Marunuma Kogen (sometimes known as 'Malnuma') is located in the north eastern area of Gunma Prefecture.  With the magnificent Mount Shirane as a background, Marunuma Kogen is well-known as offering excellent powder snow throughout most of it's long season which runs from mid-November until May.

The base of the resort is at an elevation of 1400m, meaning that the resort receives regular topups of powdery snow, but also enjoys a relatively large number of fine-weather days even during the peak of winter.

This season the resort opens on 14th November aided by artificial snow-making machines.  Operations will increase as temperatures drop and natural snow enables more courses to open.  The resort is usually fully open in the first half of December.

The resort features a number of ungroomed and steep slopes suitable for those looking for a challenge as well as gentle slopes at the base of the resort suitable for beginners.  There is also a Kids Park and Snow Park which are free to use. 

Skiers and snowboarders are welcome on all slopes apart from the Kids Park.

09/10 Season
The resort is open from 8:15am until 4:30pm from 14th November 2009 until 5th May 2010, except between 14th November and 18th December and 19th March and 5th May when the resort will close at 4pm.

A choice of accommodation is available at the resort and the nearby Pension Village.

Course Map, Courses & Lifts

The resorts offers a variety of slopes to suit skiers and snowboarders of different skill levels - from the ungroomed steep mogul courses towards the top of the resort to gentler slopes suitable for learners.

Marunuma Kogen Courses

Marumuma Kogen Lifts

Snow Park 09/10

* More resort data as well as weather forecast can be found here.

Ski & Snowboard Rental

The Marunuma Kogen ski and snowboard rental facilities are open daily from 14th November 2009 until 5th May 2010.  Opening hours are 8:15am until 4:30pm.

Lift tickets

For the 2009/2010 season, Marunuma Kogen plans to be open for a total of 173 days - from 14th November 2009 until 5th May 2010. 

For early and late season the ticket prices are as follows:

Children under the age of 6 can ride the lifts for free.

Please note that 10 and 20 hour tickets are counted by the individual hour and are valid during the current winter season only.

Please note that a 1000 yen returnable deposit is required when buying lift tickets.  You will get that money back when you return the ticket.

PARKING:
Parking is free every day throughout the season.

Events

How to get to Marunuma Kogen

Marunuma Kogen is located in Katashina village, in the north eastern area of Gunma Prefecture (close to the border with Tochigi Prefecture).

> From Jomo Kogen Station (Joetsu Shinkansen) - 50km
> From Numata IC (Kanetsu Expressway) - 43km

By Car:

Marunuma Kogen is about 43km from the Numata IC (interchange) of the Kanetsu Expressway toll road that runs from northern Tokyo to Niigata prefecture.  The journey from Nerima IC in the Tokyo area to Numata IC in normal conditions will take around 90 minutes.  After exiting Numata IC, turn left onto Route 120 and follow the signs to Nikko.  Marumuna Kogen is located just on this main Route 120 road and signposted along the way.

Route 120 continues on into Tochigi Prefecture but part of the road is closed from late December until early spring.  When the road is open though Marunuma Kogen can be accessed from Tochigi making it just an hour or so from Nikko.

By Public Transport:

You can use either the Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train) or local train lines and buses to get to Marunuma Kogen using public transport from the Tokyo region.  Buses are available directly from the Jomo Kogen station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line and the Numata Station on the Joetsu local line.  The Shinkansen is perhaps the most convenient - but more expensive - though the two arrive at the resort at the same time as can be seen in the below timetable:

Three buses arrive at Marunuma Kogen daily with the best connections being as follows from Tokyo to Marunuma:

Travel companies in Tokyo arrange tour visits to Marunuma Kogen and so please enquire at a travel agent regarding those deals.

Click here to view an interactive map of the area

Click here to view more photos of Marunuma Kogen