Kawaba is located on the southern slopes of Mt Hotaka in the north eastern region of Gunma Prefecture. The multi-storey building at the end of the road acts as both the main multi-story car park and also the resort base - the resort base being on the top floor with direct access to the slopes Positioned at a high altitude, this region often enjoys favourable snow conditions and a long season. Kawaba is also popular for its parks and also offers a 'first tracks' tour service, park lessons and snowshoe tours. Kawaba has been operating since 1989.
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 Kawaba.
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 free 'First Step Gelaende' is located at the base of the resort, where the covered snow escalator is. Entry to just this area is 1,500 yen - or free with a valid ski lift ticket.
Park information
There is a selection of park areas at Kawaba - 'Murasaki Banked Slalom Park', 'Flux Park' and the 'Max Easy Park'.
Kawaba offers a 'First Tracks' service where you ride up to top on grooming machines before lift opening time to get in early tracks. 2,000 yen for just the first tracks, 6,700 yen for a 1 day lift ticket and First Tracks. Optional tours are also available.
Snow Trecking tours are also available for the 2018-2019 season.
Kawaba Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Early December until Mid April
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:00am until 4:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 4:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
No
Weekdays
No
Opening information
Kawaba is open from 8:30am until 4:00pm on weekdays and from 8:00am on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays after 15th December 2018.
From 25th March 2019, Kawaba is open from 8:30am until 4:00pm every day.
There is no nighta at this resort. There are special 'Night Tour' experiences available (see above).
Kawaba Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
3 years pre-school age
Older Child
Elementary & Junior High School age
Senior
50 years & over
1 Day
4,800 yen
2,000 yen
3,500 yen
4,000 yen
PM Ticket
4,000 yen
2,700 yen
3,500 yen
5 Hours
4,100 yen
2,800 yen
3,600 yen
10 Hours
7,900 yen
5,300 yen
6,900 yen
20 Hours
15,500 yen
10,300 yen
13,500 yen
1 Lift Coupon
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
Season Ticket (all)
55,000 yen
32,000 yen
42,000 yen
Season Ticket (weekdays)
37,000 yen
Monthly Pass
22,000 yen
1 day ticket for children aged 3 years to 11 years: 2,000 yen.
Entry to 'First Step' is 1,500 yen for 1 day (free with a valid 1 day, half day or hour ticket).
Getting to Kawaba
By public transport
Train
27.7km from Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
21.4km from Numata Station on the Joetsu Line
Information
The resort is just over 21km from Numata Station on the local Joetsu line and just under 28km from Jomo Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line.
There are a number of shuttle buses available that go to Kawaba.
Between 8th December 2018 and 31st March 2019, a free shuttle bus leaves the 'Michi-no-eki Kawaba Denen Plaza' to Kawaba. This is particularly handy for those not wanting to drive on the snowy mountain roads that lead up to the resort. Times for leaving the Michi-no-eki are as below:
Buses also leaving from Jomo Kogen Station (Joetsu Shinkansen line) and also Numata Station (Joetsu local line) are also available.
Various tour buses also leave from Tokyo.
By Car
16.6km from the Numata IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
24.1km from the Tsukiyono IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
24.9km from the Showa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 120 (14.7km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 263
Direction
Kawaba is under 17km from the Numata IC exit on the Kanetsu Expressway. About 25 minutes drive.
There are a number of road options around the Numata IC, some a little closer than others, but the below route is the one that the resort themselves recommend.
From the Numata IC exit traffic lights, turn left onto Route 120. After about 500m on Route 120, turn left onto Prefecture Road 64 and continue along that road for just over 6km (passing the Michi-no-eki Kawaba Denen Plaza on the left side after about 5km). Turn right at the traffic lights and then 900m later turn left. After about another 500m, at the next junction turn right onto Prefecture Road 263. Follow this road for about 9km right up to the Kawaba resort base car parks.
You should find that Kawaba is well signposted on the route.
If you are not keen driving up to the base in icy and snowy conditions, you can park at the Michi-no-eki and use the free shuttle bus that goes up to the resort.
The unique multi story car park at the base of the resort - along with five outdoor car parks a bit further out - offer parking for a total of 1,800 vehicles. Parking is free every day of the season.
If you are approaching by car but don't want to drive up the snowy mountain road last bit, you can park at the Michi-no-eki and take a free shuttle bus to the resort. See above for more details.
The ski resort information currently shown on SnowJapan is from the 2018-2019 season. Over the summer and autumn months we will be checking and then updating information. Everything will be updated online in time for the 2019-2020 winter season. Please note that planned ski resort opening dates are often very similar every year, so the dates from the 2018-2019 season can be taken as a good idea of what to expect next season.
For more details and explanations about the information presented on this page,
please read this.
It is very important to us that the information presented on SnowJapan is correct and up-to-date. Checks and updates are made throughout the year. If you find information that you feel needs checking and updating, please let us know by contacting us. We appreciate your support.
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