The easiest snow trip out of Tokyo, this place has fun and leisure all in one
For those who want to go snowboarding near Tokyo, the shinkansen easy access to Niigata’s “Echigo-Yuzawa” is often touted as the best way. You can hop on the shinkansen, rent gear immediately, and get back to Tokyo in the same day. However, I have found it to be a bit overcrowded, and in my years of boarding and living here, it is unequivocally better to make that slight marginal effort, go a little further, and stay the night wherever you are going. Minakami, in Gunma prefecture delivers the perfect short-term boarding trip, and has all the extras that you need to make it a blast (that is, great food and hot springs, naturally). You can access it by train of course, but like many things I post here, I’m going to recommend that you drive. It’s just off the expressway, and you’ll be a stone’s throw from a handful of snow resorts and hotels. Plus, it’s only about 5,000 for road tolls, and only takes 2 hours!
The drive there is straightforward, and quite pretty actually. Once thoroughly out of the sprawl of Tokyo/Saitama, I stopped off at the “Akagi Kogen” service area for a little rest. Yet another glorious thing about driving to your destination: the service areas are spots in themselves, with great views, food, and souvenirs. And wouldn’t you know, the restrooms are always immaculate and spacious!
Day 1, NORN ski resort
A nice little resort that’s likely the closest one to the expressway interchange. NORN is not an extreme resort, but it’s fun and easy to get to, and actually had some serious food options.
