Mitsumata, Kagura and Tashiro combine to make one awesome ski resort complex. These are three combined resorts, though for the sake of simplicity, most people refer to this as "Kagura Resort"

Most people visit Kagura for the quality of snow. This is helped by the high altitude of the resort: 1845m at the top - way above the 1,100-1,200m for Niseko resorts, for example.

Even the lower slopes of the Mitsumata area have great quality snow. Apart this, there are plenty of other attractions.

The Mitsumata are of Kagura resort is only 10minutes from Yuzawa train station by shuttle bus, or a JPY2,300 cab ride. The Mitsumata ropeway takes you to the resort, though it is possible to ski all the way back down to the car park if snow conditions allow.

The Mitsumata area has a wealth of high beginner to intermediate slopes, and also contains a good terrain park.

The main Mitsumata piste is a good 4K run - longer if you start off on the higher Kagura runs.

This ski resort is a wildlife haven. You can see rabbits, artic foxes, or even a Japanese Kamoshika - a strange kind of deer-antelope native to Japan.

The resort takes you right into the mountain ranges - you are likely to have difficulty getting a mobile phone connection, which may be a hindrance or an absolute pleasure!

Every year in early April, Mitsumata/Kagura offer a heli-ski tour, which is highly recommended for intermediate skiers/boarders and above.