Manza Onsen Ski Resort, Ski resort in Tsumagoi, Japan.
Manza Onsen Ski Resort is a ski resort in Tsumagoi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, combining ski runs with natural hot spring baths on the same site. The ski area has slopes for different skill levels, and several onsen facilities are available without leaving the resort grounds.
The resort was established in the 1950s, when winter sports were gaining ground in Japan and mountain areas like Gunma were being developed for tourism. The hot springs already present in the area were gradually brought into the resort offer, turning it into a place where skiing and thermal bathing coexist.
The resort sits at around 5,900 feet (1,800 m) inside Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and many visitors notice the sulfur smell in the air while skiing. That smell is a constant reminder that the hot springs and the slopes share the same volcanic ground.
The resort is located deep in the mountains and is most easily reached by car or shuttle bus from Karuizawa or Nagano. Roads in the area can be snowy and narrow in winter, so driving with snow tires or using a shared transfer is a practical choice.
Manza is known for having some of the highest sulfur concentration in its hot springs of any resort in Japan, which gives the water a milky white color. That same concentration makes the onsen here noticeably different from the clear waters found at most other Japanese hot spring destinations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
