Gunma
MINAKAMI TOWN
Minami Town is located in Gunma prefecture and is the gateway town to Minakami Kogen, Houdagi & Tenjin being within an hour transit of all these resorts.
Transfers from Tokyo
From Tokyo, taking the shinkansen takes only 70 minutes or 2 hours by car. Hiring a car is the best if you would like to travel to different resorts with no hassle.
DiningMINAKAMI TOWN
Minakami Town has plenty of dining options. Minakami is home to a variety of restaurants, bars, Sushi, Ramen, Izakaya, Shabu Shabu, Yakitori, iIalian, French, burgers and more.
We recommend satying at Hotel Juraku
Cultural activities
MINAKAMI TOWN
Hotel Juraku
Tenjin backcountry
MINAKAMI TOWN
Tenjin is probably the most known mountain in Minakami. It is famous for backcountry skiing & boarding. There is a tiny ski resort up at the top after a 15 minute ropeway ride. But, not many people come to ski at this resort. People come to do sidecountry or backcountry at this sacred mountain. It is known as a very dangerous mountain. So we would strongly suggest to have a backcountry guide to enjoy the backcountry skiing & boarding safely. It is also very open to the weather and conditions are not always suitable.
We suggest staying in Minakami town which is only 20 minutes away. This way you can pick the best days for Tenjin and when conditions don't suit you can go to one of the other resorts or visit the sites in and around Minakami town.
We suggest staying at Hotel Juraku which is located near Minakami station and close to everything that comes with staying in the centre of a Japanese town including dining, shopping and exposure to the local Japanese culture.
It is a very sophisticated hotel with nicely renovated modern rooms, great Onsen and delicious food
Tenjin is only 20 minutes by car or public bus from Minakami station. And Takaragawa Onsen is is only 35 minutes by car or public bus from Minakami station.
Tenjin backcountry
MINAKAMI TOWN
Tenjin is probably the most known mountain in Minakami. It is famous for backcountry skiing & boarding. There is a tiny ski resort up at the top after a 15 minute ropeway ride. But, not many people come to ski at this resort. People come to do sidecountry or backcountry at this sacred mountain. It is known as a very dangerous mountain. So we would strongly suggest to have a backcountry guide to enjoy the backcountry skiing & boarding safely. It is also very open to the weather and conditions are not always suitable.
We suggest staying in Minakami town which is only 20 minutes away. This way you can pick the best days for Tenjin and when conditions don't suit you can go to one of the other resorts or visit the sites in and around Minakami town.
We suggest staying at Hotel Juraku which is located near Minakami station and close to everything that comes with staying in the centre of a Japanese town including dining, shopping and exposure to the local Japanese culture.
It is a very sophisticated hotel with nicely renovated modern rooms, great Onsen and delicious food
Tenjin is only 20 minutes by car or public bus from Minakami station. And Takaragawa Onsen is is only 35 minutes by car or public bus from Minakami station.
The family option
MINAMA KOGEN SKI RESORT
Minakami Ski Resort is a family friendly ski resort. For beginners, there is a 2,500 metres long gentle course to cruise down with beautiful views. If mums and dads would like a bit of adventure, there are two challenging non-groomed runs too! Minakami Kogen Ski Resort has two kids parks as well as lots of snow activities such as dog sleighs, kids & adults snow mobile, snow rafting, snow coaching, all different kinds of unique sleighs and snow rides, cross country, air boarding and snow shoeing. The snow activity passport is available for you to enjoy all these activities at a reasonable price
To get to Minakami Kogen Ski Resort, there is free shuttle from Jomo Kogen station if you are coming from Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen, which would take about 60 minutes to Minakami Kogen Ski Resort. There is also free shuttle from JR Minakami station which would take about 50 minutes.
We recommend staying at Minami Kogen Hotel 200
For the powder hunter
MINAMI HOUDAGI
Minakami Houdaigi Ski Resort has 16 courses. The longest course is 2,600 meters and the elevation is 1,400 metres high. Most of the runs are facing north and the snow quality is great! There are challenging non-groomed black runs with 40 degrees vertical! There are green and blue runs from beginners to intermediates to enjoy.
To get to Houdaigi by public transfer, you can catch the public bus from JR Minakami station to the bus stop called "Kubo". Then the staff at Chalet La Neige can come to pick you up from the bus stop.
The place to stay is Chalet La Neige which is a very cozy & relaxing ski in ski out lodge owned by a local family in Houdaigi Ski Resort. The accommodation style is western but you will feel the real Japanese hospitality in this small community with no western crowds
