Tambara Ski Park is a popular ski resort located in the Tambara Highlands of Numata City, Gunma Prefecture. The ski area extends across elevations of approximately 1,200 to 1,550 meters and is known for its high-quality powder snow and gentle, beginner-friendly slopes.
Its convenient access from the Tokyo metropolitan area also makes it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders looking for a mountain getaway. The resort is currently operated by Tokyu Resorts & Stay Co., Ltd., part of the Tokyu Group, with a range of facilities designed for a comfortable resort experience.
Because of its high elevation, the Tambara Highlands receive dry, high-quality snow. The resort was once promoted with the nickname “Konayuki Tambara,” meaning “powder-snow Tambara,” reflecting the area’s light and easy-to-ski snow.
With abundant snowfall, the resort generally operates for a long winter season from late November through early May.
From the slopes, visitors can also enjoy views of Lake Tambara. On clear days, the contrast between the snow-covered mountains and the lake creates a beautiful winter landscape, offering a memorable view during a break from skiing.
Tambara Ski Park has a large selection of beginner and intermediate courses, making it particularly popular with families and first-time skiers.
The Family Course has an average gradient of approximately 5 degrees, providing a gentle slope where beginners can practice comfortably.
As skiers gain confidence, they can take the Third Lift to the Challenge Course and later use the Second Lift to reach higher areas of the mountain. Beginner and intermediate courses are available even from the upper part of the resort, allowing visitors to gradually develop their skills.
The slopes are also relatively wide, providing plenty of space for relaxed skiing.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and sledding, making the resort suitable for families traveling with young children as well.
The resort has four pair lifts, one triple lift, and one high-speed quad lift, allowing visitors to move efficiently around the ski area.
Several rest areas and restaurants are available throughout the resort. Guests can enjoy warm meals and take a break at facilities such as Woodland Cafe, Half Time, and On and Off.
At the middle of the mountain, L’Arbre provides another place to dine and relax, while Lodge Tambara is located in the base area.
The resort also has parking for approximately 3,000 vehicles, providing the facilities expected of a large-scale ski destination.
When the snow season ends, the resort transforms into Tambara Lavender Park during the green season, generally from June through September.
At an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters, the park is home to around 50,000 lavender plants, creating one of the largest lavender fields in the Kanto region.
The main lavender season is from early July through August. With average summer high temperatures of around 25°C, the highlands provide a cool escape from the heat of the cities.
Visitors can see several varieties, including Koimurasaki, Okamurasaki, and Grosso, while more than 100 other types of flowers and plants add color to the highland landscape.
The park shop sells original products made with lavender oil produced at Tambara, including essential oils, soaps, honey, and other lavender-related items.
A selection of souvenirs from Gunma Prefecture is also available, making it easy to find a special reminder of your trip.
One of the most popular treats is the lavender soft-serve ice cream. Its subtle floral fragrance and gentle sweetness make it a refreshing summer dessert, and a lavender-and-vanilla combination is also available.
The park also offers unusual original dishes such as chilled lavender ramen, providing visitors with flavors that are difficult to find elsewhere.
A dog run is also available, allowing visitors to enjoy the highland environment together with their dogs.
Tambara Ski Park is approximately 19 km from the Numata Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, about a 30-minute drive.
From Tokyo, the journey takes approximately two hours by car, making the resort suitable for weekend trips and day excursions.
Because the resort is located in a different direction from the Katashina area, the route can sometimes be less affected by the heavy traffic associated with popular winter destinations.
However, the road to the resort climbs through mountainous terrain. During winter, visitors driving to the area should be properly prepared, including using winter tires and checking road conditions before departure.
Tambara Ski Park opened in 1988 under a subsidiary of Tokyu Real Estate. Since then, it has developed into a mountain resort where visitors can enjoy the natural environment of the Tambara Highlands throughout the year.
During the winter season, the resort has also hosted live broadcasts by local radio stations, reflecting its continuing connection with the surrounding community.
Tambara Ski Park offers a different experience in each season. In winter, visitors can enjoy light powder snow and skiing, while summer brings the colorful lavender fields of Tambara Lavender Park.
The combination of convenient access from Tokyo, beginner-friendly slopes, family-oriented facilities, and spectacular highland scenery makes Tambara an attractive destination for a wide range of travelers.
Whether you visit for winter sports or a summer flower escape, take time to enjoy the changing scenery of the Tambara Highlands throughout the year.