EN한국어繁中

Snow Day Trip from Tokyo (2026–27): Where to Sled and Play in the Snow

If you want snow on a Tokyo trip, you have to leave the city. Of the three places on this page, only Snow Town Yeti at the foot of Mt Fuji is open before mid-December, on man-made snow. From mid-December, Fujiten near Lake Kawaguchiko has a children's snow area, and GALA Yuzawa is 71 minutes away by Shinkansen.

For sledding only, Yeti's ¥1,700 viewing ticket or Fujiten's ¥1,400 snow area is enough. We checked prices, dates and buses on each resort's official pages on 6 November 2026.

Don't want to work out buses to Mt Fuji? Snow day tours from Tokyo include the bus and snow time; check each itinerary for any Mt Fuji viewpoint stops.
Fuji snow tours on Klook ↗
By How to Book Japan Editorial TeamLast checked Nov 7, 2026

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Going on your own by train and bus is cheaper, and we explain how.

The short version
Now – mid-December
Snow Town Yeti is the only one of these three openMan-made snow. The 2026–27 season runs to 28 March 2027.
Mid-December – March
Fujiten (near Kawaguchiko) or GALA Yuzawa (Shinkansen)Fujiten plans to open in mid-December 2026; GALA Yuzawa skiing starts 19 December 2026.
Sledding only
Yeti viewing ticket ¥1,700 · Fujiten kids' snow area ¥1,400Fujiten: age 3 and under free; sleds for rent at the area, or bring your own.
Easiest by public transport
GALA Yuzawa: Shinkansen station inside the resort, 71 min from Tokyo
Bus to Yeti
From JR Gotemba ¥1,570 one wayPlus the JR train to Gotemba.
No planning
A day tour from Tokyo with bus and snow time

Where can I play in the snow near Tokyo?

Earliest season

Snow Town Yeti

Shizuoka, foot of Mt FujiOpen now (Nov)Sledding ¥1,700

Small, man-made snow, open until 22:00. Good before the other two open.

With Mt Fuji views

Fujiten Snow Resort

Near Lake KawaguchikoFrom mid-DecKids' area ¥1,400

Combine with a Kawaguchiko day. Paid shuttle bus from Kawaguchiko Station.

Real mountain snow

GALA Yuzawa

NiigataFrom 19 Dec71 min by Shinkansen

Best if anyone in the group wants to ski.

GALA Yuzawa guide →

Snow Town Yeti: prices and how to get there

Season
Open now · until 28 March 2027Daily 9:00–22:00. Closed days are on the resort calendar; it may close early for weather or snow.
Sledding and snow play
Viewing ticket ¥1,700 (adult, every day)Covers sledding, snow play and looking around. No skis or boards.
Lift ticket (1 day)
Weekdays ¥4,300 · weekends and holidays ¥5,300Valid until 22:00.

Train to Gotemba or Mishima

Gotemba is on the JR Gotemba Line. Mishima is on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Both are JR Central lines: look up times and fares on JR Central's site before you go.

Route bus to Yeti

From JR Gotemba: ¥1,570 one way, about 1 hour; the afternoon bus needs a change at Jurigi. From Mishima South Exit: ¥1,830, about 70–80 min. Runs from 23 October 2026 to the end of the season.

There are only a few buses a day. Note the return bus before you start sledding: the last one from Yeti to Mishima listed was 17:58.

Or the liner bus from Shinjuku

A direct bus, about 2 h 30 min, starting 5 December. The fare includes a one-day lift ticket. Seats must be booked in advance; the price is shown on the booking page (Fujikyu Travel) that Yeti links to.

Fujiten: snow with a view of Mt Fuji

Season
Mid-December 2026 – early April 2027 (planned)Night skiing on weekends and holidays, 26 Dec – 7 Mar.
Hours
8:30–17:00 · lifts 9:00–16:30
Kids' snow area (Chibikko Ai Land)
¥1,400 per person, adult or childAge 3 and under free. Sleds can be rented at the area (ask at reception for the price) or you can bring your own; metal and wooden sleds aren't allowed.
Lift ticket (1 day)
Weekdays ¥5,800 · weekends ¥6,800¥7,300 on a few peak days (9–10 Jan, 11, 13, 20, 21, 23 Feb).
Getting there
To Kawaguchiko, then the paid shuttle bus: ¥4,400 returnRuns 25 Dec 2026 – 28 Feb 2027. Leaves Kawaguchiko Station 9:50 and 11:15, leaves Fujiten 15:45 and 16:45. Book online in advance (booking opens 1 December) and pay by card; no one-way tickets.

Fujiten works well with a Kawaguchiko day: snow in the morning, lake views in the afternoon. For trains and buses to the lake, see our Kawaguchiko day trip guide. The Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku costs ¥4,200 one way.

GALA Yuzawa: snow without skiing

GALA Yuzawa, in the Niigata mountains, is the easiest trip: the Shinkansen stops inside the resort. Non-skiers can buy the Gondola & Balloon Shuttle ticket (¥6,500, ¥5,500 online) to ride up to the snow.

From 12 to 18 December, only the gondola runs for sightseeing. Skiing starts 19 December 2026.
GALA Yuzawa guide →

Should I book a snow tour instead?

Going on your own is cheaper, but buses to Yeti and Fujiten are few. A tour makes sense with small children, or if you want sledding and a Mt Fuji viewpoint in one day without watching the clock.

Bus + snow time

Fujiten snow day tours from Tokyo

Compare the itinerary: where the coach leaves from, how long you get at the snow and any Lake Kawaguchiko stop. Check what rental is included and the weather cancellation rules.

Fuji snow tours on Klook ↗Snow tours on KKday ↗
Affiliate links. The resorts' own tickets are cheaper if you go by yourself.
No snow needed

Mt Fuji day tours

If the views matter more than the snow.

Mt Fuji tours on Klook ↗
Affiliate link

A snow day at Yeti by public transport

  1. Early morningLeave Tokyo for Mishima (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Gotemba.
  2. 9:10Bus from Mishima South Exit (arrives Yeti 10:18).
  3. On arrivalBuy the viewing ticket and go sledding.
  4. MiddayLunch break.
  5. AfternoonWarm up, change, and get ready for the bus.
  6. 17:58Bus to Mishima South Exit (arrives 19:15), then the train back to Tokyo.
These are the bus times listed on Yeti's page on 6 November 2026. They may change, so check again the week you go.

What if…?

…I'm in Tokyo in November?

Of these three, only Yeti is open. It is man-made snow on a small area, so keep expectations modest.

…I have no snow clothes?

Bring waterproof gloves, warm socks and a change of clothes. Fujiten rents a jacket-and-pants set for ¥5,000 (no glove rental) and GALA Yuzawa for ¥5,500.

…the weather turns bad?

Resorts can close early or change their dates for weather and snow. Tours have their own cancellation rules, so read them before you book.

Japan eSIM on Klook ↗

What we checked

Official pages checked on 6 November 2026

Snow Town Yeti hours and prices page: 2026–27 season to 28 March; 9:00–22:00; lift ticket ¥4,300 weekdays, ¥5,300 weekends and holidays; viewing ticket ¥1,700 (sledding and snow play).

Yeti top page: open on 6 November 2026, 9:00–22:00.

Yeti route bus page: Gotemba ¥1,570, 9:00 → 9:57 and 15:00 → 16:10 (change at Jurigi); Mishima South Exit ¥1,830, 7:35 → 8:49 and 9:10 → 10:18, return 17:58 → 19:15; from 23 October 2026.

Yeti liner bus page: Shinjuku about 2 h 30 min from 5 December; fare includes a one-day lift ticket; no price shown.

Fujiten hours and prices page: 2026–27 mid-December to early April; 8:30–17:00, lifts 9:00–16:30; 1-day ¥5,800 / ¥6,800 / ¥7,300. Chibikko Ai Land page: ¥1,400, age 3 and under free, sled rental available (the area page says ¥1,000, the rental page ¥800, so this page gives no price). Access page: paid shuttle from Kawaguchiko Station, no details.

GALA Yuzawa pages: season from 19 December 2026; Gondola & Balloon Shuttle ¥6,500 (¥5,500 online); 71 minutes from Tokyo.

Checked on 7 November 2026: Fuji Kanko Travel's Fujiten shuttle page (¥4,400 return, 25 Dec 2026 – 28 Feb 2027, times above, advance card booking) and Fujiten's rental page (wear set ¥5,000, no glove rental).

Not found on official pages: train fares to Gotemba and Mishima, the liner bus price (shown only on the booking site) and snow wear rental at Yeti, so this page does not quote them.

Plan the rest of your winter trip

Snow days are weather-dependent, so keep one day flexible. If you travel around the New Year holidays, book trains early.

GALA Yuzawa ski day →Kawaguchiko day trip →Fuji snow tours on Klook ↗

Affiliate link