Tainai is located in Tainai city to the north east of both Shibata city and Niigata city, in the northern region of Niigata Prefecture. It has been operating since 1965. This region does not always get lucky with snowfall and so the season can be unpredictable. New LED lighting is being used for the floodlit night operations which for the 2019-2020 season will be on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tainai was not able to open during the 2019-2020 winter season due to a lack of snow. There was some drama during 2020 including a crowd funding effort, and at one point it looked like the Tainai would not be opening for 2020-2021. The good news is that Tainai does plan to open for 2020-2021 and if weather co-operates the season is due to begin on Saturday 26th December 2020.
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 Tainai.
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 'Chibbiko Park' and beginners slope are located near the base area. 150 yen to use the 81m snow escalator; 700 yen for the day.
Park information
Tainai Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Mid December until Late March
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 9:00am until 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
Tainai is normally open from 9:00am until 5:00pm on weekdays and from 8:00am until 5:00pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Night skiing is from 5:00pm until 9:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays; from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Sundays. (No scheduled night skiing on other days of the week).
Tainai Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age & under
Senior
50 years & over
1 Day (open-5pm)
4,000 yen
3,200 yen
3,200 yen
4 Hours
3,200 yen
2,700 yen
2,700 yen
1 Lift Coupon
400 yen
11 Lift Coupons
4,000 yen
22 Lift Coupons
7,000 yen
Nighta (5pm-9pm)
2,200 yen
1,500 yen
2020-2021 Season lift tickets
The 4 Hour ticket is valid for four hours from the time of purchase.
Super Senior tickets are also available for those 70 years and over.
Children's Day is every Sunday when young children can ticket for 0 yen.
Getting to Tainai
By public transport
Train
51.8km from Niigata Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
14.7km from Nakajo Station on the Uetsu Honsen Line
27.4km from Shibata Station on the Uetsu Honsen Line
Information
Tainai is under 15km from Nakajo Station on the Uetsu Honsen line.
There is a free shuttle bus from Royal Tainai Park Hotel (10 minutes) - normally operating only on weekends and holidays.
A taxi from the station also takes about 20 minutes.
By Car
16.7km from the Arakawa Tainai IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
18.4km from the Nakajo IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
25.6km from the Seiro Shibata IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 290 (3.3km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 53
Direction
Tainai is about 17km from the Arakawa Tainai IC and 18.5km from the Nakajo IC exits on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway.
Approach the ski hill using Route 290 and then Prefecture Road 53.
About 60 minutes from Niigata city. About 30 minutes from Shibata city. About 100 minutes from Nagaoka city. About 50 minutes from Oguni town (Yamagata Prefecture).
Parking
Car parking is available at the base of Tainai. Parking is free every day of the season.
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