Hoshino Resorts is making it easier than ever to explore Japan's winter wonders. Two of the brand’s ski resorts, NEKOMA Mountain and Mt.T, have officially joined the prestigious Ikon Pass, the world's premier ski pass.
This partnership offers a new travel experience that combines world-class powder skiing with authentic Japanese culture, just a two to three-hour journey from Tokyo via bullet train and bus.
Hoshino Resorts NEKOMA Mountain, located in the Tohoku region, is famous for its exceptionally dry "micro-fine snow," a unique type of powder that's specific to Japan’s inland areas. Beyond the slopes, the resort offers access to rich cultural experiences, including Kitakata ramen, one of Japan's top three ramen varieties, Ouchijuku, a historic Edo-period village with traditional thatched-roof houses, and Tsurugajo Castle, a symbol of the region.
Mt.T by Hoshino Resorts, nestled in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, is renowned for its steep, natural terrain. Situated in one of Japan's snowiest regions, it attracts advanced skiers and snowboarders with its high-quality snow and challenging runs. After a day on the slopes, visitors can unwind in one of Minakami Town’s 18 celebrated hot springs.
Undiscovered Gems: Unique Slopes and Ideal Powder Without the Crowd
Japan's ski resorts are a world-class destination, attracting skiers and snowboarders from all over with their unique terrain and excellent powder snow. While regions like Hokkaido and Nagano are internationally famous, there are many high-quality, lesser-known resorts that offer incredible experiences.
NEKOMA Mountain is one of Japan's premier large-scale ski areas. Its expansive terrain offers a diverse range of courses catering to all levels, from beginners to experts. The resort offers stunning mountain views as you descend through tree-run areas, long high-elevation courses and varied terrain. The resort benefits from abundant, remarkably dry powder known locally as “micro-fine snow,” a rare, lightweight texture providing a world-class skiing experience prized by enthusiasts.
Mt.T is another hidden gem. Overlooking Mt.T, the Tanigawa Mountain Range is located on Japan's "Central Divide," which separates the Sea of Japan side from the Pacific Ocean side. Here, warm, moist air from the Sea of Japan meets cold seasonal winds that collide with the steep cliffs of Mt. Tanigawa, generating massive snow clouds that drop an incredible snowfall. Despite being under 2,000 meters in elevation, Mt. Tanigawa is known as one of the snowiest regions in both Japan and the world. Known for its exceptionally high-quality snow, the resort's steep, natural terrain provides a thrilling challenge for even the most seasoned powder enthusiasts. Its ungroomed areas are perfect for experiencing the weightless sensation of fresh, untracked powder.
Both Mt.T and NEKOMA Mountain are home to demo centers for Vector Glide, a Japanese brand that specializes in skis and snowboards for powder and backcountry riding, allowing visitors to test different boards to match the day's specific snow conditions.
Ease of Access from Tokyo to World-Class Skiing and Rich Cultural Experiences
Both Mt.T and NEKOMA Mountain are easily accessible from Tokyo, making them ideal for a combined trip of city exploration and snow sports. From Tokyo Station, it's about a 2-hour train and bus ride to Mt.T and about 2.5 hours to NEKOMA Mountain. Guests can enjoy sightseeing in popular areas like Asakusa or Shibuya before heading out on their snow adventure. A ski shuttle also runs from accommodations in the Urabandai area, where NEKOMA Mountain is located, directly to Tokyo Station, providing convenient transportation.
Additionally, Ikon Pass holders can enjoy special offers at Hoshino Resorts hotels in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. This allows travelers to use their pass as a gateway to explore Japan’s diverse attractions. Whether chasing Hokkaido’s famous powder at OMO7 Asahikawa or visiting historic Kyoto with a stay at OMO5 Kyoto Sanjo, the Ikon Pass unlocks a truly unforgettable Japanese journey.
About Ikon Pass
The Ikon Pass welcomes skiers and riders to a community of inspiring mountain destinations and the people who live and play among them across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Brought to you by Alterra Mountain Company, the Ikon Pass unlocks adventure at iconic and unique destinations including Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin, and Eldora Mountain Resort in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, and Snow Valley in California; Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming; Big Sky Resort in Montana; Alyeska Resort in Alaska, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, and Killington in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia; The Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Michigan; Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington; Mt. Bachelor in Oregon; Sun Valley and Schweitzer in Idaho; Tremblant and Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec and Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada; SkiBig3 in Alberta, Canada; Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort and Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, Canada; Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine; Loon Mountain in New Hampshire; Camelback Resort and Blue Mountain Resort, Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico; Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird and Snowbasin in Utah; Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France; Dolomiti Superski and Valle d’Aosta in Italy; Grandvalira Resorts in Andorra; Kitzbühel and Ischgl in Austria; Zermatt and St. Moritz in Switzerland; Thredbo and Mt Buller in Australia; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt in New Zealand; Niseko United, Arai Mountain Resort, Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort, Mt. T and Myoko Suginohara, Appi Kogen Resort, Furano Ski Resort, NEKOMA Mountain, Zao Onsen Ski Resort in Japan; Yunding Snow Park in China; Mona Yongpyong in South Korea; and Valle Nevado in Chile. Special offers are available at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures and Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, the world’s largest heli-skiing and heli-accessed hiking operation. For more information, please visit www.ikonpass.com.
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