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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.

09/10 Season
18th December 2009
until 25th April 2010
(open every day from until 4th April - after that on 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th April) 

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

  
Mt.Komagatake 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.
  Ginrei 2 Course
700m
Steepest slope: 32
°
Average slope: 25°

 
 
Mt.Komagatake 3 Course
650m
Steepest slope: 28°
Average slope: 25°

This slope widens towards the base to let you enjoy carving-skiing.
  Kokutai (National Sports Festival) Course
1,600m
Steepest slope: 33
°
Average slope: 27°

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

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

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

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

The fastest slope in the Tazawa Ski Area.
 
Kamoshika Junior Course
1,200m
Steepest slope: 20
°
Average slope: 15°

 
  Mizusawa Family Course
1,000m
Steepest slope: 20°
Average slope: 10°

This wide slope is best for beginners and ski lessons.
 
Ginrei Utopia Course
750m
Steepest slope: 25
°
Average slope: 18°
  Kamoshika Forest Course
650m
Steepest slope: 28
°
Average slope: 25
°
 
Ginrei Paradise Course
600m
Steepest slope: 34
°
Average slope: 25°

Fresh deep snow on this course.
 
  Snow Park
 


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 8:30 am 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 8:30 am 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 am to 3:30 pm (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. 

Type Half day 1 day
General lesson 3,500 yen 5,000 yen
Young child to
elementary school 3rd grade
4,000 yen 7,000 yen
Elementary school 4th to
6th grade
3,500 yen 5,000 yen
Private lesson 8,000 yen 15,000 yen
Telemark ski lesson 5,000 yen 8,000 yen
Season lesson ticket

Standard: 35,000 yen
Junior Mate: 35,000 yen
Technical Mate: 40,000 yen

Contact: 0187 (46) 2653
School Hours: 10am -12 noon & 1pm - 3pm
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.

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
 
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
  

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
Sagami Railway Express Bus Reservation Center, Tel: 045 (319) 2149

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 18th December 2009 - 25th April 2010

The resort is open every day until 54th April.  After that, the resort opens on 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th April for the spring season.  Nighta (floodlit slopes in the evening) is available on Saturdays between 26th December 2009 and 27th  February 2010, and also on 27th December 2009 until 1st January 2010 and 10th January 2010.

Until 29th March Weekdays: 8:30am - 4pm
Saturdays/Holidays/New year:   8:30am - 4pm
Some lifts starting operation at 9am
Nighta: 4:30pm - 9pm
29th March - spring ski 7am - 3pm

 


Below are the lift ticket charges for the 2009/2010 season at Tazawako.  All charges shown in Japanese yen.

26th Dec
-
28th Mar

Type Adult Junior / Senior High Students Over 60s Elementary School Students
1 day 3,800 2,600 2,800 1,000
5 hours 3,000 1,900 2,100  
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
Nighta 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,000
Season ticket 63,000 32,550 46,200
(over 60s)
13,650
(over 70s)
10,500
  
 

Early Ski:
18th Dec - 25th Dec

Spring Ski:
2
9th Mar - 25th Apr

 

Type Adult Junior / Senior High Students Over 60s Elementary
School Students
1 day 2,600 1,900 2,100 1000
5 hours 1,800 1,300 1,400  
6 hours + lunch 2,800 2,300 2,400
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.  Nighta is from 4:30pm until 9pm.  Riding a quad lift requires 2 of the individual tickets purchased (1 time + 11 times tickets).


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

Open until 28th March 2010
Opening times: 8:30am - 12 noon and 1pm - 4pm

Visit the TAZAWAKO WEBSITE for more information.

 

TAZAWAKO SKI RESORT SPOTLIGHT