How to get to Gala Yuzawa ski resort

Joetsu shinkansen bullet train route:
Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa and Gala Yuzawa

There are two ways to get to Gala. For day-trippers from Tokyo, there are direct trains running from Tokyo station to Gala Yuzawa ski resort. For details on how to get to get to the resort in this way, please see this page: trains from Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa.

If you are staying for more than just one day, the chances are that you will travel by train to Echigo Yuzawa station, drop off your bags at your hotel, and then make your way to the ski resort. This page gives directions for how to do this: its only a 10 minute journey. We also show where the various resort facilities are located.

1) Free shuttle buses from Yuzawa town to the resort

There are a number of bus stops in Yuzawa from which you can catch the shuttle bus to Gala ski resort: 1. Naspa New Otani 2. Lions Mansion 3 [resort apartment block] 3. Hatago Isen 4. Inamoto Ryokan 5. Kagetsu Hotel 6. Yuzawa 'Yukigunikan' snow museum Shuttle buses run from Hatago Isen to 'Gala Resort' - which takes about 5 minutes. This bus service is provided free of charge. It takes the bus approximately 3-5 minutes to travel between each bus stop. The below timetable shows the times for the buses at the Hatago Isen bus stop.

Depart Hatago Isen Depart Gala Ski Resort 7.38 12.00 12.30 8.03 8.18 8.33 8.48 13.00 13.30 9.03 9.18 9.33 9.48 14.00 14.30 10.03 10.18 10.33 10.48 15.00 15.20 15.40 11.03 11.23 11.43 16.00 16.20 16.40 12.03 12.33 17.00 17.20 17.40 13.03 13.33 18.00 18.30 19.00 Buses runs between 22 Dec 07 and 30 March 08 Bus arrival times may differ slightly, depending on weather conditions.

2) Gala Yuzawa base station Once at the resort, you will find that the facilities on offer are superb. Signs and directions are all either translated, or shown via easy to understand symbols. At the base station, the rental counter, ticket office and shops are all on the 2nd floor, as shown below. From the bus entrance, the 2nd floor is accessed either by elevator to the immediate left of the entrance, or stairs to the right. *If you booked your ski pass and rentals through us, please tell your booking reference number to the staff at the below counters to pick up your ski pass and rentals at the resort. *Rentals need to be returned by 5pm. If you are skiing for several days, you need to collect a voucher that covers all the dates you are using the rentals. *If you are skiing/snowboarding for more than 5 days, and your resort only issues a 4 day pass, you will need to go to the lift pass counter on day 5 to collect new vouchers for the rest of your time.

Also (not shown on the map above) the 3rd floor of the base station has a spa complex - great for a relaxing soak after skiing or riding. There is both a traditional onsen bath, and a mixed sex pool-style bath with 'rotemburo' heated outside bath.

3) Ski resort gondola station - "Cheers" building This building is located on the top of the first gondola. Apart from restaurants, shops and an information counter, this building also has the reception area for ski school lessons. Customers taking lessons should take their vouchers to the desk, shown in blue text in the map below. The 2nd floor of the Cheers building is a viking-style all-you-can-eat restaurant (not shown on the map above)

Gala Yuzawa ski resort piste map