The Legendary Roadie

6 nights at Hotel Omodaka in twin-share Japanese-style rooms with private bathroom. Option to stay at Snow Monkey Lodge (shared toilets, onsen bathing). 4 nights at Tenjin Lodge in twin-share Japanese or Western-style rooms with private bathroom.

Ryokan Yumoto (Deluxe): We’re incredibly honoured to work with Ryokan Yumoto, the oldest inn in the region, with a heritage stretching back over 300 years. Yumoto offers just five rooms, keeping the atmosphere intimate and quiet: Japanese-Western Room: 2 Western beds + 8 tatami mats; Standard Japanese Rooms: 14.5 tatami mats; Family Japanese Room: 18 tatami mats. Each room includes a private toilet, with bathing enjoyed in the traditional shared onsen house. You'll enjoy a multi-course traditional Japanese dinner, thoughtfully prepared and served in the ryokan’s dining room by your private waiter. Breakfasts, also included, are equally memorable.

Hotel Omodaka (Premium): Perched in the heart of Yudanaka Onsen, Hotel Omodaka has long been cherished for its tranquil atmosphere, stunning views of the Five Mountains of Hokushin, and genuine hospitality. Twin, triple, and quad-share rooms feature tatami flooring, futon bedding, and a private ensuite bathroom. The Deluxe Western Rooms are nearly double the size of our standard rooms, featuring two Western beds plus two futons to comfortably accommodate up to four people (available at an additional cost). The hotel boasts both an indoor Japanese bathhouse (onsen) and a scenic outdoor hot spring (rotenburo), plus an on-site sauna—a rare luxury in Yudanaka. Dinner is a highlight at Omodaka, with a multi-course traditional Japanese meal served in the dining room. Breakfast is also included and features a buffet-style spread with a mix of Western and Japanese options.

Snow Monkey Lodge (Economy): Just 200 metres from Yudanaka Station, Snow Monkey Lodge has become something of a local icon. Rooms feature tatami mat flooring, Western-style beds, and traditional yukata robes. Separate gendered onsens for men and women offer a classic Japanese bathing experience. Continental breakfast included daily (cereals, fresh fruit, toast, hot and cold drinks). The included dinners are hosted at Hotel Omodaka, where you’ll enjoy an elegant multi-course Japanese meal, served in the hotel’s dining room.

Tenjin Lodge (Adventure Base): Nestled in the heart of Joetsu National Park in Minakami, Tenjin Lodge is a cozy, family-run mountain retreat just steps from the Tanigawadake Ropeway and JR Doai Station. Tenjin Lodge offers a mix of Japanese and Western-style rooms, all with private bathrooms (except for dormitory and group rooms, which share facilities). While Tenjin Lodge doesn’t have its own onsen, it’s within walking distance of several renowned hot spring facilities, including the famous Takaragawa Onsen. The on-site Restaurant serves hearty meals with international flair.

Transfers: Pickup and drop-off at Yudanaka Train Station or designated snow shuttle drop-off point (Hotel Omodaka guests only).

Travel to Yudanaka via Japan’s world-class rail network or a shuttle from Narita or Haneda airports. Let us know your arrival time at least one day in advance.

The drive from Yudanaka to Tenjin Lodge takes approximately 2.5 hours. As we transition to the Niigata and Gunma portion of the tour, luggage space in the van is limited: bring one additional bag only — either a backpack or a small suitcase comparable to carry-on size for air travel.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have the option to either depart via train from the Tenjin area, or return to Yudanaka in Nagano by van transport.

Not included: Flights. Travel to/from Yudanaka.

Please Note: This itinerary serves as a flexible guide. Each day’s schedule is shaped by the weather and snow conditions, with your guide selecting the best resort or terrain to match the forecast. As this is a powder-focused tour, we highly recommend bringing wider skis to optimize your experience.

Day 1: Arrival in Yudanaka — Travel to Yudanaka via Japan’s world-class rail network or a shuttle from Narita or Haneda airports. Let us know your arrival time at least one day in advance so we can arrange your pick-up. Dinner is not included tonight due to varied arrival times and gear setup, but we’ll head out together to a sushi train or one of Yudanaka’s excellent restaurants.

Day 2: Shiga Kogen & Geisha Performance — We head to Shiga Kogen, Japan’s birthplace of skiing and Asia’s largest ski area, with 18 interconnected resorts and the country’s highest lift access at 2,307 meters. After riding, relax in an onsen, then enjoy an in-house dinner followed by a captivating and interactive performance by a second-generation Geisha.

Day 3: Madarao Magic & Okonomiyaki Dinner — Today’s destination is Madarao (aka “Madapow”), a resort known for its unique microclimate and deep snow. On the return, we’ll stop for okonomiyaki — a savory Japanese pancake — at one of Nagano’s few specialty restaurants.

Day 4: Nozawa Onsen & Cultural Options — Conditions permitting, we ride Nozawa Onsen, the second-largest resort on our itinerary with 300 hectares of terrain and 50 km of runs. If the legs are weary after back-to-back powder days, take a rest and explore our curated cultural experiences.

Day 5: Shiga Encore & Magic Show — We return to Shiga Kogen, aiming for Yokoteyama—the highest lift-accessed peak in Japan. After dinner in town, it’s showtime with Fred, a charismatic magician with over 30 years of international experience.

Day 6: Togakushi & Cultural Finale — Togakushi offers great skiing with spiritual depth. After carving lines, we’ll walk beneath ancient cedar trees to visit Okusha Shrine. Back at the lodge, we wrap up the cultural experience with a performance that includes Karate, Taiko drumming, Shamisen guitar, and a Lion dance.

Day 7: Transfer to Tenjin via Snow Monkeys & Scenic Stops — Pack light—just a small carry-on-style bag—as we shift to road trip mode. We bid farewell to Hotel Omodaka and start the day with a peaceful visit to the Snow Monkey Park before the crowds arrive. After exploring Shibu Onsen town, we drive to Tenjin Lodge (approx. 2.5 hours). En route, we stop at Kiyotsu Gorge’s Tunnel of Light and soak in the legendary Takaragawa Onsen.

Day 8: Tenjindaira Steep & Deep — If the snow delivers, we head to Tenjindaira—an expert-level zone known for steep terrain, deep snow, and dramatic alpine features. Led by Kieran and supported by a tail guide, the day will be focused, immersive, and high-energy. Dinner tonight is at Daruma, a local favourite in Minakami.

Day 9: Backup Plan: Minakami Houdaigi — When Tenjin is snowed in, we pivot to Minakami Houdaigi. This quiet, north-facing resort offers excellent snow quality and a distinctly local vibe—no crowds, just pure turns.

Day 10: Kagura Adventure — We travel to Kagura, part of the expansive Mt. Naeba ski area interconnected via the Dragondola. With access to Kagura, Mitsumata, and Tashiro, this zone offers exceptional terrain and, with luck, the lightest powder of the trip.

Day 11: Departure Options — It’s time to wrap up. You can depart via train from Minakami for a direct route to Tokyo, or return to Yudanaka if you wish to extend your tour.