In Episode 20 of the Snow Country Stories Japan website we return to Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture and Japan’s newest ski resort, Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain. Having just opened, Nekoma Mountain consists of two older resorts – Alts Bandai and Nekoma Snow Park - that have now been connected, making it one of the largest ski resorts in Japan.

Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain: Japan’s Newest Ski Resort with Snowboarder Ishiuchi Kei

Nekoma Mountain offers 189 ha / 39 km of on-piste terrain comprised of 33 runs serviced by 13 lifts. The south area – now called ‘Bandai’ – is wide and open and well-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders while the north area – now called ‘Urabandai’ – has more challenging terrain suited to upper-intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders. Of course there are runs in both areas suited to all levels, from newbies to advanced. Terrain parks, night and cat skiing are all on offer. There is a huge extend of side and backcountry on offer – which when factored in, brings the resort to an impressive 993 ha of terrain! Nekoma also enjoys a very long season and thanks to its inland location, experiences very cold temperatures with reputation for its high quality, dry ‘microfine powder’.

In this episode I speak with Ishiuchi Kei, an accomplished snowboarder with a lot of experience working in the ski industry and genuine enthusiasm for Nekoma and the Aizu region. A true snow guru. As he says, it’s something of a hidden mountain that remains off the radar for most international visitors. But with multiple ski resorts within close proximity in the Aizu area, of which Nekoma Mountain now ranks among the largest resorts in all of Japan, don’t expect that to be the case for long. If you haven’t already, you’ll be hearing a lot more about Aizu and Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain over the coming years.

Nekoma Mountain is operated by Hoshino Resorts, one of Japan’s largest hotel management companies. The resort is serviced by the large Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel, offering a range of rooms including suites, menus designed to show off Aizu’s proud food culture and sake, hot springs and a range of services including free shuttle bus from nearby train stations including Koriyama – a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo – and local JR Bandaimachi Station. The Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain website has complete information about the ski resort and links through to the hotel website where you can book rooms and other packages.

In terms of getting to the resort, it is easy to do from Tokyo using services on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. You can use either the ‘Yamabiko’ or ‘Nasuno’ service to reach Koriyama Station – a journey of around 80 minutes. For guests staying at Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel, buses depart Koriyama Station at 08:15 and 15:30 – taking around 90 minutes. Alternatively, once at Koriyama Station take a rapid service on the local Ban-Etsusai Line bound for Aizu-Wakamatsu and disembark at Bandaimachi Station – a journey of only 50 minutes. Buses operate from Bandaimachi Station to the resort – 15 to 20 minutes. In total, the journey will take around 3.5 to 4 hours from Tokyo. Advanced bookings are needed for buses operating from both Koriyama and Bandaimachi Stations. See the resort website for details. In winter, express buses also operate from Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

Driving yourself is another option, something you can do by renting a car upon arrival at Koriyama Station. As is typical for rental outlets in the snow country, cars are 4WD and in winter will fitted with snow tyres. Japanese roads are well-maintained and other drivers are typically courteous. It’s a great option if wanting to combine a visit to Nekoma Mountain with other resorts in Aizu. Nekoma Mountain is also only 30 minutes drive from central Aizu-wakamatsu. The area is known for its proud samurai heritage including beautifully preserved historic sites such as Tsuruga Castle, Ouchijuku – a former post town along the Aizu-Nishi Kaido route - samurai residences, Higashiyama Onsen, gardens, temples are more.

I’d like to say thank you to Hoshino Resorts for agreeing to the interview and especially to Kei for giving up his time to speak with me. Makke sure to follow him on Instagram, for more information about Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain, Aizu and life in the snow country. I hope you enjoy!

 
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Episode 19 / Mithila Museum & The Stone Music of Hasegawa Tokio