is a kids snow play area. This makes it easy for non-skiing family members to spend the day comfortably.
Still have questions?Contact us
Ready to plan your ski trip?
Build your custom itinerary with our trip planner
TakFounder · Japow GuidesI'm a Tokyo-based snowboarder and father of two, with over 20 years on Japan's slopes. Resorts I have personally visited are marked “Visited” and include my first-hand notes. The other resorts are summarized from public ski-area data and local reviews. I add my own notes over time.