Kawaba

Kawaba sits on the southwestern slopes of Mt Hotaka in Gunma, pulling in day-trippers and weekend warriors from Tokyo. The riding spreads across three hills with a mix of tree-lined trails and open terrain, but the groomed piste is tight—only a handful of marked runs means you'll see the same slopes repeatedly, especially on busy days. The real draw is the off-piste: there are officially designated sidecountry zones and plenty of tree riding with mixed spacing, from tight evergreens to more open glades. The upper terrain near chairs D and E holds the best options, though the sunny aspect means timing matters for snow quality.

The lift system is modern and efficient for the terrain size, but congestion on the piste is real. Snowboarders make up about two-thirds of the crowd, and etiquette can be loose—expect to navigate around people sitting mid-run and tricks happening without warning. There's only one run that descends all the way to Kawaba City at the base, which can feel sketchy when weaving through beginners. The base building itself is impressive—a massive multi-story structure with parking, restaurants, rental shops, and terrain parks—but the après-ski scene is minimal. Most riders stay elsewhere and day-trip, or book a ryokan in the surrounding area for onsen and proper meals.