SnowJapan.Com - the japan winter sports guide & community SnowJapan.Com - the japan winter sports guide & community
HOME - SNOWJAPAN.COM
RESORTS
SNOW RESORTS
RESORT SPOTLIGHTS
PLACES TO STAY
DAILY REPORTS
TOWN GUIDES
MAPS
SERVICES
COMMUNITY
FORUMS
MEMBERS
PHOTOS
REVIEWS
JOURNALS
RANKINGS
INFORMATION GUIDES
GENERAL INFORMATION
TRAVEL INFORMATION
FEATURES
SnowJapan.Com
SnowJapan.Com Snow Resorts
 
Tazawako, Akita Prefecture
 
 
 

 

Tazawako
Akita Prefecture

WEBSITE

Tazawako resort is set in stunning surroundings near Tazawa lake in Akita Prefecture.   One of the most popular resorts in northern Japan, Tazawako is also renowned for the excellent snow conditions throughout the season as well as a good selection of varied courses suitable for a wide range of skill levels.

11/12 Season
16th December 2011
until 22nd April 2012
 

Click on the image to the right to see larger version >>>

  
A Komagatake No.2 Course
1,100m
Steepest slope angle: 27°
Average slope angle: 18°

This is a moderate slope with ups and downs and is popular among intermediate skiers.
  H Ginrei No.2 Course
700m
Steepest slope: 32
°
Average slope: 25°

 
 
B Komagatake No.3 Course
650m
Steepest slope: 28°
Average slope: 25°

This slope widens towards the base to let you enjoy carving-skiing.
  I IRIS Gelende (featured on the Korean drama "IRIS")
1,600m
Steepest slope: 33
°
Average slope: 27°

This long trail offers a wonderful view of the Lake Tazawa.
 
C Kuromori Course
550m
Steepest slope: 33°
Average slope angle: 27°

Usually offering a mix of compacted snow, fresh and deep snow.
  J Shirakaba Course
1,600m
Steepest slope: 20
°
Average slope: 10°

This course is best for beginner ski lessons and popular with families.
   
D Kamoshika Course
1,100m
Steepest slope: 22°
Average slope: 13°

 
  K Kokutai (National Sports Festival) Course
1,600m
Steepest slope: 33
°
Average slope: 27°

This long trail offers a wonderful view of the Lake Tazawa.
 
E Kamoshika Junior Course
1,200m
Steepest slope: 20
°
Average slope: 15°

 
  L Mizusawa Champion Course
1,000m
Steepest slope: 38
°
Average slope: 25°

The fastest slope in the Tazawa Ski Area.
 
F Ginrei Utopia Course
750m
Steepest slope: 25
°
Average slope: 18°
  M Mizusawa Course
1,000m
Steepest slope: 20°
Average slope: 10°

This wide slope is best for beginners and ski lessons.
 
G Ginrei Paradise Course
600m
Steepest slope: 34
°
Average slope: 25°

Fresh deep snow on this course.
 
  N Kamoshika Forest Course
650m
Steepest slope: 28
°
Average slope: 25°


Number of trails: 13
Altitude: 608m (ranging from 578m to 1,186m)
Longest run: 3km
Total area of courses: 100ha
Course breakdown: Advanced skiers 40%
Intermediate skiers 30%
Beginners 30 %
Number of lifts: 6 in total
2 quad lifts & 4 pair lifts
Capacity: 9,699 passengers per hour


There are 950 seats in total available in the three restaurants at the resort, serving a variety of dishes including local specialties - look out for the potatoes and carrots grown by the staff of the ski resort!


Shirakaba (450 seats)
Shirakaba has plenty of mouthwatering dishes, including the Chef’s specialties - Ginger Ramen and Soup Spaghetti.  The local beer - originating in Tazawako - is also highly recommended. Open from 9am to the time when lifts end operation.

Kamoshika (250 seats)
Kamoshika is located close to the Kamoshika parking lot and a good place to use as a base camp, especially during early season & spring skiing season.  Open from 9am to the time when lifts end operation. (Open mostly on weekends)

Ginrei (250 seats)
Ginrei is located almost in the center of the resort and looks down on Lake Tazawa with fantastic views of the lake and surrounding scenery.  Ginrei serves light meals and is open from 9:30am to 3pm (Open mostly on weekends)

  

Click on the image to the right to see larger version >>>


The Tazawako Ski School (SAJ) offers lessons in skiing, snowboarding and also telemark skiing.  Lesson are from 10am and 1:30pm.

Type Half day 1 day
General lesson 3,500 yen 5,000 yen
Pre-elementary school 5,000 yen 8,000 yen
Elementary school 1st to 3rd grade 4,000 yen 7,000 yen
Elementary school 4th to
6th grade
3,500 yen 5,000 yen
Private lesson (1 person) 8,000 yen 15,000 yen
Private lesson (2-3 people) 12,000 yen 20,000 yen
Private lesson (4-5 people) 16,000 yen 25,000 yen
Private lesson (6-7 people) 20,000 yen 30,000 yen
Private lesson (8 or more) 24,000 yen 35,000 yen
Free time lesson 1 hour - 5,000 yen
Telemark ski lesson 5,000 yen 8,000 yen

Contact: 0187 (46) 2653
School Hours: 10am -12 noon & 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Registration: School Office Ski Center - "LELA" 1st Floor from 9am and 12:30pm
  

Located on the 1st Floor of the Ski Center "LELA".  There is a wide choice of  snowboards, skis, ski boards, snow scoots, snow pull, snow shoes and Japanese-style snow shoes.  Telemark skis are also available to rent (3000 yen per day).

Items Full day 5 hours 3 hours
Ski/snowboard set - adult 3500 yen 2800 yen 2100 yen
Ski/snowboard set - child 2000 yen 1600 yen 1200 yen
 
Expert carving skis 3500 yen 3000 yen 2500 yen
(1hr, 1000 yen)
 
Wear set - adult 3500 yen 2800 yen 2100 yen
Wear set - child 2000 yen 1600 yen 1200 yen
 
Full set - adult 6000 yen 4800 yen 4200 yen
Full set - child 3500 yen 2800 yen 2400 yen

Snowscoot:
2 hours - 1500 yen; 1 day - 3000 yen

Snowshoe:
3 hours - 1000 yen

Sledge:
3 hours - 800 yen

  

By train
Take the Akita Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Tazawako Station
2 hours 59 min. from Tokyo
1 hours 16 min. from Sendai
56 minutes from Akita
29 minutes from Morioka.

By night bus (Lake & Port)
Yokohama Station West Gate
Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal > Tazawako Sta. Bus Terminal (reserved seats required)
For details and reservation:
Ugokotsu Express Bus Reservation Center, Tel: 0182 (32) 9500
Express Bus Reservation Center, Tel: 0466 (24) 5006

  Yokohama Hamamatucho Tazawako
To Tazawako 21:35 22:25 8:00
To Yokohama 20:20 6:05 6:50

By regular bus
Between Tazawako Station and Tazawako Ski Area there are 13 round-trips a day with a journey time of about 30 minutes.  Contact: Tazawako Bus Terminal, 0187 (43) 1511

By car
Tazawako is a 49km (1 hour) journey from the Morioka I.C. on the Tohoku Expressway. (38km on Route 46 towards Akita, then turn right at the T intersection towards Lake Tazawa, 6km toward Hachimantai, then urn right at the Kosendatsu crossroad and 5km on the prefectural highway.)

From the airport
New access from Akita Airport using the Akita Airport liner is now available!


Season: Friday 16th December 2011 - Sunday 22th April 2012

The resort is open every day until 8th April 2012.  After that, the resort opens on 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd April for the spring season. 

Until 1st April 2012 Weekdays: 9am - 4:30pm
Some lifts have varying opening times
2nd April - spring ski 7am - 2:30pm

 


Below are the lift ticket charges for the 2011/2012 season at Tazawako.  All charges shown in Japanese yen.

23rd Dec
-
25th Mar

Type Adult Junior / Senior High Students Over 60s Elementary School Students
3 hours
includes 1000 yen free lunch voucher
3,200 2,100 2,300  
30 hours 21,500 13,500 15,500
* The above two special tickets include a charity contribution to the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery efforts.
1 day 3,800 2,600 2,800 1,000
5 hours 3,200 2,100 2,300  
6 hours + Free lunch 4,000 2,900 3,100
1 time 400 400 400 220
11 times 4,000 4,000 4,000 2,200
Season ticket 63,000 32,550 47,250
(over 60s)
14,700
(over 70s)
10,500
  
 

Early Ski:
16th Dec - 22nd Dec

Spring Ski:
26
th Mar - 22nd Apr

 

Type Adult Junior / Senior High Students Over 60s Elementary
School Students

3 hours
includes 1000 yen free lunch voucher

2,300 1,700 1,900  

* The above special ticket includes a charity contribution to the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery efforts.

1 day 3,000 2,100 2,300 1,000
5 hours 1,800 1,300 1,400  
6 hours + lunch 3,000 2,400 2,600
1 time 400 400 400 220
11 times 4,000 4,000 4,000 2,200

Children younger than elementary school age ride the lifts for free.

A 5 hour ticket is valid for 5 hours after purchase. 


Parents can enjoy the slopes while the kids are being looked after in the Kids Room at the resort.  Reservations are required.  The Kids Room can be found on the 1st Floor of Ski center "Lela" and welcomes children from the ages 2-6.

Time Charge
3 hours 2,000 yen
5 hours 3,000 yen
1 day 3,500 yen

Opening times: 9am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Visit the TAZAWAKO WEBSITE for more information.

 

TAZAWAKO SKI RESORT SPOTLIGHT