In just about two hours via public transportation, anyone who wants to experience Japan’s great outdoors can travel from Tokyo to Nagano and explore the small mountain town of Fujimi. This town is best known for Fujimi Panorama Resort, which operates ski slopes in the winter and one of Japan’s largest mountain biking areas in the warmer months.
Hitting the Powder
Photo by: PIXTA/Q2Photo A ski resort for all levels.
Fujimi Panorama Resort maintains seven courses that cater to skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels. Lower slopes offer gentle courses where beginning and intermediate guests can warm up before riding the gondola up to courses that stand at an altitude of over 1,700 meters.
The area around the gondola’s summit station features intermediate courses, and advanced skiers and snowboarders have the option to embark on a three-kilometer run from the summit station back down to the gondola’s starting point.
More Snow Adventures
Photo by: PIXTA/Q2Photo Climb to the top.
Besides skiing and snowboarding, Fujimi Panorama Resort offers snow trekking—a snowshoeing experience where visitors hike from the gondola’s summit station to the top of Mount Nyukasa. This trek takes about an hour one way and is gentle enough for beginners. A 360-degree view awaits at the summit, which can include Mount Fuji and the Japan Alps. Visitors can choose to reach Mount Nyukasa’s summit independently or with the help of a guide.
Meanwhile, an ice climbing experience is offered near the summit station. Rent some equipment or bring your own and scale Fujimi Panorama’s artificial icefall.
Young kids can also enjoy Fujimi Panorama at the kids’ park, which offers tubing, sledding, a snow play area and much more.
The “Green Season”
Photo by: PIXTA/Yoshitaka Hike to your heart’s content.
After the snow melts, Fujimi Panorama opens its mountain biking courses. Beginners and experienced bikers alike can find courses that suit their skills here, and if your trip to Fujimi Panorama is your first time mountain biking, rest assured that a “skill up” course is available for practice runs.
Even more adventures await at the resort’s paragliding school. Visitors aged seven or older can practice gliding on the “training hills” or register for a tandem flight that launches from a higher altitude.
Fujimi Panorama is also a hiker’s paradise from spring to fall. In the spring and summer, trails feature flowers such as lily of the valley and Japanese dogtooth violets. Fall, meanwhile, brings views of changing leaves. The trek to Mount Nyukasa’s summit is also open during this “green season.”
