NASPA Ski Garden is a ski area located close to the central area of Yuzawa town in Niigata Prefecture. It is one of the few ski areas in Japan that remains skiers-only, and it is popular with families with children. In addition, it is the only ski area in Japan with certain elements themed with the popular Pingu penguin character. The character makes special appearances in the winter season.
NASPA Ski Garden is located directly by the side of NASPA New Otani hotel. The ski area may only be for skiers, but both skiers and snowboarders are welcome to stay at the hotel. Guests at the hotel can quickly get to the other nearby ski areas in the Yuzawa region.
This ski area has been operating since 1992. The name NASPA comes from 'Nature And Sports Personal Area'.
Yuzawa town and neighbouring Minamiuonuma city are home to over 20 individual ski areas, including some of the most well-known in Japan. With easy and quick access by train and road and a wide choice in a relatively compact area, this region is one of Japan's most popular ski destinations. The region usually enjoys very heavy and consistent snowfall each winter. Yuzawa town is known as being the inspiration for the famous Nobel prize-winning novel Yukiguni (Snow Country).
The Mountain
691m
260m
431m
38"
8
2200m
5
30%
40%
30%
Skiers 100%
Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
Boarders 0%
0
0
2
1
2
0
0
NASPA Ski Garden is a skiing-only resort (snowboarding is not allowed)
NASPA Ski Garden Snow Depth Statistics
Official snow depth numbers from the current season and previous season
NASPA Ski School is the official ski school at NASPA Ski Garden. General, group and private ski lessons are available. Lessons in English and Chinese are available at NASPA Ski Garden during the peak season. There are also a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area, please check the Lessons in English section for current listings on SnowJapan.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski equipment and ski wear is available in the Garden Annex building which is located at the base of the ski area and 20m from the NASPA New Otani hotel. There is also a limited selection of snowboard gear to rent - although NASPA Ski Garden itself does not allow snowboarding, many NASPA New Otani hotel guests snowboard at other nearby ski areas in Yuzawa.
Children's facilities
NASPA Ski Garden offers a range of facilities for young children and families.
NASPA welcomes the popular character Pingu to it's slopes each season - and Pingu helps out with some special Kids Lessons as well.
Pingu Kids Garden is located by the Number 1 lift and is an area with a variety of fun things for children to take part in supervised safely. There is a moving walkway, a special kids skiing area, sledging and lots of items to play in the snow. Pingu Kids Garden is open daily from 9:30am until 4:00pm.
There is also a special Ski Debut Area on the lower part of F course. It is free to use.
Park information
There is no one main Snow Park area at NASPA Ski Garden. There is however a Slopestyle area on Course G, a simple Wave Course on Course H and a special Mogul Area on Course A. All are free to use and do not require any special entry.
NASPA Ski Garden Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Late December until Early April
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Sometimes
Weekdays
No
Opening information
NASPA Ski Garden is normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm every day.
On certain days - called 'Thanks' - it is open until 6:00pm (Saturdays and certain holidays in December, January and February).
NASPA Ski Garden Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age & under
Senior
55 years & over
1 Day
4,500 yen
3,500 yen
4,000 yen
2 Days
7,700 yen
6,000 yen
6,800 yen
5 Hours
3,700 yen
2,900 yen
3,300 yen
1 Lift Coupon
500 yen
400 yen
4,500 yen
Season Ticket
43,000 yen
32,500 yen
38,000 yen
2021-2022 Season Lift Tickets
A 'Thanks' ticket is available on some special days between 5:00pm and 6:00pm - 500 yen for both adults and children. On those days (see Opening times details above), the 1 Day, PM, PAM and Late tickets are all valid through 6:00pm.
A number of special set tickets are also available that include lunch and a drink.
1 day ticket + lunch ticket + drink ticket: 5,200 yen for adults and 4,200 yen for children 5 hours ticket + lunch ticket + drink ticket: 4,300 yen for adults and 3,500 yen for children Family set ticket (1 day ticket for 2 adults and 2 children + lunch ticket + drink ticket): 16,500 yen
Ladies Day is every Tuesday between 11th January and 15th March 2022. On those days a 1 day ticket for ladies is 2,800 yen.
NASPA Day is every Wednesday between 12th January and 16th March 2022. On those days a 1 day ticket is 2,300 yen.
Ski-kodomo-no-hi (Children's Day) is on the third Sunday of January, February and March 2022. On those days, a 1 day ticket is 1,750 yen for younger children and 2,250 yen for up to two accompanying adults.
Getting to NASPA Ski Garden
By public transport
Train
1.5km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen line
1.5km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Line
1.5km from Echigo Yuzawa Station on the Hokuhoku Line
Information
NASPA Ski Garden is 1.5km from the West Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station. Echigo Yuzawa Station is serviced by the JR Joetsu line and JR Joetsu Shinkansen line. Connections to the Hokuhoku line are also available at Echigo Yuzawa Station.
Bus
A free shuttle bus operates between the West Exit of Echigo Yuzawa Station and NASPA Ski Garden. The bus takes less than 5 minutes to get to the resort base. An additional free shuttle bus service is also available that operates between NASPA, Yuzawa Kogen and GALA Yuzawa.
A taxi journey from Echigo Yuzawa Station to NASPA Ski Garden normally costs around 900 yen.
By Car
2.6km from the Yuzawa IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
10.2km from the Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 17 (1.9km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 351
Direction
NASPA Ski Garden is 2.6km from the Yuzawa IC exit of the Kanetsu Expressway and 1.9km from Route 17.
From the Yuzawa IC exit traffic lights, turn right and then turn left at second set of traffic lights (there is a large sign for NASPA on the left side). Follow this road past the town office on the left, over the local train line and then under the Shinkansen train line until reaching a T-junction. Turn left at the t-junction and then follow the road up to NASPA Ski Garden. The car parks for the resort are clearly signposted.
Parking
NASPA Ski Garden has plenty of parking for 2,000 vehicles near the base of resort, split up into 4 large car parks. Parking is free every day of the season and the car parks are open 24 hours a day.
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please read this.
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
