Karuizawa Ski Season Is Here: 2025 Resorts, Sights and Transport

Have you ever been skiing in Karuizawa? Today, DJB introduces 3 of Karuizawa's most popular ski resorts, including Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, Karuizawa Snow Park, and Palcall Tsumagoi Ski Resort. We've also broken down each resort's highlights and nearby attractions — let's find out which one appeals to you most!

---

Where is Karuizawa, and why is it great for skiing?

Located in Nagano Prefecture, Karuizawa is one of the most popular ski destinations in the Kanto region. Thanks to its high elevation and proximity to Tokyo, it offers excellent snow conditions and easy access. Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa takes only about an hour, making it an ideal choice for Tokyo-based travelers looking for a day-trip ski excursion.

3 popular ski resorts in Karuizawa

With so many ski resorts in Karuizawa, how do you choose? Each of the three resorts DJB introduces below has its own distinctive character, suiting different types of skiers — let's find out which one suits you best!

Ski resort	Best for	Run length	Facilities	How to get there
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort	Beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers	Up to 1.2km	Prince Outlet, Senkinoyu Onsen	JR Shinkansen
Karuizawa Snow Park	Beginners, families	Gentle slopes	Kids' zone, tube sledding area	Shuttle bus from Karuizawa Station
Palcall Tsumagoi Ski Resort	Beginner and intermediate skiers	Multiple intermediate and beginner runs	Gondola, skin-friendly onsen, scenic bar	Shuttle bus from Karuizawa Station (reservation required)

1. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

Highlights: located in Nagano Prefecture, the Karuizawa Prince Hotel is the closest ski destination to Tokyo, and also a well-known resort in its own right. Its slopes suit skiers of every level, with over half the runs beginner-friendly, and the longest run stretching 1.2km. The resort also offers ski equipment rental, so first-timers don't need to worry about gear.

Season: 2024.11.1–2025.3.31

Address: Karuizawa, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture 389-0102

Getting there:
1. Take a JR train to Tokyo/Ueno, then transfer to the JR Shinkansen to Karuizawa: this route requires multiple transfers, taking around 1 hour 17 minutes.
2. Take the Keikyu Skyliner to Tokyo/Ueno, then transfer to the JR Shinkansen to Karuizawa: a relatively quick option, taking around 56 minutes.
3. Take the Narita Express (N'EX) to Tokyo/Ueno, then transfer to the JR Shinkansen to Karuizawa: most trains take over an hour, so check the schedule in advance.
4. Take the Narita Airport bus to Tokyo's Yaesu area, then transfer to the JR Shinkansen to Karuizawa: a good option if you're carrying large luggage, minimizing how often you need to haul it around. Once at Karuizawa Station, exit from the south gate, then take the resort shuttle or walk to the ski resort (ski center)

Nearby attractions: after skiing, visit Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (Outlet), home to hundreds of international brands, plus restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. You can also head to nearby Karuizawa Senkinoyu Onsen, just a 15-minute drive away, for full relaxation.

2. Karuizawa Snow Park

Highlights: located in Gunma Prefecture, Karuizawa Snow Park is a great fit for families and beginners. Its gentle, wide runs give beginners plenty of room to practice safely. The park also has a dedicated kids' zone, including a sled area and snow trail, so the whole family can enjoy the snow together.

Hours: weekdays 09:00-16:20; weekends/public holidays 08:30-16:30

Address: 2032-16 Kita-Karuizawa, Naganohara-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture 377-1412

Getting there: once at Karuizawa Station, transfer to a shuttle bus to reach the resort. Check Karuizawa Station for the shuttle schedule and full details.

Nearby attractions: the area around the resort features shopping malls and onsen facilities, letting visitors relax after skiing. The park's tube sledding area is also hugely popular, giving both kids and adults a thrilling high-speed ride down the slope.

3. Palcall Tsumagoi Ski Resort

Highlights: Palcall Tsumagoi Ski Resort boasts the longest gondola in the Kanto region, running 3,193 meters, letting visitors take in stunning mountain views along the ride. Its runs are varied and suit skiers of every level. In recent years, it's also added a tube sledding park, letting visitors enjoy the snow to the fullest.

Address: Baragi Highland, Ojimata, Tsumagoi-mura, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture 377-1611

Season: 2024.12.1–2025.4.7, weekdays 8:00-16:00, weekends/public holidays

Getting there: take the "Hokuriku Shinkansen" from Tokyo, about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes to Karuizawa Station, then transfer to the "Palcall Tsumagoi Ski Resort" shuttle bus (reservation required) Nearby attractions: the resort features a skin-friendly onsen, a high-altitude scenic bar, and a reading room, giving you plenty of ways to enjoy the winter indoors too~

---

After reading DJB's guide to Karuizawa's ski resorts, doesn't a ski trip sound even more packed with things to do than you expected? Ski through the pristine white snow, browse the outlet mall, and unwind at night with a drink while enjoying quiet mountain views with your travel companions — no need to think twice, let's go! DJB is here to help you plan your Karuizawa trip — grab a Daijobu Unlimited ULTRA card, upgraded to 5G to keep your whole trip lag-free~

There's also the option of a DJB Japan eSIM, automatically switching between multiple local carriers for the best connection, so you can enjoy an uninterrupted, blazing-fast experience. It's a virtual card, no installation needed, super convenient — let DJB accompany you around the world~

Further reading:
>> The 2023 Hokkaido ski season: 4 top Hokkaido resorts, perfect for a first-time skier
>> Opening dates for 12 major Japanese ski resorts: the complete guide to Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Niigata resorts
>> The essential ICOCA card for independent travel in Japan: how to buy, top up, and where it's usable