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Discover unique winter experiences in the Shinetsu and Hokuriku regions—now made possible by the expansion of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
The expansive train network in Japan makes many destinations easily accessible, and Shinetsu and Hokuriku are no exception. Visitors can easily access their prefectures— Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa—via shinkansen from Tokyo and now within three hours to Fukui due to the recent expansion of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in March 2024. These snow-covered locations may just be your next winter escape!
The Hokuriku Shinkansen. Photo Credit: JR WEST
In this article, we’ll introduce three amazing prefectures accessible via the Hokuriku Shinkansen, highlighting winter activities unique to each destination. These prefectures might be the less trodden paths among visitors to Japan but they are no less interesting and may be where you create unforgettable memories. All aboard as we cruise up to:
Enjoy Ski Resorts and Snow Monkey in Nagano Prefecture
Karuizawa's winter beauty, ski, and snowboard.
Karuizawa Station, about an hour from Tokyo Station, is the first station in Nagano Prefecture along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. Karuizawa is a well-known resort town and popular destination for winter sports such as at the Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort. This family-friendly facility is accessible via a free shuttle or within a 10-minute walk from the station. You can indulge in skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities while enjoying the beautiful scenery Karuizawa has to offer. Skiing and snowboarding gears can be rented at the resort hence you can travel worry-free, while private ski and snowboard lessons are also available.
Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:
A prayer room is provided in the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza within the Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort. It has an ablution area with segregated prayer areas for males and females as well as ample carpeted space for usage of four to five people at a time. A short walk from the winter sports area, it is conveniently accessible for you to enjoy your winter holiday without worrying about how and where to perform your solah.
Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort (Website)
Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture 389-0102
How to get there: From Karuizawa Station, walk 10 minutes to Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort or take the free shuttle.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Prayer Room (Website)
1178, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture 389-0102
How to get there: From Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort, walk 5 minutes to reach Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza. The prayer room is located in the multi-functional area at the East section of the shopping mall.
Snow monkeys bathing in hot springs. Photo Credit: JIGOKUDANI YAENKOEN
From Nagano Station, the main station in the prefecture, you may transfer to a bus service to arrive at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey Park). The park is located in the Joshin’etsukogen National Park, about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Nagano Station. It’s worth the journey, especially during the winter months of November to March, when you can observe wild snow monkeys bathing in hot water fountains. Native to the highland area where temperature may drop to sub-zero at the peak of winter, the monkeys, also known as Japanese macaques, are at ease in their natural habitat. The contrast of temperature between snow and water creates an impression of thick smoke that earned the area its nickname of “hell valley” (jigokudani).
Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:
Enza Café is located close to the Snow Monkey Park and offers a Muslim-friendly (pork-free) menu that uses local ingredients. It is a rustic and minimalist casual dining premise with an open terrace that allows customers to enjoy nature as they feast on the food. The ingredients are not halal-certified but several Muslim-friendly dishes are available such as fried fish burger, vegetable wrap, French fries, fish and chips and mushroom salad. The café serves alcohol, therefore do dine at your own discretion.
Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey Park) (Website)
6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401
How to get there: From Nagano Station, take the express bus to Shiga Kogen (41 minutes). Get off at Snow Monkey Park bus stop and it’s a 35-minute walk to reach the park.
Enza Café (Website)
1421-1 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401
How to get there: From Nagano Station, take the express bus to Shiga Kogen (41 minutes). Get off at Snow Monkey Park bus stop and walk for 10 minutes to the café. Note: While the restaurant is pork-free, it also serves non-halal-prepared chicken in some dishes on its menu.
Snowy Tateyama and Gokayama Mountain View in Toyama Prefecture
Unazuki Onsen.
Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station is one of the stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. True to its name, the main attraction near the station is the Unazuki Onsen (Unazuki Hot Spring). Located on the Kurobe River, it is the largest hot spring resort town in Toyama Prefecture. It boasts exceptional views of the mountains, river and sea due to its proximity to the Tateyama Mountain Range and the Toyama Bay. Various accommodation options are available and visitors will enjoy soaking in the hot spring after a day of fun in the snow. The town can be easily navigated on foot and public footbaths are also available for a quick soak to soothe tired (and freezing) feet.
Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:
Passive Kitchen is a restaurant serving Southeast Asian cuisines, located about 20 minutes by bus from Unazuki Onsen. It only uses raw ingredients that are halal-certified by the Japan Islamic Trust in its menu, consisting of three set meal options that change every month. Apart from halal dishes, the restaurant also offers a vegetarian menu and serves alcohol to non-Muslim customers hence visitors are encouraged to dine at their own discretion.
Unazuki Onsen (Website)
Unazuki Onsen, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture 938-0282
How to get there: From JR Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station, transfer to Toyama Chihoh Railway train and get off at Unazuki Onsen Station.
Passive Kitchen (Website)
4016-1 Mikkaichi, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture 938-0031
How to get there: From Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station, walk to Shin-Kurobe Station and take a train on Toyama Chihoh Railway to Dentetsu Kurobe Station then walk for 8 minutes.
Amaharashi Coast. Photo Credit: Toyama Prefecture
Shin-Takaoka Station is the gateway to the best natural sceneries in Toyama Prefecture. One of the main highlights near the station is the Amaharashi Coast, which offers an undisrupted view of the sparkling Toyama Bay framed by the majestic, perpetually snow-capped Tateyama Mountain Range. A jutting islet topped with pine trees known as Meiwa Rock rises from the sea’s surface, creating a dramatic not unlike those out of ancient woodblock prints. Despite its rugged and preserved natural environment, Amaharashi Coast is just over 30 minutes away by local train from Shin-Takaoka Station, making it a must-visit spot during your winter holiday!
The Doraemon Tram.
Another unique experience near Shin-Takaoka Station is riding the Doraemon tram running between Takaoka Station and Koshinokata Station via the Manyo Line. Fujiko F. Fujio, the creator of Doraemon was originally from Takaoka City, hence to commemorate Doraemon’s birthday, a tram featuring the flaming pink color of The Anywhere Door and image of the cat-robot commenced service in 2012, the year it turned 100 years old. While the tram itself is fun to ride for children and adults alike, why not take it to visit Fujiko F. Fujio Hometown Art Gallery (alight at Shikino-chugakko-mae Station) for a more memorable experience?
Check out these Muslim-friendly spots:
Yunosato Ikemori is a ryokan, a type of traditional Japanese guesthouse, in Himi, Toyama that serves the local Himi wagyu beef and can arrange for a menu using halal ingredients with advanced reservation. Among the dishes featured on the halal menu are pasta with Himi udon noodles, nagaramo (a kind of local seaweed) udon noodles with beef and beef shabu-shabu. Apart from the food, the guesthouse is located in a serene natural setting with onsen facilities. It is a perfect destination to relax in winter and enjoy the best of Japanese hospitality.
Toyama Muslim Centre has a prayer room facility open for public use. Essentially an Islamic cultural center hosting various activities for its Muslim patrons, the center is located near the University of Toyama campus and can be easily accessed from Toyama Station.
Amaharashi Coast (Website)
Amaharashi Coast, Oota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture 933-0135
How to get there: From Shin-Takaoka Station, transfer to the local train and get off at Amaharashi Station. Amaharashi Coast is a 5-minute walk away from the station.
Yunosato Ikemori (Website)
1632 Satsusaki, Himi City, Toyama 935-0007
How to get there: From Shin Takaoka Station, take the local train on Johana Line to Himi Station. You may book the facility’s pick-up service in advance for convenient shuttle to the guest house. The inn is located 10 minutes away from Himi Station.
Toyama Muslim Center (Website)
3367 Gofuku, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0887
How to get there: From Toyama Station, take the Toyama City Tram Line to Toyamadaigaku-Mae stop. The center is a 6-minute walk away.
Gokayama Ainokura in winter. Photo Credit: Toyama Prefecture
A trip to Toyama is not complete without a visit to Gokayama Ainokura, a hamlet of Gassho-style farmhouses unique to the Hokuriku region that’s designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The thatched farmhouses have highly steeped roofs to withstand the heavy snowfall received every winter. The word “gassho” means hands in prayer, describing the design of the slanting roof. The farmhouses are estimated to be 100 to 350 years old and the pristine environment in the village creates a reminiscence of Old Japan that would provide visitors a one-of-a-kind experience.
Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:
Indira Toide Store for Halal Indian is a restaurant that serves halal Indian cuisines. Helmed by an Indian Muslim cook, it offers various dishes that may suit customers’ palates such as curries and biryani set. Customers can also request custom dishes for their dining pleasure.
Gokayama Ainokura (Website)
Ainokura, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture 939-1915
How to get there: From Shin-Takaoka Station, take the World Heritage Bus to Ainokuraguchi. The village is a 9-minute walk away from the bus stop.
Indira Toide Store for Halal Indian (Website)
3-5-22, Toide-cho, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture 939-1104
How to get there: From Shin-Takaoka Station, take the local train to Toide Station. The restaurant is a 12-minute walk away.
Skiing Down the Slopes in Fukui Prefecture
Skiing down the slopes of Ski Jam Katsuyama.
One of the latest stations in Japan on the Shinkansen network, Fukui is now more accessible than ever, particularly from Tokyo. Therefore, there is no excuse for not making way to spend your holiday this upcoming winter season. Ski Jam Katsuyama for instance, is a ski resort that offers a complete winter experience for visitors. Apart from skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities, you may opt to stay at the accommodation on-site for early access to the slope and a satisfying soak in the onsen afterwards. The resort also provides rental services for winter sports gear as well as skiing and snowboarding lessons. The facilities at the location are complete and visitors of all ages will find themselves entertained.
Check out these Muslim-friendly spots:
Cafeteria Ajisai is a stall run by the co-operative of the University of Fukui at Bunkyo campus. The cafeteria serves pre-packed Muslim-friendly dishes that are nutritious and suit the tastebuds of its customers.
Fukui Masjid is located near the University of Fukui Bunkyo campus. It is a branch of Toyama Masjid and was opened in 2009 at a strategic location close to major transportation networks. Apart from hosting prayers, the masjid is also a gathering space for social and religious activities among Muslims in the area.
Ski Jam Katsuyama (Website)
170-70 Katsuyama City, Fukui 911-0000
How to get there: From Fukui Station, this location is accessible within a 50-minute drive by taxi or car. During ski season (December 21, 2024 to March 16, 2025), Ski Jam Katsuyama will also offer a direct bus shuttle service that will require advanced reservation.
Cafeteria Ajisai (Website)
3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City, Fukui 910-8507
How to get there: From Fukui Station, take the tram to Fukudai-Mae-Nishi-Fukui stop. The University of Fukui is a 2-minute walk away
Fukui Masjid (Website)
3-9-38 Bunkyo, Fukui City, Fukui 910-0017
How to get there: From Fukui Station, take the tram to Fukudai-Mae-Nishi-Fukui stop. The masjid is a 5-minute walk away
As you plan for your winter holiday, why not break away from the ordinary and explore the paths less taken? You just might find yourself embarking on an unforgettable adventure and discovering a different side of Japan!
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