Ski areas from Japan’s past 過去の日本のスキー場を懐かしむ

Gozu Kogen

Agano City, Niigata Prefecture

五頭高原スキー場　新潟県阿賀野市

Gozu Kogen was a ski area on the western slopes of Mt Gozu in the northern region of Niigata Prefecture. It was around 30km from central Niigata City and 20km fron central Shibara City. Gozu Kogen was located in what is now Agano City - at the time of operating it was part of, and run by, Sasakami Village. Gozu Kogen opened in 1975 and featured four ski lifts. Since closing, the ski lifts and facilities have been removed and an afforestation project has seen many trees being planted and evidence of the ski area has gradually disappeared.

Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Opened
開設		 1975
Closed
 閉設		 1990
Base elevation
標高最低		 250m
Top elevation
標高最高		 520m
Vertical
標高差		 270m
Steepest slope
最大斜度		 Unknown
Number of courses
コース本数		 6
Longest run
最長滑走距離		 About 1,500m
Skill level
初級・中級・上級		 30% beginner
40% intermediate
30% advanced
Ski / board
スキー・ボード		 100% / 0%
Closed before snowboarding was popular
Ski lifts
リフト本数		 4 lifts
Single 530m
Single 530m
Single 200m
Single 300m
Approximate lengths
The lifts has been removed
Night skiing
ナイター設備		 There was no night skiing at Gozu Kogen

Photographs

Taken in July 2020
写真撮影：2020年7月

Approaching the ski area base

Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）

Around the ski area base

Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）
Gozu Kogen Ski Area（五頭高原スキー場）

Further Information

  • Gozu Kogen opened in 1975 and was operated by Sasakami Village  笹神村
    　
  • It was on the western slopes of the 912.5m Mt Gozu and presented itself as being the nearest decent-sized ski area from Niigata City
    　
  • In 1980 about 60,000 skiers visited Gozu Kogen
    　
  • It struggled with low snowfall in 1981
    　
  • The following year, the Mikawa Onsen ski area  三川温泉スキー場  opened about 25km away
    　
  • By 1984 the number of skiers at Gozu Kogen had dropped to around 35,000
    　
  • There seems to have been various attempts and campaigns to support the ski area
    　
  • A local newspaper from 1985 shows the first 50 people spending over 2,000 yen on a lift ticket every day got a free 'mascot towel', as well as a ski pack that included a one day lift ticket and accommodation for 8,000 yen
    　
  • Gozu Kogen officially closed in 1991 but it was not able to open in that last season due to a lack of snowfall, so it was effectively last open in 1990
    　
  • There were numerous car parks on either side of the road approaching Gozu Kogen
    　
  • The closest car park was about 350m from the base ski lifts and the furthest car park was about 700m from the lifts
    　
  • A bus was available to take skiers from the car parks to the ski lifts
    　
  • Since May 2008 the GREEN One Hundred Niigata  にいがた「緑」の百年物語  afforestation project has been active around the base area of Gozu Kogen
    　
  • Many beech trees have been planted and there are various signs commemorating the project
    　
  • The ski lifts and base buildings were removed sometime after 2010
    　
  • Other than a few mentions of the old ski area on signs, no evidence remains of there ever being a ski area at this location
    　
  • The 'old ski area course' hiking route starts from the end of the road, a bit further on from where the ski lifts used to be. In Japanese it is written as  五頭山・登山口 旧スキー場コース
    　
  • The Donguri no mori Camping Ground  どんぐりの森キャンプ場  is also at the end of the road
    　
  • Sasakami Village became part of Agano City  阿賀野市  in April 2004

Google Earth

Google Street View

Google Maps

The base of the ski area was to the right of the marker shown on the below map and closer to the Dongurinomori Camping Ground

 

  • Located just under 3km off Route 290 in the eastern region of Agano City in northern Niigata Prefecture

  • About 10km from the Yasuda IC exit of the Banetsu Expressway

  • About 11.5km from Suibara Station on the Uetsu line

  • 磐越自動車道　安田ICから的10km

  • 羽越線　水原駅から的5km

This page was created in July 2020
Last updated on 11th August 2022
2020年7月 作成　2022年8月11日 更新