Winter Sports in Oita and Kuju Ski Resort

Happy February to you all!

Early cherry blossoms, chirping birds, warmer weather – all signs seem to be pointing towards the swift arrival of spring here in Japan. While many of us are keenly awaiting the warmer temperatures, some may be mourning
the loss of winter and all of the activities it brings with it. In case you’re still hankering for some winter fun, Kuju (Kujyu) Forest Park Ski Resort in Oita prefecture is a great way to get your dose of cold-weather activities before the season is over.

Kuju (Kujyu) Forest Park Ski Resort is the only ski grounds in Oita but happens to be the largest in Kyushu.
Slopes run over two kilometers long and are divided into different sections geared towards each skill level, from beginners, advanced, to children-friendly courses. With the resort’s central location between Fukuoka, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto, this Kuju ski resort has all sorts of ski bunnies and snowboarders trekking out to test its
snow-capped hills. Bring your own equipment or rent what you need in the resort’s rental shop, then catch a ride on the chairlift to reach the 1,300-meter peak with views of the Kuju Mountain Range and Kumamoto’s Mt. Aso.

If it’s your first time donning a pair of skis or snowboard, you can sign up in the resort’s daily classes to learn
the basics from experienced instructors. These two-hour classes will give you enough time to get all the basics
down and get you practicing going down the hill with an instructor by your side. By the end of class, you’ll be
carving through that snow on your own in no time!

For lunch, stop in at the resort’s restaurant for a rich selection of hearty meals to warm your soul, from pork
bone ramen, curry, various set meals, and a local favorite, boar udon. Eat at the restaurant’s indoor seating, or
take your meal out to the outdoor terrace to take in the fresh air as you eat.

It would be a shame to end your skiing and snowboarding adventure without a dip in one of the surrounding
onsen hot springs in the area. Kuju Forest Park Ski Resort is right in the middle of the Kokonoe onsen region,
where you can soak away your day’s skiing and snowboarding aches away. Consider an overnight stay at
Kinosato Yamanoyu Inn, where there’s a unique cave bath you can sink into before filling your belly with
a beautiful traditional Japanese meal. As the perfect ending to your fun-filled day, it’ll get you wishing that
winter would hang on just a little longer.

Whether you’re a winter or spring fan, we wish you well wherever you are in the world and hope to welcome
you to our ski slope in Oita in the future!