White World Oze Iwakura is located in Katashina village in Gunma Prefecture. It is located on the south-eastern slopes of Mt Nishi, to the east of Mt Hotaka. The resort first opened in 1974 and the Gondola was added in 1989. White World Oze Iwakura is very close to Katashina Kogen resort, but the two are not physically connected and they do not share a joint lift ticket.
Last season two ski courses that have been closed since 2011 made a comeback - the Tochinoki and Mizunara courses in the upper back Nishiyama area of the resort. Mizunara is kept ungroomed. It was good to see them back.
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 White World Oze Iwakura.
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 'Rokkun Hiroba' is located at the base of the resort area, by the Number 3 quad lift.
A child care facility is available for young children ages 3 years and over.
Park information
There is a 'Pole Bahn Ski Park' area near base but there are no other specific snow park areas.
White World Oze Iwakura Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Early April
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:15am until 5:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:15am until 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Sometimes
Weekdays
No
Opening information
White World Oze Iwakura is generally open from 8:15am until 5:00pm (last lift at 4:45pm) during the daytime in the main season.
Night skiing is from 4:30pm until 9:00pm (last lift at 8:45pm) on the following days:
31st December 2020 9th, 10th, 30th January 2021 6th, 13th, 20th February 2021
The Number 3 quad lift and Number 7 romance lift operate for night skiing.
The ‘Spring Season’ is from mid March until Sunday 4th April 2021.
White World Oze Iwakura Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age
Older Child
High School age
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day (until 4:45pm)
5,000 yen
2,900 yen
3,900 yen
4,500 yen
Super 1 Day (inc. nighta)
5,500 yen
3,400 yen
4,500 yen
5,000 yen
1 Day + lunch
5,800 yen
3,700 yen
4,800 yen
5,200 yen
2 Days
9,100 yen
5,000 yen
7,000 yen
7,800 yen
1 Lift Coupon
600 yen
400 yen
500 yen
5 Hours
4,500 yen
2,500 yen
3,500 yen
4,000 yen
10 Hours
8,500 yen
4,500 yen
6,500 yen
7,500 yen
20 Hours
16,500 yen
8,500 yen
12,500 yen
14,500 yen
Gondola (1 way)
1,400 yen
800 yen
1,100 yen
1,300 yen
Gondola (return)
2,100 yen
1,300 yen
1,700 yen
2,000 yen
Nighta (from 4:30pm)
1,900 yen
1,000 yen
1,400 yen
1,600 yen
Season Ticket
63,200 yen
36,700 yen
47,900 yen
53,000 yen
2020-2021 Season lift tickets
An automated lift ticket gate system was introduced at White World Oze Iwakura for the 2017-2018 season. A 500 yen returnable deposit for the required IC Card is needed when buying lift tickets.
A 'Special Senior' lift ticket is available for people 70 years and older. The charges for these tickets are the same as the 'High School age' rates.
The spring season is from mid March until Sunday 4th April 2021.
Getting to White World Oze Iwakura
By public transport
Train
43.2km from Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
36km from Numata Station on the Joetsu Line
Information
White World Oze Iwakura is 36km from Numata Station on the Joetsu line and about 43km from the Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.
Buses from both Jomo Kogen Station and Numata Station operate to central Kamada area of Katashina village.
The 'Katashina Snow Express' bus runs between Tokyo Shinjuku and Katashina Village, from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to and from the Oze Katashina Roadside Rest Area. A free shuttle bus operates between Oze Katashina Roadside Rest Area and the ski resort.
31.6km from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
39.6km from the Tsukiyono IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
39.6km from the Showa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 401 (1.5km away)
Direction
White World Oze Iwakura is located just off Route 401, about 30km to the north east of the Numata IC 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 about 25km until arriving at the turn off for Route 401 just after passing through the central Kamada part of Katashina Village. Turn left onto Route 401 over the bridge heading towards Oze and Tokura. Continue on this road until arriving at a large sign on the left side for Katashina Kogen. The turn off for White World Oze Iwakura is just over 1km further along Route 401. At the sign turn left to head up to the car park.
There is parking for over 1,200 vehicles at the base on two car parks. The smaller one by the base hotel is mainly for hotel guests. The larger Number 2 car park is for day visitors and a free shuttle bus runs between the car park and the base of the resort if you don't want to walk.
Parking is free on weekdays and 1,000 yen on weekends and holidays. It is free daily from 15th March 2021.
MESSAGE FROM SNOWJAPAN We feel for everyone who wanted to be able to visit Japan this winter but are unable to. Please read this message about this season and coronavirus. Stay safe everyone, wherever you are.
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Reader Resort Rankings
General
80
Snow conditions
83
Courses & terrain
81
Lift system
77
Apres ski
25
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
