Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai-Nekoma Ski Resort is a large-scale ski resort located at the foot of Mount Bandai in Fukushima Prefecture. With its high-quality powder snow and beautiful scenery overlooking Lake Inawashiro, it is a popular spot highly regarded by skiers and snowboarders. But
did you know that you can enjoy such an attractive mountain using the "hometown tax donation" system? Skiing and tax donations may sound like a strange combination, but in fact, it is a very advantageous system that we skiers should take advantage of! Let's take a look at how it works in more detail.
Introduction: What is "Furusato Nozei"?
Furusato Nozei is a system that allows you to donate to a local government you wish to support.
In principle, the portion of your Furusato Nozei donation exceeding 2,000 yen is fully deductible from your income tax and resident tax (with a certain limit), meaning that after completing the necessary procedures, your final out-of-pocket expense is only 2,000 yen. Furthermore, you receive a "thank you gift" from the local government in return, such as local specialty products or travel vouchers, making it a very lucky and rewarding system.
If you don't know, check out the video explanation first
There are several "hometown tax donation sites," each with easy-to-understand explanations, so please refer to them
How much can I deduct from my 2,000 yen self-payment? Quick simulation of my deduction limit
One of the benefits of hometown tax donations is the tax deduction, but there is a limit to the amount that can be deducted. If you stay within that limit, your actual out-of-pocket expenses will be only 2,000 yen, making hometown tax donations efficient. The deduction limit varies depending on annual income, family composition, place of residence, etc., so start by finding out your own deduction limit
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Hometown Tax Portal Site" lists the annual limit for fully deductible hometown tax donations, which allows you to check the maximum donation amount that will keep your self-payment to 2,000 yen based on your "own salary income" and "family composition." Check it out first!
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | Hometown Tax Portal Site
In other words, you can make a donation to Bandai Town, where Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai is located, through "Hometown Tax" and receive special benefits
Some people may already be participating in the "Furusato Nozei" (Hometown Tax Donation) program. If you're looking forward to receiving delicious local delicacies, what would you think if you heard that you could receive a one-day lift ticket or season pass for a ski resort as a return gift?
Donations can be kept low until November 27th! How much do I need to donate to receive a season pass or a one-day ticket?
How much do you need to donate to Bandai Town through the "Hometown Tax" program to get a luxurious season pass to Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai and Nekoma Ski Resort, which gives you unlimited skiing all season long?
It's easier to decide how much to donate once you have a purpose in mind (laughs). The 20-21 season pass for Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai and Nekoma Ski Resorts is usually 57,000 yen. If you apply until November 27th, an early bird discount applies, bringing the price down to 35,000 yen, so the donation amount to cover that would be:
Donate between 122,000 yen and 130,000 yen to get a season pass!
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai/Nekoma Ski Resort 20-21 Season Common Season Pass Exchange Voucher
<寄付額>
10/5 - 11/27 122,000 yen → Get a season pass!
11/28 - 12/31 130,000 yen → Get a season pass!
| period | Donation amount | Season Pass Price | Applicable discount |
| 10/5〜11/27 | 122,000 yen | 35,000 yen (normally 57,000 yen) | Online Early Bird Discount |
| 11/28〜12/31 | 130,000 yen | 37,000 yen (normally 57,000 yen) | Kakekomi |
Example: If you apply for a season pass and donate 122,000 yen,
your salary income must be 7.75 million yen or more (single).
Donate 12,000 to 17,000 yen to get a one-day ticket!
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai/Nekoma Ski Resort 20-21 Season Common Lift Ticket Exchange Voucher
<寄付額>
10/5 - 11/27 12,000 yen → Get one 1-day lift ticket!
11/28 - 12/18 13,000 yen → Get one 1-day lift ticket!
12/19 onwards 17,000 yen → Get one 1-day lift ticket!
| period | Donation amount | One-day lift ticket price | Applicable discount |
| 10/5〜11/27 | 12,000 yen | 3,200 yen (usually 4,900 yen) | Online Early Bird Discount |
| 11/28〜12/18 | 13,000 yen | 3,700 yen (usually 4,900 yen) | Kakekomi |
| 12/19〜 | 17,000 yen | 4,900 yen | none |
which can be enjoyed so much through hometown tax donations,
What makes these two ski resorts,
your skiing skills will improve.
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai: A place where
Spreading out at the foot of Mount Bandai, Alts Bandai boasts beautiful views of Lake Inawashiro and a large scale of 22 courses. Operated by Hoshino Resorts, which operates numerous hotels and facilities both in Japan and overseas, including Tomamu, the resort boasts a high level of quality in terms of both its hospitality and facility functionality
The skiers' skills are also guaranteed. The frost area at the very back of the ski resort has excellent snow quality and is full of natural undulations, allowing for natural jumps, wall smashes, and other terrain-related activities
There's plenty to suit skiing enthusiasts, too, with plenty of options, including high-speed carving on the first ride, powder snow on the shuttle-style cat skiing on the exclusive ungroomed course within the resort, and unlimited fun at the high-level park, which has hosted world championships. The more you go to Alts Bandai, the more fun you'll have and the better your skiing skills will become
MOUNTAIN STATUS
Elevation
1,280m
Maximum skiing distance:
2,500m
Elevation difference:
580m
maximum slope
33°
courses
22
lifts
7
G/R
-Basic/-Book
◆Official Website:https://www.alts.co.jp/
Microfine snow, an ultra-fine snowflake, falls
at Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Ski Resort.
Urabandai, where Nekoma Ski Resort is located, is one of Japan's snowiest areas, with the season starting early at the end of November and lasting for about five months until Golden Week in May. The north-facing slopes at an altitude of 1,000m produce Nekoma's unique "microfine snow," which is made up of ultra-fine particles
This area often receives significant snowfall, and even in April, you can sometimes enjoy powder riding with micro-fine snow. There are plenty of ungroomed courses, and "Deep 1" at the top is, as its name suggests, a deep and steep powder spot. The slopes are laid out in three directions from the bottom. 40% of the slopes are hard-packed and suitable for advanced skiers, offering plenty of challenging runs.
The park is also a highlight of Nekoma. The park's features and difficulty level change as the season progresses. In March, the high-spec "Nekoma Step-Up Park" appears, hosting world-class slopestyle competitions, and attracting professional skiers for training.
MOUNTAIN STATUS
Elevation
1,338m
Longest run distance:
2,100m
Elevation difference
311m
maximum slope
33°
courses
11
lifts
5
G/R
-Basic/-Book
◆Official Website:https://www.nekoma.co.jp/
4 reasons why you'll be guaranteed a satisfying stay | Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai and Nekoma Ski Resort TOPICS
allowing free movement between them.
A snow walking route connecting Alts Bandai and Nekoma Ski Resort was launched in 2019. It is scheduled to open in mid-January 2021. From the gates installed on the slopes, it will be just a 15-minute walk through a beech forest, or a distance of about 800 meters, to travel between the two ski resorts. Previously, it required an hour-long car ride about 35 km from the base of the mountain, but now, in just 15 minutes, you can enjoy the snow quality and slopes of Nekoma Ski Resort!
This means you can enjoy two ski resorts in one day, skiing down Nekoma's famous micro-fine powder first thing in the morning, then move on to Alts Bandai and enjoy a cruise down the slopes while taking in the spectacular views of Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro. (Lift tickets valid for both resorts on the same day are required.) This is a great deal!
Enjoy a highly satisfying long-season experience,
Urabandai is one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall areas. Located at an altitude of over 1,000m, it experiences early snowfall and boasts a long season of approximately five months from early December. Nekoma, with its north-facing slopes, enjoys excellent snow conditions and is scheduled to open on November 28th (Saturday) for the 2020-21 season.
The park is also scheduled to open at the same time. An "Opening Park" for beginners and intermediate riders will open in December, and a slopestyle park where professionals practice will be set up in March. Nekoma's greatness lies in its variety of high-spec features, allowing riders to ski until Golden Week in May. Alts will also feature four different parks catering to riders from beginner to advanced levels.
The common lift ticket is also convenient for visiting multiple parks. Both offer a variety of high-spec items, so park lovers will be very satisfied. The long season means you can make full use of your season pass and lift ticket. This is definitely a good deal!
will become repeat customers
Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai offers an exciting service (for a fee) that will delight both powder lovers and carving enthusiasts. This is the ever-popular "Alts Cat Ride" and "First Ride."
◆ Alts Cat Ride:
A service that allows you to ski on ungroomed, dedicated slopes using a snow groomer (cat). Enjoy a special time where you can have fresh powder all to yourself, with a limited number of participants.
Three departures are available on weekends and holidays at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. The 9:00 departure is 2,000 yen per person, while the 10:00 and 11:00 departures are 1,500 yen (lift tickets are required separately), making them very reasonable. This is perfect for those who want to fully enjoy powder snow, but are still concerned about backcountry skiing and the associated equipment
For more details,click here(link to the AlzCat Ride page within STEEP).
◆ First Ride
Weekdays: 8:00 AM, Weekends & Holidays: 7:30 AM - This service opens the slopes 30 minutes earlier than the official opening hours, allowing you to ski on perfectly groomed slopes first thing in the morning.
Carving fee: 1,000 yen (per person)
making it perfect for both overnight stays and day trips.
Fukushima is in the Tohoku region and tends to have the impression of being far away, but in fact, it takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to the nearest Inawashiro Station from Tokyo Station via the Tohoku Shinkansen and Joban Line, and then a 40-minute free shuttle bus ride from there, making it a total of 3 hours to get there
It's only 3 hours and 30 minutes by car from Tokyo. If you leave at 6am you'll be on the snow before 10am. You can ski until sunset, stop off at a hot spring and still be back before the date changes. The Tohoku Expressway has little traffic, so it's perfectly possible to make a day trip. You don't need to plan ahead, you can just go skiing when it snows. It's convenient and efficient
Sea Pass and lift ticket applications
There are several hometown tax donation websites, so the list page on the Bandai Town website in Fukushima Prefecture is useful. Find the website that is easiest for you to use