Naeba
Yuzawa · Niigata · Japan
1,100m
Vertical Drop
47
Runs
28
Lifts
340 ha
Skiable Area
1,000 cm
Avg Snowfall
Dec 2025 – May 2026
Season
Nearby town
Where workers live near Naeba
Closest first — click to see jobs & living info.
About
Connected to Kagura ski area by the Dragondola — the world's longest gondola at 5.5km — Naeba offers an enormous combined ski domain in Niigata Prefecture. Operated by Prince Hotels, Naeba is one of Japan's most popular resorts among Tokyo weekenders due to its easy Shinkansen access (75 min from Tokyo). The resort also hosts the famous Fuji Rock Festival in summer. Kagura's high elevation extends the season well into May.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
2,000m
Base
900m
Vertical Drop
1,100m
Lift Breakdown
2
Gondolas
20
Chairlifts
6
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
600–1,000
Main Employers
- Naeba Prince Hotel (Prince Hotels & Resorts)
- Kagura Ski Area (Prince Hotels)
- Naeba ski school
- NASPANew Otani Hotel
- Yuzawa town hotels, ryokans, and restaurants
- Local izakayas and bars in Yuzawa
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- Working Holiday Visa available for many nationalities. Japanese language is very helpful as Naeba is primarily a domestic resort. Prince Hotels sometimes hire English-speaking staff for international guests. Employer-sponsored visas possible for specialized hotel roles.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Prince Hotels begins hiring in August–September through their recruitment portal. Local Yuzawa businesses hire from October. Naeba's proximity to Tokyo means positions can fill quickly.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- JPY ¥12,000–¥20,000 (food, transport, basics)
- Public Transport
- Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (75 min). Free shuttle bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Naeba (40 min). Dragondola connects Naeba to Kagura. Local buses around Yuzawa town.
Staff Perks
- Discounted season pass (Naeba + Kagura)
- Staff meals at Prince Hotel
- Subsidized accommodation
- Free Dragondola access
- Night skiing access
- Easy weekend access to Tokyo
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- Naeba Prince Hotel has multiple restaurants and bars within its massive complex. Down in Yuzawa town, the onsen culture is outstanding — Takahan ryokan has a stunning open-air bath, and Komakonoyu public onsen is a local favourite. Yuzawa has traditional izakayas, ramen shops, and sake bars (the region is one of Japan's premier sake-producing areas). Ponshukan Sake Museum at Echigo-Yuzawa Station features a sake tasting room with over 100 Niigata sakes.
- Healthcare
- Yuzawa Town Clinic for minor issues. Minami Uonuma City Hospital (20 min) for more serious needs. Niigata University Hospital (1.5 hrs) for major emergencies. National health insurance or travel insurance recommended.
- Shops & Services
- Naeba Prince Hotel complex has shops and restaurants. Yuzawa town has convenience stores (Lawson, 7-Eleven), supermarkets, pharmacies, and the CoCoLo shopping centre at Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Ponshukan sake museum is a must-visit.
- International Community
- Small — Naeba is overwhelmingly a Japanese domestic resort. Very few international workers, making it ideal for Japanese language immersion. Tokyo accessibility is a major perk for weekend city trips.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Nearby Towns
Yuzawa
20 km awayA hot spring town and shinkansen hub — Tokyo to Yuzawa in 70 minutes. Base for Naeba and several other ski areas. Famous for its sake, rice, and onsen.
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Naeba →Season
Dec 2025 – May 2026
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -8°C to -1°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 10% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 1,000 cm/yr
Location
36.9128°N, 138.7422°E
Nearest town: Yuzawa