Discovering Eboshi Resort and Sendai is a great opportunity to combine a local Japanese style resort with a vibrant and diverse city, writes Phil Osborn.
Eboshi Resort
Eboshi Resort is a little known resort situated 1 hour from Sendai. If you want to create a unique cultural and Japanese ski experience, this is a fun destination. On it’s day, Eboshi Resort can really turn it on.Â
Eboshi Resort Terrain?
Eboshi Resort has 6 lifts, including one gondola, and 10 designated courses, with the longest trail 4.3km in length. The resort is divided into three categories beginner, intermediate and advanced. On our visit, the snow gods delivered with fresh deep snow setting the whole resort on fire! The black diamond terrain with it’s steeper pitch was like floating on a pillow of soft, lightweight snow and was so fun. My local guide from the resort was absolutely frothing showing me around on the best day of the year! We had such a fun time at this resort, scoring such an epic snowfall linking all the runs together.Â
Outside of the best day of the year, normally, Eboshi Resort would receive less snowfall than resorts on the west side of Zao Mountain. From what I could see, the resort is really well set-up and caters well for local Sendai and Miyagi Prefecture skiers and snowboarders. The facilities at the resort are excellent, with great local food served in their dining facilities.Â
Where is it?
Eboshi Resort is located south west of Miyagi prefecture.
It’s physical address is Miyagi Prefecture, Katta-gun, Zao-machi, Togatta Onsen, JapanÂ
The city of Sendai has just over 1 million people living in the city. Miyagi’s Population is just over 2.2 million people.Â
How do you get there?
Sendai is easily accessed via the frequent Tohoku Shinkansen that are flying up and down the Tohoku line. The bullet train is 1 hour and 33 minutes from Tokyo to Sendai. And Eboshi Resort is a 1 hour drive from Sendai. So it’s an easy resort to access.
Where to stay Sendai?
You are spoilt for choice of accommodation in Sendai. We stayed in the Taoya Akiu Onsen Hotel in Sendai. This onsen area is 30 minutes from the centre of Sendai and has lots going on. The Taoyo Akiu is a stunning hotel. (photos below)
Where to stay?
If you want to be even closer to Eboshi Resort, you can stay at the Mercure Miyagi Zao resort and spa in Zao town. It’s 30 minutes from Eboshi Resort. Again, this is a high quality onsen hotel and combines well with the ski resort. (photos below)
What to do in Sendai & Miyagi Prefecture?
I had such a blast in Sendai and Miyagi Prefecture. Here are some fun activities to consider:
- Ganguan Kokeshiya painting experience. These dolls have been made and sold in onsen areas for hundreds of years, initially created by the timber workers in the area providing toys to their children. They are now are part of the culture of Sendai. Allow 1.5 hours to paint a doll.
- Great Dane Brewing – I’m a craft beer fan. It was fun to see a group of passionate Americans who have a strong connection to Japan, bring their families to live and grow their craft beer talents to Sendai.Â
- Akagane copper work shop. For over 400 years the copper craft has been evolved in Sendai. To learn and experience first hand their techniques for creating beautiful artworks and practical items is a fun hands on experience. Allow 1 hours for this experience.Â
- Zao Sake Brewery Tour – Discover the young sake brewers of Miyagi Prefecture, developing and progressing the art of making sake.Â
Be a Samurai! Samurai Armour Experience – Shiroishi Castle
Finally, one really cool experience is to become a Samurai. You get dressed up in authentic armour crafted by Japanese artisans. You get to experience being a Japanese lord in a traditional Japanese castle! Shiroshi Castle is located 45 minutes from Sendai. You can do a photoshoot or even make a movie. To learn more click here for costs and exact location details.
Is Eboshi Resort, Sendai & Miyagi Prefecture worth visiting?
If you are wanting to experience Japan skiing and snowboarding, without the international ski and snowboard crowd, Eboshi Resort will not disappoint you. I can’t guarantee knee deep epic powder on your visit, but if you do happen to score this resort firing, you will have an amazing time. Sendai is such a key drawcard for this ski resort. Spending a couple of days exploring and experiencing Japanese cultural activities in Miyagi Prefecture will truly elevate your ski trip discovering Japan.Â