Marunuma Kogen is located on the western slopes of Mt Shirane in Katashina village close to the Gunma-Tochigi prefecture border. Marunuma Kogen is particularly popular – and busiest - during the early season and late season due to early snowfall and long season in the region. This is because during the peak season months there are more easily accessible resorts. The road just beyond Marunuma Kogen gets blocked off during winter. Marunuma Kogen has been operating since 1974.
The region to the east of Minakami town and to the north east of Numata city in northern Gunma Prefecture is made up of Kawaba village and Katashina village. There are a number of ski and snowboard resorts dotted around the mountains of this region, all of which are accessed off the main Route 120 road from central Numata. This road is otherwise known as the Nihon Romantic Highway and continues through to Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, though the prefecture border section of the road is closed from late December until late April.
Gunma Prefecture is located in the north west area of Kanto region on the main island of Honshu and shares borders with Niigata Prefecture to the north and Nagano Prefecture to the west. There are over 20 ski and snowboard resorts in Gunma Prefecture and they are mainly concentrated in the northern regions of Minakami and Katashina and the western region of the Prefecture.
The Katashina Snow Express bus service from Tokyo leaves Shinjuku at 7:15am. The return charge is 6,000 yen. Reservations required.
By Car
38.4km from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
46.3km from the Tsukiyono IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
46.5km from the Showa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 120 (0.1km away)
Direction
Marunuma Kogen is located very close to the border with Tochigi Prefecture. Outside of winter months Route 120 continues past Marunuma Kogen and connects with the Oku Nikko area of Tochigi, but that section of the road is closed during winter. This means that the only way to approach Marunuma Kogen in winter is from the west on Route 120.
Marunuma Kogen is just over 38km from the Numata IC exit on the Kanetsu Expressway.
From the Numata IC exit, turn left onto Route 120 (Nihon Romantic Highway) and head towards Nikko. Continue on Route 120 for just over 38km to the base of Marunuma Kogen.
There are a number of car parks available at the base area of Marunuma Kogen. Parking is free on all car parks apart from the Central (Chuo) car park where it is 1,000 yen on weekends and holidays (free for season ticket holders).
As of Sunday 9th December, we still need to update the information for about 50 ski hills around Japan. They are mostly very small ones and the information can be very hard to find. We are working to get them all updated as quickly as possible... hopefully within the next week!
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