Season ended · next season typically starts December
Naeba Ski Resort
Full-service Prince Hotel resort and home of Fuji Rock Festival. Linked to Kagura via the 5.5km Dragondola. Kids under 12 ski free.
My recommendation
The Prince Hotel absorbed all of it when I did three nights solo with two kids — ski-in/ski-out, lessons, rentals, meals, everything in one building. The hotel onsen is a properly built bubble-era spa, and Mandarin-speaking concierge support makes Naeba an easy landing for Asian families. For preschoolers who already ski, book private lessons — the group school doesn't use lifts for under-6s.
TakFounder · Japow GuidesAbout the Resort
Naeba Snow Resort is a high-quality ski resort with impressive facilities and services, located in the southern area of Yuzawa town, Niigata Prefecture. It may be familiar to music fans as it is also the home of the Fuji Rock festival.
- It is connected to Kagura Ski Resort via the Dragondola, Japan's longest gondola lift, offering the option to ski and snowboard through both areas.
- The resort receives an average annual snowfall of 6 meters and has 10 lifts and 3 gondolas.
- The ski terrain is designed for riders of all levels, with its slopes divided into approximately 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced. It features fun beginner trails for children, challenging paths for advanced skiers, and terrain parks for all level riders who want to show off a few tricks.
Location & Access
By Car
Tokyo→Kanetsu Expressway→Yuzawa IC→Naeba Ski Resort (2hr30min)
Parking
3,500 spaces
By Train
Tokyo Station → Echigo-Yuzawa Station (~1h20, Joetsu Shinkansen) → shuttle bus to Naeba (~40–50 min). (Seasonal highway buses also run direct from Tokyo.)
Naeba, Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan
Terrain & Slopes
24
Courses
12
Lifts
incl. 2 gondolas
4km
Longest run
Beginner35%
Intermediate45%
Advanced20%
Grooming70% groomed · 30% non-groomed
Snowboard ParkAvailable
Back CountryAvailable
Tickets & Pricing
Current Prices2025–26 season prices, for reference
1-Day Lift TicketAdult7,200 yen
1-Day Lift TicketChildfree under 12 years old
1-Day Lift TicketSenior7,200 yen
Lessons
Lesson in Japanese JA
Ski Lesson : from 5,000 yen
Snowboard Lesson : from 5,000 yen
Lesson in English EN
Ski Lesson : 3hr ¥49,500 / 5hr ¥67,500 per instructor
Snow Country Instructors
Why You'll Love Naeba Ski Resort
Free lift tickets for kids 12 and under
Kids 12 and under ski free
Naeba (and partner resort Kagura) offers free lift tickets for children 12 and under. For a family of four with two children in that age range, that's effectively two lift passes covered — a meaningful reduction when you're planning a multi-day trip. This is rare in Japan's mid-size resorts and a key reason I recommend Naeba for first family ski trips from Asia.
Bubble-era onsen inside the Prince Hotel
Full-scale onsen built during the bubble era
The Prince Hotel was built during Japan's bubble era, which means the onsen inside isn't an afterthought — it's a proper, full-scale facility. The in-room baths, by contrast, are business-hotel standard. Naeba also offers night skiing from 16:00 to 20:30, and I recommend planning around it: soak in the onsen after the daytime lifts close, ski the night session, then soak again before bed.
Azelia buffet for the Japanese food experience
Azelia is the buffet to book
The Prince Hotel has two buffet restaurants, and I recommend Azelia. The dishes lean toward Japanese home cooking with local Niigata flavors, which makes breakfast and dinner feel like part of the trip rather than just fuel between ski days. If you're in Japan partly for the food, this is the one to book.
Travel Tips
🚌 Getting There
Tokyo Station → Echigo-Yuzawa Station (~1h20, Joetsu Shinkansen) → shuttle bus to Naeba (~40–50 min). (Seasonal highway buses also run direct from Tokyo.)
Shuttle runs every 30 minutes during peak season
🎿 Equipment Rental
Full rental sets available on-site. Reserve in advance during peak season.
Ski set: 6,000 yen/day • Snowboard set: 6,000 yen/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
Season has ended. Live snow and weather info will return in December.
Latest News from Naeba Ski Resort
Naeba closed for the season on 5 April
Naeba ended its 2025-2026 winter season on 5 April 2026. The large resort has 24 courses and a run of up to 4,000 metres.
Kids ski free at Naeba, and one ticket reaches Kagura
At Naeba, children up to elementary-school age ski free. The resort has a kids park, and one ticket also reaches Kagura by the longest gondola in Japan.
Naeba opened for 2025-2026 on 13 December
Naeba opened for the 2025-2026 season on 13 December 2025, with some courses at first. The season ran until 5 April 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Naeba Ski Resort
Naeba features a large base village with hotel-connected convenience and seasonal linkage to Kagura via the Dragondola.
Tokyo → Echigo-Yuzawa (Shinkansen) → bus/taxi to Naeba (~40–50 min).
January–March. Check Dragondola operating periods if you plan to connect to Tashiro/Kagura.
English-capable lessons and kids’ programs are available during peak season.
Hotel-integrated rentals, restaurants, lockers, and après options add comfort for families.
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This resort appears in
All topicsTakFounder · 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.