Kagura Snow Resorts

This is proper high-alpine skiing with 1,225m of vertical spread across three interconnected mountains. The upper elevations serve genuine advanced terrain (30% of the mountain) with tree runs that hold powder for days, while the lower sections offer mellow cruising for building confidence. At 169 hectares, it's not massive, but the terrain variety punches above its weight - everything from groomed boulevards to legitimate backcountry-style tree skiing.

Kagura attracts serious Japanese powder hounds and the occasional gaijin who's done their homework. Weekdays feel like a private mountain club - you'll see the same local rippers sessioning the same secret stashes. The base facilities are functional rather than fancy, but nobody cares when you're floating through champagne powder at 1,800m while the coast gets rain.

"Best ski resort close to Tokyo - lots of tree runs and very scenic, but very weather dependent and often closed from high winds"

— Google Review

• ✓Powder hunters who want legitimate terrain without the Niseko circus - this is where Tokyo skiers come to actually ski
• ✓Intermediates ready to level up to tree skiing and off-piste exploration in a less intimidating environment
• ✓Snow geeks who geek out over long seasons - skiing in May while wearing shorts at the base? Yes please

• ✗Your Japanese vocabulary stops at 'arigatou' and you need English menus to function - this is local territory
• ✗You're chasing vibrant apres-ski scenes - the mountain rolls up by 4:30pm and that's about it
• ✗Wind makes you grumpy - the exposed upper lifts shut down regularly, sometimes stranding you on the wrong mountain

January through February for peak powder conditions at elevation, though the season runs nearly six months thanks to the 1,845m summit. Weekdays are dramatically less crowded, and the high altitude means you can still find legitimate skiing into May when most resorts are done.

1. Not checking wind conditions before heading up - strong winds shut down key lifts and can strand you on the wrong mountain
2. Expecting frequent bus service from Echigo-Yuzawa station - plan your return timing carefully
3. Trusting online lift status over actual conditions - lifts show open but close without much notice

1. When the Tashiro ropeway closes due to wind (which happens a lot), everyone floods the Kagura side - hit the trees on Kagura Main before the crowds figure it out
2. The new Mitsumata restaurant gets terrible reviews but costs the same as good food - walk the extra 5 minutes to find literally anything else
3. Strong winds will trap you on whichever mountain you start on, so check the weather and pick your side wisely - the Dragondola connection shuts down first