About Mt Naeba:
Naeba Ski Resort is connected with neighbouring Kagura Ski Resort by the so-called ‘Dragondola’, Japan’s longest gondola. The entire area is called “Mt. Naeba”, which consists of 4 ski areas.
One half of Mt Naeba is Kagura Ski Resort, which itself is made up of three areas: Kagura, Tashiro and Mitsumata, which boast a combined lift network of 21 lifts and 13 designated trails – the longest of which a veritable thigh burning 6,000 metres. In terms of vertical, Kagura is also one of few Japanese resorts to measure over 1km of vert and striked the perfect balance between steep and deep with a vertical drop of some 1,225m.
While Kagura is typically less busy than Naeba, when you combine the two resort areas, you gain access to 34 lifts, over a dozen of which are large gondolas and a whopping 45 trails – not to mention the copious off-piste terrain and easily accessed side and backcountry.
VIDEO
TRAIL MAP
Snow Resort Stats
Mountain (Naeba)
- ElevationTop 1789 metres
- Elevation Bottom 900 metres
- Vertical Drop 889 metres
- Max Pitch 32 degrees
- Skiable Terrain 196ha
- Longest Run4 km
- Beginner 30%
- Intermediate 40%
- Advanced 30%
- Total Number of Trails 22
Lifts (Naeba)
- Total 13
- Highest Lifted Point 1,789 metres
- 8 Person Gondola 2 (Incl. Dragondola = 5.5km)
- 6 Person Gondola 1
- 6Person Chair 1
- Quad Chairs 5
- Triple Chairs 0
- Double Chairs 5
- Surface Lifts Uphill 0
Snow Making (Naeba)
- Snow Making n/a
- Total Number of Guns n/a
- Annual AverageSnowfall 6-7m
Terrain Parks (Naeba)
- Total 5
- Banked Slalom
- Beginner Slope Style Park
- Intermediate Slope Style Park
- Forest Park
- Beginner & Night Park
Mountain (Kagura)
- ElevationTop 1845 metres
- Elevation Bottom 620 metres
- Vertical Drop 1,225 metres
- Max Pitch 32 degrees
- Skiable Terrain 169ha
- Longest Run 6 km
- Beginner 35%
- Intermediate 35%
- Advanced 30%
- Total Number of Trails 23
Lifts (Kagura)
- Total 21
- Total Highest Lifted Point 1845 metres
- Gondolas & Trams 4 (incl. Mitusmata Ropeway = 121 people; Tashiro Ropeway = 101; Dragondola = 8 people & 6-person gondola)
- Quad Chairs 5
Triple Chairs 0 - Double Chairs 12
Snow Making (Kagura)
- Snow Making n/a
- Total Number of Guns n/a
- Annual AverageSnowfall 6-7m
Terrain Parks (Kagura)
- Total n/a
- Total Terrain Park Area Size n/a
Featured Travel Deals
Mt Naeba: Insider Ski & Snowboard Tips
The area surrounding the Kaguragamine zone (looker’s right on the above trail map) is a popular backcountry zone. Topping out at 2,030 metres, it can be accessed by taking the Kagura Pair Lift No. 5 all the way to the top, where you’ll encounter the backcountry gates and be checked by staff to ensure you’re suitably prepared to enter backcountry terrain (beacon, probe, shovel, pack etc.)
Mt Naeba: Access
Mt Naeba is located in the Niigata Prefecture, about 175km northwest of Tokyo. Being so close to Tokyo, it is one of the most easily accessed resorts for international travellers. Perhaps the most efficient way to get there is via the bullet train ‘Joetsu Shinkansen’ from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzaw Stationa (70-90 minutes). From Echigo Yuzawa Station, Kagura is only another 15-20 minutes away by bus.
Mt Naeba: Accommodation
The main accommodation drawcard is the newly renovated Naeba Prince Hotel, on the Naeba side of the two resorts. As well as the ski-in, ski-out convenience that it affords, this hotel also somes with plenty of dining options (20+) and facilities. In town (Mikuni) there exists the typical lodging options you’d expect, from smaller hotels, ryokans and pensions.
Mt Naeba: Restaurant & Après
The Naeba Prince Hotel has over 20 restaurants, and those range from very formal to very relaxed. While the hotel effectively traverses the entirety of international cuisine, if you want a slightly more authentic dining experience, you can explore the town of Naeba and the local dining options there, such as the izakayas.
Mt Naeba: Non-skiing Activities
For the non-skiers, we recommend staying at the Naeba Prince Hotel as it’s stacked full of Onsens, a day spa, games rooms and has an expansive snow park on its doorstep for the kids to play in, which also features lanes for snow tubing and sledding.
