Ryuoo Ski Park
Located around an hour from Nagano Station, the Ryuoo Ski Park is located in the Kita-Shiga Kogen area, where is one of the nearest and most accessible ski areas from Nagano City. Almost unknown to international visitors and most certainly overlooked, the resort attracts few foreign visitors but remain very popular with locals, who come each winter to enjoy great snow conditions. On this page you will find the following information:
— Kita-Shiga Kogen and Kijimadaira Ski Resorts: The Stats & Facts
— Where to Stay when visiting Kita-Shiga Kogen
— Japan Ski Resorts: Everything you need to know
— Getting To & Around Kita-Shiga Kogen in Winter
— Tours and Charters around Kita-Shiga Kogen
It is important to note that the four ski resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen are not connected to Shiga Kogen Ski Resort and the two areas are approximately 45 to 50-minutes drive apart – as seen on the left-hand portion of the map below.
Ryuoo Ski Park has the most to offer in the Kita-Shiga Kogen area, with some excellent powder up top and long runs all the way back down. Across from Ryuoo, the joint resorts of X-Jam Takaifuji and Yomase Onsen Ski Resort combine to offer around 100 hectares of terrain including X-JAM’s large park with two half-pipes. Finally, set back from Ryuoo the small Kita-Shiga Komaruyama Ski Resort doesn’t have a lot to offer other than to newbies wanting to practice on wide, gentle runs.
KITA-SHIGA KOGEN AND KIJIMADAIRA SKI RESORTS: THE STATS & FACTS
Easily accessible from Nagano City, the ski resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen and Kijimadaira are popular with locals and university students yet remain largely unknown to international visitors. The resorts are in close proximity to each other and nearby Japan’s largest and highest ski resort, Shiga Kogen, however as noted above, the resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen are not connected to Shiga Kogen. In this section you will find information about the following resorts:
Ryuoo Ski Park — X-JAM Takaifuji — Yomase Onsen Ski Resort — Kita-Shiga Komaruyama Ski Area — The Kijima Snow Park
Of the four resorts in the Kita-Shiga Kogen Area, Ryuoo Ski Park is the best and might appeal to international visitors looking to get away from the more popular resorts of Nagano. While it can’t compete with resorts such as Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen or the main resorts in Hakuba, Ryuoo offers some decent terrain, tree zones and on the right day, good powder. Across the valley, X-JAM Takaifuji also stands-out for its terrain park – one of the best in Nagano! Connected to Yomase Onsen Ski Resorts, X-JAM Takaifuji might appeal to skiers and boarders looking for a good park and like Ryuoo, is best enjoyed as a day-trip and part of a multi-day visit to different resorts.
The Kijimadaira Area lies next to the Kita-Shiga Kogen area; in fact, the Kijima Snow Park is located on the same mountain as X-JAM Takaifuji and Yomase Onsen Ski Resort, making it very accessible from Iiyama station. The Kijima Snow Park is one of our favorite local ski resorts in the area, providing a decent variety of terrain to choose from. Let’s look at each resort individually, starting with the pick of the four:
RYUOO SKI PARK
Ryuoo Ski Park is considered the main resort of the Kita-Shiga Kogen grouping and is certainly the most popular, especially with snowboarders. The resort is dominated by the main ‘Skyland Express’ Ropeway that can ferry up to 166 passengers to the top station, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and ever popular Sora Terrace café and observation deck. A long and narrow resort with a lot of vertical – by Japanese standards – the resort has a lot going for it with some very good powder and terrain in the upper areas. When the powder is good it’s fantastic and on weekdays, you’ll most likely have it all to yourself. Largely undiscovered or simply overlooked by international visitors, Ryuoo is worth visiting in combination with other resorts in Kita-Shiga Kogen and nearby, much larger, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort.
Operating Dates & Times
Dependent on snow conditions, areas of the resort are typically open from early-December until late-April or even into May. Expect the full resort to be open the second half of December to the end of March. Lifts operate from 08:00 to 17:00 on weekends and holidays, opening a little later of weekdays – 08:15 to 17:00. Night-skiing from late-December to the middle of March, from 17:00 to 20:00 or 21:00 on Saturdays (but not available on Sundays or final day of three-day long weekends).
Ski Runs
The resort sits between 850 to 1930 meters, offering an excellent 1080 meters of vertical. A total of 17 ski runs are serviced by 9 chairlifts and 1 ropeway/gondola capable of carrying up to 166 passengers. Courses are split into: beginner 35% / intermediate 40% / advanced 25%. The longest run is 6km with around 100 hectares of terrain on offer.
Highlights
Ryuoo Ski Park is a long and narrow resort that can be split into three general areas: Skyland Area: easy beginner slopes at the bottom, Valley Area: intermediate courses in the midsection, and the Kiotoshi Area: advanced terrain and often excellent powder at the top. Popular with locals and snowboarders, the resort can be crowded in the bottom areas but up top, you’ll have far less competition for some excellent terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. On days of powder, head to the Kiotoshi area where you’ll also get some fantastic snow, ungroomed runs and great action through the trees. The resort has a couple of terrain parks well-suited to beginner and intermediate riders. One major frustration of the resort is that the main ropeway/gondola only departs every 20 minutes, so unless you descend quickly from the top, you’re likely to have to wait until the next one to head back up.
Tickets & Passes
Day-passes for Ryuoo cost: adults (13+) JPY4000 / children (4-12) JPY2000 / seniors (65+) JPY3900. A joint Kita-Shiga pass (covering Ryuoo, X-JAM/Yomase and Komaruyama) is also available: adults: JPY5100 / children JPY3000 for 1-day or adults JPY8600 / children JPY5100 for 2-days.
Rental & Ski School
Both ski and snowboard rental are available at the resort. Ski and snowboard lessons are also available including lessons in English and Chinese.
Kids & Families
The resorts ‘Adventure Park’ is located in the lower left-hand ski area and provides families and children a fenced-off space to enjoy tubing and sledding. Day-care is available at the resort however it can’t be guaranteed that the service is available in English or languages other than Japanese.
Accommodation & Village Info
The area around the base of the resort offers plenty of accommodation, with most guesthouses being slope-side hotels or traditional guesthouses. While the village is quite spread-out, it is also quite rundown in places and in need of investment. There is little in the way of night-life and don’t expect much English. While staying at Ryuoo is entirely fine, we recommend staying in the Yudanaka Onsen Area, where you will find a wider and better range of accommodation, more dining options, more to do at night and a shuttle bus service running to Yudanaka Station to Ryuoo and back, multiple times each day – see ‘Yudanaka Station’ page for details. For more information, see ‘Where to Stay When Visiting Kita-Shiga Kogen’ below.
Getting to Ryuoo Ski Park
Distance to Iiyama Station: 17km / 30-minute drive.
The resort is readily accessible by car and for visitors coming via or staying in the Yudanaka Onsen area, a shuttle bus operates from the station to the resort multiple times each day. For information regarding how to get to Yudanaka, see ‘Getting To & Around Kita-Shiga Kogen in Winter’ below.
X-JAM TAKAIFUJI
Lying across from Ryuoo Ski Park, the small resort of X-JAM sits on the eastern slope of Mt Kosha, and is connected to Yomase Onsen Ski Resort to offer a reasonable amount of terrain – in total, just under 100 hectares according to the official stats. Let’s keep things simple however by breaking-down what’s on offer just at X-JAM. Mostly popular with locals, the resort is known for its terrain park including two half-pipes and decent-sized jumps and is dominated by snowboarders. You’re unlikely to run into many international visitors at X-JAM so if you’re looking to get away from the usual Nagano hotspots and enjoying a day of boarding with the locals, X-JAM is worth a visit.
Operating Dates & Times
Dependent on snow conditions, the resort is typically open from mid-December until the end of March with lifts operating from 08:15 to 16:45. X-Jam Takaifuji does not have night-skiing.
Ski Runs
The resort lies at a low 700 to 1050 meters with a small 350 meters of vertical. A total of 13 courses are serviced by 4 chairlifts with courses split into: beginner 50% / intermediate 40% / advanced 10%. The longest course is only 2km with a total of 43 hectares of terrain.
Highlights
X-JAM is a small and local resort boasting a lot of character. Popular with snowboarders, the resort has a large park including two half-pipes and decent-sized jumps, winning it a loyal following with local boarders who just want to ride. The upper area and right-hand side of the resort includes some ungroomed and tree runs, where intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders can often find some good powder, especially on weekdays when the resort is likely to be very quiet. When combined with Yomase Onsen Ski Resort, X-JAM offers a good change of season and is a good inclusion on a multi-resort visit to Nagano.
Tickets & Passes
Day-passes for X-JAM Takaifuji (inc. Yomase) cost: adults (13+) JPY4000 / children (6-12) JPY2100 / seniors (50-64) JPY3000. A joint Kita-Shiga pass (covering X-JAM /Yomase, Ryuoo and Komaruyama) is also available: adults: JPY5100 / children JPY3000 for 1-day or adults JPY8600 / children JPY5100 for 2-days.
Rental & Ski School
X-JAM Takaifuji has basic rental services and is also covered by a local ski school however lessons may not be available in English. If you need to arrange rental and lessons, nearby Ryuoo Ski Park – also in Kita-Shiga Kogen – or the much larger Shiga Kogen Ski Resort will be better-suited.
Kids & Families
The resort also doesn’t have facilities catering to children and families. If that is important to you, Ryuoo Ski Park or Shiga Kogen Ski Resort will be better-suited.
Accommodation & Village Info
There are good number of guesthouses in the area around the resort, including a larger hotel in the adjoining Yomase Onsen Ski Resort. When staying in the area, expect Japanese-style accommodation and little English. While always welcoming, there is little to do at night with few dining options other than at each guesthouse. As a result, we recommend staying in the nearby Yudanaka Onsen Area, where you will find a wider and better range of accommodation, more dining options and more to do at night – only 20-minutes to X-JAM by taxi. For more information, see ‘Where to Stay When Visiting Kita-Shiga Kogen’ below.
Getting to X-JAM Takaifuji
Distance to Iiyama Station: 13km / 25-minute drive.
The resort is readily accessible by car and for visitors coming via or staying in the Yudanaka Onsen area, by taxi. For information regarding how to get to Yudanaka, see ‘Getting To & Around Kita-Shiga Kogen in Winter’ below.
YOMASE ONSEN SKI RESORT
Yomase Onsen is a small a little-known resort that is best enjoyed in combination with the adjoining X-JAM Takaifuji. Beginners and families can enjoy some nice wide runs to practice on however there isn’t much at Yomase to keep intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders interested. Usually quiet and exceptionally so on weekdays, Yomase Onsen doesn’t stand-out in its own right, however if you’re staying in the area and want to combine it with X-JAM Takaifuji, it can add some variety and enjoyment to your itinerary.
Operating Dates & Times
Dependent on snow conditions, the resort is typically open from mid-December until the end of March with lifts operating from 08:15 to 16:45. Yomase Onsen does not have night-skiing.
Ski Runs
The resort has a low elevation of between 750 to 1215 meters, offering a modest 465 meters of vertical. A total of 13 courses are serviced by 4 lifts, with those courses broken down into: beginner 30% / intermediate 50% / advanced 20%. The longest run is 2km with a total of 54 hectares of terrain.
Highlights
Yomase is another small and very local resort, best suited to beginners and newbies, families and children who can enjoy Yomase’s flat and wide runs. Usually quiet, they provide an ideal area to practice and get your confidence up. Intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders want find a lot of joy at Yomase and will find most enjoyment in the terrain park and trees of X-JAM.
Tickets & Passes
Day-passes for Yomase Onsen (inc. X-JAM)cost: adults (13+) JPY4000 / children (6-12) JPY2100 / seniors (50-64) JPY3000. A joint Kita-Shiga pass (covering Yomase/X-Jam, Ryuoo and Komaruyama) is also available: adults: JPY5100 / children JPY3000 for 1-day or adults JPY8600 / children JPY5100 for 2-days.
Rental & Ski School
Yomase Onsen has basic rental services and is also covered by a local ski school however lessons may not be available in English. If you need to arrange rental and lessons, nearby Ryuoo Ski Park – also in Kita-Shiga Kogen – or the much larger Shiga Kogen Ski Resort will be better-suited.
Kids & Families
The resort also doesn’t much in the way of facilities catering specifically to children and families. If that is important to you, Ryuoo Ski Park or Shiga Kogen Ski Resort will be better-suited.
Accommodation & Village Info
There are a small number of guesthouses including a large hotel around the base of the resort. We recommend staying in the nearby Yudanaka Onsen Area – where you will find a wider and better range of accommodation, more to do at night, and only 20-minutes to Yomase Onsen/X-JAM by taxi. For more information, see ‘Where to Stay When Visiting Kita-Shiga Kogen’ below.
Getting to Yomase Onsen Ski Resort
Distance to Iiyama Station: 17km / 30-minute drive.
The resort is readily accessible by car or for visitors coming via or staying in the Yudanaka Onsen area, by taxi. For information regarding how to get to Yudanaka, see ‘Getting To & Around Kita-Shiga Kogen in Winter’ below.
KITA-SHIGA KOMARYUYAMA SKI AREA
Very local in character, Komaruyama Ski Area is the smallest and least visited of the Kita-Shiga Kogen resorts and would rarely see any international visitors. Courses are really only suited to beginners and newbies, without nothing to really hold the interest of intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders. Nevertheless, the resort is welcoming and pleasant, a good place to learn or simply, have a change scene when visiting the other resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen.
Operating Dates & Times
Dependent on snow conditions, the resort is typically open from mid-December until the end of March with lifts operating from 08:00 to 17:00. Komaruyama offers night-skiing on one course throughout the season from 17:00 to 20:00.
Ski Runs
The sits between 850 to 1250 meters, offering a small 400 meters of vertical and 6 courses, serviced by 5 lifts. Those courses breakdown as: beginner 60% / intermediate 30% / advanced 10%. The longest course is 2km.
Highlights
Komaruyama is a very small resort without much to offer international visitors. Its wide and gentle runs are well-suited to absolute newbies and families with small children, who can enjoy some space and freedom to practice without much competition for space. For intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, the resort doesn’t offer any strong reason to visit. If you’re in the area, heading to nearby Ryuoo Ski Park will be much more worthwhile.
Tickets & Passes
Day-passes for Komaruyama cost: adults (13+) JPY3800 / children (6-12) JPY1900 / seniors JPY2000. A joint Kita-Shiga pass (covering Komaruyama, Ryuoo, and X-JAM/Yomase) is also available: adults: JPY5100 / children JPY3000 for 1-day or adults JPY8600 / children JPY5100 for 2-days.
Rental & Ski School
Basic services are available but nothing catering to international visitors. If you need to arrange rental or ski school, we recommend heading to nearby Ryuoo Ski Park.
Kids & Families
The resort’s wide and gentle ski runs are well-suited to families with children who want to play and practice their skiing and/or snowboarding. But don’t expect much else in terms of dedicated facilities for children and families. If that is important to you, Ryuoo Ski Park or Shiga Kogen Ski Resort will be better-suited.
Accommodation & Village Info
There are a number of guesthouses but little in the way of dining options and things to do at night. For that reason, we recommend staying in the nearby Yudanaka Onsen Area, where you will find a wider and better range of accommodation, more restaurants, more to do at night – and only 20-minutes to the resort by taxi. For more information, see ‘Where to Stay When Visiting Kita-Shiga Kogen’ below.
Getting to Kita-Shiga Komaruyama Ski Area
Distance to Iiyama Station: 14km / 25-minute drive.
The resort is readily accessible by car or for visitors coming via or staying in the Yudanaka Onsen area, by taxi. For information regarding how to get to Yudanaka, see ‘Getting To & Around Kita-Shiga Kogen in Winter’ below.
THE KIJIMA SNOW PARK
The Kijima Snow Park is a local ski resort that had recently re-opened after a brief hiatus. The resort is located in the Iiyama area, which is adjacent to the Kita-Shiga Kogen area; the Iiyama area also is known for a heavy snowfall each winter, and it is not just the amount of snow that stands out, but also the quality of snow. For all of those powder hunters who wish to score an amazing powder experience away from the crowds, you may want to keep this resort in mind while visiting Nagano. At the same time, this resort provides easier slopes and snow activity options for family and beginners, making it a recommendation for everyone.
Operating Dates & Times
Dependent on snow conditions, the resort is typically open from mid-December until late-March. Lifts operate daily from 08:30 to 16:30. The resort does not have night-skiing.
Ski Runs
The Kijima Snow Park offers a total of 31ha of terrain accessed via 6 ski runs and 4 chairlifts. Courses breakdown as: beginner 40% / intermediate 40% / advanced 20%. The resort sits between 469 to 1271 meters with a modest 802 meters of vertical and actually offers some steep black runs which when full of powder, are left ungroomed and a lot of fun. For the 2024-25 Season, 3 of the chairlifts are scheduled to operate: the No.1 Chair Lift and the No. 3 Chair Lift will operate daily, and the No.5 Chair Lift operating only on the Weekends.
Kids / Family Zone
The Kids and Family zone will be located right next to the No.3 Chair lift, with a variety of activities, such as sledding, for everyone to enjoy. This zone also is scheduled to be enriched for the 2024-25 season.
Highlights
The Kijima Snow Park is largely unknown by international visitors however given its close proximity to Iiyama Station and typically quiet ski runs, it has quite a lot of going for it. There’s a nice mix of terrain suitable for all levels with some gentle and wide runs perfect for beginners, while multiple black runs will keep advanced riders entertained. The black runs on the upper side of the resort are steep and left ungroomed, leaving a high chance for an unforgettable Japanese powder experience.
Tickets & Passes
A day-pass (Weekday) will cost: Adults JPY4200 / Children JPY1700 / Seniors (50+) JPY2700 while a day-pass (Weekends and Holidays) will cost: Adults JPY4700 / Children JPY2000 / Seniors (50+) JPY4000.
Accommodation & Village Info
There are a number of guesthouses but little in the way of dining options and things to do at night. For that reason, we recommend staying in the nearby Yudanaka Onsen Area, where you will find a wider and better range of accommodation, more restaurants, more to do at night – and only 20-minutes to the resort by taxi. For more information, see ‘Where to Stay When Visiting Kita-Shiga Kogen’ below.
Getting The Kijima Snow Park Ski Area
Distance to Iiyama Station: 8km / 15-minute drive.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING KITA-SHIGA KOGEN
For ski-in ski-out access to Ryuoo Ski Park, the most popular resort of Kita-Shiga Kogen, look no further than T Hotel Ryuoo. Additionally, we recommend staying in nearby Yudanaka Onsen, Shibu Onsen, or Kanbayashi Onsen and heading to your chosen ski resort using buses from Yudanaka Station, taxi, or drive yourself. By doing so, you’ll have more accommodation options including some fantastic ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), have access to hot springs, good restaurants, and a couple of bars. For complete accommodation listings in these areas, see our main hotel page. Now let’s look at each area in turn:
T HOTEL RYUOO, KITA-SHIGA KOGEN / Kita-Shiga Kogen Area
Where adventure meets comfort. With abundant snowfall, breathtaking mountain views, and excellent facilities, T Hotel Ryuoo offers the perfect choice for where to spend your winter vacation. The luxury hotel is located right next to the entrance of Ryuoo Ski Park in Kita-Shiga Kogen, so you can make the best use of your time enjoying the 14 different ski courses. Whether you are traveling alone or in a group, there is an ideal room or suite that will exceed your expectations of comfort and style.
Luxury
Ski-In Ski-Out Resort
| T Hotel Ryuoo | |
|
| |
| Area | MADARAO, KIJIMADAIRA & RYUOO |
| Type | Hotel, Ski Lodge/Hotel |
| Feature | 24 Hour ReceptionDinner & Breakfast IncludedEnglish-SpeakingFamily RoomsFree WifiJapanese RoomsOnsen / Hot SpringOutdoor OnsenPrivate BathroomRestaurantShuttle ServiceWestern Rooms |
| Price | JPY20,000 ~/ pp |
HOTARUTEI VILLAS / Kanbayashi Onsen Area
Hotarutei Villas offers two luxurious, completely separated villas centered around a main hall made from a 180 year old farmhouse. With a private onsen bath, kitchenette, and two bedrooms prepared for guests to use in each villa, a stay here may be the most relaxing part of your trip in Japan. With easy access on foot to the Snow Monkey Park of Jigokudani, and only a short bus ride away from the ski slopes of Shiga Kogen and Kita-shiga Kogen, the location is great for groups looking to enjoy both skiing and other local activities. Delicious meals for breakfast and dinner are also served daily at the main hall, bringing the flavors of Nagano to the table for a high class Japanese dining experience.
Family-friendly
Luxury Villa
| Hotarutei Villas | |
|
| |
| Area | SNOW MONKEY PARK |
| Type | Hotel, Self-Contained, Ski Lodge/Hotel |
| Feature | Convenient LocationBar/LoungeEnglish-SpeakingFamily RoomsFree WifiKitchenetteNearby Ski Resort / Ski-in Ski-outOnsen / Hot SpringOutdoor OnsenPrivate BathroomRestaurantWestern Rooms |
| Price | JPY35,000 ~ 69,000 / pp |
JAPAN SKI RESORTS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Did you know that the resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen are just some of more than eighty ski resorts in Nagano? Needless to say, when you choose Nagano for your winter getaway you are spoiled for choice! Our ‘Japan Ski Resorts’ page has everything you need to know to start planning your ski and snowboard adventure including: LATEST NEWS & DEALS, THE BEST RESORTS IN NAGANO & JAPAN, FAQs and of course OUR SKI PACKAGES, ACCOMMODATION, TRANSPORT & TOURS.
GETTING TO & AROUND KITA-SHIGA KOGEN IN WINTER
For visitors wanting to head to the resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen using public transport, it will be most convenient to do so via Yudanaka Station, or from Iiyama Station using the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
YUDANAKA STATION
To reach Yudanaka Station from Nagano, take any limited express service on the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) Line – the journey takes only 45-minutes. From Yudanaka Station, all four resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen are within 20-minutes drive with taxis available immediately in front of the station. For visitors heading to Ryuoo Ski Park, the resort’s free shuttle bus runs to and from the station multiple times each day through winter – see our ‘Yudanaka Station’ page for the timetable.
IIYAMA STATION
Iiyama Station is small and basic to navigate. Split over two levels, the ground-floor include the tourist information center, a convenience store, a waiting area and toilets, and car rental outside the South Exit. Access to all train lines is via the second floor which also has a small café. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, visitors can come to Iiyama directly from Tokyo and then switch to bus lines (as detailed below) onto the ski resorts in the Kita-Shiga Kogen / Kijimadaira area.
TOURS AND CHARTERS AROUND KITA-SHIGA KOGEN
We are proud to offer a number of tours and private charter services granting easy access to the Kita-Shiga Kogen area. Whether you want to take a group tour and make some new friends, book a private tour for a more personalized experience, or just need transport for your group, we are ready to help.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
|
| |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Our most popular tour (for good reason!), this group tour of Nagano City and the Snow Monkey Park is a great way to experience the best of what both of these great destinations have to offer. With pickup from Nagano Station, and also Hakuba in winter, this tour is also a great way to travel to the Kita-Shiga Kogen area – simply let your guide know that you will be leaving the tour at the Snow Monkey Park area, from where public transport will be able to bring you to Kita-Shiga Kogen. Including Sake tasting and a visit to the magnificent Zenkoji Temple before an afternoon at the Snow Monkey Park, this is our top recommendation for seeing the area.
If you are not in need of a guide and would like to make your own schedule, we also offer private charter services. With well trained and safe drivers, we are ready to bring you to and from the Kita-Shiga Kogen area from any point of your choice, including places as far away as Tokyo. Stops along the way at destinations of your choice are of course also possible. You can even hire a guide to come along and make it your own private, personalized tour! Please contact us HERE for more information on pricing and availability.
