Energizing Outdoor Activities: Backcountry Tours and Snowshoe Trekking

Powder snow and alpine adventures in northern Gunma Prefecture

Strap on your skis or hop on your snowboard and traverse exhilarating backcountry terrain blanketed in fresh snow. Trek flat tracks through a winter wonderland, observing rabbit tracks and deer footprints on the way to discovering a glacier. Deep in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, massive snowfall in January and February transforms Tenjindaira Ski Resort into the ultimate powdery playground for outdoor enthusiasts.   
A short distance from the mountain, the family-run Tenjin Lodge makes a cozy base for alpine excursions. Receive a warm welcome from the Australian-Korean owners who serve hot, hearty meals and offer guided tours, ski and snowboard lessons, rentals, and advice on anything snow-related.
Experienced alpinists eager for adventurous terrain will welcome the opportunity to join a backcountry tour. Ride steep chutes, big bowls, and mellow tree runs with Kieren, a seasoned guide and Tenjin Lodge's owner. For those seeking a gentler excursion, enjoy snowshoe trekking along a river, discovering the area's unique geography, flora, and fauna. Tours are tailored to suit each group's interests and needs, so you can confidently choose your level of adventure.

After a day spent in the chilly wild, recuperate with a hot soak in the lodge's baths, offering views overlooking the Yubiso River and dense forest. If you're up for venturing slightly further afield, the surrounding Minakami area is renowned for its rejuvenating mineral hot springs.
Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen Station (about one hour three minutes), then transfer to the Minakami Line to Doaibashi Station (about 41 minutes) and walk one minute to the lodge.

Tenjin Backcountry Tour (Tenjin Lodge)