Enjoy Niigata - Niigata prefecture tourism guide

Naeba Ski Resort

2011-12-01T01:00:00Z

This ski resorts offers unparalleled support and the many charms of the Naeba Prince Hotel. The location faces north east and is blessed with high-quality powder snow.The trails vary widely, and include a dynamic 4km downhill course.For those with families, it is fully equipped with a play land above the snow, so the whole family can make the most of your visit.

Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails; also has a snowboarding park and pipes
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: Yes

・Number of trails: 27 (including a trail without compacted snow)

・Altitude: 900-1,789m

・Bathing facilities: Yes

Season and hours of operation

　December 10, 2011- April 8, 2012

　8:00-17:00

(Night skiing from 16:00-21:00 ※December 23- April 2)

Prices

　・Lift

　　1-Day Ticket Adult: 4,500 JPY

　　4-Hour Ticket Adult: 3,700 JPY

　　Night Ticket Adult: 2,500 JPY

　・Rentals

　　Ski set 4,300 JPY

　　Rental wear available

Directions

・50 minutes by bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
・40 minutes by car from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	202 Mikuni, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-789-2211
(URL)	http://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/naeba-e/

Kagura Ski Resort

2011-12-20T16:00:00Z

At Kagura enjoy a ski paradise while taking in breathtaking views of Niigata’s boundary mountains. The Kagura area has a very high elevation, so you can ski from late November until early May. The snow quality from December to March is of the very best powder almost every day. Please come experience the nature surroundings in their untouched splendor.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: No

・Number of courses: Tashiro area: 12

Kagura/ Mitsumata area: 12

・Length of longest trail: 6km

・Altitude: 620-1,845m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 10, 2011- May 6, 2012

　　Regular hours 8:00-17:00

　　Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 7:30-17:00

Prices

・Lift

1-Day (Open-17:00) Adult: 4,200 JPY
Half-day (Open-13:00 or 12:00-17:00) Adult: 3,100 JPY

　　Ski/ snowboard set Adult: 3,800 JPY

Tashiro Area

Directions

・35 minutes by bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
・25 minutes by car from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

Kagura/ Mitsumata

Directions

・20 minutes by bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
・15 minutes by car from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	742 Mitsumata, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-788-9221
(URL)	http://www.princehotels.co.jp/ski/kagura-e/index.html

Yuzawa Nakazato Ski Resort

2011-12-20T17:00:00Z

Yuzawa Nakazato has a long slope perfect for families and beginners. This year a snowmobile land has opened on the #6 slope. Beginners and women can also enjoy it.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: Yes

・Number of trails: 13 (including a mogul course and a trail without compacted snow)

・Length of longest trail: 2km

・Altitude: 458-702m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 17, 2011- April 1, 2012

　　　Regular hours 8:30-17:00

　　　Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 8:00-17:00

Night skiing (only on designated days) from 17:00-21:00

Prices

・Lift
1-Day Ticket (Open-17:00)       Adult: 3,900 JPY
Morning Ticket (Open-13:00)   Adult: 2,900 JPY
Afternoon Ticket (12:00-17:00)              Adult: 2,900 JPY

Directions

・Directly accessible from JR Echigo-Nakazato Station
・10 minute by car from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	Nakazato, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-787-3301
(URL)	http://www.yuzawa-nakazato.com/winter/en/index.html

Centleisure Maiko Snow Resort

2011-12-20T18:00:00Z

The slopes at Centleisure Maiko Snow Resort are only a 1 minute drive from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange. The late-night ski center is only 2km and 5 minutes from the interchange. Connected with Maiko Onsen and rooms for napping, this facility also includes restaurants, shops, ski rental, locker rooms, a children’s play area and a large rest area. On the slopes, there are a wide variety of specialty courses.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: Yes

・Number of trails: 24 (including a trail without compacted snow)

・Length of longest trail: 6km

・Altitude: 260-920m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 25, 2011- March 21, 2012

・Maiko ski slope
Regular hours 8:30-20:00
Saturdays 8:00-21:00

Sundays and holidays 8:00-20:00

Night skiing from 16:00-20:00
・Nagamine and Okusoechi areas
　Regular hours 8:00-16:00

Prices

・Lift

1-Day Pass                     Adult: 4,200 JPY
2-Day Pass                     Adult: 7,500 JPY
Half-Day A (Open-14:00)              Adult: 3,700 JPY
Half-Day B (13:00-close)              Adult: 3,700 JPY
Night (16:00-close)        Adult: 1,500 JPY

Directions

・20 minutes by bus from the east exit of Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
・1 minute by car from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	2056-112 Maiko, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-783-3211
(URL)	http://www.centleisure-maiko.com/

Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski and Snowboard Resort

2011-12-20T19:00:00Z

Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski and Snowboard Resort is a spacious slope that can be enjoyed by skiers, snowboarders, and families alike. The park’s facilities attract guests like no other.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: Yes

・Number of trails: 24

・Length of longest trail: 4km

・Altitude: 256-920m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 17, 2011- April 8, 2012

　　　Regular hours 8:00-17:00

　　　Night skiing from 17:00-20:50

Prices

・Lift

　1-Day Ticket (8:00-17:00)            Adult: 4,200 JPY
Morning Ticket (8:00-13:00)         Adult: 3,500 JPY
Afternoon Ticket (12:00-17:00)    Adult: 3,500 JPY

Night Ticket (17:00-close) Adult: 2,000 JPY

Directions

・15 minutes by bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
・5 minutes by car from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	1782-2 Ishiuchi, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-783-5571
(URL)	www.ishiuchi.or.jp

Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort

2011-12-20T20:00:00Z

Joetsu Kokusai is ten million square meter slope with 25 lifts and 22 unique courses, with runs available to enjoy for beginners through advanced skiers. Snow parks, half pipes, and kid’s areas mean everyone’s needs will be fulfilled. 10 restaurants offer a variety of menus from Japanese to Western food.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: Yes

・Number of trails: 22

・Length of longest trail: 6km

・Altitude: 200-1,017m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 10, 2011- April 8, 2012

　　　8:00-17:00

Night skiing from 17:00-21:00

Prices

・Lift

1-Day Ticket (8:00-17:00)            Adult: 4,000 JPY
Morning Ticket (8:00-13:00)         Adult: 3,000 JPY
Afternoon Ticket (12:00-17:00)    Adult: 3,000 JPY
Long 1-Day Ticket(8:00-21:00)    Adult: 4,500 JPY
Afternoon and Night Ticket (12:00-21:00) Adult: 4,000 JPY
2-Day Ticket (Until 17:00 on the 2^nd day)    Adult: 7,000 JPY
Night Ticket (17:00-21:00)           Adult: 2,000 JPY

Directions

・Directly accessible from Joetsu International Skiing Ground Station (Joetsu Kokusai Ski-jo-mae Station) on the JR Joetsu Line
・10 minutes by car from the Shiozawa-Ichiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway via National Route 17

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(Address)	112-1 Kabanosawa, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-782-1028
(URL)	http://www.jkokusai.co.jp/ski/

Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort

2011-12-20T21:00:00Z

Less than a one minute walk from the train station, GALA Yuzawa is so accessible you can see the slopes as soon as you go through the ticket gate. Because of the long season you can ski all the way to Golden Week. The highest slope is 1181 meters tall. 15 different courses vary in level from easy to difficult.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails, also has a snowboarding park
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: No

・Number of trails: 16 (including a trail without compacted snow)

・Length of longest trail: 2.3km

・Altitude: 800-1,181m

・Bathing facilities: Yes

Season and hours of operation

　December 17, 2011- May 6, 2012

　　8:00-18:00

　　(Hours on weekdays from April 11-April 28 are 8:00-16:30)

Prices

　・Lift

　　1-Day Ticket Adult: 4,500 JPY

Directions

・Directly accessible from Gala Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line.
・5 minutes by car from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	1039-2 Kayahira, Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-785-6543
(URL)	http://www.galaresort.jp/winter/english/

Akakura Kanko Resort and Spa

2011-12-20T22:00:00Z

The ski slopes of Akakura Kanko Resort and Spa were the first slopes in Japan to be designated as an international ski resort. You can enjoy the 4km-long cruising trail from the hotel’s 5^th lift. Additionally, there is a special area called the Chibikko Hiroba for children too young to hit the slopes.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: No

・Number of trails: 11

・Length of longest trail: 4.5km

・Altitude:740-1,500m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 17, 2011- May 6, 2012

　　　　　　　　　　　　8:30-16:30

Prices
・Lift

1-Day Ticket                                        Adult: 3,900 JPY
2-Day Ticket (2 consecutive days)       Adult: 7,400 JPY
Half-Day Ticket                                    Adult: 2,800 JPY

・Rentals
Ski/ Snowboard Set 1-Day Rental Adult: 3,500 JPY
Ski/ Snowboard Set Half-Day Rental Adult: 2,500 JPY

Directions

　・10 minutes by bus from Myoko-Kogen Station on the JR Shinetsu Line

・10 minutes by car from the Myoko-Kogen IC of the Joshinetsu Expressway

URL:www.akr-ski.com/english/

NASPA Ski Garden

2011-12-20T23:00:00Z

An authentic ski resort your family will love, easily accessible by either car or train. There are no snowboarders on the slopes, so your family can relax and enjoy skiing.

The NASPA New Otani Hotel is also connected, so you can enjoy your time after skiing.

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Prohibited on all trails
・Children’s trail(s): Yes

・Night skiing: Yes (on designated days)

・Number of trails: 8

・Length of longest trail: 2.2km

・Altitude: 430-690m

Season and hours of operation

　　December 23, 2011- April 8, 2012

　　　Regular hours 8:30-17:00

　　　Night skiing (on designated days) from 17:00-19:00

Prices

・Lift

1-Day Ticket (8:30-17:00)            Adult: 4,000 JPY
Morning Ticket (8:30-13:00)         Adult: 3,000 JPY
Afternoon Ticket (12:30-17:00)    Adult: 3,000 JPY
Late Ticket (10:00-17:00)             Adult: 3,500 JPY
Evening Ticket (17:00-19:00)       Adult: 1,000 JPY
Single Ride                                   Adult: 400 JPY

Directions

・20 minutes by foot or 3 minutes by shuttle bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
・5 minutes by car from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway

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(Address)	2117-9 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma City
(Tel)	025-780-6888
(URL)	http://www.naspanewotani.com/ski/index.html

Akakura Onsen Ski Area

2011-12-21T00:00:00Z

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort is famous for its snowboarding slope. Features tables, snow parks, and other attractions, and its various courses are quite popular. Also holds many events for the whole family.

URL:http://www.akakura-ski.com/

○Slope information
・Snowboarding: Permitted on all trails; also has a snowboarding park
・Children’s trail(s): Yes (free of entrance fees)

・Night skiing: Yes

・Number of trails: 16

・Length of longest trail: 2km

・Altitude: 720-1,500m

Season and hours of operation

　December 17, 2011- March 27, 2012

　Weekdays 8:30-16:30

(Night skiing from 17:00-21:00 ※until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)

Prices

　・Lift

　　1-Day Ticket Adult: 3,900 JPY

　　Night Ticket Adult: 2,000 JPY

Directions

　・10 minutes by bus from Myoko-Kogen Station on the JR Shinetsu Line
・4km, about 10 minutes by car, from the Myoko-Kogen IC of the Joshinetsu Expressway

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Suhara Snow Carnival

2011-12-22T06:33:32Z

This festival of fire and light features a fireworks display, jump performances by professional snowboarders, and skiing while carrying giant flaming torches. There will also be a town of tents where vendors will be lined up selling food, drinks, and other goods.

Dates and times: Saturday, February 25, 2012; 10:00-21:45

Sunday, February 26; 10:00-14:00,

17:30- whenever the candles burn out (4-5 hours)

Cost: Free (food, drinks, and goods will cost money)

Location Suhara Ski Hill, 1851-4 Suhara, Uonuma

Directions: ・3 minutes by foot from Suhara Station on the JR Okutadami Line

　　　　　・35 minutes by car from the Koide IC on the Kanetsu Expressway

Nagaoka Yuki-shika Snow Festival

2011-12-26T02:45:42Z

Back in the days before refrigerators were invented, people in the Nagaoka region used to pack snow into pyramid shapes and preserve them, then they sold them year round for people to use like a refrigerator. These snow pyramids were called yuki-shika.

The festival features over 100 snowmen, and in addition to making your own distinct snowman, you can see a giant yuki-shika re-creation, enjoy games in the snow, buy food and drinks, and watch the stage shows and fireworks. It’s an event full of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Dates: Saturday, February 18-Sunday, February 19, 2012

Location: Senshughara Furusato no Mori Park, 3-315-11 Senshu, Nagaoka

Directions 　・25 minutes by bus (Chuo-junkan Line) from Nagaoka Station on the JR Shinetsu Line

　　　　　　　　　　　・15 minutes by car from the Nagaoka IC on the Kanetsu Expressway

Furumachi Geigi: The Geisha of Niigata

2011-12-26T03:54:00Z

　The Furumachi district of Niigata is considered one of the three most prestigious areas in Japan for geisha, along with Gion in Kyoto and Shinbashi in Tokyo. Boasting a tradition of 200 years, the Furumachi geigi represent the culture of Niigata as a port town.

　The tradition of Furumachi geigi was born in the Edo period, when Niigata was bustling as the most frequented port on the Sea of Japan coast. Since Niigata was, and still is, Japan’s top rice producer, it was a stop on the Kitamaebune shipping route. The Furumachi geigi helped welcome the visitors, and it is said that at their peak, there were over 300 geigi flourishing in all of their glamour.

　Even now, they continue their spirit of hospitality and numerous traditional arts, charming many of the visitors to the city. Now they not only entertain at traditional, upscale Japanese restaurants, but also are engaged in a wide variety of activities, such as performing dances at event ceremonies.

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Toyoko Inn Niigata Furumachi

2011-12-26T04:30:24Z

From long ago, Furumachi has being known as the busiest business and shopping area in Niigata, as well as home of the Furumachi geigi, Niigata’s geisha.

Located in this bustling city center is the Toyoko Inn Niigata Furumachi. The easy-to-access location makes this hotel ideal for both business and tourism.

Address:1168-2, 7 Bancho, Kamiokawamaedori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

Telephone number: 025-227-1045

Fax: 025-227-1046

HP:http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00186/index.html

Tokamachi Yuki Matsuri- The Tokamachi Snow Festival

2011-12-28T06:50:50Z

Tokamachi Yuki Matsuri was started in 1950 by the citizens and for the citizens of Tokamachi based on the idea “let’s not make snow our enemy, let’s make snow our friend.”
The fireworks that decorate the sky at the finale of the snow-stage carnival make snowy scenery that appears straight out of a fantasy.

]]> Dates/Times:    Friday, February 10^th to Sunday, February 12^th, 2012
                       Festival begins at 6 p.m. on Friday
                       and ends around 4 p.m. on Sunday

Locations: Special site at Jogaoka Pureland in Tokamachi City

School grounds of Tokamachi High School
and other locations around the city

Directions:      ●20 minutes by foot from JR Tokamachi Station
                       on the JR Iiyama Line/ Hokuhoku Line (to the carnival stage)