Where is Ishiuchi Maruyama?
Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort is in the Minamiuonuma region of Niigata (or Echigo as it was formerly known), just north of the Yuzawa city limits.
There are 3 base areas to the Ishiuchi Ski Resort. The Hatsuka Ishi base is the closest to Yuzawa, only 5km north of central Yuzawa and the Echigo Yuzawa train station. The central or Chuo/Main Entrance is 2.3km by road to the north, and then Kanko or North Entrance is further north again.
Ishiuchi Maruyama shouldn’t be confused with the other “round mountain” in the Niigata Prefecture,
Okutadami Maruyama.
Driving to Ishiuchi
It’s an easy drive to Ishiuchi Ski Resort due to its low base areas, so there are no winding narrow mountain roads to get there, and it’s just a 5 minute drive off the Kanetsu Expressway via the Shiozawa Ishiuchi Interchange.
Whilst the Hatsukaishi base is the closest to
Yuzawa, it’s not the best base for day trippers as there isn’t much parking. The Chuo base has an abundance of parking as well as services in and around the Resort Center and it is where all the non-skiers turn up. The North base has a bit of parking and an equipment rental shop, and it’s not that ideal for beginners.
Parking is free on weekdays.
Transport to Ishiuchi
The little Ishiuchi train station (Joetsu line) is only 2km from the Kanko base area, but most people travel to Ishiuchi Maruyama from Tokyo by catching the Shinkansen to Echigo Yuzawa station (80-85 minutes).
From Echigo Yuzawa train station there are regular free resort buses direct to the Hatsukaishi or Chuo base (green line, 10 to 15 minutes - east exit).
There are also two bus lines that travel between Naspa, Yuzawa Kogen, Gala Yuzawa and Ishiuchi, and stop at various hotels. Some hotels on the lines include:
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Or for overnight guests, some of the Ishiuchi hotels offer complimentary shuttles to and from Echigo Yuzawa.
Getting Around the Ski Resort
There is a free loop bus (blue line) that runs between the 3 base areas of Ishiuchi Ski Resort as well as Gala Yuzawa.
Other Ski Resorts Nearby
There are various ski resorts in the area. These are road distances from the Chuo (Centre) base of Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort:
The town of Minakami in Gunma Prefecture is 39km to the southeast, which has various ski resorts close by.