Gokase Highland is a ski area located in Gokase Town in the northwestern region of Miyazaki Prefecture.
This ski area is the most southern ski area in Japan. It is on the northeastern slopes of Mt Mukozaka in central Kyushu, the third-largest island of Japan and the most south-westerly of the four main islands.
At first, it was thought that a ski area with natural snow in this central Kyushu location would not be possible. Still, it happened, with Gokase Highland opening in 1990.
Snowmaking machines are used to provide a helping hand.
There are three pair ski lifts at Gokase Highland. One is used to reach the ski runs that are located higher up. The other two (610m and 310m) operate at the top.
Mountain
statistics
Top/peak (m)
1610
Vertical (m)
190
Bottom/base (m)
1420
Beginner runs (%)
45
Intermediate runs (%)
25
Advanced runs (%)
30
Longest course (m)
1650
Steepest slope (°)
30
Number of courses
2
Ski lifts
3
Ropeway cable car
0
Gondola
0
Quad lift (4-person)
0
Triple lift (3-person)
0
Pair lift (2-person)
3
Single lift (1-person)
0
Surface lift
0
Information
Normal season dates
Gokase Highland usually plans to be open from mid- to late December until mid-March. See below for the actual opening and closing dates in recent seasons.
Normal opening times
Gokase Highland is normally open from 8:00am until 4:30pm.
Night skiing
There is no night skiing.
Park
The Snow Park is on the lower half of the Paradise Course and features a quarter pipe, box, wave, rail and more. There is also a mogul run.
Families & children
The children's sledding area is located on the upper section near the Ski Centre.
Lessons
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Gokase Highland.
Rental
Ski and snowboard equipment & wear rental is available.
Lift ticket prices
2025-2026 season
Information for the upcoming 2026-2027 season will be added by December 2026
1 day
Adult: 5,000 yen
Child: 3,500 yen
Senior: 4,500 yen
4 hours
Adult: 4,000 yen
Child: 2,500 yen
Senior: 3,500 yen
1 lift coupon
Adult: 500 yen
Child: 500 yen
Senior: 500 yen
Season ticket
Adult: 45,000 yen
Child: 30,000 yen
Senior: 35,000 yen
Historical snow depth data
The following ski season and official snow depth data have been independently compiled by SnowJapan for publication on this website. Where available, the data is updated annually after each ski season.
First and last dates of recent seasons
2025-2026 season: 19th December - 27th February (71 days)
2024-2025 season: 20th December - 9th March (80 days)
2023-2024 season: Closed
2022-2023 season: Closed due to nearby typhoon damage
2021-2022 season: 24th December - 13th March (80 days)
Deepest recorded snow depth
2025-2026 season: 75cm on 11th-14th February
2024-2025 season: 150cm on 10th-27th February
2021-2022 season: 100cm on 21st February - 1st March
2020-2021 season: 80cm on 12th-22nd January
2019-2020 season: 50cm on 18th-22nd February
2018-2019 season: 40cm on 13th-18th February
2017-2018 season: 165cm on 26th-27th February
2016-2017 season: 85cm on 11th-17th February
2015-2016 season: 100cm on 25th-29th January
2014-2015 season: 95cm on 9th-16th February
Resources
Weather & snowfall (Japan Meteorological Agency) [open in new window]
Introduction to the region
Miyazaki Prefecture is located on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. Kyushu is the third-largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands.
Miyazaki borders Oita Prefecture to the north, Kumamoto Prefecture to the northwest, and Kagoshima Prefecture to the southwest.
Gokase Highland is one of only two ski areas currently operating on Kyushu, and the only one in Miyazaki Prefecture. It is located in Gokase Town in the northern region of the prefecture, close to the border with Kumamoto Prefecture.
About the information on this page
SnowJapan independently researches, checks and updates the information on this page at least once each year, in the lead-up to every ski season. We also update it whenever we become aware of other changes. The information published on SnowJapan is based on independent research using official Japanese-language sources and is not supplied by ski areas. If you are planning to visit a ski area, we recommend checking the official ski area website for the latest operational information. We take great care to keep the information on SnowJapan accurate and up to date. However, SnowJapan accepts no responsibility for decisions made based on information published on this website.
Learn more about how we research, check and update information on SnowJapan.