Yu Road Moving Walkway - Image 1
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Yu Road Moving Walkway

4.3
·60 reviews·Nozawaonsen, Japan

A free, multi-stage moving walkway that effortlessly transports you to the ski slopes, saving a steep climb and offering stunning views.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Late Afternoon

Stunning sunset views

CrowdMedium
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Yu Road Moving Walkway - Image 1

Yu Road Moving Walkway

Best Time

Late Afternoon

Stunning sunset views

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A free, multi-stage moving walkway that effortlessly transports you to the ski slopes, saving a steep climb and offering stunning views.

4.3
(60 reviews)

"Thank goodness for this free travellator to bring people up to the ski area. Saves the climb up."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Walk, Don't Drive

Avoid driving directly to the walkway; parking is difficult. Walk from your hotel for an easier experience. :athletic_shoe:

⛷️ Mind Your Skis

Be aware of your ski or snowboard position on the moving walkway due to the tunnel's shape. :ski:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 60 reviews

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Yu Road Moving Walkway

The Yu Road Moving Walkway

Connects village to ski area

A free, multi-stage moving walkway that effortlessly transports you to the ski slopes, saving you a steep climb.

Reddit
Sunset Views

Sunset Views

Bottom of Yu Road

Experience stunning views at the bottom of Yu Road as the sun sets, a beautiful reward after a day on the slopes.

Reddit
Ski Area Convenience

Ski Area Convenience

Top of the walkway

Step directly out to the ski school, rental shops, cafes, and more – a hub of activity and services.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Foot Power or Free Ride?

While the Yu Road Moving Walkway is free and convenient, driving directly to it can be tricky with narrow roads and limited parking. Many visitors find it easier to park at their hotel and walk, especially if staying nearby. Reddit

Ski Gear Savvy

Navigating the moving walkway with skis or snowboards is generally fine, but be mindful of your equipment's position due to the tunnel's shape. Staff and cameras are present for safety. Reddit

Best Times

When
Late Afternoon
Why
Stunning sunset views
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, easy access
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Where to stay at ski in ski out hotel at nozawa Onsen snow resort in Japan?

Hi, everyone! I’ve been doing a lot of research for my upcoming ski trip in nozawa Onsen in Feb 2025. Can someone give me recommendations? I noticed a lot of the Reddit posts that talk about nozawa recommend hotels about 1 km away instead of close to the slopes or right on the…

🚶‍♀️ Walk, Don't Drive

Avoid driving directly to the walkway; parking is difficult. Walk from your hotel for an easier experience. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

⛷️ Mind Your Skis

Be aware of your ski or snowboard position on the moving walkway due to the tunnel's shape. Reddit :ski:

reddit.com

Anybody that boarded in Nozawa Onsen in Japan, can you tell me how far I am from the slopes and where I should rent from?

That’s near the center of the village and the lift, but the distance is deceptive. There’s a fairly steep climb all the way up to the lift. Most people would drive and park near the lift instead of walking up with their gear, but it’s doable if you’re a strong hiker and if you…

reddit.com

Trip Report: 2 weeks in Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, & Nozawa Onsen (Jan 2024)

I still have Japan on the brain after my husband and I came back last month from our honeymoon, so I figured sharing a trip report could give me a place to put down my thoughts and would be useful for others planning too. I lurked a lot on here and r/JapanTravelTips, which were…

💰 It's Free!

Enjoy the convenience of this impressive moving walkway at no cost. Reddit :moneywithwings:

📍 Easy to Find

Follow the signs from the village; it's well-marked and a direct connection to the ski area. Reddit :world_map:

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Walk, Don't Drive

Avoid driving directly to the walkway; parking is difficult. Walk from your hotel for an easier experience. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

⛷️ Mind Your Skis

Be aware of your ski or snowboard position on the moving walkway due to the tunnel's shape. Reddit :ski:

💰 It's Free!

Enjoy the convenience of this impressive moving walkway at no cost. Reddit :moneywithwings:

📍 Easy to Find

Follow the signs from the village; it's well-marked and a direct connection to the ski area. Reddit :world_map:

What Travellers Say

4.3
(60 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Yu Road Moving Walkway as a free, convenient, and impressive engineering feat that directly connects the village to the ski area. It saves a steep climb and offers easy access to amenities. Some note that driving directly to it can be challenging due to narrow roads and limited parking, recommending walking from accommodation instead.

"Moving escalator that gets you up to the other side of the ski slopes. Not difficult to find on foot, just follow the signs. My husband and I tried to drive here following google map directions and found ourselves navigating really narrow roads and there was nowhere to park. We ended up having to leave our car back at the hotel and walk here. Better to come on foot. Also due to the shape of the tunnel, watch your skis when using the escalator! Best of all it’s free."

KarenL

"Very nice view at the bottom of YU road, Is quite a steep slope to walk up but once read the escalator can rest your feet and it will just bring you up. The moment you step out from the escalator is the ski school, rental place, service center, kids park, snow mobile pick up point, cafe and restaurant. It so convenient."

Raycher Lim

"Thank goodness for this free travellator to bring people up to the ski area. Saves the climb up. A nice 2 stage escalator that is quite an engineering feat. There are staff and cameras monitoring the travellator to ensure everyone’s safety. No probs getting ski or snow board equipment on it. Come down near sun set and be rewarded with stunning views at the bottom of Yu road."

Andy

What People Like

Free and convenient access
Impressive engineering
Saves steep climb

What People Dislike

Difficult driving access
Limited parking

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The most recommended way to reach the Yu Road Moving Walkway is by walking from your accommodation, as driving can lead to navigating narrow roads with limited parking. Follow signs from the village; it's a direct connection to the ski area. Reddit

Parking directly at the Yu Road Moving Walkway is very limited and can be challenging due to narrow access roads. It's advisable to park at your hotel and walk. Reddit

Yes, the Yu Road Moving Walkway is specifically designed to transport visitors directly to the ski area, where you'll find ski schools, rental shops, and more. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, the Yu Road Moving Walkway is completely free to use. It's a complimentary service provided to help visitors access the ski slopes. Reddit

While specific hours aren't always published, it generally operates during ski season to facilitate access to the slopes. It's best to check locally or assume it's open during standard ski operating times. Reddit

🎫 ⛷️ Onsite Experience

Yes, it is generally safe to bring ski and snowboard equipment on the Yu Road Moving Walkway. However, be mindful of your gear's position due to the tunnel's shape. Staff and cameras are present for safety. Reddit

At the top of the walkway, you'll find a convenient hub including the ski school, rental places, a service center, a kids' park, and access to cafes and restaurants. Reddit

The Yu Road Moving Walkway is primarily for accessing the ski area. If you're not skiing, you might still find it a unique experience, but its main purpose is for skiers and snowboarders. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

For stunning photos, aim for late afternoon to capture the sunset views at the bottom of Yu Road. Weekday mornings offer fewer crowds for unobstructed shots. Reddit

Yes, the moving walkway itself is an interesting engineering feat, and the views at the bottom, especially during sunset, are quite picturesque. Reddit

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