The 9-Day Nagano Indy Trip
All of the skiing, none of the hassle.
Ride five Nagano Indy resorts plus Kagura, Shiga Kogen, and the option of Nozawa Onsen—all in one legendary, inclusive trip with an airport pickup!
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2027 Trips
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¥_______ per person
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CANCELLATION POLICY
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Shopping by date? See calendar for all trips here
The Deets
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The 9-day Nagano Indy trip is an itinerary that handles all of your ski logistics so that you can explore Nagano and ride eight ski resorts--from big to small--in the region. Just book your travel to Tokyo's HND Airport and we'll take it from there!
A dedicated JST host travels with the group throughout, ensuring smooth transitions between accommodations and ski areas while also helping you navigate the nuances of traveling and being a great guest in Japan. We handle the structure, but each day is yours to shape—whether that means chasing turns at the resort, visiting the snow monkeys, doing a sake brewery tour, or taking a rest day to explore the local area. Join a group of like-minded riders as you road-trip through some of Japan’s best ski destinations! |
Included:
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All lift tickets are included in the price of the trip! Indy Pass holders receive a discounted rate, as they will use their pass for free skiing at participating Indy Pass resorts.
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Five nights of 3+ star ski-in/out accommodation and three nights staying at a Ryokan (Japanese inn) in a historical hot spring town with a 1,300-year history. |
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All of our accommodations include hot springs and are the swankiest options around! |
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All breakfasts and dinners are included in this trip. Eight dinners are provided with two off-site meals including a sushi course and Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). Hotel-provided meals include a variety of Western and Japanese cuisine with Ryokan-based meals featuring top-notch traditional Japanese fare.
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Experience traditional Japan with an intimate Maiko (similar to Geisha) performance while staying in a Ryokan (Japanese inn) located in a town with a 1,300-year history.
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Door-to-door private vehicle transportation starting from Tokyo's HND Airport (Japan's biggest airport hub) and ending with a drop-off at Nagano bullet train station (more on this on the Logistics page).
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Privately chartered bus or ski-in/ski out for the entire duration of the trip! Transfers between each ski region and daily shuttles to/from the ski resort are provided by a privately chartered bus shared with other trip members.
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You're in good hands. A JST host will join you for the entire duration of the trip, ensuring smooth transitions at each accommodation and ski resort as well as orienting you on how to be a great guest during your stay in Japan.
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Say "Hi" or "Ee-ee-ah-ah" to the the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, where wild Japanese monkeys soak in natural hot springs surrounded by a stunning alpine landscape. Cost of admission to the park is not included (about US$5).
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Not Included:
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Trip flow map
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Day
1 [Pickup 🛬] |
Arrival Logistics day! Pickup is at Tokyo’s HND Airport at 12:00pm (noon), Echigo-Yuzawa bullet train station at 4:00pm, or Maiko Kogen Hotel at 4:30pm (see the Logistics tab for more details). After pickup, transfer to our slope-side accommodation and settle in before kicking off the trip. Orientation will be provided by your JST host upon arrival, followed by a big welcome dinner to get things started!
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Day
2 |
From our ski-in/out base at Maiko Kogen Hotel, we’ll explore Indy Pass member Maiko Kogen Snow Resort. Maiko Ski Resort gets massive snowfall (10–12m annually), offering frequent powder with good snow preservation thanks to its north-facing gondola and sun-protected terrain.
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Day
3 |
Hopping back on our privately chartered bus, we’ll head 45 minutes down the road to Kagura Ski Resort. Known for its reliable snowfall and expansive, interconnected terrain, Kagura is a powder magnet—offering wide-open bowls, tree skiing, and easy sidecountry access, making it one of the most consistently deep and snow-sure resorts in the region. For dinner, we'll take a break from our yummy hotel buffet and head to a locally-run excellent sushi restaurant in town!
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Day
4 [ride ➡️ transfer] |
Today we check out of our hotel in the morning and head to Kandatsu Snow Resort, a much-loved snow catching half-bowl known for its lively atmosphere, steep, punchy terrain, parks, and modern facilities. We’ll depart at 3:00pm for a two-hour transfer to our next ski-in/out accommodation at the base of Indy Pass member Kijimadaira, officially known as “The Cupid of Romance” (you can’t make this stuff up!).
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Day
5 |
Today we'll ride Kijimadaira, immediately outside of our hotel. This ski area is a hidden gem known for its consistent snowfall and quiet slopes, making it easy to find fresh tracks throughout the day. With playful tree lines and soft, untouched stashes, it delivers a laidback powder experience without the crowds. It’s also connected to Kijima Snow Park, which features a quality terrain park and a competition-ready halfpipe for anybody looking to mix in some freestyle!
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Day
6 [ride ➡️ transfer] |
On this day, we check out of our hotel in the morning and head 30 minutes down the road to Indy Pass member Togari Onsen. For those looking for a “big resort” day, we’ll also offer a second drop-off at Nozawa Onsen (not an Indy Pass member), just 20 minutes further. Togari Onsen Ski Resort is a classic Japanese powder hill known for its deep, consistent snowfall and quiet, uncrowded slopes. With mellow tree zones and a laid-back local vibe, it’s the kind of place where fresh tracks stick around long after a storm.
We'll depart at 3:30pm from Togari Onsen, 4:00pm from Nozawa Onsen, and head to our Ryokan in the historic hot springs town of Shibu Onsen. With over 1,300 years of history, Shibu Onsen is one of Japan’s most treasured hot spring destinations. |
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Day
7 |
Today we head to Ryuo Ski Park (not an Indy Pass member), a local hidden gem just 20 minutes away. Known for its high-altitude powder, wide-open terrain, and access to sidecountry, Ryuo is capped by a spectacular ropeway that delivers you above the clouds and can't be missed if you're in the region!
In the evening we'll venture out of our Ryokan for an evening meal at a Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant. Yakiniku is a lively, social Japanese barbecue experience where bite-sized cuts of meat and vegetables are grilled right at your table and enjoyed fresh off the flame. |
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Day
8 |
From our legendary Ryokan accommodation, we’ll travel 45 minutes by private chartered bus to Yakebitaiyama—arguably the best and least crowded of the “must-ride” resorts in Shigakogen. Known for its well-spaced tree runs, consistent snowfall, and a mix of fast groomers and hidden powder stashes, it delivers some of the best all-around skiing in the area.
For those looking to hang out with the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, there will be a 1:00pm departure from the resort which will give you the afternoon to go say "Ee-ee-ah-ahh" to the bathing monkeys. From the parking lot, it's about a 45-minute walk on a well-maintained snowy path to get there. For those wanting to ski the full day, there will also be a 4:00pm departure back from the resort. In the evening, we'll experience a traditional Maiko (similar to Geisha) performance in our Ryokan. A Maiko performance is a graceful, intimate display of traditional Japanese dance, music, and refined hospitality, where every movement is precise, elegant, and steeped in centuries of culture. Not just something to be observed, it's also really fun to participate in! |
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Day
9 [ride ➡️ drop-off] |
On this day, we check out of our hotel in the morning, load up the bus and travel 70 minutes to ride Indy Pass member Togakushi Ski Resort. Togakushi is a hidden gem known for its deep, dry powder and beautifully-spaced tree runs set against a backdrop of ancient forests. Located in a historic mountain village famous for its centuries-old shrines and ninja heritage, it offers a unique blend of culture and uncrowded Japow.
We’ll finish riding at 3:30pm and depart at 4:00pm for a 50-minute transfer to Nagano Station, the official drop-off point for the trip. From here, you can catch a bullet train to Tokyo (approximately 90 minutes) or continue on to the well-known Hakuba ski resort area via a 90-minute highway bus. For more details, see the Logistics tab. |
All of our accommodation includes free access to hot springs
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Accommodation includes five nights at two different comfortable Western-style ski-in/out hotels before transitioning to a three-night stay at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese inn) in a historic hot spring town. In-hotel Onsen hot springs are available every night! To break up the hotel meals, we also do two nights out where we experience excellent sushi and Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). Rooms are comfortable by Japanese standards, with daily breakfasts featuring a mix of Japanese and Western options. Nights 1-3 - Maiko Snow Resort: Maiko Kogen Hotel Nights 4-5 - Kijimadaira: SBC Resort Kijimadaira Nights 6-8 - Shibu Onsen: Wafu No Yado Masuya
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For more on logistics including some great money-saving tips, click the button below!
Getting there
There are three options to meet the group:
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Option 1: Meet at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (airport code HND) Terminal 3 / International Terminal at the 4th floor MOS BURGER & CAFE at 12:00pm (noon)
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Getting back
The drop-off at the end of this trip is at Nagano Bullet Train Station at 5:00pm.
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From here, there are bullet train departures every 20-30 minutes to Tokyo (approximately 90 minutes). Alternatively you can continue on to the well-known Hakuba ski resort area via a 90-minute highway bus. For more details, click the button below.
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This trip includes large daily buffet breakfasts at Western hotels and traditional Japanese breakfast at our Ryokan. Daily dinners are also included in this trip, six of which are provided by our accommodation plus two off-site dinners at a legendary sushi restaurant and Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) joint!
The excellence of the meals at our Ryokan (Japanese Inn) accommodation can't be overstated. Ryokan are famous for endless course meals on dozens of small dishes featuring traditional Kaiseki food, but will also have familiar crowd-pleasers for the less adventurous! Dinner locations and menu are subject to change depending on the restaurant schedules. The food options will not only satisfy you but also leave you feeling healthy and well taken care of. *Note that dietary constraints such as vegan or gluten-free are notoriously difficult to cater to in Japan and culinary options (especially off-site meals) will be quite limited for such dietary constraints. |
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JAPAN SKI TOURS IS FEATURED IN
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