Shirataka Choei

Shirataka Choei is simple: ride the single pair lift, pick either the gentler “beginner” line or the steeper “expert” pitch, and repeat until your legs are toast or the night lights flick off. In fresh snow, the best play is to hit the “expert” side early (or right after a grooming reset), then start farming the trail edges as the main line gets tracked. Because it’s a small hill, snow gets chopped quickly on busy nights, but it also refills fast when it’s puking, and you can keep finding soft turns by ducking into the tree-lined margins and the little roll-overs that locals naturally ignore. There’s no gate network and no true sidecountry program here, so keep it inside the ropes, keep your speed in check (you’re sharing with families), and treat it like a quick-hit powder playground rather than a full-day freeride mission.

If you like big mountains, huge vertical, and a full menu of bowls, ridgelines, and backcountry access, you’ll outgrow Shirataka Choei in about an hour. But if you’re the kind of rider who gets stoked on low-friction skiing, night sessions, and squeezing turns into a packed itinerary, it’s a gem.

It’s great for:

• Travelers doing a Yamagata road trip who want a chill “bonus” ski day
• Families and mixed-ability crews who want an easy, safe hill
• Upper intermediates who like fast fall-line groomers, soft snow, and no lift lines
• Anyone who loves night skiing and doesn’t need a huge map to have fun

It’s not great for:

• Advanced riders hunting sustained steepness, big vertical, or legit tree zones
• People who want English-friendly resort services and international-style resort infrastructure
• Anyone trying to make this their main base for a week-long Japow trip

Most people day-trip Shirataka Choei, and honestly that’s the move. The better “stay” strategy is to sleep somewhere with onsen and food, then treat this hill as a quick strike when the weather’s good or you’ve got time to burn.

For the closest classic-style soak-and-sleep option, look at Takanoyu Onsen Palace Shofu (鷹野湯温泉 パレス松風). This is the kind of place that fits the Shirataka vibe: quiet, local, and built around warming up properly after skiing. It’s not a nightlife base, but if your ideal evening is hot water, a big meal, and an early bed, you’ll be smiling.

If you want rustic and simple, consider a local minshuku like Minshuku Yamanosou (民宿やまのそう). This is the “keep it real” way to do the area: basic rooms, local hospitality, and a trip that feels more like Japan than a packaged resort holiday. Great for budget travelers or anyone who’d rather spend on ramen and fuel than fancy lobbies.

If you prefer more convenience and dining variety, base yourself in Yamagata City and drive out. Hotel Route-Inn Yamagata Ekimae and Business Hotel Sakuranbo are the kind of straightforward business hotels that make ski travel easy: warm rooms, simple breakfasts, and plenty of dinner options nearby. You’ll trade a longer drive for better logistics, especially if you’re linking multiple resorts across the region.

On-mountain, keep expectations realistic. The ski center is there to keep you fueled and warm, not to win culinary awards. You’re looking at the usual Japan ski-hill comfort staples: curry rice, ramen, udon, and quick bites that do the job between runs.

For proper food, aim for town spots where locals actually eat. Kumaya is a solid bet for hearty meals, and Senrian is worth a look if you want soba in that no-nonsense, “this is how it’s done here” style. The win in this area isn’t fancy après bars, it’s the rhythm: ski, hot drink, more turns, then a real meal somewhere warm.

Après here is low-key and very DIY. A classic move is a quick parking-lot reset (yes, lot beers are a thing), then straight into an onsen session. If you’re staying at an onsen property, you’re basically set. If you’re day-tripping, build your evening around a soak nearby and you’ll understand why locals keep coming back.

Closest airport options are Yamagata Airport (most convenient) or Sendai Airport (more flight options, longer drive). If you’re coming by train, the easiest rail hub is Yamagata Station, then you’ll want a rental car for the last stretch. This is rural Tohoku travel: public transport exists, but flexibility wins.

By car from Yamagata City, expect roughly ~50 minutes depending on road conditions. From other Okitama-area towns, it can be quicker. The access road up to the ski center can get slick fast when it’s dumping, so proper winter tires are non-negotiable. If you’re not used to Japanese winter driving, take it slow, give yourself extra braking distance, and don’t be the person trying to muscle a two-wheel-drive car up an icy pitch on summer rubber.

The main gotcha is timing: because it’s small, you want to arrive when it’s actually ski-worthy. Check the day’s conditions, especially during warmer spells, and aim for storm cycles when the surface stays soft. Night skiing is a huge plus, but remember that day tickets and night tickets can be separate, so plan your session accordingly.

• Lift hours: Expect daytime operations around ~9:00 to ~16:30, with night skiing on operating days. Night sessions are the signature move here.
• Lift tickets: A day ticket does not cover night skiing, and night tickets are sold separately.
• Avalanche / backcountry reality: This is an in-bounds, rope-respecting hill. No gate network, no sidecountry program, and no “just duck out here” culture you should follow.
• Weather & snow patterns: Snowfall can be frequent and fun, but the low elevation means occasional heavier snow and quicker warm-ups. When it’s cold and stormy, it’s money.
• Language: Expect Japanese-first signage and staff. You don’t need much English support here, just basic travel patience and a willingness to point, smile, and keep it simple.
• What’s unique: Night skiing on a tiny, friendly municipal hill where you can ski hard, warm up fast, and never stress about crowds.
• Nearby resorts worth pairing: Use Shirataka Choei as a bonus stop while exploring Yamagata’s bigger hitters like Zao Onsen, Gassan (spring season), Tengendai, and other local hills in the region.