Cupid Valley is located on the northern slopes of Mt Hishigatake, about half way between Joetsu city and Tokamachi city in Niigata Prefecture. It is also around half way between the popular Myoko and Yuzawa regions of Niigata. The area known as 'Yukudaruma Kogen' - loose translation as 'Snowman Heights'! On a clear day fine views of the Japan Sea looking over layers of rice fields can be enjoyed from the top.
The Gondola lift will be rested during the 2020-2021 season which means that two lifts are required to get to the top area. Most terrain remains available due to the gondola not moving - the exception being about 600m of course under the top of the gondola lift. The official maximum elevation of the ski area has been adjusted from 960m to 920m due to the gondola operation change; other details remain the same.
Niigata Prefecture is located in the central region of Honshu to the north of Tokyo and has a 250km long coastline facing the Sea of Japan. Convenient transportation links make Niigata very easy to get to from Tokyo and other surrounding regions. There are over 50 ski and snowboard resorts in Niigata Prefecture, ranging from small one-lift hills to some of the most well-known and popular ski resorts in Japan. While they are dotted around the mountains of the prefecture, most are concentrated in the southern regions - in particular the Yuzawa town and Minamiuonuma city area in the Chuetsu region and Myoko city in the Joetsu region.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Cupid Valley.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available.
Children's facilities
The 'Smile Kids Park' is located by the Number 1 quad lift. Entry is 1,000 yen entry for children and 500 yen for adults (free with a valid lift ticket). Plastic skis, sledges, buckets are available to rent.
Park information
There is no specific Snow Park.
Cupid Valley Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Mid 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
Cupid Valley is normally open from 8:30am until 4:30pm.
There is no night skiing at Cupid Valley.
Cupid Valley Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age
Older Child
Junior High School age
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day (8:30am-4:30pm)
4,200 yen
2,700 yen
3,700 yen
3,700 yen
5 Hours
3,400 yen
2,000 yen
3,000 yen
3,000 yen
1 Lift Coupon
600 yen
600 yen
600 yen
600 yen
12 Lift Coupons
6,000 yen
6,000 yen
6,000 yen
6,000 yen
Afternoon (from noon)
3,000 yen
1,800 yen
2,700 yen
2,700 yen
2020-2021 lift tickets
A 1 day lift ticket that also includes a 1,000 yen lunch voucher (and discounts on rental and ski school lessons) is available:
Adult: 5,000 yen Elementary School age: 3,500 yen High School age and Seniors: 4,500 yen
Getting to Cupid Valley
By public transport
Train
34.8km from Joetsu Myoko Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line
13.6km from Mushigawa Ohsugi Station on the Hokuhoku Line
31.3km from Naoetsu Station on the Shinetsu Honsen Line
Information
Cupid Valley is less than 14km from Mushigawa Ohsugi Station on the Hokuhoku train line.
The Hokuhoku line runs from Echigo Yuzawa Station through to Naoetsu Station with convenient connections at both.
A shuttle bus is available from Mushigawa Ohsugi Station. The journey takes about 15 minutes.
By Car
30.2km from the Joetsu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
33km from the Kakizaki IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
56.6km from the Muikamachi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 403 (0.1km away)
Direction
Cupid Valley can be reached either from exits on the Hokuriku Expressway or from exits on the Kanetsu Expressway.
It is located to the south of Route 405 which runs from Joetsu city to Tsunan town.
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
