Myoko Kogen
Myoko - One of the world's best ski resorts! - The Telegraph (U.K.)
Myoko Kogen - One of Japan's best ski resorts! - The Australian
Welcome to "Myoko Kogen: Ski the Heart of Japan" ski and snowboard community. The 2008/2009 winter ski season is now complete and also our first full season in operation. More updates will be coming so keep looking us up as you make plans for the 2009/10 Japan ski season. Visitors will see even more features for next season, as well as a number of new hotels - adding to the numerous useful content that have already made us the most comprehensive and popular Myoko Kogen ski site on the web. Read more about us here.
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Myoko Kogen Overview
Winter skiing and snowboarding options in Myoko's powder snow and the surrounding regions are almost endless. If you are looking for nightclubs and parties Myoko will not be your scene. Instead, it's all about the riding here in Myoko. The area offers some of the most outstanding skiing in all of Asia with an average base of four metres and snow walls sometimes building up to more more than three metres high at the height of the season - yet just a train ride from Tokyo. After a day getting in amongst the white stuff (see the Myoko Kogen video below) there are a few traditional bars and eateries to relax with friends and meet locals, plus don't forget an obligatory dip in the onsen hot springs.
Myoko Kogen Ski and Snow Information
The mountains in and around Myoko receive some amazing snowfalls in winter (up to 14 metres on average) as moisture is swept in from the Sea of Japan and cooled by the surrounding peaks. The Myoko Kogen Ski Area is made up of nine main mountain resorts: Myoko Akakura Onsen, Ikenotaira Onsen, Myoko Suginohara, Seki Onsen, Shin-Akakura (a.k.a. Akakura Kanko or Akakan), Myoko Ski Park, APA Resort Myoko Pine Valley, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus, all with their own special distinctive features. There are a number of other nearby resorts such as Kurohime Kogen Snow Park, Togakushi Snow World and Iizuna Kogen Ski Resort - so one is never really short of choice!
Myoko Suginohara boasts the longest ski run in Japan (roughly 8.5 km) and Akakura
Onsen Ski Resort possesses the steepest ski run in central Japan (38°) - rather nefariously 
refered to as "The Wall”. With great quality powder snow, high level bumps, plus refreshing long runs plus, the area has something for all skiers.
There are nearly 25 ski areas in Myoko Kogen and the surrounding regions. You will find here a clickable map of the major ski areas. Below there are also text links for all local resorts. You can discuss these in the local Myoko Kogen Ski and Snowboard Community forum.
Myoko Kogen is truly the place to ski 'The Heart of Japan'.
KidS Ski School and Childcare
The kids are not forgotten at Myoko Kogen either. There are junior ski schools (including English speaking ski school), kids activities, child care and snow playgrounds available at many of the Myoko Kogen Ski Resorts. Check out all of the options available on the various resort pages (see listings at top right) and look in 'resort stats' for the child care and ski school links.
One example of Daycare and Kid's Park is at APA Myoko Pine Valley. Another is Yodel Snow School in Akakura Onsen who offer junior race training and kids programs. Hotels such as the Windsor Hotel in Shin-Akakura, Myoko Kogen have convenient childcare facilities for kids (6 months - 2 years old).
History of the Myoko Kogen Ski Area
The Myoko ski fields, one of the largest ski areas in Japan, were first used in 1911 and Akakura was established in the 1930's as Japan's first international mountain resort. This makes it one of the oldest established ski areas in the world and is a traditional mountain retreat of Japan's imperial family. As just one testimony to the history of skiing in the area visitors will find a ski jinja (skiing shrine), which is dedicated to the protection of skiers in Myoko. With this rich history, you have the ideal holiday place to enjoy a total Japan ski resort experience.
Myoko Kogen Ski Resort Reviews - What others say about Myoko
In October 2007 the Myokokogen area was designated by The News Corporation Travel Section as one of the best ski resorts in Japan. Then in December 2008 it was listed in the world's TOP 10 resorts by The London Telegraph. In the same month Qantas Travel Insider said that Myokokogen , "... may well be off the beaten track, but canny skiers know it’s worth the effort...The snow can be so deep and light that even aficionados of more famous ski destinations rave about its quality". Snow Japan, the pre-eminent source for Japan snow sports, has long regarded Myoko as, "...one of the most beautiful winter sports areas in Japan" and the Sydney Morning Herald stated that Myokokogen is "..ideal for families, with a mix of terrain suitable for everyone and both Western and Japanese hotel and hostel options"
A travel writer for the Sydney Daily Telegraph rated her day at Suginohara as "...the single best day's skiing of my life" whilst the World Snowboard Guide enthusiastically proclaimed, "This resort just blew us away. Without a doubt, Akakura became the whole teams most favourite resort in Japan." Camilla Stoddart, sports photographer, visited in 2008 and again in 2009. She said, "We went to Myoko and I fell in love with this small and very non-commercialised place instantly. Myoko is one of those undiscovered gems that you don’t want to tell too many people about. It is a real slice of true Japanese skiing with friendly locals, cool wee hang outs, a crazy onsen in the middle of the mountains and amazing pillow line stashes. I will be back to this place!!"
See our 'Myoko Kogen in the News' forum thread for more links.
Learn Japanese on your iPod or add a phrasebook
Myoko Kogen Ski Video
More Myoko Kogen ski videos here...
Ski Lift Tickets and Discounts
Numerous bargain packages can be found - particularly mid-week or in low season. As an example, for the 2008/2009 season Akakura Onsen offered a day lift ticket + lunch + gear discounts for only 3,800 yen whilst Ikenotaira offered a mystery 'black box' package of hotel, meals, onsen and two lift tickets starting at just 7,700 yen. Ikenotaira also had sensational season lift ticket prices - starting at only Y13,000 if you got in by Novemember (keep an eye out for next season). Suginohara had cheap tickets on sale until the middle of December where one could have purchased a book of 8 tickets (8 half days worth, or 4 full days) for only 10,000 yen. Also last year Tangram was promoting a lift ticket, crepe, drink and onsen for only 2,600 yen. Check at one of the local tourist offices for packages and coupons before heading up the mountain, plus keep an eye on here for pre-season bargains.
You can now ski three major resorts in one day with the daily Mt. Myoko Pass for only ¥4,500. Myoko Ski Area offers a pass that covers three of the main Myoko ski resorts - Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, Ikenotaira Ski Resortand Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort - all connected by the Myoko shuttle.
You can also ski the whole mountain all season long with the Myoko Big-4 Pass! For the first time ever in Japan, Myoko Ski Area offers a season pass that covers all four of the main Myoko ski resorts - Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, Akakura Onsen Ski Resort, Ikenotaira Ski Resortand Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort - all for just ¥60,000! A pdf form is available here which can be filled in and emailed direct to the Myoko Tourist Office. A great option for those on a long-term visit, or resident in Japan!
Alternatives:
- Other discount coupons can be downloaded and printed from the respective resort websites (some Japanese may be required). See our individual ski resort pages for links.
- Discount tickets and packages can be purchased at local 7-11 stores before heading up the mountain. For example Ikenotaira last year offered a lift ticket, onsen and drink on certain days for only 2,500 yen
Back-Country, Cross-country and Nordic Skiing
For those wanting to get off the piste and into some unexplored country, as well as where to find a back country ski school or instruction, check out the variety of cross-country, back-country, nordic, telemark and snowshoe opportunities on our dedicated Myoko Back Country Ski page
Japan Ski School instruction in English
Ski lessons (in English) and ski rentals are available from the Yodel Snow School in Akakura, Myoko Kogen. They also offer snow shoe, junior race training and kids programs. Bookings can be made online
Ski and Snowboard instruction can also be found at Myoko APA Pine Valley resort. Check here for details of the English ski schools in Japan
Snowboard & Ski Rental/Purchase
Secondhand and even new equipment can be picked up very cheaply at retailers like Off House (Motto: We love annoying jingles on rote tape) in Joetsu City (opposite Jusco). There are also numerous ski rentals shops such as Aoyama Sports in Akakura (online reservations available), Yodel Ski School (see above) or at Pine Valley. Many of the hotels also have ski rentals on-site such as Canadian House in Myoko Kogen
Breaking News!
No news for now. Stayed tuned for the 2009/10 Myoko Japan Ski Season Updates!
Myoko Ski Area Location Map (click here for the Full Interactive Ski Map)
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Map and many links courtesy of Snow Japan
Myoko Ski Resort Areas Map - (click here for Interactive Ski Map)
Akakura Onsen is a member of the Classic Mt. 6 Group. Other members include Nozawa Onsen, Zao Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Kusatsu and Hakuba Happo One.
