Kagura Ski Resort Guide

Kagura, located in Niigata prefecture of Jaoan, is a large resort comprised of the Tashiro and Mitsumata areas. With 24 lifts, Kagura offers skiers an incredible 1225 metres (4019 feet) of vertical descent, with 544 acres of terrain over 23 pistes. Kagura has some gently graded slopes ideal for beginners, but is most popular domestically with intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders who come for the off-piste/backcountry terrain and the free-style parks. There are no cross-country ski trails at Kagura. For snowboarders, there are two terrain parks, one for beginners and one for advanced riders, as well as a quarter pipe. The nearest train station to Kagura is JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, which is one hour from Tokyo on the bullet train. From Echigo Yuzawa Station, the ski area is a 25 minute bus ride away costing 300 JPY. Kagura Ski Area operates one Japanese style backpackers on the mountain that sleeps 30-40 people on futons and provides 2 meals a day. One advantage of staying at this backpackers is that first track access to the mountain is guaranteed as the lifts half-way up the mountain load from beside the mountain hut.