Kansai's Largest Ski Resort
About This Resort
Gransnow Okuibuki is on Mount Ibuki in the north of Shiga Prefecture, above Maibara, and is usually the first resort in western Japan to open. The 2026-27 season runs from 13 November to 11 April, 150 days. Opening day has only the Family Pair lift and the Family slope; the Variety Quad and the Variety slope follow on 21 November.
The resort counts 14 courses and 9 lifts, between 730 metres at the base and 1,220 metres at the top; the longest single course is 900 metres. They run from the Beginner and Family slopes to the advanced Champion and Heavenly 46°. The Variety Quad, which the resort bills as Japan's fastest lift at 5 metres a second, serves the main Variety slope. Lifts run from 8:00 to 17:00 every day, and there is no night skiing.
The resort leans towards families and beginners. It calls its kids park one of the largest in Japan: snow balloons, play structures, free sleds and a covered moving walkway. It is included in a day or afternoon lift ticket, costs from 1,500 yen on its own, and is free for children aged 2 and under.
A weekend adult day pass costs from 6,500 yen (7,000 yen on peak days), and weekdays start at 4,200 yen. Afternoon tickets are sold from 11:30. Skis or a board with boots rent for 5,000 yen a day, or 8,500 yen with clothing. The ticket windows take cards, PayPay and IC cards. The Blossom ski school takes foreign visitors only in private or charter lessons, booked by phone on 0749-59-0313.
Most people drive: about 50 minutes from Nagoya, 80 from Kyoto and 100 from Osaka, leaving the Meishin Expressway at Maibara IC. Without a car, take the shinkansen to Maibara and the resort's shuttle bus, which runs twice each way a day, must be booked online and costs 1,000 yen each way. Official site: https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/
Location
Prefecture: Shiga
Address: Maibara, Shiga, Japan
Postal Code: 521-0301
Spoken Languages: Japanese
Season Information
Season: November 13, 2026 - April 11, 2027
Open
Note: Season dates are predictions and may change. Early and late season (November/December and April/May) may have limited snow coverage. Please check current conditions before planning your trip.
Prices and facilities
Lift tickets
- Adult day pass
- ¥6,500
- Adult afternoon or half day
- ¥5,500
- Child day pass
- ¥3,500
- Senior day pass
- ¥6,000
Weekend and holiday rate, tax included. Peak days can cost more and weekdays less; check the resort's site before you go.
Rental, one day
- Ski set
- ¥5,000
- Snowboard set
- ¥5,000
Checked November 12, 2026.
Hours
Lifts 8:00 to 17:00 every day, no night skiing. Kids park 8:00 to 16:45, terrain park 9:00 to 16:00.
Food
Two large restaurants, both 9:00 to 17:00 (last order 16:00): the 500-seat food court on the center house's second floor, with Japanese, Western and Chinese dishes such as stone-oven pizza, katsu curry and sesame ramen, and the 600-seat Food Park Piste, with paella, butter chicken curry and burgers. A drink is free with any meal over 500 yen.
- Good for beginners
- Equipment rental
- Restaurants
- Cards accepted
Access
Kozuhara Okuibuki, Maibara, Shiga
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Sign InFrequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Gransnow Okuibuki from Kyoto or Osaka?
By car, about 80 minutes from Kyoto and 100 from Osaka (50 from Nagoya), leaving the Meishin Expressway at Maibara IC. By train, take the shinkansen to Maibara, then the resort's shuttle bus (about 55 minutes, 1,000 yen each way, twice each way a day, booked online in advance) or a taxi (about 40 minutes).
Why is Okuibuki called 'Kansai's largest'?
Mostly for its size by Kansai standards: 14 courses and 9 lifts between 730 and 1,220 metres, and the Variety Quad, which the resort bills as Japan's fastest lift. Many visitors come from Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya.
Is Okuibuki family-friendly?
Very. One of Japan's largest kids parks with snow play areas. Beginner courses are well-groomed. Modern center house with restaurants and facilities. Lessons available for children. Free parking on weekdays.
How much does a Gransnow Okuibuki lift ticket cost?
Adult one-day passes are roughly ¥6,000–7,000 in peak season, with cheaper half-day, afternoon and early/late-season rates. Weekday parking is free; weekends and holidays carry a parking fee. Children, students and seniors get standard discounts. Online advance tickets are often a few hundred yen cheaper than at the window.
When does Okuibuki's ski season run?
For 2026-2027, Okuibuki has confirmed 13 November 2026 to 11 April 2027. That is its earliest opening yet and the first lift-served snow in western Japan, thanks to large-scale snowmaking. The peak season (best snow, full lift count) is January and February. Spring skiing in April is normally only on the upper runs, as the lower slopes soften. Check the website for the current season's dates.
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