📍Minakami, Gunma, Japan
Photo: Photo by Haruyuki Mase 間瀬晴之_撮影 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo details
Another season up here
Ropeway and lift sightseeing; Beginner hiking around Tenjin Pass; Summit hiking via Tenjin Ridge.
Before you go: Winter ski operations and green-season sightseeing use different dates, tickets, hours, and pet rules. Check the current Tanigawadake Joch operating page before traveling.
Mt. T is the winter ski operation at Tanigawadake Joch, above Minakami in Gunma Prefecture. It is the former Tanigawadake Tenjindaira ski area—not Mt....
Mt. T is the winter ski operation at Tanigawadake Joch, above Minakami in Gunma Prefecture. It is the former Tanigawadake Tenjindaira ski area—not Mt. Togari in Nagano. The compact in-bounds area sits beneath the much larger, serious alpine terrain of Mt. Tanigawa and receives a resort-reported 15 meters of annual snowfall.
Minakami is an established mountain and hot-spring base rather than a purpose-built ski village. The Minakami 18 Onsen collection is the natural post-ski counterpart to a day at Mt. T, while Tanigawadake Joch continues as a ropeway, sightseeing, and hiking destination outside ski season.
From Tokyo, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen Station, then continue by bus, taxi, or rental car; the resort describes the trip as roughly two hours at its fastest, and Ikon lists Jomo-Kogen at about 30 minutes by car. JR Doai Station is about a 20-minute walk, but the resort warns that the sidewalk is narrow. Haneda Airport is about 100 miles away and is listed as roughly three hours by road.
The published 2026–27 ski season runs December 19 through April 4, conditions permitting. From January 9 through February 28, daily access is capped at 150 guests and advance booking is required; Ikon Pass holders are exempt from that booking requirement. March 10 through April 4 uses spring-ticket pricing.
The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:
A collection of hot-spring areas around Minakami for a post-ski soak; check individual facilities for day-use hours.
Green-season ropeway and lift access to the Tenjin Pass area, with short walks and mountain views.
The operator publishes beginner walking near Tenjin Pass and a more serious summit route via Tenjin Ridge; conditions and equipment requirements differ.
Base a ski trip in the Minakami area, where onsen hotels and ryokan provide more services than the lift base itself. Confirm the transport plan to Tanigawadake Base Plaza before booking, especially for a storm-day start.
View Terrace Tenjin, above the ropeway, serves the resort's promoted Tanigawadake Pan Gratin. Tenjin Cafe is a lighter option near the observation deck, but operating days and pet access differ, so check the daily status.
The defining local après is an onsen visit in the Minakami 18 area. This is a quiet mountain base rather than a slopeside nightlife destination.
Real-time conditions for planning your Mt. T (Tanigawadake) trip
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Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for winter conditions.
For Mt. T (Tanigawadake), compare a booked room or rental around Minakami with a designated campsite that accepts your vehicle and winter dates. Choose your base around the daily mountain journey and the power, water and indoor facilities you need.
Compare lodging options ↗Book a designated overnight place for your vehicle and dates. Day parking does not provide permission to camp.