Joetsu Kokusai, often known as 'Jo-koku', is a ski area located in the southwestern region of Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture.
Despite the name, it is not in the Joetsu region of the prefecture but rather in the Chuetsu region.
Joetsu Kokusai covers an extremely wide area of over 10 million square metres. In that respect, it is the largest individual ski area in Japan.
There are four interconnected official areas. The main area with the Hotel Green Plaza at the base is known as East. The other areas are the South Active Zone (often known as Osawa), the North Panorama Zone (often known as Atema) and the West Forest Zone. Due to the scale of Joetsu Kokusai, many people concentrate on one or two areas rather than try to cover them all in one day. The South (Osawa) and West (Atema) areas both have their own car parks and base areas.
Joint lift tickets and season passes valid at both Joetsu Kokusai and Iwappara in Yuzawa are available.
Joetsu Kokusai initially opened in 1968.
Note: this ski area always has a very early planned opening date in early December but often is not able due to a lack of snow at that time. Keep an eye on our daily Yuzawa Now reports in the run up to the season to keep an eye on ski area openings.
Minamiuonuma City and neighbouring Yuzawa Town are home to over 20 individual ski areas, including some of the most well-known in Japan. View the full list here. With easy and quick access by train and road and a wide choice in a relatively compact area, this region is one of Japan's most popular ski destinations. The region usually enjoys heavy and consistent snowfall each winter. The region is also known for onsen hot springs and Yuzawa as the inspiration for the famous Nobel prize-winning novel Yukiguni (Snow Country).
The Snow Park is in the Nakamine area and features a half-pipe.
The Yuki no Yuenchi area, in front of the main hotel at the base of the ski runs, is open from 9:00am until 4:00pm and the entry charge is 500 yen per day.
The Sori Land sledging area, also in front of the hotel, and the Spongebob Kids Park on the Nagamine run, are both free to use.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Joetsu Kokusai.
There are a number of independent ski and snowboard schools that cover the Yuzawa area and offer lessons in English. Please see the Listings section.
Ski and snowboard equipment & wear rental is available along with other facilities in the main base hotel.
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Joetsu Kokusai is normally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm every day in the daytime.
Note that not all lifts and/or sections open at the same time and sometimes depend on the day - check with the ski area for up-to-date details.
Night skiing is in the main area in front of the base hotel until 9:00pm, scheduled for every day of the season from 21st December 2024 (until 23rd March 2025).
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Kabanosawa 112-1
Minamiuonuma-shi
Niigata-ken
949-6431