Myoko Kogen

Myoko Kogen – One of Japan’s best ski resorts!!

The Myoko area is made up of 10 different ski resorts that are largely linked together only by shuttle bus. Myoko Kogen receive some amazing snowfalls in winter and offers the most outstanding skiing in all of Asia. 
 
Location
Myoko Kogen is located in the Niigata prefecture just over the border from Nagano Prefecture.

From Tokyo the best way to get there is to take the Nagano Shinkansen to Nagano, then the Shinetsu line to Myoko Kogen Station. The ski villages are approximately 15 minutes from the station via bus or taxi.

Myoko Akakura Area Map    Click link to PDF file	Myoko Weather  Click link to Snow Forecast.com

Shuttle buses
The Myoko area is made up of 10 different ski resorts that are largely linked together only by shuttle bus. The main ski area is Myoko Akakura which is made up of two resorts side by side; Akakura Kanko ski resort and Akakura Onsen. Suginohara ski resort features super long cruisy groomers, Seki Onsen is renowned for steep tree skiing, Ikenotaira Onsen has good freestyle fun, and family friendly slopes can be found at Kyukamura and Myoko Ski Park.

Restaurants & Nightlife
There are some traditional bars (izakaya), restaurants and bars in Myoko Kogen - Izakaya are a particularly popular place to drink, eat (serving a variety of tapas-style Japanese foods) and mingle, very little in terms of night life. Average cost between ¥1000 to ¥4000 per meal and from ¥650 per drink.

Culture
It’s all about the riding in Myoko Kogen. Unlike some Honshu ski resorts, Myoko does not prohibit off-piste and tree skiing. Whilst Myoko Kogen is a reasonably high profile Japanese ski area, it hasn’t been ruined by an Australian invasion! There is a distinct lack of international visitors, particularly if you venture away from Akakura, so plenty of the “real Japan” remains. There are enough English signs around town to make life easy, but don’t expect much English signage within the ski areas. About half of the restaurants and izakaya have English menus, and only a handful of the staff at restaurants, accommodations and shops speak a little English. Japanese people are incredibly polite and friendly, but the Myoko Kogen locals in particular seem to exude major affability. Smiles abound and most service staff bend over backwards with hospitality.