Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain: Japan's Newest Ski Resort with Snowboarder Ishiuchi Kei

Outland Japan

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Episode 20 of the Snow Country Stories Japan takes us back to Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture and Japan’s newest ski resort, Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain. In this episode I speak with Ishiuchi Kei, an accomplished snowboarder with a lot of experience working in the ski industry and genuine enthusiasm for Nekoma and the Aizu region. A true snow guru, Kei speaks about Nekoma Mountain with genuine enthusiasm.

Nekoma Mountain consists of two older resorts – Alts Bandai and Nekoma Snow Park - that have now been connected, making it one of the largest ski resorts in Japan. The resort offers 189 ha / 39 km of on-piste terrain comprised of 33 runs serviced by 13 lifts. There is a huge extend of side and back country on offer – which when factored in, brings the resort to an impressive 993 ha of terrain.
The resort is operated by Hoshino Resorts, one of Japan’s largest hotel management companies. The resort is serviced by the large Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel, offering a range of rooms including suites, menus designed to show off Aizu’s proud food culture and sake, hot springs and a range of services including free shuttle bus from nearby train stations.
Make sure to check out the episode page on the Snow Country Stories Japan website for more information, photos, videos and a map showing you where the resort is located. The resort website has complete information while you can also follow Kei on Instagram. I hope you enjoy!
Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.