Kotatsu Mikan Mystery: Kobe Ski Resort Adventure

A “sori kotatsu” that will make your selfish dream come true, “I want to stay in the kotatsu all the time, but I also want to play in the snow,” has appeared at the artificial ski resort “Mt. Rokko Snow Park” (Nada Ward, Kobe City) in Kobe City. In addition, there are many ways to enjoy the snowy mountains that even people who don’t ski or snowboard can enjoy.

This ski resort is popular for its easily accessible location, about 35 minutes by car from Kobe and 60 minutes from Osaka city. The opening day of this season, December 6, 2025, was filled with high-impact events such as a performance in which former sumo wrestlers in mawashi costumes wrestled on a dohyo ring built on the slopes, as well as 267 cosplayers making their first skis.

◆ What is the “Sori-gotatsu” that gives you the feeling of flying through the air with the futon effect?

The “hot snow play “Sori-Gotatsu””, which was popular last year, is currently being held. This “sori-gotatsu” involves sitting on a kotatsu with “mandarin oranges” and a “TV remote control” on it, waving a futon, and sliding down a snowy course. The effect of the futon gives you a sense of dynamism as if you were flying through the sky.

Those who have experienced it seem to be raving about the experience, saying things like “It was visually stunning!” and “I was so happy to be able to ride the much-talked-about “sledding table”.” Some people even skied more than 10 times.

A person in charge of the facility said, “’Sorigotatsu’ was developed two seasons ago to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the venue’s opening, with the catchphrase ‘Atsui.’ It’s quite popular, and is used not only by children but also by many adults,” he says confidently.

The “Sori Kotatsu” is an original kotatsu futon and top board made of urethane with cushioning properties. Safety is also taken into consideration.

Also popular is “Snow bowling with a giant snowball-style ball!” which was developed at the same time as the “Soligotatsu”. This is a game where you roll a snowball-like ball about 1.5 meters in diameter on a slope to knock down a giant balloon.The snowball with a face painted on it is also very surreal.

“We hold skiing and snowboarding schools for beginners, but it doesn’t mean you can learn to ski right away, so we are focusing on developing “snow games” that you can enjoy without having to ski,” says the person in charge. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there is also a “snow sledding area” and a “snow play area” where you can play by making snowmen and snowballs, and many families come here to enjoy a variety of snow games.

Also, on the day of the interview, not only Japanese people but also tourists from areas where snow does not fall, such as Southeast Asia, were seen making snowmen with their “first snow” and eating meals while looking at the snow.

“Mt. Rokko Snow Park” is scheduled to be open until March 8th. You can experience activities such as “Soli-gotatsu” and “Snow Bowling” on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the period for just the admission fee. Admission fee is 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 yen for children (tax included). Currently, the Rokko Cable is suspended due to vehicle and facility construction, so until April 10, buses and taxis will be used to provide alternate transportation between Rokko Cable Shita Station and Yamagami Station. (During the green season from March 20th, it will be open as Rokkosan Athletic Park “Greenier.”) There is also a day trip bus tour (includes admission ticket) from Namba. Details are available on the official website.

Interview, text, and photos by Hiroko Ota