What other travelers are saying about Mt.T by Hoshino Resorts
This place is cool! Between the ropeway and the excellent high up terrain and the super long run to take you back down to the base. The people that work here are very friendly and exceptionally helpful. I unfortunately got myself stuck at this resort because I drove my camper van on the road past the ropeway station. I thought it was the road to the upper parking lot and I was very wrong.
I ended up on an ice covered road with zero traction. I had to get chains for my awd camper with six snow tires. The road was so ice covered that the bulldozer that plows it lost control on the way down and almost crushed my van. See the picture with the snow piled up in front of the van. That's how close it came to crushing the van. No damage done but it took me a long while to dig out. Thankfully, I was able to get chains delivered to the resort via Amazon with help from the resort workers. This is obviously on me as I drove the van. But in my defense I watched numerous cars try this same road because it looks like a plowed road. One was a convertible that had to get dragged out by JAF. There is no signage to indicate this road is actually a closed summer only road and is plowed so well in the beginning it looks like that isn't the case. The resort would be doing it's guests a huge courtesy to mark the road closed in some way. I ended up spending 2 nights and 3 days stuck. Granted it was a peaceful place to be overnight.
Also be careful here because they actually close the entire resort to the public two days a week. Which was a total bummer because the morning I got the van out was an amazing bluebird day with tons of fresh snow the public could not access.
The 9000 yen price for a lift is really really high. It's more than Lotte Arai.
Formerly known as Tanigawadake Tenjindaira, the ski resort was renamed and rebranded as Mt.T after Hoshino Resorts took over the place. The lift price is one of the highest on mainland Japan, about 9000 JPY for one day for the winter season 24/25. It was less than 5000 JPY in the past.
Ski Resort Layout:
The ski resort is served by a main gondola from the base to the top and a couple of chairlifts to the upper slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. There is one very long run down to the base that ends at the road leading up to the gondola. Much of the appeal of Mt. T is its side country within the resort and backcountry to the top.
Snow:
The resort is known for its heavy amount of snowfall it receives and stashes of powder snow could be found in both sidecountry and backcountry terrain. On days with heavy snowfall, expect the chairlifts or even the gondola to be closed due to avalanche risks.
Faciltiies:
There isn't much facilities around for a Hoshino resort or in comparison to other resorts in the area. There is a day lodge area with an eatery and a base area with a shop and rest area with rental services. That's about it. The resort does try to carry out seasonal campaigns such as snow play or have special gondola cars with dining in it.
The resort is popular among people looking for backcountry terrain as well as hikers even in winter. The Hoshino branding also draws more tourists to the resort. However, it is still relatively uncrowded, partly because of the lift prices, compared to Gala Yuzawa or Kandatsu on a holiday or weekend.
The resort can be fun place to visit after a fresh snow day with good weather and the view of Tanigawadake is quite impressive. It is also a different creature from the other ski resorts in the area which makes it a nice change of environment.
This mountain is great for a hike and easily accessible via a large gondola. The hiking path is well-marked and maintained, attracting plenty of hikers. However, the trail is quite challenging, often requiring near-climbing efforts.
Near the gondola, there's a pleasant area with a very slow lift. Both the gondola and lift operate at a very slow speed, which might be a safety concern.
Visited in the middle of September, 2018. It was cold up there! Even raining slightly although the weather forecast said sunny all day. Cost around US$20 two ways, so not so cheap. Parking costs $5 but in the secure building where you buy tickets and find shops, cafes, restaurants and rest rooms.
Be prepared for the inclement weather if you stay outside for 10 mins.
For hikers and climbers, there are coin lockers, toilets, restaurants, even rooms for change clothing near the rope way station up there. Note that under severe conditions even in May or September, sometimes fatal accident happens every single year here. Listen local guides carefully and read blogs/guidelines by experienced Japanese climber or so.
It’s easy riding the Ropeway and the Lift to get to the top of Tenjin Daira, even after the snow melt in April and probably summer and the fall, until the Snow Ground restart in winter again!!
From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to either Jomo-Kogen Station (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes) or Minakami Station. From Jomo-Kogen Station, take a 50-minute bus ride to the Tanigawadake Ropeway stop. If you arrive at Minakami Station, the bus journey takes only 25 minutes. The total travel time from Tokyo is approximately 2 hours. If driving, parking is available with floors 1-5 free and the 6th floor costing ¥1,000.
The ski season at Mt.T typically runs from late December to mid-April. The resort is renowned for its exceptional natural powder snow conditions, as it uses no artificial snowmaking machines. Mt. Tanigawa's position within the harsh mountainous Tanigawa Range creates optimal conditions for abundant, high-quality powder throughout the winter season, making it particularly attractive for powder enthusiasts.
Mt.T accommodates all skill levels with 9 lifts covering 50 hectares of terrain across a 750-meter vertical range. While the resort offers accessible terrain for beginners and intermediate skiers, it has gained international recognition primarily as a destination for advanced skiers and backcountry enthusiasts. The resort features world-class backcountry skiing with trees, chutes, and bowls filled with deep powder, accessible through a dedicated gate at the summit.
Yes, Mt.T officially joined the prestigious Ikon Pass in 2025, becoming part of the world's premier ski season pass network. This marks Mt.T's arrival on the global ski circuit and provides Ikon Pass holders with access to this exceptional Japanese powder destination alongside other world-class resorts.
While Mt.T is primarily known as a winter ski resort, the mountain offers year-round experiences through the Tanigawadake Joch facility, which operates the ropeway system for sightseeing and hiking during other seasons. Mt. Tanigawa is recognized as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, offering dramatic alpine scenery. The surrounding Minakami area also features 18 hot spring facilities, including Yubiso Onsen, Unose Onsen, and Minakami Onsen, making it an attractive destination beyond the ski season.
