Mitsumata

Mitsumata is a small hamlet centred around the entrance to the largest resort in the Japan Alps, Kagura ski resort. Mitsumata is a 10 minute drive or 20 minute bus ride from Echigo Yuzawa station.

Mitsumata is great for a relatively quiet place to stay close to the chairlifts - allowing you to catch 1st lifts in the morning to ride those corduroy slopes.

Naeba

Naeba is a ski village built around the renowned Naeba Ski resort, which in turn connects with Kagura resort. Naeba is a 40minute bus ride from Echigo Yuzawa train station.

Whilst the area is dominated by the Naeba Prince Hotel, there are a number of great hotels and lodges close by the slopes.

Naeba is great for ski-in-ski-out hotels and lodges. In terms of the amount of shops, restaurants and bars, Naeba falls in between Mitsumata and Yuzawa.

Ishiuchi

The proper name for this area is 'Minami-Uonumashi', but this is such a mouthful to say that we tend to stick to 'Ishiuchi'.

This area is between 10-25 minutes' drive to the north of Echigo Yuzawa train station, taking in great resorts such as Ishiuchi Maruyama and Joetsu Kokusai ski resort.

The closer Ishiuchi ski resorts are easily accessible from Yuzawa hotels, but there are some great accommodation options available to get closer to the pistes.

For more information on the Ishiuchi area, click this link: Minami-Uonumashi Tourist Info This site also has some handy info: Visit Ishiuchi

Iwappara

Iwappara is a village built around Iwaparra ski resort: a great resort for families and beginner to intermediate skiers and snowboarders. The resort area is a 10minute drive from Echigo Yuzawa station.

There are a few restaurants around the village, though for those looking for nightlife, Yuzawa is a short taxi ride away.

For more info on the area, please click this link: Iwappara Tourist Information

Nakazato

This is a small hamlet based around Nakazato ski resort, about 15 minutes' drive from Yuzawa, and very close to Iwappara.

Nakazato is home to Angel Grandia Hotel, a family-friendly hotel with great facilities. This hotel is ski-in-ski out for Nakazato Snow Wood ski resort: a great place to take the kids out for their first experience on the snow.