Long ski season, high-speed lifts up to 5 m/s! One of the largest ski resorts in the Kansai region.

Mount Ibuki, located in northern Shiga Prefecture, is the highest peak in the prefecture at approximately 1,377 meters and is also one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Making the most of its natural terrain, Gransnow Okuibuki offers one of the earliest and longest ski seasons in western Japan, from mid-November to mid-April, lasting around five months.

With a total of 14 courses for all skill levels, from beginners to experts, the resort offers smooth access throughout the ski area with multiple lifts and enclosed moving walkways. The main slope has the fastest lift in Japan, running approximately 900 meters and reaching the summit in just about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The shorter lift ride time allows visitors to enjoy more runs, making it a popular feature among guests.

The Tenguiwa course for intermediate and advanced skiers starts at approximately 1,220 meters and descends from an upper mogul slope to a groomed run below, offering panoramic views of Lake Biwa and the Northern Alps.

The approximately 400-meter-long family slope is a wide, gentle slope with a maximum gradient of 13 degrees, making it ideal for beginners.

The expert-level slope “Heavenly 46°” has a maximum gradient of 46 degrees. The thrill of skiing down a steep natural mountainside is something you can experience only on this course. The resort also offers a variety of other courses.

One of the largest kids’ parks and rental shops in Japan! Fully equipped with excellent facilities.

Gransnow Okuibuki also features a spacious kids’ park. The park is divided into three areas: snow play, sledding, and mountain play. Rentals include sleds, snowball makers, shovels, and buckets, along with a wide range of play equipment, including inflatable snow balloons you can jump on. It’s a great spot for families to enjoy.

Renovated in 2025, the rental shop has expanded its floor space to approximately 2.5 times its original size, making it easier to enjoy winter sports without bringing any equipment. The shop offers around 5,000 sets of ski and snowboard gear, including wear, boards, and boots. It is one of the largest selections in Japan and also offers high-grade rental options.

Another unique feature of the resort is its dedicated radio booth. Each day, a radio DJ livestreams music along with updates on slope conditions and events. Messages and song requests are welcome at any time, and you might even hear your request on air. With music and engaging talk, the DJ keeps the resort lively.

Among the three dining spots at the resort, Food Park Piste, with its open terrace, is especially popular. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including the “Premium Omi Beef Steak Bowl,” where you can fully savor the rich flavor of premium Omi beef, as well as paella, sundubu, butter chicken curry, gourmet burgers, and sweets.

For nearby sightseeing, visit Nagahama, a charming former castle town perfect for strolling.

Located in northern Shiga Prefecture, like Gransnow Okuibuki, Nagahama is an easily accessible destination, with many attractions within about a 10-minute walk from the station. Nagahama Castle (Nagahama Castle History Museum), a symbol of the town, was originally built around 1574 by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi as his first castle residence. The current structure was reconstructed in 1983 and is now open to the public as a history museum, with views of Lake Biwa and Mount Ibuki from the castle tower.

Once a castle town, Nagahama flourished as a post town along the Hokkokukaido, a route connecting Hokuriku with Kyoto and the Kansai region, and still retains many buildings that reflect its historic streetscape.

Along this route is an area known as Kurokabe Square. At the heart of the area is a stately building with distinctive black plaster walls, originally built as a bank in 1900. It is now known as Kurokabe Ichigokan Glass Museum and is a popular spot.

The Salad Bread from Tsuruyapan Main Store, established in 1951, is also a popular casual local treat in Nagahama. Freshly made every day, this bread is filled with chopped pickled daikon mixed with mayonnaise in a soft roll. A second shop, located within walking distance of Nagahama Station, offers specialty sandwiches made with round bread and topped with ingredients such as grilled mackerel, perfect for a quick bite between snow sports.

Another local specialty is Yakisaba Somen, made with perfectly grilled mackerel simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, with somen noodles cooked in the richly flavored broth. At the popular restaurant Yokaro, the mackerel is slowly simmered over two days until even the bones are tender. Pair it with their signature grilled mackerel sushi for an even more satisfying experience.