Ani is located on the western slopes of Mt Moriyoshi in the northern region of Akita Prefecture. With slopes at a high elevation, juhyo 'ice monster' formations can often be found on the trees at the top - the peak season for this is usually early January until early March. On Saturdays and Sundays in February 2021 (also on 11th and 23rd February), a special cat-operated 'Night Snow Monster Viewing' service is available between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. There are a number of ungroomed courses at Ani and a few local backcountry tour guides are available.
Ani has been operating since 1974. The 3,473m 6 person gondola operates throughout the year.
Akita Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region of northern Honshu. Akita faces the Sea of Japan in the west and is bordered by Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures from north to south. The region has cold winters and there are numerous ski hills located around the prefecture, though most of them are small scale with just one or two lifts.
The Mountain
1200m
663m
537m
28"
5
4400m
3
0%
40%
60%
Skiers 60%
Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
Boarders 40%
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
Ani Snow Depth Statistics
Official snow depth numbers from the current season and previous season
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Ani. Telemark lessons are also available as well as some backcountry guides.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Wear, snow scoots, sledges and snowshoes are also available to rent.
Children's facilities
There is a beginners slopes by the base of Ani, otherwise there are no special facilities for children.
Park information
On Saturdays and Sundays in February 2021 (and also on 11th and 23rd February), a special cat-operated 'Night Snow Monster Viewing' service is available between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. The charge is 3,000 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children, limited to 15 people every day.
There is also a Pisten Tour available on weekdays from 29th March through 28th April 2021. That is also limited to 15 people a day and costs 2,300 yen for adults (1,000 yen for children).
There are a number of ungroomed course areas at Ani and a few local backcountry tour guides are available.
Ani Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Early December until Early May
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:45am until 4:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:45am until 4:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
No
Weekdays
No
Opening information
Ani is open daily from 12th December 2020 until Sunday 28th March 2021.
From then it plans to be open on just weekends, holidays and during the Golden Week period (late April until early May). There is however a 'Pisten Tour' service available on weekdays from 29th March through 28th April 2021.
The operating hours are normally 8:45am and 4:00pm.
There is no night skiing at this area.
Ani Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age
Senior
60 years & over
1 Day
3,800 yen
1,500 yen
2,800 yen
5 Hours
3,300 yen
1,000 yen
2,300 yen
3 Hours
2,800 yen
800 yen
2,000 yen
Gondola 1 way
1,200 yen
500 yen
1,200 yen
Gondola return
1,800 yen
800 yen
1,800 yen
1 Lift Coupon
350 yen
350 yen
350 yen
2020-2021 Season Lift Tickets
A 1 day lift ticket from April is 3,000 yen for adults; 1,000 yen for children and 2,100 yen for seniors.
Children's Day is the 2nd and4th Sunday of the month, when a 1 day lift ticket for children is 500 yen.
Getting to Ani
By public transport
Train
12.6km from Arase Station on the Akita Nairiku line
15.1km from Aniai Station on the Akita Nairiku line
Information
Ani is less than 13km from Arase Station on the Akita Nairiku line.
Bus
No shuttle bus service information is available.
By Car
59km from the Gojome Hachirogata IC on the Akita Expressway
76.3km from the Towada IC on the Tohoku Expressway
108km from the Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 105 (11.9km away)
Direction
Ani is not really close to any expressways.
It is about a 12km drive from the turning off Route 105 (Ushu Highway).
MESSAGE FROM SNOWJAPAN We feel for everyone who wanted to be able to visit Japan this winter but are unable to. Please read this message about this season and coronavirus. Stay safe everyone, wherever you are.
For more details and explanations about the information presented on this page,
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
