Naeba, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a popular year-round resort destination best known for its world-class ski slopes and vibrant winter activities. During the winter season, Naeba Ski Resort attracts skiers and snowboarders from across Japan and abroad, offering well-groomed runs, modern facilities, and stunning mountain views. The resort is also connected to the nearby Kagura Ski Resort via the Dragondola, Japan’s longest gondola, providing access to even more expansive terrain. In the summer, Naeba transforms into a hub for outdoor activities such as hiking and nature exploration, with lush green landscapes and cooler mountain air providing a refreshing escape. The area is also famous for hosting the annual Fuji Rock Festival, Japan’s largest outdoor music event, which brings a lively atmosphere to the serene mountains. With its mix of winter sports, summer adventures, and cultural events, Naeba is a dynamic destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Here are some of the photos I captured during my visits. Enjoy your virtual tour!
Had a great time playing with the 55-200mm in Naeba! The reach and sharpness of this lens were perfect for capturing the snowy landscapes and distant details on the slopes. It’s versatile, lightweight, and a joy to use in the winter scenery. Definitely a lens I’ll keep coming back to!
There was quite a lot of snow to deal with that morning in Naeba, but the little X-T2 handled the cold like a champ. Despite the freezing conditions and all the snow, it kept performing flawlessly—impressive for such a compact setup. Made capturing the snowy landscapes all the more enjoyable!
Snowboarding in Japan seems to be as much about style as it is about the slopes! For many young women, it’s a chance to show off their color coordination and makeup skills, often more so than their actual snowboarding abilities. The outfits are on point, and even on the coldest days, they manage to look…
Kagura’s snowy slopes made for an amazing day out with my eldest daughter. The powder was soft, the air was fresh, and the views were incredible. Watching her tackle the runs with confidence and laughing together on the lifts made it all even better. A few warm-up breaks with hot chocolate and we were back…
The sight of snow-covered trees in Kagura, a pristine ski area in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture, is like stepping into a winter fairy tale. Known for its abundant snowfall and untouched beauty, Kagura transforms into a wonderland where every tree is cloaked in layers of soft, powdery white. The “snow monsters”, as some affectionately call them,…