Gransnow Okuibuki to Invest Over 2.4 Billion Yen in 'State-of-the-Art Hotel' on Slopes, Transitioning to a Stay-Type Resort

A total of 2.42 billion yen will be invested to build a "state-of-the-art hotel" as a new accommodation facility on the slopes. (Image of the hotel front welcoming guests)

Targeting inbound demand, the facility will create new content such as the "Kamakura Terrace" to generate a novel tourism value combining "urban tourism + snow experiences." (Image of the slope-side view from sunset to night)

[Total investment of 2.42 billion yen! Decision to construct a "state-of-the-art hotel" at Gransnow Okuibuki! Transitioning from a "day-trip" to a "stay-type" comprehensive resort to establish a new growth model for the tourism industry! Providing "urban tourism + snow experiences" for inbound tourists]

Gransnow Okuibuki (https://www.okuibuki.co.jp/), a ski resort in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture that holds the number one spot in national ski resort popularity rankings, has decided to build a "state-of-the-art hotel" as a new accommodation facility on its slopes. This project, a major investment totaling 2.42 billion yen, aims to shift from the traditional "day-trip" focused ski resort operation to a "stay-type" model, establishing a new growth path as a "stay-type comprehensive resort."

Furthermore, the facility aims to have guests enjoy "multi-day skiing, snowboarding, and snow leisure." By offering "urban tourism + snow experiences" not only to domestic customers but also to inbound tourists visiting to enjoy Japan's four seasons, it seeks to stimulate weekday demand, ease overall congestion at the ski resort, level out weekday and holiday attendance, and improve user satisfaction.

Transitioning from a "day-trip" to a "stay-type" comprehensive resort. (Image of the hotel interior and restaurant)

[Background and Objectives of the New Hotel Construction]

While developing operations centered on the ski resort since 1970, the northern Shiga and Kohoku regions (Nagahama and Maibara cities) boast rich natural and tourism resources but suffer from a shortage of accommodations. This has led to most tourists visiting only for the day, making regional consumption expansion and the enhancement of stay value a challenge. Additionally, the recent strong performance of Gransnow Okuibuki has increased visitor numbers, leading to concentration on specific days and making congestion relief an urgent issue.

Given this background, the company will leverage its track record and know-how as an accommodation operator—managing glamping facilities and ryokans that have won the Ryokan Koshien Grand Prix (*1)—to build a new hotel on the slopes. By partially shifting from a "day-trip" specialized setup to a "stay-type" model, it will achieve congestion relief on peak days, visitor leveling, and increased customer spend, while driving the revitalization of the local economy and sustainable growth of the tourism industry. *1 Ryokan Koshien Grand Prix: Glamping facility "Glamp Element" (https://glamp-element.jp/) Ryokan "Sanken no Yado ~Kinomoto~" (https://www.sanken-kinomoto.com/) Ryokan "Green Park Santo Kamoikeso" (https://greenpark-santo.com/kamoikesou/)

The facility targets inbound demand and will create new content like the "Kamakura Terrace" to establish a new tourism value of "urban tourism + snow experiences." (Image of the slope-side view from sunset to night)

[6 Stories, 54 Rooms, Capacity of 159 with Dedicated Parking! Launching the "Kamakura Terrace" for Inbound Tourists to Create New Value in "Urban Tourism + Snow Experiences"!]

This project will construct a hotel at the base of the ski resort with "6 stories, 54 rooms in total, a capacity of 159 people, and dedicated parking." Operating primarily during the 5-month winter season (approx. 150 days), it will allow guests to enjoy "multi-day skiing, snowboarding, and snow leisure," thereby easing overall congestion and leveling out attendance, while creating a comfortable, extraordinary stay space within the hotel.

Additionally, targeting inbound demand, the facility will introduce new attractions like the "Kamakura Terrace" to forge a new tourism value combining "urban tourism + snow experiences." Leveraging good access from the Kansai and Chukyo regions, it aims to establish a wide-area tourism route paired with urban sightseeing in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and Nagoya.

A total of 2.42 billion yen will be invested to build a "state-of-the-art hotel" as a new accommodation facility on the slopes. (Image of the hotel front welcoming guests)

The hotel will employ an "automated check-in system" that allows guests to check in and pay without human interaction, improving convenience. (The photo above shows the largest in Japan, renewed and opened this season)