Best of the Classic Mountain Resorts
History of Mountain Resorts in JapanThe sport of skiing in Japan has military origins. Theodor von Lerch, a major in the Austrianarmy, came to Japan to teach young military officers in the Takada regiment to ski in 1911.
After only three or four years, ski clubs were established in Nozawa, Kusatsu and Myokoand drew much interest.
A hard climb up followed every run in the early years. In 1948, the first chair lift in Japan wasconstructed on Tenguyama in Kusatsu. After that, skiing became a leisure sport, accessible tothe masses. Shiga, Zao and Happo also played a leading role in the development of modernskiing in Japan. Together with Nozawa, Kusatsu and Myoko, these six areas, known as Mount
Six, have hosted most of the main skiing events in Japan. These include the Japan
Championships, the International skiing events hosted by the International Ski Federation(FIS), Inter-Ski, and most recently, the Winter Olympics held in Nagano in 1998.
These resorts have played the premier role in developing winter sports in Japan. They arealso famous as vacation destinations, boasting hot springs, breathtaking natural beauty andyear-round enjoyment. The alpine flowers, ropeways and various sports offer something foreveryone in every season. The resorts are enjoyed by a wide range of people from families
to the elderly.
The landscape of winter sports is changing drastically. Mt. Six is striving to respondsensitively. The goal is to develop the most pleasant resorts available, by offering a wide
variety of services with great quality.

Three Promises
1. With pride and awareness as one of Japan's leading mountain resorts, we wish for thehealth of our visitors and aim to provide excellent services that are loved by everyone andsatisfy everyone.
2. While cherishing the history, traditions, and culture that have been carved into the land ofeach resort, we aim to become a mountain resort with the individuality and philosophy
required in the 21st century, always learning, always striving to improve, and always
engaging in friendly competition with each other.
3. To protect the rich natural environment, implement the social contributions that mountain
resorts can make, and provide leadership for the development of sports and leisure and therevitalization of the local economy.

Mt.6 Office1151-1-306, Onbegawa, Shinonoi, Nagano-city,Nagano, Japan 388-8006
Email: topend@basil.ocn.ne.jp

Mt. 6 is affiliated with Best of the Alps,a historic European mountain resort.

K USAT SU ONSE N

An international standard highland resort with Onsens, culture,and sports as its pillars.

W ELCOM E TO Mt.6

Kusatsu has two major tourist areas: a Onsen Resort area with long-established Ryokan,modern hotels, and tourist facilities, and a magnificent highland recreation zone thatincludes a national park. It is fun to stroll around the Onsen town in yukata (light cottonkimono) and geta (Japanese clogs) and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a therapeutic
Onsen Resort.

Mt. 6 was organized in June 1999 by Nozawa Onsen, Zao Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen,
Hakuba Happo-One, and Myoko Akakura Onsen, all of which have long histories
and traditions, and all of which pledge to "create and pass on resort culture. We
hope to provide you with higher quality services while exchanging information

158, Shirane-kokuyurin, Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun,Gunma 377-1711

with each other. As you know, these five mountain resorts have developed around
Snow Sports and Onsen. They are exceptional among Japan's mountain resorts,
possessing a spectacular natural environment, and are widely known around theworld as full-fledged Onsen resort destinations.

H A K U BA H A PP O - ON E

One of the best ski resorts in Japan,
boasting a magnificent panorama and scale
Happo-One is one of the largest snow resorts in Japan, and was the main venue for thehigh-speed Alpine skiing events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, attracting attention
from around the world. In the summer, the area is transformed into a scenic viewpoint of
the Northern Alps, attracting many hikers. Hakuba's rich natural environment continues
to attract visitors in all seasons.

NOZ AWA ONSE N

A purely Japanese resort with a rich flavor thatcarries on the tradition of ski culture.
5732-2, Kitashiro, Happo, Hakubamura, Kita-azumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301

Nozawa-Onsen, which has been steeped in the tradition of skiing, is known as a pioneer ofJapanese ski culture and a treasure house of human resources that has produced many great
athletes. The snow resort, which combines rich nature with modern facilities, has been thestage for many international competitions. It is also a purely Japanese snow resort that retains
the atmosphere of a traditional Onsen and is popular with people of all ages in all seasons.
9817, Toyosato, Nozawa Onsen Village, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano 389-2502

Z AO ONSE N

M YOKO A K A K U R A

A resort where you can spend luxurious timeat the foot of Mt.Myoko.
A resort rich in natural colors with Juhyouand Onsen awaiting youZao Onsen has long been known as one of the best Onsen in Tohoku. Its Onsen and richnature have attracted many tourists. Especially in winter, Zao Onsen is internationally
famous as a scenic snow resort, as represented by the beautiful Juhyou. The real thrill of
sliding through this Juhyou cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world.
708-1, Zao Onsen, Yamagata-city, Yamagata 990-2301

Mt.Myoko is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan, and the vast ski slopesthat spread out at its foot offer a panoramic view of Lake Nojiri and the surroundingarea. Myoko Plateau has long been loved by many people as a place to relax throughout
the four seasons. As Hannes Schneider once praised it as the "Davos of the Oriental" theMyoko Plateau offers a luxurious space with a sense of openness.

Akakura Onsen, Myoko-shi, Niigata 949-2111