Iwappara enjoys a commanding position on the southern slopes of the Mt Iiji close to the central area of Yuzawa town in Niigata Prefecture and is clearly visible for people approaching on the Kanetsu Expressway. It first opened in 1931 and has a long history. The central part of the resort has long, wide and gentle slopes making that area particularly suitable for beginners. More advanced skiers and boarders will want to head up to the top for more of a challenge. A joint lift ticket and season pass that is valid at Iwappara and Joetsu Kokusai in Minamiuonuma is available.
Yuzawa town and neighbouring Minamiuonuma city - located around 200km to the north north-west of the Tokyo region in Niigata Prefecture - are together home to over 20 individual ski and snowboard resorts, including some of the most well-known ski resorts in Japan. With easy and quick access by both train and road and a wide choice in a relatively compact area, this region is one of the most popular ski destinations in Japan. The region usually enjoys very heavy and consistent snowfall each winter and with Yuzawa town also being the inspiration and setting of the famous Nobel prize-winning novel Yukiguni (Snow Country), it can certainly lay claim to being the original 'Snow Country'.
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. Most of the larger ski and snowboard resorts in Niigata Prefecture are concentrated in the southern regions around Yuzawa town, Minamiuonuma city and Myoko city.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Iwappara. There are a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area and offer lessons in English - please check the Lessons in English section for current listings on SnowJapan.
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 large 'Kids Paradise' area is located near to the base of the central quad lift - it is free to those with valid day tickets, 500 yen entry otherwise. A ticket that is sold at the base Resort Center 1 and includes a 1 time ride on the base Number 1 pair lift (which goes up to the Kids Paradise area) is available for 700 yen. (The ride back down is free).
There is also an indoor area for children to play in.
Park information
The 'Snow Park' is located near Resort Centre 2 in the main area and features a number of items.
Iwappara 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 8:00am until 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
Iwappara is normally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm every day in the daytime.
Night skiing is open every day from Saturday 21st December 2019 until Sunday 22nd March 2020; nighta times are 5:00pm until 7:00pm on weekdays and until 9:00pm on Saturdays and over New Year.
Iwappara Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Kids (3+)
Older Child
Junior (Elementary School)
Senior
55 years & over
6 Hours
3,300 yen
1,000 yen
2,500 yen
2,500 yen
Long 1 Day (8am-closing)
4,300 yen
1,000 yen
2,500 yen
3,300 yen
2 Days
7,500 yen
2,000 yen
3,500 yen
5,500 yen
3 Days
10,500 yen
3,000 yen
4,500 yen
7,500 yen
1 Lift Coupon
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
500 yen
Nighta (5pm until close)
1,500 yen
1,000 yen
1,000 yen
1,000 yen
Season Ticket (Iwappara)
30,000 yen
23,000 yen
25,000 yen
Season Ticket (I + JK)
55,000 yen
23,000 yen
25,000 yen
2020-2021 season lift tickets
The 5 Hour ticket is valid for five hours from the time of purchase.
The season ticket noted as 'I+JK' is valid for the season at both Iwappara and the Joetsu Kokusai resorts.
With the Iwappara-only season ticket, one day lift tickets for Joetsu Kokusai or GALA Yuzawa resorts can be bought for 1,500 yen.
Getting to Iwappara
By public transport
Train
3.3km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
3.3km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Line
3.3km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Hokuhoku Line
Information
The nearest train station is Iwappara Ski Jo Mae (named after the resort and about 1km from the base), but it is a very small local Joetsu line station. Most people use Echigo Yuzawa Station which is serviced by the Joetsu local line and Joetsu Shinkansen lines.
A free shuttle bus is available from the East Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station. The journey from Echigo Yuzawa Station to Iwappara takes about 12 minutes.
A taxi journey from Echigo Yuzawa Station to Iwappara base costs around 1,500 yen.
By Car
2.9km from the Yuzawa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
10.5km from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 17 (2.3km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 268
Direction
The base area of Iwappara (Resort Center 1) is just over 3km away from the Yuzawa IC of the Kanetsu Expressway. Resort Center 2 is located at a higher location and can be accessed by car. It is a further 1.5km along the same road.
From the Yuzawa IC exit, turn left onto Route 17 and go about 600m to the traffic lights at the 7-11 convenience store. Turn left at the traffic lights and continue for about 650m until you reach another set of traffic lights by a Save On convenience store. Turn right at these traffic lights and continue for 850m - through one set of traffic lights until you arrive at the second set of traffic lights. At this junction there are signs for Iwappara. Turn left here and head towards Resort Center 1 which is around 800m from the traffic lights.
A number of car parks are available both at base (near Resort Center 1) and further up the mountain. There is parking for about 1500 vehicles. Parking is free on every day of the season.
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
