Family-Friendly Skiing at Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
Family-Friendly Skiing at Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort
We go skiing in the Yuzawa area every winter, and one resort we’ve come to love—especially for families—is Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort in Niigata, Japan.
It has a spacious ski area with gentle slopes and great facilities for beginners and kids.
Only a 2-3 hour drive from Tokyo, the Yuzawa area is very popular with Tokyoites.
Angel Gelande: The Perfect Slope for Beginners
One of our favorite areas is the Angel Gelande, located on the far right side of the resort. It features not one but two snow escalators, including a 100-meter one—perfect for beginner skiers who want to avoid lifts at first.
Moving On Up: The Smile Course
Once you're more confident on your skis, we recommend trying the Smile Course, accessible via the 3rd lift. It’s over 1 km long with no steep inclines—just smooth, easy slopes that are perfect for beginners who are ready to explore more of the mountain.
We skied this course many times as we gained confidence, and even after a full day, our daughter was still going strong!
Ski School for Kids
If you're bringing little ones, there's a Nakazato Ski School kids’ class for children aged 4 and up. Lessons are held twice daily at 10:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., lasting around 90 minutes. You don’t need a reservation—just sign up at the ski school on the day.
We had our daughter take a lesson here first before practicing together on the Angel slope. She learned how to stop safely and had a great time.
A Unique Break Spot: The Blue Train
One of the more unique features of Nakazato is the Blue Train rest area, open on weekends and holidays. It's an actual blue train car located in the center of the ski area that’s open to the public. On busy days, we bring our own lunch and eat here—such a cozy and nostalgic place to relax.
Where We Stayed
We usually stay at minshuku (Japanese-style guesthouses) with a budget of around 10,000 yen per person per night (including meals). Here are two of our favorite places:
Guest House White Inn Suzuya
Even during a busy three-day weekend in February, we paid 13,500 yen per night with two meals included. Our daughter was still considered an infant, so her stay was only 3,000 yen.
The room was a cozy 6-tatami mat Japanese-style room with a kotatsu (heated table), giving it a traditional and homey feel. There were strings for drying ski gear, plus a proper drying room on the first floor.
Dinner featured locally grown rice, sukiyaki made with local pork, and flounder, along with various simmered dishes, soup, and pickles.
Breakfast was simple and hearty: grilled salmon and wieners.
Guest House My House Nakaya
We stayed at My House Nakaya the previous year. It's a family-run guesthouse with a warm, homely atmosphere and delicious homemade meals. While it’s a bit farther from the slopes, they provide a shuttle service to the resort.
Back in 2022, it cost 11,000 yen per night with two meals; in 2024, the price rose to 13,500 yen, which is still quite reasonable.
Dinner here was hearty and satisfying, with generous servings and the option for seconds on some dishes.
Breakfast included salmon, rice, seaweed, yogurt, and other staples of a traditional Japanese morning meal.
If you’re looking for a relaxed, family-friendly ski trip in Japan, we highly recommend Yuzawa Nakazato. Whether you're skiing for the first time or just looking for a laid-back mountain getaway, this resort has something for everyone!
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