Togari Onsen Ski Resort

Also known as Togari Snow Park, this resort is the lesser known little brother to the huge Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort on the other side of the valley.

There are 15 different courses spread over two areas—Pegasus and Tondaira. Each area is served by two lifts for a total of four lifts. One day lift passes are ¥4,200 for adults, and ¥1,500 for children (elementary school age and under). There is also a ski/snowboard rental and a school, both with very reasonable prices—although lessons in English may not be available.

The ski slopes face south, so on a warm day the snow is known to get a bit slushy. However, after some fresh powder it can be a good place to escape the crowds at Nozawa Onsen.

Togari is also home to Japan’s first, and possibly only “Snowbike” park—an area where you can ride down the hill on bikes with huge fat tires.

To get to Togari Onsen Ski Resort, you can catch a taxi or bus from Togarinozawa-onsen Station on the JR Iiyama Line, or a shuttle bus from Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.