Oguna Hotaka is located in Katashina village on the south eastern slopes of Mt Hotaka in northern Gunma Prefecture. It originally opened under a different name in 1975 and before 2013 it used to be known as called Snowpal Oguna Hotaka. A joint season ticket that can also be used at Minakami Hodaigi is available.
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 during the winter months.
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.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Oguna Hotaka.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Ski and snowboard wear rental is also available.
Children's facilities
The main 'Kids Park' area is at the base of the resort and free to enter with a valid lift ticket (otherwise the snow escalator charge is 700 yen for 1 day).
Park information
There are a few park areas at Oguna Hotaka including the 'Ogu-chan Snow Park', 'Pocket Park' and 'Secret Park' (shhh, don't tell anyone!)
Oguna Hotaka Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Late December until Late March
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
No
Weekdays
No
Opening information
Oguna Hotaka is normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm.
There is no night skiing at this area.
Oguna Hotaka Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age & under
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day (weekends & holidays)
4,300 yen
3,000 yen
3,500 yen
1 Day (weekdays)
3,800 yen
2,500 yen
3,000 yen
Half Day
3,300 yen
2,300 yen
2,900 yen
1 Lift Coupon
450 yen
350 yen
450 yen
Season Ticket (Joint)
48,500 yen
31,500 yen
38,500 yen
Season Ticket (Oguna Hotaka)
46,000 yen
29,000 yen
36,000 yen
2020-2021 Season lift tickets
The Half Day ticket is valid until 1:00pm or from 12:00pm.
There are two types of Season Ticket - one is valid at only Oguna Hotaka; the other is valid at both Oguna Hotaka and Minakami Hodaigi (marked as 'Joint' in above table).
Getting to Oguna Hotaka
By public transport
Train
40.8km from Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
33.6km from Numata Station on the Joetsu Line
Information
Oguna Hotaka is about 33.5km from Numata Station on the Joetsu line and about 41km from Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.
No train station shuttle bus service is available.
The resort says that it is a 60 minute taxi ride from Numata Station. (Be warned, that would be rather expensive!)
The Katashina Snow Express bus offers day trips from central Tokyo.
By Car
28.1km from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
37.2km from the Tsukiyono IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
37.2km from the Showa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 120 (9.7km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 64
Direction
Oguna Hotaka is about 28km from the Numata IC exit on the Kanetsu Expressway.
From the Numata IC exit, turn left onto Route 120 (Nihon Romantic Highway), heading towards Nikko. Continue on Route 120 for about 19km until arriving at the turn off for Prefecture Road 64 - the main road sign actually mentions Kawaba. Turn left onto this road and continue for about 4km, until reaching a turn off to the right to head towards Hotaka Bokujo. Turn right here and continue for 2km until reaching the turn off for Oguna Hotaka. Turn left and then follow the road for just under 1.5km. At the junction turn right to head up to the resort.
Car parking is available at base. Parking is free every day. The entrance gate opens at 6:00am on Saturdays and holidays. Before that, the number 5 car park (which has a toilet) can be used.
A shuttle bus operates between Car Parks 3, 4 and 5 and the base of the ski hill on Saturdays and holidays.
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